Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God (God-Breathed) and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative word of God. We do not believe that any other writings are part of the Word of God.
The One True God Revealed as a Triunity
The God of the Bible is One God. He is not three Gods. This one true God has revealed Himself as the eternal self-existent “I AM”, the Creator of the heavens and earth, the Holy One, the Redeemer of mankind. He has also revealed Himself as being one in plurality, God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Though distinct from each other, they are each declared to be fully God and yet they are One God.
The Salvation of Man
§ The Fall of Man
Man created in the image of God believed Satan’s lie and transgressed the commandment of God thereby incurring the penalty of both physical death and spiritual death (separation from God). Sin entered the world and death by sin. Man became a slave to the power of sin.
§ Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith. God sent Christ into the world to be the all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of man and to redeem him from the power of sin. Jesus Christ bore all our sins in His own body on a cross and by His stripes we were healed. Salvation is received by repentance toward God and faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. We are regenerated (made a new creation), justified by faith and given eternal life.
§ Repentance and Water Baptism
Repentance is turning from the world, sin and the power of darkness to faith in the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. It is surrendering to the Lordship of Christ. Godly sorrow works repentance. When we agree with God that our sins have separated us from Him, that sin is reprehensible to God and only the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient to take away our sins, then the forgiveness and cleansing by the blood of Christ is applied to our life. I John 1:9 states, “If we confess (agree with God) our sins, He is faithful and just to have forgiven us our sins and to have cleansed us from all unrighteousness.”
Water baptism is an Old Testament concept that was for the Jewish nation showing that they had a complete change of direction in their life. John the Baptist came preaching a message of repentance and water baptism for the remission of sin. Not that water baptism would take away their sins but that they were preparing themselves for the One who was coming who would take away their sins, which was Jesus Christ. Though this concept of water baptism was preached in the early church because they were preaching to Jews and Jewish proselytes, the gospel that was revealed to Paul the Apostle was a spiritual baptism into the death of Christ. Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Even John the Baptist preached this same message of a spiritual baptism. (Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and fire). This spiritual baptism is the baptism that now saves us. (I Pet 3:21)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised by John the Baptist and reaffirmed by Christ Himself. John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” This is what Jesus told His disciples. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit includes the new birth were we are given the Eternal Spirit to dwell in us. It also includes being endued with power from on high to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. This enduing with the power of the Spirit enables us to speak with new languages that we have not learned. Paul said that I will pray with the spirit (speaking in tongues) and I will pray with the understanding (speaking in a known language that the one speaking understands). Lets all seek to have the fullness of the Spirit.
Divine Healing
Healing is a part of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses on the cross. We can and should expect healing from God.
The Return of Christ
Jesus Christ will come again and rule and reign on this earth for a 1,000 years. Those who are overcomers will rule and reign with Him. This will be a time of universal peace and prosperity.
The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the lake of fire, which is the second death.
The New Heavens and the New Earth
The present heaven and earth will pass away and God will make a new heaven and a new earth where the righteous will dwell with Him forever and ever. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. We will live in the joy and blessings of God forever. The former things have passed away and we will enjoy uninhibited fellowship with God.