Tenets of Faith


The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters.


One God


There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who is infinitely perfect (Matthew 5:48), existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus Christ is the true God and the true man (Philippians 2:6-11). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34-38). He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), as a substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9), and all who believe in Him are
justified on the ground of His shed blood (Romans 5:9). He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures (Acts 2:23-24). He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High Priest (Hebrews 8:1). He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness and peace (Matthew 26:64)


The Scriptures Inspired


The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).


Repentance


Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9).


Original Sin and Salvation


Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) : he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23) , are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians15:20-23). The portion of the unrepentant and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment (Revelation 21:8); and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss (Revelation 21:1-4). Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God (Titus 3:4-7).


The Baptism in the Holy Spirit


All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).

The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit


The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28), but different in purpose and use.


Divine Healing


Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16). And since we are created in the likeness, and image of God, 3 part man, He also heals us completely, body, soul, and spirit..(1 Thes. 5:23)


Marriage


God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22, 24; Matt 19: 5-6).

The Five-fold Ministry


We believe God is going to unify His Church in the faith and knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. To this end, when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, He gave five specific ministry gifts to mankind. They are apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, according to Ephesians 4. Not to be confused with other gifts mentioned in the Bible, the five ministry gifts are for the equipping of believers for the work of service, and the building up of the Body of Christ. This ministry model was initiated by Jesus when he left the earth and sent His Holy Spirit to continue the work through His anointing. A person becomes anointed by experiencing God’s Spirit coming upon them, transforming him or her in a special way. The ministry of the Holy Spirit through these five gifts is still ongoing today, and will continue until his Church is fully mature to the stature and fullness of Christ Himself.

Baptism in Water


The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4).


Holy Communion


The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements – bread and the fruit of the vine – is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”