Our Beliefs
The One True God
The One true God has revealed Himself as the "I Am", the Creator of the Universe, and Redeemer of mankind. We believe that God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (universally present everywhere at once). He eternally exists in three persons known as the Trinity which is comprised of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 43:10-11; Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 4:5-6)
The Inspired Scriptures
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired and infallible revelation of God to man and the authority of faith and conduct. We accept the Holy Bible as the inspired and revealed will of God to mankind, the all-sufficient rule of faith and standard for daily living, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We regard Scripture as infallible in its original languages. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, is what we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:14-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 1:1)
The Deity of Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. (Revelation 1:8; Hebrews 1:1-3)
The Fall and Redemption of Man
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14), was manifested to undo the work of the devil and to give His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (1 John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, which is made operative by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
The Salvation of Man
Man's only hope is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is only by grace through faith and demonstrated in repentance leading to a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no other way to obtain salvation and right-standing with God the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 3:3; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8). Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled by grace through faith, it produces eternal life. (John 3:3-5, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Originally given on the first Day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, we believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit (or in the Holy Spirit) is the promise of the Father available to all Christians by faith, and is only available subsequent to the new birth. It was sent by Jesus after His Ascension to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth. In scripture the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the evidence of speaking in tongues (a language unknown to the speaker) as the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4; John 14:15-17). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation. (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8; 2:4; 2:38-39; 19:1-7)
The Present Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The present ministry of the Holy Spirit is to teach and reveal God’s Word to the body of Christ, to lead and guide us in all aspects of life, to empower us, and to manifest Himself in power and demonstration. We believe it is vitally important for a church to endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to flow in all of these aspects, including His power and demonstration. We believe that familiarizing people with the operation of the power and demonstration of the Spirit in corporate worship will more easily allow that same blessing to manifest in their personal lives, where it is needed most. (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
Sanctification and Justification
We believe that sanctification is the act of separation from that which is evil and dedicating oneself to God and that which is good, upright, and morally pure. The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14). We believe that our right-standing with God and our justification for that right-standing comes from our faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:22). Sanctification is a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14)
The Church and its Mission
The Church and every member in it are the representatives of Jesus on earth and are to carry out the Great Commission, preaching the Gospel, operating in the signs and wonders that Jesus spelled out in Scripture, baptizing believers, and making disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 19:10)
Divine Healing
Divine bodily healing is provided for today by the Scriptures, is included in Christ’s atonement for our sins, and is a present-day privilege available to every believer. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16; Acts 10:38) Healing is for the physical ills of the human body. Just like every other promise in the New Covenant, it is wrought by the power and grace of God through faith. (Mark 16:18, 1 Peter 2:24)
The Kingdom of God
All who have faith in Jesus Christ and are in right-standing with God are now members of the government and Kingdom of God, having been taken out of the government and kingdom of darkness (Isaiah 9:6-7; Colossians 1:12-13). This Kingdom of God and its governing principles have many great and precious promises for those who apply those principles to their lives (2 Peter 1:4; Matthew 6:33). Among those great and precious promises are Godly families and relationships (Ephesians 6:1-4); deliverance from bondage, addictions, and life-controlling issues (Hebrews 2:14-15; Psalm 34:19); a healthy thought-life and healthy emotions (2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Timothy 1:7); God-given success in our endeavors (Deuteronomy 28:12); abundant life (John 10:10); provision of our earthly and material needs (Philippians 4:19); divine health and healing (3 John 2); and financial prosperity. (3 John 2; Psalm 112:3; Proverbs 10:22; Deuteronomy 8:18; Ecclesiastes 5:19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; 2 Corinthians 8:9)
The Blessed Hope and Second Coming
The resurrection and rapture of all Christians dead and alive to meet Christ in the air is known as the Blessed Hope. The Second Coming of Christ includes this rapture and a return to earth by Christ with His saints for a thousand-year reign. His coming is imminent. (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Zechariah 14:5-7; Matthew 24:30-31; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 20:6)
The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment at which all men will be judged, affecting their eternity. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20)
The New Heaven and Earth
All of God's children will reign forever in a new heaven and a new earth. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21-22)
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, and therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20)
