We believe our God is one, but is manifested in three persons – the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (1 John 5:7). God the Father is greater than all, the Source of the Word (Logos), and the Begetter (John 1:14, 14:28, 16:28). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The new Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, is what we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21).
We believe that 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. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one'” (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God 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 grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
We believe man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works itself into repentance (turning from all that is sinful and turning toward God). The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal life (John 3:3-5, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12).
We believe baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12). The following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula is adopted: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
We believe in observing the Lord’s supper, or communion, just as Jesus instructed.
This means that Christians take the broken bread and the fruit of the vine as a remembrance and celebration of the new life that is theirs because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 19:1-7).
We believe that every human being has been created in the image of God. Human life is sacred and valuable in all dimensions, including pre-born babies, the elderly, those who are physically and mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. As a result, we are called and instructed by God to defend, protect and value all human life (Ps. 139).
We believe that heaven is the habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17).
We believe 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)
We believe that tithing (giving 10 percent of earnings) and offerings (amounts determined by the individuals) are God’s instruments to carry on His ministry, spread the gospel, and release personal blessing (Gen. 14:18-20, 28:18-22, Malachi 3:10, 1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 9:6-8, Heb. 7:1-11).
We believe that power, anointing, or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. The Levitical Priesthood practiced the laying on of hands. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of water baptism. The laying on of hands is used for the following reasons:
A. To Impart Inner Healing and Deliverance (Luke 4:18).
B. To Impart Blessing (Genesis 48:13-20, Mark 10:16).
C. To Impart Authority (2 Kings 13:15-17).
D. To Impart Physical Healing (Mark 16:17-18, Acts 19:11-12, 28:8, James 5:14-15).
E. To Impart the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16-18).
F. To Impart Gifts and Ordain to Ministry (Romans 1:11, Acts 13:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6).
