Scripture
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. We believe the whole of scripture, and we look to it as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16; 1Thesselonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21
The Godhead
Our God is one, but manifested in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal and co-eternal. God the Father is greater than all; the sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter. The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from time everlasting. The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal.
Scriptures: Philippians 2:6; John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14; John 15:16
Man, His Fall, and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God. But through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world (“…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and “…there is none righteous, no, not one”). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to destroy the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works of the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God.
Scriptures: Romans 5:12-15; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:8; Ephesians 2:8-10
Eternal Life and the New Birth
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5
Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by emersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord for those who believe. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8: 36-39
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God to all believers, and is received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. While the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not biblically presented as a prerequisite for eternal life, it was promised by, and sent by our heavenly Father, and is a good gift to be desired and is uniquely beneficial in the Christian’s life.
Scriptures: Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:38,39; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19: 1-7
Divine Healing
Healing is for physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today.
Scriptures: Mark 16:18; James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5
Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord
The angel said to Jesus’ disciples, “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” We believe Jesus will return for His elect at the last trumpet, and when He comes, “…the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” Following His return, He shall reign on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and those who remained faithful—those who take part in the “first resurrection”—shall reign with Him for a thousand years. After the thousand year reign of Christ, there will be a “new heaven and a new earth” in which believers will enjoy eternal life.
Scriptures: Matthew 24:1-31; Acts: 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 11:15-19; Revelation 20-21
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting 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 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.
Scripture: Hebrews 9: 27; Revelation 19:20
The Body of Christ
We believe that the local church, although autonomous, will be related to other local churches and ministries through fellowship and formed relationships. In particular, we believe that there are foundational ministries of apostles and prophets that transcend the local church and that the local church should be in a relationship with such a ministry or ministries for the purpose of advice, counsel, oversight, encouragement, and help. Such ministries are designed by God to provide connection and relationship in the universal Body of Christ between and among local fellowships and to provide spiritual covering, protection, accountability, identity, and checks and balances for local leadership by local elders.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 2:42; Galatians 2:7-9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The Sanctity of Life, Marriage, and the Home
Life begins at conception and is a gift of God. Children are a blessing from the Lord, and it is the responsibility of the parents to raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman wherein the husband is the head of the wife, and within this covenant relationship he endeavors to love his wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her. Biblically, a Christian’s home should be viewed as the primary place of shelter, nurture, and teaching of God’s commandments. God’s word (not the church) has authority over the home, yet families support the church as a gathering and equipping place for the saints knowing collectively that Christian families and individual believers are the joints of the body of Christ, and each member doing their share causes growth in the body.
Scripture: Genesis 3:24; Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 127:3; Jeremiah 1:5; Romans 1:24-32; Ephesians 4:11-16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Ephesians 6:4
Vertical Relationships
