I. Statement of Faith
We believe in God the Father Almighty. Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried and ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, from whence He is coming again to judge the quick and the dead.
II. The Inspiration of the Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men; the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. (2 Tim 3:15, 16; 1 Pet 2:2).
III. The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM”; and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa 43:10, 11; Matt 28:19).
IV. Man’s Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright – for God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness”. But man, by voluntary transgression fell and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Gen 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-21).
V. The Salvation of Man
A. Conditions to salvation
The Grace of God, which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men though the light of creation, the light of conscience, and the light of the Holy Spirit . Salvation comes to each individual through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, and, being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Rom 1:19-21, 2:15; Jn 16:7-11; Rom 10:13-15; Lk 24:47; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:7-9; Heb 9:13-28).
B. The evidence of salvation
The inward evidence, to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom 8:16); the outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness, and freedom from habitual sin (Eph 2:10, 4:24; Rom 6:1).
VI. Entire Sanctification
The Bible teaches that we should live a life of holiness and purity, without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are must obey the command, “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” Entire Sanctification is the will of God for all believers. It is an experience that could happen at salvation, or as a subsequent work of grace in the believer’s life. (1 Thess 5:23; Rom 6:19; 1 Thess 4:3). It is a work of grace, and as such it is by faith, its condition is consecration, it must be grown in, but is not grown into (2 Pet 3:18).
VII. The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and are commanded to expect, and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire; according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it, or subsequent to it, comes the enduement of power for lie and service, the bestowment of the Gifts of the Spirit and their uses in the work of the ministry (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1 Cor 12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
VIII. Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the 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 Cor 12:4; 10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
IX. The Church
The Church of Jesus Christ is a living organism. The body of Christ, and an habitation of God through the Spirit, and each true believer is a member of the body. (Eph 2:20-22; 1 Cor 12:14; Acts 2:47). The church has divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission, and the administration of the ordinances of the church.
X. Ministry and Evangelism
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by the Lord to minister in two spheres of service, which are to the church and to the world. To the world these preachers are the tools of evangelism (Rom 10:13-14). They are to preach the gospel message contained in 1 Cor 15:4, which is that God sent His Son, who lived on the earth, died on the cross for our sins, was raised for our justification, ascended to the Father, and will return again.
Within the church there are those who minister in the Word, and those who minister in works. The ministers of the Word are apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers (Eph 4:11-13). Their purpose is for the perfecting of the saints, the edification of the body of Christ, and the work of the ministry. The ministers of works are the deacons of the churches (Acts 6:4). The qualifications for ministry are listed in the Word of God (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 2:5-9).
XI. Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by full immersion in water should be observed as commanded in scriptures. Water baptism is not a method of salvation, but it is one of the first steps of obedience of any believer who has truly been born again. Baptism is a threefold statement: it is a statement to God of obedience unto Him; it is a statement to yourself that your old man has died with Christ, and resurrected with Him and now you walk in the newness of life; and it is a statement to the world that you are renouncing your old life, and identifying with the body of Christ. The formula of water baptism is full immersion in water, and is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and not simply the name of Jesus (Mt 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Rom 6:4; Acts 20:21; Heb 10:22; 1 Pet 3:21).
XII. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s supper is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Cor 11:26); and a prophecy of His coming (1 Cor 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “until He comes”. The elements that are used are bread and the fruit of the vine, and these elements do not have any sanctifying power within themselves, they are taken in obedience to our Lord’s command.
XIII. Divine Healing
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Is 53:4-5; Mt 8:16-17)
XIV. The Blessed Hope
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain utno the coming of the Lord is the blessed hope of the Church. This will be a pre-millennial rapture of the Church that will to keep them from God’s wrath that will come to the earth. (1 Thess 4:16-18; Rom 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor 16:51-52; Rev 11:15).
XV. The Second Coming of Christ
The Second Coming of Christ will be an event witnessed by all men, for every eye shall see Him. It will be a witness to Jerusalem in particular, for they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced. He will return with His saints to judge the world, and at this time all the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of the Lord.
XVI. The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world’s hope (2 Thess 2:1-7; Rev 19:11-14; Rom 11:26-27; Rev 20:1-7).
XVII. The Lake of Fire
The devil and his angels, the beast, and the false prophet and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10-15).
XVIII. The New Heavens and New Earth
We, “according to His promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet 2:13; Rev 21:22).
