WHAT WE BELIEVE
The Authority of the Bible
We believe the Bible is God-inspired, and is to be the authoritative rule of life and practice for all Christians.We believe the Scriptures can be fulfilled and must not be broken. We believe that the Old Testament was the type and shadow of better things to come, and that the New Testament is the perfect expression of God’s will and Character as expressed through Jesus Christ. The Epistles are the expression of what Christ has done for us and desires to do through us. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 1:1-3; John 10:35; Matt. 5:19, 19:17; 1 John 2:3-4 )
The Eternal Godhead
We believe God is Triune: Therefore Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally Divine and therefore equally deity.(1 John 5:7-8; Matt. 1:20-25; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Man & Original Purpose
We believe man was created in the image of God and that his purpose was to have dominion over all the works of God’s hands. (Gen. 1:26)
Spirit Beings: Satan, demons, and Angels
We believe that there is a literal Devil (satan) and that he is the adversary of God and man and that there are spirit beings known as demons and angels. (1 Peter 5:8; Matt. 8:16; Mark 16:17; Heb. 1:7, 13-14)
Fall of Man
We believe that by voluntary disobedience man fell from perfection. (Romans 5:12)
Sin
We believe that whatsoever is not of faith is sin and that our sin has been forgiven and not imputed unto us. We believe that if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, which will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (Rom. 4:8; 6:14; 14:23; 1 John 1:9-2:1)
Salvation
We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, signing the pardon for all who believe in Him, and that we have no righteousness (of our own) and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Christ as our only justification. (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:8)
Sanctification
We believe that Christ is our sanctification and we are therefore sanctified upon our receiving Him, and that we grow in grace as we grow in Christ therefore ever growing in holiness of life. (1 Co. 1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 3:18)
Holy Spirit Empowerment
We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a life pleasing unto God, to do the works of Christ, and to meet the needs of all humanity. (John 14:12; 16:7-16; Acts 1:8)
Healing In Atonement
We believe Divine Healing is the power of God to heal the sick (in mind or body), that healing for every person was included in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and that it is God’s will for every Christian to minister healing to anyone at any time. (Psalm 103:2; Isaiah 53:4; Matt. 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24; John 14:12)
The Church – Which is His Body
We believe the church (on earth) is comprised of all in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells, and that the church is the body of Christ upon the earth and is to grow up into Him in all things. (Rom.8:9; Eph. 1:23; 4:12-16)
The Ministry
We believe that God has designated and instituted duly called and equipped persons to function as the overseers of the Body of Christ(the church) upon the earth, and that these persons are charged with the equipping and edification of the saints until such time as the church has grown up into the image of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-15; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3)
The Judgment
We believe that the judgment of God has been passed unto Jesus. That God is not judging anyone at this time. There is A day of Judgment but it is not today. John 5:22; 12:47-48; Acts 17:30-31; 1 CO. 6:2)
Faith Towards God
We believe that we are to have faith towards God based upon the promises of God and that the fulfillment of those promises are based upon God’s faithfulness. We believe that we are to have faith in God and not in our faith. Our faith is that God has and will keep His Word. (Mark 11:22-23; Heb. 6:1; 11:11; 2 Tim. 2:13)
Grace & Repentance From Dead Works
We believe that the grace which came by Jesus Christ is extended to all to the end that they might believe in Him. We believe this grace is both the opportunity and the ability given to men to repent and turn to Christ for the remission of sin. We believe repentance from dead works includes forsaking any works that might be thought to merit favor or salvation from God. (John 1:16, 17; Rom. 11:6; Heb. 6:1; 9:14)
The Kingdom of God
We believe the Kingdom of God is what Jesus preached and demonstrated and that we are to continue His ministry in the same manner and with the same results. We also believe that we are to advance the Kingdom of God upon the earth until such time as Christ shall entreat us to enter into the joy of our Lord. (Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; Luke 9:60-10:11; Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 1 Co. 4:20; 2 Thess. 1:5; Matt. 25:19-23)
Christian Mission
We believe that the Christian Mission is to: Love God in thought, word, and deed & to love your neighbor as yourself, which is practiced by doing unto them as you would have done unto you. Your love for God and man will be demonstrated by going and reproducing disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, both domestically and in foreign lands by every Biblical method. (Matt. 7:11-29; Matt. 28:18-20)