THE SCRIPTURES

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, God’s recorded Will, through 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, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to belief and conduct. (2 Tim. 3:16, 1 Thess. 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 (Phil. 2:5-6). God the Father is the creator and the One Who sent the Word (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14). The Son is the Word made flesh, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).

MAN, HIS FALL AND SALVATION

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God. Through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo 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 and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Rom. 5:14, Rom. 3:10; Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:8; Eph. 2:8).

ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH

Man’s first step toward salvation is repentance from sins and faith toward God, resulting in the New Birth. Our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, as full payment for our sins results in the “New Birth”. This is when someone passes from death to life spiritually, and begins to know God in a personal way. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, results in eternal life (John 3:3-5; II Cor. 5:17; II Cor. 7:10; Gal. 2:20; 1 Jn. 5:12).
WATER BAPTISM – Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Matt 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).

THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The infilling of the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation. It is given to empower believers in their walk with God and in their witness. It is given to believers who ask, and yield themselves to this infilling. It is many times accompanied with the laying on of hands. (Matt. 3:11; Luke 11:13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-7).

SANCTIFICATION

We believe in sanctification (conformity to God’s standards) as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ’s return (Heb. 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:23, II Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30).