Our Fundamental Truths

We embrace the following statements concerning the truth. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. We believe:

The Scriptures Inspired: The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12). That both Old and New Testaments were written by holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service (II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13).

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, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).

Man’s Fall and Redemption: Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-21).

The Salvation of Man
     *Conditions of Salvation: The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47).
     * 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 holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9).

The Promise of the Father: All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).

Sanctification Process: By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24; 1 John 2:6).

The Church: The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (I Thess. 2:4)

Ministry: Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two- fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15, 20; Eph. 4:11-13).

The Five-Fold Ministry: The church is to be taught and led by the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the purpose of teaching and training people to do the work of the ministry with maturity and unity in mind. (Ephesians 2:20, 4:11 – 13, I Corinthians 12:12, 28).

Marriage:  God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22,24; Matt 19: 5-6).

Divine Healing: Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14).

Deliverance: It is God’s desire to bring deliverance to His people. Understanding that our weapons are prayer and the Word of God, and that the battlefield is in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 6: 10-18; II Corinthians 10:3-5) but at times, it may be necessary to invoke deliverance through the laying on of hands (Luke 4:40, Luke 13:11)

The Blessed Hope: The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52).

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 are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:1l-16; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 20: 1-7).

The Lake of Fire: The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).

The New Heavens and New Earth: We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21: l).

Tithing, Offerings, and Alms: Both the Old and New Testament Scriptures teach tithing as God’s financial plan for the support of His work. These are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord (Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:2; Genesis 28:22; Matthew 23:23; Deuteronomy 26; 14:28-29; 15:7-11; Numbers 18:8-l1; Ezekiel 44; Proverbs 14:21; 29:7; Luke 11:41;12:33).

Baptism in Water: The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed in Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt.28:19; Rom. 6:4).

The Lord’s Supper (Communion): The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).