DOCTRINE AND TENETS


THE BIBLE

We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired ("God-Breathed") Word of God for the benefit of mankind so that we may know God’s own Divine Viewpoint and Salvation by God through Jesus Christ. The Bible in the original autograph of the sixty-six (66) canonical books is infallible and inerrant. It is the final authority for executing the Christian Life (Psalms 119:89; Proverbs 30: 5-6; (Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 16:12, 13; II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:20, 21).

THE GODHEAD

We believe in one triune God existing in three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each are co-equal, co-eternal, identical in nature and being. They are equal in power and glory and have the same attributes and perfect righteousness (Genesis 1:26; 3:22-23; 11:7; Psalms 110:1; 2:7; Isaiah 6:8; 48:16; Matthew 28:19; John 5:18; 10:30; 14:16; 17: 21; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; I Peter 1:2; Revelation 1:4).

SOVEREIGNTY

We believe that God, existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is Sovereign and exercises supreme and absolute rule over all His Creation by the function of His Divine Attributes and Deity ( I Chronicles 29:11-12; Daniel 4:35; Psalms 24:1; Ephesians 1:11; I Timothy 6:15). However, God in His Sovereignty will not violate the free will of man. The free will of man and the Sovereignty of God co-exist by Divine decree (John 3:14-18, 36; Romans 5:8-10, 32-33: 16:24-25; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is God as the Eternal Son of God in Hypostatic Union as True humanity and True Deity in one person – He became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, therefore without the sin nature. He came to reveal God and redeem mankind from his helpless condition in sin. Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his spiritual death on the Cross as our substitutionary sacrifice. He then died physically and our redemption is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead after three days and three nights in the earth (Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2,14; Romans 3:24-25; 4:25; I Peter 1:3-5). Jesus Christ is now in heaven exalted at the right hand of the Father as the High Priest for His people, fulfilling His ministry as the first and only man acceptable to God since the fall of man in the garden. He is the believers intercessor and advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; I John 2:1-2).

THE PERSONALITY AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit, as God, convicts the world of sin, indwells all believers in the present Church Age, baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ and seals the believer unto the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s Word (the Bible) as Truth, and Christ as the only Savior - the only mediator between God and man. The Holy Spirit controls the thinking of the believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit by naming sins to God (through the consistent use of I John 1:9). When sin is confessed (named privately to God the Father through prayer) the Holy Spirit restores the believer to fellowship (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).

TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN

We believe Adam (first man) was created in the image and likeness of God, but when Adam fell the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God and is totally unable to restore or retrieve his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:12).

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s Grace and Love to lost and dying mankind, made possible by the efficacious death on the Cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is received by faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation is provided by God because man cannot save himself. The Cross work of Christ reconciled man to God (John 1:12; 3:15-18, 36; Romans 5:8-9; I Corinthians 6:11; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10).

ETERNAL SECURITY

We believe that all believers are kept secure by the Holy Spirit forever. Salvation is eternal life which is God’s own life. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit and that seal is unbreakable. God’s seal is our guarantee of salvation (Psalms 37:23-28; 89: 33-34; John 3:14-18, 36; 6:47; 10: 9, 27-30; Romans 5:1, 6-10, 15-20; 8:1, 30, 35-39; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13; 2: 5-9; I Thessalonians 5:24; II Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 6:18; 13:8; I Peter 1:3-5; I John 5:11-12; Jude 1:24-25). The Lord does not change His Mind. So, when we are saved God cannot take it back (Malachi 3:6).

THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe the personality of Satan to be the Biblically declared enemy of God and man and especially the Body of Christ (believers) (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14: 12-17; Matthew 4:2-11). Satan is also the ruler of this world (Ephesians 2:2; II Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).

THE CHURCH

We believe that the Church which is now the Body of Christ shall become the Bride of Christ. The Church is a literal spiritual organism consisting of born-again believers irrespective of their affiliation with Christian denominations. The Church Age began at Pentecost and is consummated by the Translation of the Church, also known as the Rapture (I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27).

CHURCH ORDINANCES

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the “Lord’s Supper” (Communion) to be observed until His Glorious return for the Church (I Corinthians 11:23-36). We believe in baptism by immersion, which is public proclamation of faith in Christ

THE BLESSED HOPE

We believe that the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be coming of our Lord Jesus Christ "in the air" to receive to Himself the dead in Christ and believers who are alive at His coming. This great event is also known as “Rapture” and/or “Translation of the Church” (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14).

THE TRIBULATION

We believe the Rapture of the Church will be followed by the fulfillment of Daniel’s Seventieth week. The second half of this seven year period is the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Great Tribulation (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-21; Revelation 6:19).

THE SECOND COMING

We believe the great Tribulation will be climaxed by the (pre-millennial) return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth to establish His Kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 24:15-25; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelations 20:6).

MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST

We believe Christ will reign for a literal one thousand years here on earth. His Kingdom Throne will be established in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4-11).

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT/ETERNAL STATE

We believe that the Great white throne Judgment is for unbelievers only. Unbelievers are those who passed away without receiving Christ as Savior. They will be judged based on their works which cannot save - only the “Finished and Accepted” sacrifice of Christ can save. Their works will be rejected by Christ Himself and along with Satan and Fallen Angels, unbelievers will be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but punished with everlasting destruction and separation from the Lord God forever.

We believe at death of the physical body, the soul and human spirit of believers in Christ pass immediately into the presence of the Lord. We shall remain with the Lord in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His Coming, when the soul, human spirit and body of believers will be united. From this wonderful event and for all eternity – life without end, we believers will be with our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6:7; Revelation 20:11-15).

THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY

We believe that the believer will automatically desire the Word of God by the unction of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is spiritual nourishment and is mandatory for spiritual growth. We are to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We can learn to know Christ intimately by the inculcation of His Mind (the Bible) (I Corinthians 2:16; I Timothy 2:4). The effectual work of God’s Word by the Holy Spirit brings the believer into adjustment with the Pre-Designed Plan of God (PPG). The internal and external execution of God’s Word in the believers life brings honor and glory to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 13:9; I Timothy 4:6; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18).


SPIRITUALITY

We believe that spirituality is the mechanics of the Christian life executed by the indwelling control of the Holy Spirit. The believer is mandated not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit by personal sin. When the believer sins, this is called grieving the Holy Spirit or being “out of fellowship.” To be restored to intimate fellowship with God, the believer simple confesses (names the sin) and the Holy Spirit restores the believer to fellowship (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18; I Thessalonians 5:19; I John 1:9).

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that God the Holy Spirit, in grace and apart from human merit, gives spiritual gifts to believers. These gifts include Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Administrators and others. Some gifts ceased after the Canon of Scripture was completed such as apostleship, prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, healing and the working of miracles by mankind. Though the spiritual gifts of miracles and healing have ceased, God may and does heal and miraculously cure or intervene by direct action at His sole discretion and not as a result of anything man does, except through prayer (Isaiah 46:10; Matthew 28:18; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:7-12; James 5:16).

In closing, we will not all agree on all points of doctrine, but must be united in spirit and love in the unity of Christ until He comes. We must not be so intolerant that we lose touch with understanding and forgiveness and love. If we agree on salvation through Jesus Christ by faith in His Sacrifice for our sin, then we can live together and walk the road to heaven with the Holy Spirit. We must stand together and pray together by one Spirit.

Happy Studying!