Our Faith

Our Faith

Table of Contents

 

Holy Bible

The Holy Bible, and only the Holy Bible, is the authoritative Word of God.  It alone is the final authority for determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant and authoritative Word of God.

Bible References: Proverbs 30:5, Romans 16:25-26, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Peter 1:23-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 20:31

Trinity

We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent interpenetrating in three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). These three persons are coequal, coeternal and coexistent.

Bible References: Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Hebrews 3:7-11, 1 John 5:7, 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Is God the Son and the Second Person of the Trinity. John 1:1-2, John 10:30, John 14:9
  • Is fully or 100 percent God and fully or 100 percent man
  • Is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life Hebrews 4:15
  • Was born of a virgin Mary Matthew 1:23
  • Performed miracles John 2:11, Luke 1:1-4
  • Died on the Cross for humankind and atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. Romans 3:23-26, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 10:19
  • Arose bodily from the dead on the third day according to the Holy Bible Matthew 28:6, Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 15:4
  • Ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Heavenly Father and acts as the Divine Intercessor Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11, Ephesians 1:20
  • Will return again in power and glory Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 20:28, Philippians 2:5-6, 1 Timothy 2:5. 1 Timothy 3:16, Acts 1:11, Titus 2:13

Virgin Birth

Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God.

Bible References: Isaiah 7:1, Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:23-25, Luke 1:27-35

Redemption

Humanity was created by God good and upright.  But by the voluntary transgression or sin of Adam, humanity fell. Humanity’s only hope for redemption or salvation is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Bible References: Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-21

Regeneration

To be saved or become a Christian, a person must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Bible References: John 6:44, John 6:65

Salvation

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human effort (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 9:22). We are saved through the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9) by faith a person becomes a Christian (John 1:12, Revelation 3:20), and his relationship with God is restored. The acceptance of Christ as Lord assures us that we are saved subject to continued obedience to God and His Word.

We believe a person can throw away their salvation by continued rebellion against God and refusal to repent for known sins.  (Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:15-16)

Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.

Bible References: Acts 2:21, Acts 3:19, Colossians 1:14

Sanctification

After the new birth, sanctification is an ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

Bible References: Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Hebrews 2:11

Jesus’ Blood

The blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100 percent sufficient to cleanse humankind from all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death.

Bible References: John 1:29, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:9, Colossians 1:20, 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9

Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers

Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to Him, thus making Jesus the Lord of their lives as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead.

Bible References: John 1:12, John 14:17, John 14:23, John 15:4, Romans 8:11, Revelation 3:20

Ministry of the Holy Spirit

In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, he indwells the Christian and enables them to live a life pleasing to God.  All true believers must be led by the Holy Spirit in order to be sons and daughters of God.

Bible References: Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:18, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-39

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Given at Pentecost, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus after His Ascension to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth.  This baptism with the Holy Ghost is provided for Christians subsequent to a clean heart.

Bible References: Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Mark 16:17, Acts 1:5, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:39, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:38, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:1-6

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the Resurrection and confirm the power of the gospel. The lists of these gifts in the Bible are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts (including speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance) in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters.

Bible References: Romans 1:11, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, Ephesians 4:16, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:5-16, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Peter 4:10

Church

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the Body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible References: John 17:11, John 17:20-23, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 2:19-22, Hebrews 12:23

Ordinances

Water Baptism (refer to the ordinances section of this constitution for more information).

The Lord’s Supper (refer to the ordinances section of this constitution for more information).

Healing of the Sick

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in Jesus’ commission to His disciples. Healing of the sick is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.  Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.

Bible References:  Psalms 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17, Mark 16:17-18, Acts 8:6-7, Romans 11:29, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 1:28, James 5:14-16

God’s Will for Provision

The Heavenly Father’s will is that believers become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life.  All believers should seek the full benefits of Jesus Christ’s provision through the atonement while on earth in order to fulfill God’s covenant with the saints.

  • Spiritual (John 3:3-11, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
  • Mental and emotional (Isaiah 26:3, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:7-8, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 2:11).
  • Physical (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24).
  • Financial (Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 84:11, Malachi 3:10-11, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Philippians 4:19).
  • Social (Acts 11:14, Hebrews 12:15, Hebrews 12:14)

Resurrection

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. As a result, both the Christian or saved and the non-Christian lost will be resurrected:  The Christian or saved will be resurrected to everlasting life.  The non-Christian or lost will be resurrected to everlasting damnation.  In addition, the saved or Christians still alive at that time will be caught up into the air with Jesus (Also known as the Rapture).

Bible References: Luke 24:16, Luke 24:36, Luke 24:39, John 2:19-21, John 20:26-28, John 21:4, Acts 24:15, 1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 Corinthians 15:44, Philippians 1:21-23, Philippians 3:21, John 5:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Revelation 14:11-15

Heaven

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all obedient believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bible References: Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:12, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 25:34, John 17:24, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 11:16, 1 Peter 1:4

We Are Assured of Heaven

Bible References: John 11:25-26, John 17:3

Hell

After living one life on earth, the unbelievers and the rebellious will initially be sent to hell.  Later, at the white throne judgment, they will be judged by God and sent to the lake of fire where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels.

Bible References: Matthew 25:41, Mark 9:43-48, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 1:9-11, Revelation 20:12-15, Revelation 21:8

Tithes and Offerings

God’s people are expected to pay tithes and offerings to honor God as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Bible References: Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Malachi 3:9-10, Exodus 35:22, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:8

Second Coming

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a date and time undisclosed by the Scriptures.  Jesus Christ will return prior to His 1000 year (premillennial) reign.

Bible References: Matthew 24:30, Matthew 26:63-64, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, Revelation 1:7

Holiness or Godliness

Holiness is to be God’s standard of living for His people. A lack of holiness will prevent a person from entering into Heaven. Refer to the Unholiness page for examples of practices which are not consistent with holiness.
We believe that people should be allowed the opportunity, time, and resources to repent to be restored back to Jesus Christ.  The above list is not meant to condemn, but to focus on areas where repentance and deliverance is needed.  We realize that many people are dealing with issues at different stages of their Christian lives.  However, people with a sincere heart will make the effort to repent which is what God expects from us.  People who refuse to repent are walking in unholiness.

Bible References: Revelation 22:11, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 93:5, Exodus 19:5-6

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