What to expect
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason; and it is therefore our infallible rule of faith and practice.
II Timothy 3:16-17, I Peter 1:23-25, Hebrews 4:12
ABOUT GOD
We believe in one God who has revealed Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all co-eternal, all stand equally superior to time, free from the temporal distinctions of past and future.
The Eternal FATHER
Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; I Timothy 1:17.
The Eternal SON
John. 1:1-2; John. 8:58; Heb. 1:8; I John 1:2; Micah 5:2; Rev. 1:8
The Eternal SPIRIT
Heb. 9:14
The Eternal GODHEAD
Romans 1:20
ABOUT JESUS
We believe in the pre-existence, incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world to reveal the Father, and is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person; that Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, for by Him the world was made. We further believe that in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and that He was very God and very Man.
John. 1:1-2 & 14; I Tim. 3:16; Acts 7:37-38
Christ Ascension and Immanent Return
We believe in Jesus Christ’s sinless life, miracles, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and His ascension into Heaven, and His personal return in power and great glory, and in His everlasting Kingdom and dominion. (Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; Daniel 7:14; Rev 20:4) We acknowledge His Lordship — that Jesus Christ is Lord over all things in heaven and in earth, and under the earth.
Philippians 2:9-10
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is being manifested in the Church through the fruit, (Galatians 5:22-23 — graces, ministries and gifts) and we hold that the nine gifts of the Spirit, (I Corinthians 12:8-11) should be and must be operative in the Church today in order for the Church to enjoy the fullness of God. Also, we hold that these gifts are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or operate by this One and self-same Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:11
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; that it is the seal of the New Covenant relationship, Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22 and that speaking in other tongues is the accompanying sign of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mk. 16:17. We also hold that the evidence of the baptism (or infilling) of the Holy Spirit is one’s response to the Word of God (John 16:13), a Christ-like life, showing forth Christ’s character, nature and experiencing and manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
John 15:26; 16:14; Gal. 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18-21
ABOUT MAN
The Creation of Man
We believe that man was created by a direct and immediate act of God.
Genesis 1:26-27, 2:4
The Fall of Man
We believe that man by transgression fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into total spiritual depravity, a state of death in trespasses and sins in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, being unable to attain divine righteousness by his own efforts, but must be redeemed and delivered by the power of the gospel.
Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 15:1-4
GRACE AND SANCTIFICATION
We believe that “by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) We further believe that the emphasis for a continuous walk in grace should be the emphasis of heart righteousness and purity, believing in the keeping power of God, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh in a lifestyle that demonstrates the character, standards and convictions of Jesus Christ, not being conformed to the world
Jude 24, Romans 8:25, Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 4:1-5, 12:1-2.
WORSHIP
We believe in the practice of worship with one’s total being (singing; lifting of hands; bowing down; lying prostrate before the LORD; in the dance; the use of instruments) as set forth in the Word of God.
Ephesians 5:18-19, Revelation 1:17, Psalm 150, Acts 24:14
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that repentance and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ produces the work of justification in the believer. Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, man is justified and made a partaker in the death of Christ. This is the initial step of salvation.
Romans 5:1, 9. Luke 22:20
FAITH
We believe that faith without works is dead. We do not believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of this church that any matter can be believed without there being an accompanying and corresponding action. Our faith is an active faith that requires the doing of acts in the world. Our faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual belief or assent to doctrine but is an active force in our lives that requires and results in actions being taken. A living, active faith will be manifested not only in belief and mental assent but in actions expressing and based upon that belief. If a belief is truly held it will be acted upon. The act is as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the belief upon which the act is based.
James 2:14-26, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 5:16, 7:21 & 24-27, 16:27, II Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 2:23, 22:12
A NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH
We believe that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
Isaiah 65:17 & 66:22; 2 Peter 2:13; Revelation 21 & 22.