Tenets of Faith
(In Brief)
The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally existent I-AM, the creator of heaven and earth, and the redeemer of mankind, is a triune Godhead, and is comprised of three (3) separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self‑existent, self‑revealed and function as one entity. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
The Deity of Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
a) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22).
b) His substitutionary work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21)
c) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; John 20:24-29; I Corinthians 15:4).
d) His second coming (Acts 1:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:8; Revelation 1:7).
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness". But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God (Genesis 1:26‑31, 3:1‑7; Romans 5:12‑21).
The Salvation of Man
a) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. (John 3:3; Luke 24:27; Romans 10:13; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
b) The evidence of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. "And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us" (1 John 3:23).
c) Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity (Romans 10:9‑10; II Cor. 5:10).
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of Baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures. All who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47, 48; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12;).
Holy Communion (The Lord's Supper)
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements (bread and the fruit of the vine) is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come" (Matthew 26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:24-25, 28).
The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and should expect the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4‑8; 1 Cor. 12:1‑31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44‑46; 11:14‑16; 15:7‑9). The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial sign of speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4, Mark 16:17).
The Ministry (The Church)
The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven (I Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 1:22; 2:19‑22; Hebrews 12:23).
Total Prosperity
a) Spiritual. John 3:3, 11; II Cor. 5:17‑21; Romans 10:9‑10.
b) Mental. II Tim. 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.
c) Financial. III John 1:2; Malachi 3:10‑11; Luke 6:38; II Cor. 9:6‑10; Deut. 28:1‑14.
d) Social. Proverbs 3:4.
e) Physical. Divine Healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers who will place their faith and trust in God (Exodus 15:26; Psalms 103:3; Proverbs 4:20-22; Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16; I Peter 2:24, Hebrews 11:1-40).
The Blessed Hope
Jesus is coming again to gather all His saints to Heaven. The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (Romans 8:23, I Corinthians 15:51-52, 55; I Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18, II Thessalonians 2:1; Titus 2:13).
The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years as the Scriptures promised (Zechariah 14:3-5, Matthew 24:24-30, II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-16, 20:1-7). After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21). The millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21, 22, Zechariah 3:19-20, Romans 11:25-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalms 72:3-8, Micah 4:3, 4).
The New Heavens and the New Earth
We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (II Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:10-27).
The Lake of Fire (The Final Judgment)
The wicked and those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire that burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10‑15, John 3:18).
Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12). The scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (I Peter 1:15, 16).
