Statement of Faith
The church shall accept the Bible’s Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts the Statement of Fundamental Truths.
The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all truth in the Bible, only that it covers our present needs as to these fundamental matters.
1. The Scriptures Inspired
We believe that the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are the inspired word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith, and conduct, and are superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (II Tim 3: 15-17; I Peter 1: 23-25; Heb 4: 12)
2. The One True God
The one 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. We believe in God, Creator of all things infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Duet 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa 43: 10; Matt. 28:19).
3. The Deity of The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is the True God and the True man. The Scriptures declare:
- His Virgin birth (Matt 1:23, Luke 1:31, 35)
- His sinless life (Heb 7:26,27, I Peter 2: 21,22)
- His miracles (John 2:22; 10: 38)
- His substitutionary work on the Cross (I Cor. 15: 3, II Cor. 5: 21)
- His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Like 24: 39; I Cor. 15:4)
- His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Phil 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3)
4. Man, His Fall, and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us makes 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. (Gen 1:26-31; 3: 17; Rom 5: 12-21.6).
5. The Salvation of Man
Conditions to Salvation: The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of his sins, regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by the grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2: 1; Rom 10: 13-15; Luke 24: 47; Titus 3: 5-7).
The 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 righteousness and true holiness
6. The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water: The ordinance of Baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed in Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have also been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life (Matt 28: 19; Acts 10:47; Rom 6: 4). However, not regarded as a means of salvation.
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 of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial of His suffering, His Death, and a prophecy of His second coming and is enjoined on all believers “until He comes” (John 6: 48, 51,53,57; Luke 22:19,20; II Peter 1:4; I Cor. 11: 26).
7. The Holy Spirit
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. So, all believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts, and their use in the work of ministry (Luke 24: 49; Acts 1: 4-9; 1Cor 12: 1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from the experience of the new birth (Acts 2: 38; 10: 14-16; 15:7-9).
8. Entire Sanctification
The Scriptures teach a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy “. Entire 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; I Pet. 1:15, 16; I Thess. 5:23, 24; I John 2:6; Rom 8:3, 4).
9. The Church
The church is the body of Christ the head of the church, 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 body of Christ (Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23).
10. The Ministry and Evangelism
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose:
- The evangelization of the world.
- The edifying of the body of Christ (Mark 16: 15-20; Eph. 4:11-13).
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 coming of the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (I Thess. 4:16, 18; Rom.8:23; Titus 2:13; I Cor. 15:51, 52).
12. The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven and the millennial reign of Christ on earth is the Scriptural promise and the world’s hope (II Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:25-27; Rev. 20:1-7).
13. The Final Judgment
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the Lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).
14. The New Heavens and New Earth
We “according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth wherein dwells righteousness” (II Pet. 3:13; Rev.21:1).
15. The Pastoral Leadership
We as the church of Christ will continue to strictly adhere to the biblical teaching of pastoral leadership according (1Tim. 2:8-15).
16. Marriage and Sexuality
The only legitimate marriage and the only marriage sanctioned by God is which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
Any form of homosexuality or bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, pornography or any attempt to change one’s gender is sinful and is offensive to God. However, God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitude directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church.
Ordinances
1. Baptism
The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in water (Matt. 28:19) shall be administrated to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls, and who give clear evidence of their salvation (Rom.6:3,5; Col. 2:12).
2. The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall regularly be observed as enjoined in the Scriptures (Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-26).