STATEMENT OF faith

The Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the infallible and authoritative rule of faith and conduct, as they are verbally inspired by God and reveal His message to humanity. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).

The one true God, who created the universe and redeemed humanity, has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM" and exists as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:

• His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35).

• His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).

• His miracles (Acts 2:22, 10:38).

• His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

• His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4).

• His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).

Man was created good and in God's image but fell from grace due to voluntary transgression, leading to physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

a) Conditions to Salvation: Salvation is attained by repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Through regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, man is justified by grace through faith and becomes an heir of God, having hope for eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).

b) The Evidences of Salvation: Salvation has both inward and outward evidence, with the inward being the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16) and the outward being a life of righteousness and true holiness visible to everyone (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).

a) Baptism in Water: Baptism by immersion is a commandment in the Scriptures, and those who repent and believe in Christ should be baptized. This symbolizes their death with Christ and their resurrection with Him to a new life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4).

b) Holy Communion: The Lord's Supper, consisting of bread and the fruit of the vine, is a symbol of sharing the divine nature of Jesus, (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); all believers are encouraged to partake until His return.

Believers are entitled to seek and expect the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire as commanded by Jesus, which was the norm in the early Christian church (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience provides power for life and service, bestows gifts, and is distinct from the experience of new birth (Act 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). Experiencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit leads to a deeper relationship with God, increased devotion to His work, and a more active love for Christ, His Word, and the lost (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8; Acts 2:42-43; Hebrews 12:28; Mark 16:20).

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.

Sanctification is the act of separating from evil and dedicating oneself to God (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). It is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit by recognizing one's identification with Christ and offering every faculty to the Holy Spirit's dominion (Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1, 2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12, 13; 1 Peter 5). Scriptures teach that a life of holiness is necessary to see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

The Church is the body of Christ, inhabited by God through the Spirit, and has a divine purpose to fulfill its Great Commission. Every believer is an integral part of this assembly and the church of the firstborn (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).

A ministry has been established by the Lord to lead the Church in threefold purposes:

(1) Evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20),

(2) Worship of God (John 4:23, 24), and

(3) Building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11, 16).

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 (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16).

The Church believes in the imminent and joyful hope of the resurrection of those who have passed away in Christ, and their translation, along with those who are alive and remain, at the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15: 51,52).

The second coming of Christ involves the rapture of the saints followed by His visible return with them to earth, ushering in a thousand-year reign (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27,30; Revelations 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6) that will bring salvation to Israel (Ezekiel 37: 21, 22; Zephaniah 3:19, 20; Romans 11:26, 27) and universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4).

There be a final judgment in which the wicked will be judged according to their works. Those not written in the Book of Life will be punished in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death, along with the devil, his angels, the beast, and the false prophet (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21, 22).