Beliefs

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OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

“The statement of Faith” does not exhaust the extent of our faith.  The Holy Scriptures are the sole and final source of all that we believe.  We do believe, however, that the following “Statement of Faith” accurately represents the teachings of the Holy Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit – We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to endue the believer with power to witness and overcome, just as it did in Bible days. (Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4)

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper - We believe that the baptism by immersion is an outward sign of an inward work. We believe in the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper by the symbolic use of the bread and the juice of the vine. (Matthew 28:29, Acts 19:5, 1 Cor. 11:28, Col. 3:17)

Church Relationship – We believe it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with the visible church of Christ. (Acts 16:5)

Civil Government - We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: the home, the church, and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17)

Daily Christian Life – We believe that it is the will of God that we be sanctified daily, growing constantly in the faith. (Hebrews 6:1)

Divine Healing – We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ to heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith (James 5:14-16, Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53)

Evangelism – We believe that God has commissioned his church to evangelize the world and make disciples; this is the first priority of God’s people in the earth. (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21, Acts 1:8)

Heaven – We believe that heaven is the glorious eternal home of all born-again believers, (John 14:1-3)

Hell – We believe that hell is a place of eternal torment for all who reject Christ as their Savior. (Mark 16:16, Rev. 20:10,15)

Human Life – We believe that since mankind is created in God’s image, human life is of inestimable worth and significant in all its dimensions, from conception to the grave. (Genesis 1:27; Psalms 139:13-16)

Human Sexuality – We believe that sexual purity is a necessary expression for all of God’s children and requires abstinence from adultery, fornication, incest, homosexuality, or other sexual practices forbidden by Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:1-30, Romans 1:26-29,  1 Cor. 6:18, Hebrews 13:4).

Lawsuits Between Believers - We believe that Christians are spiritually prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other believers or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between believers. We believe the Holy Scriptures outline specific steps for resolving disputes between believers. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 18:15-17)

Marriage – We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment for a lifetime and is a sacred institution established by God (Genesis 2:24, Matt.9:4-6, Matt. 5:32).

Moderation – We believe that the experience and daily walk of the believer should never lead him into extremes of fanaticisms. (Phil. 4:5)

Repentance and Acceptance – We believe that upon sincere repentance, and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God (Luke 13:3, Rom. 5:1, 1 John 1:9).

Salvation through Grace – We believe that we have no righteousness and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Christ. (Eph. 2:8)

The Eternal Godhead – We believe there is one God. God is Triune; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4, Mt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14)

The Fall of Man – We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection. (Romans 5:12)

The Final Judgment – We believe that all shall stand some day before the judgment seat of God; and there receive eternal life or death (2 Cor. 5:10).

The Fruit of the Spirit – We believe that Christians should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life. This fruit should shape our character and include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22)

The Gifts of the Spirit - We believe that the Holy spirit has spiritual gifts to bestow upon the Christian; these gifts are given for conquest, to equip and empower us for ministry in serving God and others. (1 Cor.12:1-11, Romans 12:6-8, Eph. 4:11-13)

The Holy Scriptures – We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible authoritative word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The New Birth – We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is absolutely essential (John 3:3 , John 3:16, 2 Cor.5:17).

The Plan of Redemption -  We believe that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, signing the pardon for all who believe on Him (John 3:16, Acts 4:12).

The Second Coming of Christ - We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent. (John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Thes. 4:16-17)

The Spirit Filled Life – We believe that it is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit daily (Gal. 5:16,25, Col. 2:6).

The Virgin Birth – We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 24:39, Heb. 4:15).

Tithes & Offerings – We believe that the method ordained of God for the support and spread of His cause is by giving of tithes and free-will offerings (Mal. 3:10, 2 Cor. 9:7).

Unity of Believers – We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ ( John 17:21).