TENETS OF FAITH
1. The Scriptures are Inspired The Bible is the inspired Word of God, revealing the will of God. It is the infallible rule of faith and practice for our journey through life. II Tim. 3:16-17; I Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12; Psa. 119:89; Matt. 5:18; Isa. 40:8
2. The One True God The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealing “I AM”, and has further revealed Himself in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10; Isa. 40:10-31; I Tim. 6:15-16; I John 5:7; Matt. 28:19
3. Man, His Fall and Redemption Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. Man, by voluntary transgressions, fell into sin and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Gen. 1:26, 31; Psa. 8:4-8; Gen. 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21; I Cor. 15:21-22; II Cor. 5:17.
4. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus, eternally with the Father, took upon Himself the form of man, being born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and gave His life on the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sins, purchasing our redemption with His blood. Being raised the third day from the dead, He ascended into heaven and is seated at God the Father’s right hand. Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Luke 3:22; John 1:14, 18; John 3:16, 18; I John 4:9; Isa. 9-6; John 1:33, 34; Matt. 1:18-25; Phil 2:7-11
5. The Salvation of Man Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Christ came to seek and to save the lost. It is in Him that we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. While salvation was provided by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, it is our responsibility to receive this salvation of grace through faith, knowing that it is not of ourselves but is indeed a gift of God. The inward witness to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit that we are the children of God. The outward witness is a life lived in obedience to the will of God in all holiness by the power of the in-dwelling Christ. John3:16, 17; Heb. 12:2; Acts 4:12; Luke 19:10; Eph. 1:7; John 10:9; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 8:16
6. Baptism in Water Believers are commanded to follow our Lord in this. Water baptism by immersion shall be administered to those who have repented of their sin and have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36, 38; Acts 16:14, 15; Acts 10:47, 48
7. The Lord’s Supper Our Lord Himself instituted this ordinance of Holy Communion and we are to observe it till He comes again. The bread and the wine are symbols of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ and are a memorial of His suffering and death and a prophecy of His Second Coming. All believers are encouraged to partake with reverence and understanding. Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; John 6:48-58; I Cor. 11:23-29
8. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit This is the promise of the Father that all believers are entitled to and should expect to receive, with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance. This was the normal experience of all the early Christian churches. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. This wonderful gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from and subsequent to the New Birth. Acts 1:4-8; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:1-6; John 7:37-39; Joel 2:28-29; Mark 16:17; I Cor. 12-14
9. Sanctification The Scriptures teach a life of holiness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to obey the Word of God, and not be dominated by sin. Heb. 12:14; I Pet. 1:14-16; I Thes. 5:23-24; I John 2:6; Rom. 8:3
10. Divine Healing Sickness and death are the result of man’s initial sin. Christ came to set us free from the law of sin and death and purchased our physical healing in the atonement. The words of Jesus before He ascended into heaven were, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover”. The practice of laying on of hands for healing is an active witness to our Lord’s power to heal. All believers have been given this privilege. Rom. 5:12; Rom 8:2; Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 2:24; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:15-20; Jas. 5:14-15; Matt. 9:29
11. Tithing We believe and teach the giving of ten percent of one’s income to be an integral part of the Christian’s walk with the Lord. Abraham paid tithe before the Law was given and in the New Testament Christ affirmed the paying of tithes. God’s blessings of prosperity are promised to those who tithe. Tithing demonstrates God’s ownership in our lives. Gen. 14:20; Gen. 28:2; Lev. 27:30; II Chron. 31:5; Mal. 3:8-10; Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; Heb. 7:6-8
12. The Blessed Hope – The Rapture The resurrection of the dead in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming is imminent, and is the blessed hope of the church. We are looking for the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ when we will be changed and will be like HIM. I Thes. 4:13-17; Titus 2:11-14; I Cor. 15:51-52; Heb. 9:28; II Thes. 2:1; I John 3:2
13. Heaven and Hell Heaven is a real place that God the Father has prepared for all those who follow after His Son, Jesus Christ. There will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will forever be with our Lord. “The Devil and his angels, the Beast and the False Prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be confined to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”. Rev. 19:20; Mark 16:16; Rev. 20:10-15; John 14:2-3; Rev. 21:1-31; I Cor. 2:9
