The Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We accept the New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Timothy 3:16; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
The Godhead
Our God is One God manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:16-17).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word flesh covered, the One Begotten; and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
The New Birth
Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (II Corinthians 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5). Believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and in His propitiation made for our salvation results in a regeneration and renewal that constitutes our new birth into new creations. Although this does not imply immediate perfection in our temporal life or lifestyle, it does mean that true faith will result in a radical change in us. Being "born again" implies a new beginning, not an ending. Christian maturity in faith, truth and life is a process. Even so, this process must begin with spiritual regeneration or new birth. While it is possible to change our behavior without regeneration, changing our hearts requires the new birth, and it is our hearts upon which God looks.
The Atonement
Because all have sinned and are therefore under the sentence of death, all must trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for the remission of sins. There is no other way to reconcile with God or escape from eternal judgment, except through the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus.
Those who trust in Jesus Christ have access to the Throne of Grace by His sacrifice and by His sacrifice alone. Good works are acceptable to God only as a love offering given to Him because of His worthiness, and have no bearing on our acceptance, standing or approval, all of which were accomplished by the cross. Good works offered for the purpose of acceptance, standing or approval are therefore an affront to the cross by which all of these things were gained for us by Jesus. Good works are not offered for His approval, but for His joy and glory, and must be offered through the Son (I Peter 2:5) in obedience to Him. Therefore, the goal of our service is obedience and not sacrifice.
Water Baptism
Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. This ordinance is a symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" is an additional impartation which may be subsequent to regeneration (see Acts 8:15-17 and 19:1-6). This baptism is usually accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc.
We believe that this gift is presently available to all who believe (Acts 2:38-39), but is not essential for salvation or regeneration. While these are accomplished by the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7), there were disciples who did not even know that there was a Holy Spirit. Just as Paul made it a priority to instruct those believers and pray for them to receive this gift, we are committed to doing the same.
The purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to impart spiritual power to the believer to be a witness (Acts 1:8, 5:32). This baptism is to be distinguished from being filled with the Spirit (Acts 4:31, 7:55, 13:9,52), which can be a special and repeated empowering for specific purposes.
We believe that when Christians truly have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, they should begin to take on His nature and fruit, becoming "helpers" and "comforters", leading others into truth, and testifying of Jesus.
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4,5).
Communion - The Lord's Supper
We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (I Corinthians 11:23 – 31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Isaiah 53:5; I Corinthians 11:24). The cup represents the New Covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Hebrews 9, I Corinthians 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is symbolic of our salvation and receive it (I Corinthians 11:28-30), for if we receive it unworthily, without giving it honor as our salvation, we are guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord (I Corinthians 11:27).
Laying on of Hands
This Bible doctrine (Hebrews 6:2) was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood and by Jesus and His disciples. Laying on of hands was practiced for imparting the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); for healing (Mark 5:22,23 and 41; Mark 2:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12); to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); to anoint (1 Timothy 4:14); to ordain, and to consecrate the believer into the service of the Lord.
The Second Coming of Christ We believe in the literal, physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take authority and rule on earth. We believe that those who are alive and remain at the return of our Lord will be changed and caught up to be with Him in the air. Those who have died in the faith will be resurrected and precede those who are alive in being changed and caught up to be with Him. We believe in the literal, physical resurrection of both the just and the unjust for the Day of Judgment. For those of us who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf, this resurrection is for eternal life in fellowship with God. Those who are not justified by faith in Jesus are resurrected for an eternal judgment.
