Apostolic Tabernacle of Praise
714 McMillan St.- P.O. Box 737 Erin TN 37061
Articles of Faith
1. We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God in its original writings: a revelation from God to man. The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope, and instruction for the church must be based upon and harmonize with the Bible. (II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21, Psalms 119:89)
2. We believe there is only one true God who is forever eternal and infinite. God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in various ways, in the New Testament He was manifested in the Son, and today He is manifested as the Holy Ghost. All of the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Jesus Christ; He is creator and sustainer of all things; all power is His both in heaven and on earth; therefore, JESUS is the name of God. Jesus Christ in His humanity was man, in His deity was and is God. (Matt. 1:21, Deut. 6:4, II Cor. 5:19, Eph. 4:6, I Tim. 3:16, Psalms 139:7-10, Col. 1:15-19, I Peter 2:22, John 1:1-18, Matt. 28:18, Rev. 1:8, Col. 2:9, I Cor. 8:6, Is. 9:6, John 14:6-10)
3. We believe in our Lord's virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, and in His ascension back the heaven. (Luke 1:26-35, I Peter 2:22, Heb. 10:10, Matt. 28:1-10, Acts 1:1-11)
4. We believe that man was created by God in an innocent and pure state; however, through voluntary transgression Adam and Eve fell, and were banished by God from the garden of Eden. Hence, sin entered into the world. (Gen. 1:27, Romans 3:23, Gen, 3, Romans 5:12-21)
5. We believe that Regeneration by the Holy Ghost for the salvation of lost and sinful man, is absolutely essential, and can only be obtained through faith in the shed blood of Jesus, and through faith in His name. Forgiveness of sins is only obtainable by genuine repentance and is evidenced by a confessing and forsaking of sins. (John 3:1-18, Acts 4:12, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 3:23-25, 10:8-13)
6. We believe the only scriptural mode of water baptism is immersion and is only for the believers. It should be administered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sin; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19. In so doing, we are following the example Jesus left us; we are declaring openly that we have been crucified with Christ and that we have been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. (Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, 10:47-48, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-8, Col. 2:11-14)
7. We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, received subsequent (following in time, succeeding, next) to salvation, with the speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial physical sign and evidence. The Holy Ghost is called the Promise of the Father, The Comforter, and The Spirit of Truth, and was given to bring conviction to lost souls, to empower the Christian and lead him/her unto all truth, and to also administer spiritual gifts to the Church. (Acts 2:1-4, Acts 1:8, John 16:7-16, John 14:16-17, 15:26, I Cor. 12)
8. We believe in a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, through sanctification as a definite, yet progressive word of grace. Christians should abstain from any activity or practice that is not conducive with a Godly lifestyle; for we are to live and walk in the Spirit. (I Peter1:15-16, Titus 2:11-12, I John 2:15-16, I Tim. 2:8-9, Gal. 5:16-26, Eph.4:23-32, I Cor. 6:19-20, Col.3:1-10, Deut. 22:5)
9. We believe that as true Christians, we should manifest God's love to all humanity. (John 13:34-35, Col. 3:12-14, Matt. 5:38-48, I Cor. 13, I Jn. 4:7-21)
10. We believe that all Christians need to partake of the communion elements, which represent the Lord Jesus' body and blood. It is by participation in the Lord's Supper that we proclaim His death until return. (John 6:53-58, I Cor. 11:23-30)
11. We believe in the divine healing is provided in the Atonement and is available to all who truly believe. (Heb. 13:8, Matt. 8:16-17, Mark 16:17-18, James 5:14-16, I Peter 2:24, III John 2)
12. We believe in the imminent Second Return of Jesus Christ to receive His Church (Bride) unto Himself. The dead in Christ (the sainted dead) shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (Matt. 24:29-35, I Thess. 4:16-18, I Cor. 15:50-58)
13. We believe in a literal Heaven and Hell. (John 14:1-14, Luke 16:19-31, Matt. 25:31-46, Rev. 20:14)
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name (Jesus) shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
(Mark 16:15-18 KJV)
Arlington House of Prayer's ministry holds these truths and many others to be precious and dear. Our purpose, however, in providing this is not for endless doctrinal disputes, but to be a place of ministry and healing for those in need. Christians have always had diversity in their theology and will continue to do so until the great return of the Master teacher himself. In the meantime, we want to provide healing and encouragement to the body of Christ. What we believe may divide us, but in whom we believe should unite us.
