We believe the Bible to be inspired of God; the infallible Word of God. "All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore, all
doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the church must be based upon,
and harmonize with, the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men
everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the
Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27)."... no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but
Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20, 21).
THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy in
nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This
one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and
as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:19; Joel
2:28).
The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts,
assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal. (Romans 1:19, 21,
28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body, and
therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and a spirit hath
not flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39).
The first of all the commandments is, hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one
Lord" (Mark 12:29; Deut. 6:4). "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:6).
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways; in the
Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.
THE SON OF GOD
The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form
of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says "and
without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).
"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (John 1:11). This one true
God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. ". . God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them. . ." (2 Cor. 5:19).
We believe that, ". . in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness
dwell" (Col. 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His deity was
and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only
mediator between God and man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus on His Father's side was divine, on His mother's side, human; Thus, He was
known as the Son of God and also the son of man, or the God-man.
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put
under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under
Him" (1 Cor. 15:27). "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall
the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God
may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is,
and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8).
THE NAME
God used different titles, such as "God Elohim", "El Shaddai", "Jehovah", and
especially "Jehovah Lord", the redemptive name in the Old Testament.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: ... and His name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of
God was named, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name
Jesus: for He shall save His People from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL
In the beginning God created man innocent, pure and holy; but through the sin of
disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human race, fell from their holy
state, and God banished them from Eden. Hence by one man's disobedience, sin
entered into the world. (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 3:23, 5:12).
REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing
and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
(Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the
Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30).
The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words which mean, change of views
and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.
Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached
in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have
fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should
be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience to the
Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of
the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...He shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many
days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance."
The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire," "filled with the Holy Spirit,"
and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are synonymous terms used interchangeably in
the Bible.
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the
Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other
tongues.
The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and
the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are the
same in essence, but different in use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all
flesh; ..." (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He (Jesus) hath shed forth this which ye
now see and hear." (Acts 2:33).
Further, "...The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39).
HOLINESS
Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the Lord, and we
should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God. "For
the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12). "For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was 'guile
found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He
suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth
righteously" (1 Peter 2:21-23).
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call
on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's
work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that
ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:15-
19).
THE GRACE OF GOD
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12).
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John
1:17).
A Christian, to keep saved, must walk with God and keep himself in the love of
God (Jude 21) and in the grace of God. The word "grace" means "favor." When a
person transgresses and sins against God, he loses his favor. If he continues to
commit sin and does not repent, he will eventually be lost and cast into the
lake of fire. (Read John 15:2, 6; 2 Peter 2:20-21). Jude speaks of the
backsliders of his day, and their reward. (Also, read Hebrews 6:4-6).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS
We understand the scripture to teach the restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts
3:21). But we cannot find where the devil, his angels, and all sinners are
included. (See Rev. 20:10).
