The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word Of God. It gives a true history of the creation of the heavens, the earth, and of mankind. It contains the correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding the heavens and the earth, and the destiny of man. Furthermore, there is no salvation outside of that which is contained within its pages.( Tim 3:16, Matt. 24:35)
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 in creation, through the Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 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 commandments is, "Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD:" (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all:" (Ephesians 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 Ghost after the ascension.
The Name
"… unto us a child is born, unto us a son in 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" (Matthew 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).
Gender, sexual Orientation and Human Sexuality
We believe that gender and sexual orientation are irrelevant to our relationship with God. In God's eyes, according to the Scripture, both in Christ's body and in heaven, there is neither male nor female. Therefore we teach that God is no respecter of persons in the forming of committed, monogamous unions. We believe His ideal for sexual expression that it be expressed between any two people united in love and partnership. Gal 3:28, Mark 12:25
Man and His Fall
God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26,27), innocent, pure and holy (Romans 5:11, Ephesians 2:3). Man needed a redeemer which has been supplied in the seed of the woman, which seed bruised the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15; Luke 2:10,11); that is, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).
Repentance and Remission of Sin
The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).
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 Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles; 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5, thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
Holy Spirit Baptism
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said "… He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
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, "… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance."
The terms "baptized with the Holy Ghost," "filled with the Holy Ghost," and the "gift of the Holy Ghost," are synonymous terms which are interchangeable in the Bible.
The Gifts of the Spirit and Divine Healing
We believe in the operation of the Gifts of the Spirit entrusted to the church for the duration of the church age. These gifts are governed by the parameters laid down in Scripture which state that all things must be done decently and in order. We also recognize the motivational gifts and ministry gifts that God has ordained for the edification of the church and outreach to the lost. God has provided the means in the atonement whereby sickness and disease can be healed in response to the prayer of faith. Rom. 12:3-8, Ephes. 4:11-16, Luke 10:9, Mark 16:18, James 5:14-16, 1Peter 2:24.
Holiness
We believe that Godly living should characterize the life and walk of all saints according to the sign and example found in I Peter 2:21; Titus 2:11; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15-17.
We believe we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1), to abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22), and to turn away from those who have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5; I Corinthians 11:6; I Timothy 2:9,10; I Peter 2:3,4).
Modesty is not confined to dress alone but also includes conversation and manners. Philippians 4:5 teaches us, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
Holiness is not only an inward presence of God but it is also reflected in the outward life of the Christian in his conduct in this world.
The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
That the Lord Jesus Christ is to come to earth in person is a doctrine clearly set forth in Apostolic times. James taught it; the Apostles preached it; the saints expect it; (See Matthew 24:1, etc.; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; I Corinthians 1:7,8; 11:26; Philippians 3:20,21; Titus 2:13).
Translation of Saints
We believe the catching away of the church draweth nigh, and at that time all the dead in Christ shall rise from their graves, and we that are alive and remain shall be translated or "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36-42; Luke 17:20-37; I Corinthians 15:51; Philippians 3:20,21; I Thessalonians 4:13-17).
Whereas, the Word of God teaches the imminent second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that there will be first an appearing or catching away of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:13) preceding His second coming back to earth; and said first appearance we believe to be at hand and likely to occur at any moment.
Tribulation
Moreover, we believe that the distress upon the earth is the "beginning of sorrows" and will become more intense until there "shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time," (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1; Romans 11:25-27).
Millennium
We believe that the period of "Tribulation" will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth, and that for one thousand years there shall be "peace on earth and good will toward men," (Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5; Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1; Habakkuk 2:14; Romans 11:25-27).
Final Judgement
When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a resurrection of the dead who shall be summoned before the Great White Throne for their final judgment, and all whose names are not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast into the lake of fire, burning with the brimstone, which God has prepared for the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:5-15; Matthew 24:41-46; Revelation 21:8).
