Article III- Statement of Faith
1.) We believe that the Bible is a supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason, and is therefore our infallible rule of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16, 17).
2.) We believe that the one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self- existent, self-revealed "I AM" and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isiah 43:10, 11; Matthew 28:19).
3.) We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare His: a.) virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35); b.) sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22); c.) miracles ( Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38); d.) substitutionary work on the cross (I Cornithians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21); e.) bodily resurrection from the dead
(Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corninthians 15:4 ); f.) exaltation to the right hand of God
(Acts 1:9, 11 Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1-3).
Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal the Father and was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, that Jesus Christ was the creator of all things, for by Him the worlds were made. We further believe that in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that it is impossible to know the father without knowing the Son. (John 14; Hebrews1; Colossians 2)
We acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all things in heaven and in earth and under the earth. ( Philippians 2:9, 10).
4.) We believe that man, by transgression, fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into a state of death in trespasses and sins, in which he is held a slave of sin and an enemy of God until he is delivered by the power of the Gospel. (Romans 5:12-21).
5.) We believe that each believer must lay a foundation of Biblical truth and experience upon which he builds his life. These foundation stones are: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ( Hebrews 6:1, 2).
6.) We believe that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ produce the work of justification in the believer. Through faith in the shed blood of Christ, he is brought onto the grounds of the New Covenant and made a partaker in the death of Christ. This is the initial step of salvation and is not to be considered synonymous with the complete “New birth”. (Romans 5:1, 9; Luke 22:20).
7.) We believe that “...by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). We further believe in the emphasis of heart righteousness and purity and not in a particular custom of outward dress or adornment (Romans 4:1-5).
8.) We believe that all believers have been purchased with the blood of Jesus and are no longer their own, but belong unto the Father to be used for His glory; and as possession of the Lord, must give themselves to serving Him, finding their place in the Church, His Body, and making themselves available by being present when the Church comes together, that they might be able to minister their gifts and talents for the building up of the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of work of the Lord ( John 15:16;
Ephesians 1:4, 5; I Corninthians 6:20; 12:18; Hebrews 13:15; I Peter 2:5, 9).
9.) We believe that water baptism is an essential and necessary part of regeneration or the “New Birth” and is to be performed only upon repentant believers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the fulfillment of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and for the remission of sin. (Acts 2:38). This act is to be done by immersion, and we further believe that it is the means whereby we receive the Covenant Seal of Circumcision upon the heart. (Colossians 2:9-13).
10.) We believe that all believers may speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4) and is the receiving of the “New Spirit” promised in the New Covenant (Ezekiel 36:26). We believe that the speaking in tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance, is the initial physical sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and afterward has a continual two-fold aspect: speaking to God and speaking to men.
11.) We believe that the nine gifts of the Spirit (I Cornitians 12) should be and must be operative in the church to enjoy the fullness of God. We believe also that these gifts are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or are operated by this one and self-same Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:11).
12.) We believe in the five-fold ministry given to the church at the ascension of Jesus Christ, and that they continue to be needed and should be expected today: the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Working with these ministries will be elders deacons, deaconesses and the gifted men and women of the church.
13.) We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for: a.) the confirmation and ordination of ministries by the laying on of hands by the presbytery (Acts 13:1, 3); b.) the impartation of spiritual gifts when accompanied by prophecy and the laying on of hands of the presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6); c.) the impartation of the gift of the Holy Ghost ( Acts 8:17, 18); d.) the ministry of healing to the sick (Mark 16:18); e.) the confirming of believers in the faith (Acts 14:22); f.) the blessing and dedication (setting apart) of children (Mark 10:16).
14.) We believe that healing for the body is provided in the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ for “...by His stripes we were healed.” (I Peter2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-6)
15.) We believe that we are one body, being members one of another and that the basis of our fellowship is in Christ in the power of the Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6).
16.) We believe in providing for the support of the Lord’s work and ministry by the bringing of tithes and offerings to the leadership of the church to be responsibly dispensed in accordance with Word of God. (Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:26; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Romans 12:8; I Corinthians 9:7-14; 16:1-3; Hebrews 7:4-10).
17.) We believe and teach the rite of foot washing for all New Covenant believer-priests. We further believe that all are instructed to do so by the Lord Jesus Christ.
(John 13:14, 15).
18.) We believe in the imminent, personal return of our Lord and the restitution of all things spoken by the mouths of all the prophets since the world began. (Matthew 24:42-44; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21).
19.) We believe that the fearful, unbelieving, abominable
, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).
20.) We believe that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
