STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe...
The Scripture of the Old and New Testament is the inspired WORD OF GOD, presenting to us the complete revelation of God's Will for the redemption of mankind and constituting the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
That THE ETERNAL GOD is a triune being; Father God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17
That man is created in the image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into this world and death by sin. Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23
That salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and that we are saved by faith through God's grace. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
That the true Church is the body of Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself being the Head of the Church. It is made up of all true believers who witness a born again experience. Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:19-22
That God calls men and women to serve in the 5 fold ministry and specifically the ones called with the talents and abilities particular to that office of ministry. Under no circumstances should anyone be set apart to ministry unless the calling is distinct, evident and confirmed by the presbyter. Ephesians 2:19-22
That water baptism is by immersion and is a direct commandment of the Lord for all believers. The ordinance is symbolic of our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Matthew 29:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a free gift from God and is available to all believers. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second work of grace received after salvation, the initial sign which is speaking in other tongues as Holy Spirit gives utterance. John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4
That sanctification is definite yet progressive work of grace in the life of the believer, beginning with the new birth and consummating at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 3:8; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:14
In the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. In a real way the presence and power of God is revealed in communion. We neither believe transubstantiation nor consubstantiation, but believe the Lord is in the communion in a real and personal way being received by believers. I Corinthians 11:27
That Healing is part of the atonement and can be appropriated by faith in Jesus redeeming work. Acts 10:38; I Peter 2:24
In the resurrection of the just at the return of Christ. We further believe that the righteous dead are in the presence of God until the resurrection of their bodies. I Thessalonians 4:16-17; I Corinthians 5:8
In a visible return of Jesus Christ and a literal catching away of the Church to meet the Lord in the air. Inasmuch as there is a great dispute in the Body of Christ concerning the actual placement of this event on the calendar of God, let it be stated that we believe in a pre-tribulation catching away of the elect. Let it further be stated that the doctrine of the rapture is not a point of fellowship in this church or in the Body of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:7; I Thessalonians 4:16-17
That one who dies without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost, destined to literal hell with no further opportunity of repentance. Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19-20
In the TITHE, recognizing that tithe existed before the law, and during the law and after the law. Jesus Himself commended the tithe. The writer of Hebrews establishes the tithe as New Testament practice. The tithe is representative of our personal commitment to the Lord and is a reflection of our covenant relationship with Him. Genesis 14:18020; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:8 (tithe: the tenth part)
That God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, beastiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sexuality. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1 and 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
That the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
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