Foundations

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21). The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:15-17). "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. and is profitable, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Also see 1 Peter 1:1-2.

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 diverse ways; in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.

What This Means to Man

Man, His Fall, and Redemption

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin has entered into the world (Romans 5:12), "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the son of God was manifested to undo the works of the Devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (1 John 3:8) Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from the works and the law. and is made operative by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Eph. 2:8)

New Birth and Eternal Life

Man's first step toward salvation is a godly sorrow that worketh repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). The new birth is necessary to all men (John 3:3-8), and when fulfilled, produces eternal life with God (1John 5:12). We believe that eternal life with God in Heaven is the reward of the finally righteous (Matt. 24:13), (Mark 13:13), and that everlasting banishment from the presence of the Lord, and unending torture in Hell is the fate of the persistently wicked (Matt. 25:46; Psalm 9:17; Rev. 21:7-8). We believe there is salvation in no other name than the name of Jesus. 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)

Sanctification

Sanctification leads to Holiness (Romans 6:22). "Follow peace with all men, and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of Salvation (1Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18, Phil. 3:3-4, and 1Cor. 1:30).

Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire (Matt. 3:11), is a gift from God as promised through the Lord, Jesus Christ (John 14:16; Acts 1:4-5), to all fully cleansed believers in the dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth 6 (John 14:17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:39). He is accompanied with the speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4; Acts 10;44-46).

The Church

The Body of Christ

The true church is the body of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 12:1-10), Christ being the head (Col. 2:19). Its earthly constituents are men and women, born of the spirit, living Holy lives, striving to do the will of God. To the church is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12: 1-10), necessary for the successful fulfillment of Christ's great commission to the church as given to the disciples in (Matt. 28:19 and Mark 16:15-20).

Membership

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47).

According to Acts 2:42-47, we believe there are seven main benefits of participation in the local church:

  1. Instruction – “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine”

  2. Fellowship – “fellowship”

  3. Observance of the ordinances - "breaking of bread"

  4. Corporate prayer - "prayers"

  5. Effective outreach -"fear came upon every soul"

  6. Common cause – “had all thing common"

  7. Mutual assistance - "parted them to all men, as every man had need."

In addition to these, four other benefits of participation in the local church are clear:

  1. Worship - (Acts 13:1-2; 16:25)

  2. Discipline - (Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Cor. 13:1-10);

  3. Pastoral oversight - (1 Peter 5:1-3);

Obedience to God's command - (Heb. 12:25)

The Lord's Supper and Feet Washing

The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is a commandment of our Savior, and, being a memorial of His death, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1Cor. 11: 24-30). We believe in the sacrament of the Lord's supper among all of God’s people. We believe that feet-washing should follow the Lord’s Supper (John 13:1-18). The Lord said in John 13:14, "ye also ought to wash one another's feet." We believe by doing this that we shall keep ourselves humble before our Lord.

Tithe Offering

Tithe is 10% of one's income; whether weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Lev 27:30 - And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

Mal 3:10 – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

We believe that the people of God under the Old Testament paid tithe by the command of law.

We in the New Testament pay tithe not as an act of law, but Faith. We practice tithing for three reasons:

1) Our father Abraham paid tithe not by law but by faith.

Act 3:25 “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”

The covenant God made with Abraham was Grace and Faith. Not Law and works. When the Children of Israel failed to practice the faith of Abraham with regard to tithe paying, then God commanded it to be done by law. Under the present covenant of Grace, we pay tithe as an act of faith.

2) The second reason we pay tithe as Christians is because our Master and Lord Jesus Christ admonished His followers not to leave it undone. (Matt 23:23)

3) To support the Church and those who have dedicated their lives for the work of God and ministry. (1Cor 9:13)

Ministry

God through the Holy Ghost, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11), and qualifies the ones called with power, talents, wisdom and gifts pertaining to that office or offices (1Cor. 12:28). "Let every man in the same calling wherein he was called" (1 Cor. 7:20). We pray that our ministers will preach the whole Word of God, not taking away or adding to the Word of God. (Rev. 22:18-19)

Women Ministers

The gifts and callings of God are without repentance, and the Holy Ghost divideth each as He wills..."in the last days our sons and daughters shall prophesy (preach).. (Joel 2:28-29: Acts 8:17-18).

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15) and is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of everyone that will accept it (Luke 5:15).