What we believe...

It is on these Non-Negotiable Beliefs or closed handed theological statements, we derive our deep sense of unity and commitment to each other and the mission God has given us.

The Scriptures

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 Spirit. The New Covenant as recorded is the New Testament. We accept it, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)



The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons-The Father, The Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:7; Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:16-17) God the Father, the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter. (John 1:14; 14:28; 16:28) Jesus is the Son of God. He is one with the Father, the Word in flesh, the one begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. (John 1:1; 1:14; 1:18; 10:30) The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal. (John 15:26-27)



Man, His Fall and Redemption

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to destroy the work of the devil and gave his life, shedding his blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 3:9-11, 23; 5:6-12; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 3:8)



Eternal Life and the New Birth

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary for all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life. (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 7:10; 1 John 5:12)



Water Baptism

Baptism in water by immersion is a direct command of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is symbolic of the Christian’s identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:38, 8:36-39) The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted: “On confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen.”



Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers. In this dispensation, it is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. The Holy Spirit baptism is the empowerment to live a godly life through surrender to Christ. (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4)



Sanctification

The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. 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. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30)



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 laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and it is the privilege of every member of the Church today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)



The Resurrection and Return of Our Lord

The coming of Jesus is imminent. When he comes, “the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Acts 1:11)



Hell and Eternal Retribution

The one who physically dies in his sin without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned carries the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in describing the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 19-20; Hebrews 6:1-2)



Communion-The Lord's Supper

We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death until he comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body. The cup represents the new covenant in His Blood, which provides for us forgiveness and a relationship with God. We judge ourselves and realize that this represents our salvation and we receive it. If we receive it unworthily, without giving it honor as the emblem of our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of our Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:22)



Laying on of Hands

The Laying on of hands is a simple belief that power or anointing or another necessary quality can be transmitted by one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practices it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing. It is our grounds for baby dedications rather than infant baptism. Scripture provides examples of laying on of hands for healing, to confer office, to receive the Holy Ghost, to believe words spoken, to receive and cultivate the anointing, for ordination and to consecrate and receive ministry tools. (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31, 41; Acts 6:2-6, 8:16-18, 19:11-12, 28:8; 1 Timothy 4:14)