PURPOSE 

Statement of Belief

ARTICLES OF FAITH  THE SCRIPTURE INSPIRED We believe the scriptures, both the Old and the New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.  II Tim. 3:16. GOD IN THREE PERSONS We believe the one true God has revealed Himself as being the eternally self-existent Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as a trinity, that is, one being existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  II Cor. 13:14; Luk. 3:22. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the external Son of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, by His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His death on the cross, His bodily resurrection from the dead, and his position at the right hand of God.  Acts 1:9.  THE CREATION AND FALL OF MAN We believe that man was created good and upright. However, man willfully sinned and thereby was subjected not only to physical death but also to spiritual death, which is separation from God. Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12-19.  THE SALVATION OF MAN We believe man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 10:9; Eph. 2:8; Tit. 2:11.  THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH (A) We believe the ordinance of the baptism by immersion in water is commanded of all who repent and believe on Christ as Savior. It represents having died with Christ and being raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Matt. 28:18; Mark 16:16 (B) We believe the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements bread and the fruit of the vine – is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. A memorial of his suffering and death. And is enjoined on all believers “till He come”!  II Peter 1:4;  I Cor. 11:26.   THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST We believe all Christians are entitled to and should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues according to Acts 2:4. This experience gives a Christian power to witness by his life and words. Acts 1:8; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 11:14-16.  SANCTIFICATION We believe sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. The scriptures teach a life of “Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” Rom. 12: 1-2; Heb. 13:2.  THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION We believe the church is the body of Christ with a divinely called ministry. Its purpose is to evangelize the world, worship God, and encourage believers to grow in the likeness of Christ. Rom. 12:5; Mark 16:15-20.  DIVINE HEALING: We believe deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17.  COMMUNION  We believe communion was established to represent the new covenant between God and His people. Jesus died and his body was broken and blood shed in order that we may enter into covenant with God. The body being broken is represented by the bread at the communion table and the blood shed is represented by the wine (juice). We regularly receive communion in order to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. (Luke 22: 19-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-30). DIVINE HEALING  We believe God desires people to be whole. Salvation provides healing to the whole man- spirit, soul and body. We believe in the power of prayer and faith in God to bring about healing in every area of a person’s life (Mark 16:18; James 5:25; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4, 5). THE GREAT COMMISSION We believe it is the mission of the church to advance the kingdom of God by making disciples of all nations. It is the responsibility of every believer to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20; Acts 1:8). THE SECOND COMING OF THE CHRIST (RAPTURE) We believe the blessed hope of the church is Christ’s return from heaven to catch up the Christians who have died, together with those who are alive, to be with Him forever. Rom. 8:23; Tit. 2:13; I Cor. 15:51-52.  THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST We believe the second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one-thousand years. Matt. 24:27-30; Rev. 1:7: Rev. 19:11-14. THE FINAL JUDGEMENT We believe whoever is not found written in the Lambs Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and he false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev. 9:20; 20:11-15; 21.