What We Believe

TENETS OF FAITH

This Assembly shall accept the Holy Scriptures as the revealed word of God, the all sufficient rule for faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity; it shall adopt the Statement of Fundamental Doctrines, namely:

1. The Scriptures Inspired. The Bible consisting of the SIXTY SIX BOOKS is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (Heb.4:12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 3:15-17.)

2. The God Head. We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the creator of all things, visible and invisible, the preserver of all things (Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16.) In the unity of this Godhead, there are three Persons of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal; namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16, 17; Matthew 23:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John1:1, 2, 18; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; 15:26; John 10:33)

In eternal relationship as to priority (not superiority) the Father is greater than all (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28; John 5:18.)

The Son is the eternally begotten of the Father, and accepted earthly limitations for the purpose of incarnation, being true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the Cross, for the just and the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish His kingdom of righteousness, and justice.

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to Indwell, to guide and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

3. Man, His Fall and Redemption.  Man was created well and upright, for God said “Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness.” But man fell by voluntary transgression and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-21; Rom. 3:10; 1 John 3:8)

4. The Salvation of Men

(a) Condition to Salvation.   The Grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Luke 24:47; Rom. 10:13-15; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7.)

(b) The Evidence of Salvation.  The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the spirit (Rom. 8:16.) The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Rom. 6:22.)

5. Baptism in Water.    The ordinance of baptism, signifying burial with Christ, shall be observed as commanded in the scriptures by all who have really repented and with their hearts have truly believed in Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and have resurrected with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47; Rom. 6:4)

6. The Lord’s Supper.  The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the bread and the fruit of the wine, is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming and is entrusted to all believers “until He comes.” (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:23-32.)

7. The Promise of the Father.  All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father-the Baptism of the Holy Spirit-according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.  With it comes the bestowment of power for life and service and the endowment of the gifts and its use in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-6; 1 Cor 12:1-31.)  This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.  (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11: 14-16; 15:7-9; 19:2.)

8. The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.  The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power, fruits of the Spirit and operation of gifts in public testimony and service.  (Acts 1:8; 2:4, 42-43; 10:44-46. 1 Cor. 12-14; Gal. 5:22-26.)

9. Entire Sanctification.  The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see God.  By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am Holy.”  Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to the Word of God (Rom. 8:3-4; 1 Thes. 5:23-24; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John 2:6; 2 Cor. 7:1.)

10. The Church. The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Each believer born of the Spirit is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the firstborn which are written in heaven. (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23.)

11. Family Life. Marriage: All marriages shall be between one man and one woman conducted in accordance with the Scriptures. Marriage is honorable in all. (Gen. 2: 18-25; Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:9; Eph. 5:22-31; 2 Cor. 6:14; Matt. 19:5-6; Mark 10:7-9)  

Divorce: Divorce is not acceptable except as provided in the Scriptures. ( 1 Cor. 6:15-20; 7:10-11, 30; Mark 10:7-12; Matt. 19:5-11; Mal 2:15-16)

12. The Ministry and Evangelism  A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (1) For the evangelization of the world and (2) the edifying of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15-20; Eph 4:11-13.)

And under no circumstances should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the call is evident and distinct

13. Divine Healing  Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. (Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18-20; James 5:14-16.)

14. The Blessed Hope.   The pre-tribulation rapture of the church of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their transformation with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the Church. (Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes. 4:16-18; Tit.  2:13.)

15. The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ.  The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of all Israel, and the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world’s hope. (Rom. 11:25-27; 2 Thes. 1:7; Rev. 19:11- 16; 20:1-7.)

16. Tithes.  We recognize the Scriptural command of all believers, as well as minister, to pay tithes as unto the Lord. (Heb. 7:8.)  Tithes should be used for the support of the active ministry and of the propagation for the gospel and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or used for other purposes. (Mal. 3:7-11; Heb. 7:2; 1 Cor. 9:7-11; 16:2.)

17. The Lake Of Fire. The Devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet and those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast into everlasting punishment-The Lake that is burning with fire and brimstone-which is the second death.(Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15.)

18. The New Heaven and the New Earth  We, “according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.”  (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1)

ARTICLE VI. ORDINANCES.

The ordinance of baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the Lord’s Supper, the anointing of the sick with oil and laying on of hands for healing and the dedication of children shall be observed at stated times and whenever requested. (Matt. 19:13-15, 28:19, Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 11:23-25; James 5:14-16.)