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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 in the New Testament, is what we accept as our
infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine
(I Thessalonians 2:13, II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21).
THE GODHEAD
Our God is one, but is manifested
in three offices -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
being coequal (I John 5:7). God the Father is greater and is
the Source of the Word (Logos), and the Begetter (John 1:14;
14:28; 16:28). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the
Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
MAN - HIS FALL &
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. "For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans
3:23). "As is it written, there is none righteous, no,
not one" (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was
manifested to undo the work of the devil and to give His life
and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (I
John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from
works and the Law, which is made operative by grace through
faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God
(Ephesians 2:8).
ETERNAL LIFE & NEW BIRTH
Man's first step toward salvation
is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is
necessary to all men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal
life (John 3:3-5, II Corinthians 7:10, I John 5:12).
WATER
BAPTISM
Baptism in water by immersion is
a direct commandment of our Lord and is for believers only.
The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification
with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew
28:19, Acts 8:36-39, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12). The
following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula
is adopted: "On the confession of your faith, I baptize
you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus
Christ to all believers in this dispensation and 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 (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts
1:8; 2:4; 2:38-39; 19:1-7).
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, I Thessalonians
5:23, II Peter 3:18, I Corinthians 1:30, II Corinthians 3:18,
Philippians 3:12-14).
DIVINE
HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills
of the human body. It is wrought by the power of God through
the prayer of faith and by laying on of hands. It is provided
for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of every
member of the Church today (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17, Mark
16:18, James 5:14-16, I Peter 2:24).
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST &
RETURN OF OUR LORD
The angels said, "This same
Jesus...shall so come in like manner" (Acts 1:11). His
coming 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..." (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Following the
tribulation, He shall return to the earth as King of Kings and
Lord of Lords. Then, together with His saints, who shall be
kings and priests, He shall reign for a thousand years
(Revelation 20:6).
HELL & ETERNAL RETRIBUTION
The one who physically dies in
his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in
the Lake of Fire, and therefore, has no further opportunity of
hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal.
The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used
in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in
the Lake of Fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless
existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy
of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation
19:20).
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