Statement of Faith

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of His great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and the Church of the firstborn, which was written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the responsibility of the Church is:

To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).

To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (I Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).

 

The ordinance of baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. This is a declaration to the world that they identify with Christ in His death and have been raised with Him in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

 

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and the copy of the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4). It is a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26), a prophecy of His Second Coming (I Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers until He comes again.

 

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the enduing of power for life and service, the bestowing of the gifts (or anointing) of Christ and their uses in the ministry of the Body of Christ (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; I Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-15, 15:7-9).

 

Divine healing was provided for in the Old Testament (Exodus 15:23-26; Psalm 103:1-3, Isaiah 53:4-5) and is an integral part of the Gospel (Matthew 8:16-17; Acts 5:16, James 5:14-16).

The second coming of Christ includes the catching away of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:16-17), followed by the actual, visible return of Christ with His saints (the Church) to reign with Him on earth for 1000 years (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27-30; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-16). The millennial reign will bring the salvation of nation Israel (Ezekiel 39:28-29; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).

 

There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness…” (II Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).