Tenets of Faith and Doctrine

I. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the revealed will of God. (II Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25)

II. There is one true Godhead comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are co-equal and co-eternal. Jesus Christ is God manifest in human flesh, born of the virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:7)

III. Man was created in God’s image. By voluntary transgression, he fell. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:17; Romans 5:12-21)

IV. Salvation of Man A. Redemption is for anyone who has faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the payment for his or her sin. (Romans 3:24; Romans 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8) B. The inward evidence, to the believer, is the direct witness of the human spirit that one is born again of God. The outward evidence to all men is a life of true holiness and love. (Romans 8:16; John 3:3; John 13:35; 1 John 3:23) C. Salvation is by repentance from sin and dead works and by faith in Jesus Christ, not by human works. Our good works, after salvation, are evidence of our faith and will determine our rewards in eternity. (Romans 14:10-12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; James 2:18)

V. Baptisms (Hebrews 6:2) A. The baptism by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ at the new birth. (I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27) B. Water baptism is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. It is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39) C. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that is subsequent to and distinct from the new birth whereby a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and endued with power for life, service, and the bestowment of gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. Jesus said this infilling is the promise of the Father and a free gift to all who ask for it in faith. (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:4-8, 2:4; 1 Corinthians 14:4)

VI. The church is comprised of all true born-again Christians throughout the world. They are to meet regularly in local groups under the guidance and care of pastors. The church is also called the body of Christ, with each Christian being an integral part of that body. The church is commissioned by Christ to carry the Gospel to all nations, with the promise of signs following. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 1:22, 4:11; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 5:2-4; Mark 16:15-20)

VII. Laying on of Hands (Hebrews 6:2) Jesus commissioned all believers to lay hands on the sick for their recovery. Laying on of hands by elders of the church is also used in the ordination of pastors, ministers, elders, and deacons. Laying on of hands can also be used to minister the baptism with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 16:18; Acts 13:2-3, 6:6, 8:17, 19:6)

VIII. Abundant Life (John 10:10) A. Spiritual (John 3:3, 16; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21) — We are partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) B. Mental (Isaiah 26:3; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 1:7) — We have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) C. Physical (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) — Physical healing is provided for all through the atonement of Christ. D. Financial (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; 3 John 2) — As faithful stewards and givers, God will prosper His people. E. Social (Proverbs 3:4) We are to love others as He has loved us. (John 13:34)

IX. The Blessed Hope — Jesus is coming again to gather all His saints to heaven. This hope motivates every Christian to purify himself. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 John 3:2-3)

X. Eternal Existence — Those who have accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven. Those who have not will suffer eternal separation from God and burn in the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15, 21:22-27)

XI. The Millennial Reign of Jesus — Jesus will return with His saints from heaven to rule and reign for 1,000 years on earth. After this, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Romans 11:15, 27;2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-7, 21:1-27)

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