what we believe...

THE BIBLE

We believe the Bible to be the direct and absolute Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as it moved upon the tongues and pens of men who had received the special anointing of God for this express purpose: (II Peter 1:21). “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” We believe the Bible to be God’s means of doctrine, instruction, and comfort to the Church today, infallible in its authority, singular in interpretation, and man’s only avenue of access to God.

 

GOD

We believe in the One ever-living, eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible Deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation, through the Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28).

 

JESUS CHRIST

The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (I Timothy 3:16;John 1:10).

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11). This one true God was manifested in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ.

“… God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;…” (II Corinthians 5:19).

 

MAN

God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26,27), innocent, pure and holy (Romans 5:11, Ephesians 2:3). Man needed a redeemer which has been supplied in the seed of the woman, which seed bruised the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15; Luke 2:10,11); that is, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).

 

SALVATION

The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).

 

WATER BAPTISM

The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel in obedience to the Word of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles; 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5, thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.

 

HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said “… He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, “… ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, “… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The terms “baptized with the Holy Ghost,” “filled with the Holy Ghost,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” are synonymous terms which are interchangeable in the Bible.