DOCTRINAL FAITH STATEMENT

We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason; and it is therefore our infallible rule of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His miracles; His vicarious, substitution and atoning death through His shed blood; His bodily resurrection; His ascension to the right hand of the Father; and in His personal, visible return in power and great glory (Isaiah 7:14: John 1:1; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:26).

We believe that man was created in the image of God, was tempted by Satan and by his disobedience to God fell into a state of sin. Now, because of Adam’s sin all mankind is in a depraved and corrupt state needing the redemption and salvation that only God can provide in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. (Genesis 1:26-31; John 3:5; Romans 3:23, 5:12)

We believe that salvation consists in the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and the gift of eternal life received by grace through faith alone; apart from any works. (John 3:16; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 1:9)

We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling and ministry the Christian is being sanctified and empowered to live a Godly life and serve in the preaching and proclamation of the Gospel. (John 14:16-17, 15:26; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:30)

We believe that the true church, the Body of Christ, is composed of all people who have been redeemed, and that the church in its visible and local manifestation is the appointed instrument for the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 15:4; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-32)

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Matthew 25:46; Philippians 3:20-21)

We believe that "by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) We further believe that the emphasis for a continuous walk in grace should be the emphasis of heart righteousness and purity, believing in the keeping power of God, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh in a lifestyle that demonstrates the character, standards and convictions of Jesus Christ, not being conformed to the world (Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 4:1-5; 12:1-2).

We believe in divine healing for the whole man. Healing was obtained through the atonement in Christ's sacrificial death (I Peter 2:24-25; Isaiah 53:4-5). We believe in healing as practiced by the early church (Acts 4:30; 19:11; Romans 8:11; I Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14).

We believe that we are one body, being members of one another and that the basis of our fellowship is in Christ in the power of the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; I John 1:6-7)

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ expressed as the church individual, the church local, and the church universal and invisible (all saints of all places and all times united together under one Lord). As such, we believe the church to be more than just a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under the direction of the head, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:15; II Corinthians 1:1; Romans 16:5; I Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16). The local church is an expression of the community and fellowship of God. As the Body of Christ in the earth it is an intimate community of people that is devoted to Biblical teaching, to fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. The local body will meet together regularly as a whole and in smaller groups in the homes of the members of the congregation. We consider the fellowship of the saints together in the private homes of the members to be an essential expression of the life of faith of the church. Indeed to this end, the Word of God frequently refers to the church as a “household.” (Matthew 16:13-20, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; I Peter 4:17; I Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19; I Peter 2:5; Acts 18:8; Romans 16:5, 10, 11; I Corinthians 1:11, 16; 16:15, 19; Philippians 4:22; Colossians a4:15; II Timothy 1:16; 4:19.)

We believe as members of the same body of Christ, baptized by one Spirit into one body that we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and as such that we are discouraged from bringing a lawsuit in a civil court against another person who professes to be a Christian or against a Christian ministry. We believe that all such disputes should be resolved within the Body of Christ without taking them before unbelievers for judgment. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:3-6)

We believe that faith without works is dead. We do not believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines, that any matter can be believed without there being an accompanying and corresponding action. Our faith is an active faith that requires the doing of acts in the world. Our faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual belief or assent to doctrine but is an active force in our lives that requires and results in actions being taken. A living, active faith will be manifested not only in belief and mental assent but in actions expressing and based upon that belief. If a belief is truly held it will be acted upon. The act is as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the belief upon which the act is based. (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 5:16; II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 16:27; Revelations 2:23; Revelations 22:12)

We believe that in all matters concerning the Body of Christ, in its direction, discipline, ministry and functioning that specific guidance and instruction, revelation and discernment of truth from falsehood, is available by the Holy Scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit who enables us to know spiritual things by the spirit and we are confident in basing decisions and actions upon such faith and direction. (Acts 13:1-3; I Timothy 1:18; Romans 8:14; I Timothy 5:22; John 16:13-15; I Corinthians 5:3)

We believe that the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, homosexuals and liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, (Job 1:7; Matthew 4:1-11) and that he was defeated by Christ through His death, burial and resurrection at Calvary (Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 2:15)

We believe a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry is provided by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, for the two-fold purpose of the evangelization of the world and of the edification and oversight of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:8-13; Acts 20:28)

We believe there is the need for deliverance. Deliverance is manifested by an inability to be free from a bondage: e.g., mental (emotional), physical or spiritual normally associated with demon activity, it is God’s desire to bring deliverance to His people. Job 5:19, Psalms 91:3, II Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 2:15; II Peter 2:9). We have been granted the authority in the name of Jesus to bring deliverance to others. (Mark 16:17; John 14:12; I Corinthians 12:8-11). We must understand that our warfare is with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), our weapon is the Word of God, our authority and power is from Jesus himself (Mark 16:17, Acts 1:8) and that the battlefield is first of all in the spiritual realms. (Ephesians 6:10-18; II Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:22-23).

We believe in the creation and God as the Creator. We believe that God created man and that He created them male and female. As such He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. For this reason homosexuality is unnatural, sinful, and unacceptable to God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:9-11)

We believe that the Scriptures are clear concerning helping those in need. We are commanded to do good to all people as we have opportunity, with a special emphasis upon caring for those who profess to be fellow Christians, especially those within the fellowship of believers. We are commanded to be generous and willing to share, laying up treasure for ourselves in the coming age by our kindness and generosity in this life. This is true as an organization as well as for the individual. Therefore, in accordance with the biblical commands, as a fundamental aspect of the practice of our faith, we will share of our material goods with those in need and will minister to them to the best of our abilities, whatever the need. (Proverbs 25:21; Isaiah 58:10; Galatians 6:10; I Timothy 6:18-19; Hebrews 13:16)

We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today if they are exercised within scriptural guidelines. We as believers are to covet the best gifts, seeking to exercise them in love so that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. We believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless. (1 Corinthians 14)

We believe that women are full and equal members of the body: gifted, valued, ministering members and they are to function in their giftedness as long as it is approved by scripture. God ordained male headship as long ago as Genesis 2, not because of any superior intelligence, but to provide leadership and prevent anarchy. In the home and the church—divinely ordained institutions—we are bound to follow the order demonstrated in Scripture. (1 Tim 2:11-14) (Titus 2:5) (1 Pet 3:1-6) (1 Timothy 3:1-7)