ARTICLES OF FAITH

THE BIBLE: The Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God recorded by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Bible we accept as our infallible guide in all matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.

THE GODHEAD: Our God is the only ONE living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things. In unity of this Godhead, there are three persons (or personalities) of ONE substance, ONE power, and eternity – The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

MAN; HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION: Man is a created being, made in the image after the likeness of God. Through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo (destroy, dissolve, loosen) the works of the devil. He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God, and His God given command to take dominion. Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, operative by grace through faith in Christ, producing works acceptable to God.

ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH: Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. New birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life.

WATER BAPTISM AND BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: Baptism in water is a direct commandment of our Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance is an outward and visible symbol of an inward and invisible work. Water baptism symbolizes the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The old man is immersed, and the new man in Christ arises. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

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 (being born-again) and continuing until the consummation ("finish-line" of the race) of salvation.

DIVINE HEALING: Healing from physical and mental illnesses are wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, by the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil, and in the same way today as it was done 2000 years ago.

RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND CHRIST’S RETURN: The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner”. His coming is imminent. When He comes, the dead in Christ shall rise to meet Him, then those believers who are physically still alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. With His saints, He will return to the earth as the King of all kings and the Lord of hosts. He will reign 1000 years.

HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION: The one who physically dies without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting”, used in describing the duration of punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of Almighty God.

COMMUNION – THE LORD’S SUPPER: We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death until He comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body and the wine or the grape juice symbolizes the new covenant in His blood, which provides us with forgiveness and a deep relationship with God. We judge ourselves before we receive because we know if we receive it in an unworthy manner (without giving it honor as the symbol of our salvation and considering our brothers), we are then guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

LAYING ON OF HANDS: In obedience to the example and words of the Bible, we lay on our hands for blessing, for healing the sick, to confer office, and for ordination.