Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. The Holy Bible is used to inform and instruct man regarding his relationship with God and man. (2Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Trinity
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal. (Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 3:7-11; 1 John 5:7)
The Godhead
All things originated through God the Father, as God the Son, who is God made flesh in Christ, how man’s life in God is to be lived on earth is demonstrated, and God the Holy Spirit who is God’s spirit living in and through man, empowering him to live and do the will of God on the earth. (Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14, 18; 5:7; 14:28; 15:26; 16:31; Philippians 2:6)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:18, 23 -25; Luke 1:27-35; John 1:1,14; 3:16; 20:28; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 3:16)
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is the Spirit of God. Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach, comfort, illuminate, empower the believer, and convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment . Holy Spirit calls men unto Jesus Christ and seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts upon them by which they serve God. (Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:15-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17)
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by Adam’s disobedience and fall, sin entered into the world and man became separated from God. However through God’s unmerited grace and work in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mankind can be restored back to God the Father. Jesus is the only way to the God, the Father. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 3:10,23; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 3:8)
Salvation
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Romans 10: 9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:22)
Repentance
We believe repentance is accomplished by the convicting action of the Holy Spirit initiating a change of heart, transforming our mind, attitude, emotions, will, action, and lifestyle, causing us to partner with God against sin, turning away from it never to revisit. (Genesis 6:3; Psalms 51; Matthew 9:12-13; Acts 11:18; Romans 1:18-32; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:25)
Regeneration
For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (John 6:44, 65)
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 6:14-18; 1Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Hebrews 2:11)
Jesus’ Blood
The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death. (John 1:29; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9)
Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers
Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to him thus making Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead. (John 1:12; 14:17, 23; 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20)
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth and power to live for Jesus Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift to all believers and is evidenced through the speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit, He gives utterance. (Joel 2:28-29; Matt. 3:11; Mark 16:17; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:5, 17; 2:1-2, 17, 38-39; 8:14-17; 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-7)
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8;1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10)
The Church
The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ great commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23)
Ordinances
We believe in two primary New Testament ordinances, Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that ordination and licensing in this ministry is separate and recognizes a specific gifting of God. We reject the efficacy of ritual and the concept of a separate priestly class.
Water Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We believe in water baptism by immersion for believers to be a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:38,8:36-39; Colossians 2:12)
The Lord’s Supper/Communion
A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross for our sins. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; 1Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-32)
Healing of the Sick
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are taught in the Scriptures and are privileges for the Church in this present age. (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; James 5:13-16)
Laying on of Hands
We believe that the Laying on of Hands is a biblical practice. Jesus practiced it as a blessing, healing of the sick, to confer a spiritual office, cultivate the anointing and is used for baby dedication, and for ordination to consecrate and receive necessary ministry tools. (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31; Acts 6:2-6; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 28:8; 1 Timothy 4:14; 10:13-16)
The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people, as the husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7)
The Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ expressed locally, globally and eternally (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. (Romans 12:4-5; 16:5; 1Corinthians 6:15; 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5 )
Leadership of the Holy Spirit
We believe that in all matters concerning the body of Christ; its direction, discipline, ministry and functioning, is accomplished through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the use of the Word of God (The Holy Bible). (Acts 13:1-3; I Tim. 1:18; Rom. 8:14; I Tim. 5:22; John 16:13-15; I Cor. 5:3)
The Role of the Prophetic Ministry
We believe that God speaks today. There are at least five areas of prophecy by which God speaks to His people. They are the office of the prophet, prophetic preaching, prophetic presbytery, the gift of prophecy, and the spirit of prophecy. We believe that prophetic presbytery serves the purpose in the body of Christ in activating, establishing and releasing the believer. (Acts 13:1-3; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3; Ephesians 2:20; 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6; Titus 1:5; 1Peter 4:10)
How to Respond to a Personal Prophecy
We believe that prophecy should be written out word for word and submitted to your spiritual authority. Additionally, we do not permit prophesying to one another unless it has been taped, written and/or submitted to leadership for critiquing. (1 Corinthians 13:8, 14:3, I Tim. 1:18; 4:14-15; Acts 15:32)
Stewardship and God’s Will for Provision
It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. Spiritual (John 3:3-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10). Mental and Emotional (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3). Physical (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24). Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19).
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth. (Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
Faith and Works
We believe that faith without works is dead. Our faith is an active force in our lives that requires accompanying and corresponding action. Matthew 5:16; 7:24-27; 16:27; Ephesians. 2:8-10; James 2:14-16; Revelation 2:23; 22:12)
Ministry/Church Discipline
We believe in church discipline administered within the relational group in a spirit of meekness and confidentiality. The purpose of such discipline is the restoration of the one subject to the discipline and/or purification of the church. (Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 John 9:11)
Legal Mediation
We believe, as members of the same Body of Christ, we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and are precluded from bringing a lawsuit in civil court against another person who professes to be a Christian is resolved with the body of Christ without taking them before unbelievers for judgment.
Visionary and Government
We believe that there is always a person who is the presiding leader in any ministry. He or she will be recognized by the grace, anointing, ability and vision given by God. We also believe God raises up elders as well as apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors to aid in the governing of local and regional bodies of believers. (Numbers 27:15-22; Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 4:11-13)
Autonomy and Relationship
We believe that the local church and ministries, although autonomous, will be related to other local churches and ministries through fellowship and formed relationships. In particular, we believe that there are foundational ministries of apostles and prophets that transcend the local church/ministries and that the local church/ministries should be in a relationship with such a ministry for the purpose of advice, counsel, oversight, encouragement, and help.
Federal Government
We believe that God ordains the Federal Government, and the powers that serve as ministers of God for good. We declare loyalty to our Government and its leaders to the extent that it is consistent with our faith in the scriptures as Christians. (Romans 13; Acts 4:18-20; I Peter 2:13-17)
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation. (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21; 20:26-28; 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21)
Heaven
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20; 6:20; 19:21; 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4)
Hell
We believe that the one who physically dies in his sins, without Christ, will spend eternity in the Lake of Hell. After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they will be eternally tormented with the Devil and the Fallen Angels. (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 19:20; 21:8)
Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures. The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace. (Psalm 72:3-8; Isaiah 11:6-9; Micah 4:3,4; Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27,30; 26:63-64; Romans 11:26,27; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6).
The New Heavens and the New Earth
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21,22).