There are basic truths that we as Christians should all agree upon and we will not compromise on these. However, there is freedom and tolerance to hold different positions on what we consider non-essential doctrines and beliefs, which are still important to us. As part of our commitment to truth and accuracy, we resolve to above all, walk in love. We will not allow damage to come to the body of Christ through those who would seek to cause division through enforcing conformity to non-essential doctrines. 1 Timothy 1:5 states, “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and sincere faith.”
Jesus Christ is the Word of God. In John 1, the Bible states that, “In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made,” thus stating His pre-existence with God, in the form of God, and His role in Creation (Colossians 1:16). All creation testifies of Jesus and His eternal power and Godhead. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the End who was and who is and who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). “All things are summed up in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:10)
Jesus Christ emptied Himself to become fully man that He might be the propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin by the seed of Holy Spirit. Through His sacrifice made on the cross, and His physical resurrection from the dead, all who believe in Him, in His sacrifice, and His resurrection have their sins remitted and are restored to the fellowship with God, once lost by sin (Romans 1:3-6).
Jesus Christ is the head of the church. To approach God the Father, we must go through Him. We cannot come to God through any other person, spirit, or doctrine. “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
God created man, in His own image from the dust of the earth. Both male and female were created by God for the purpose of intimately knowing Him and governing with Him. (Gen. 1:26)
Under the temptation of Satan, the first man, Adam, willfully disobeyed the command of God. As warned, the process of death began in him and all his descendants. Therefore all creation now experiences the consequences of being born in sin, held in captivity to Satan’s Kingdom of darkness, and judgment of death. (Gen 3; Ps.51: 5; Rm. 3:23 & 6:23) Because of this separation of unrighteousness we are unable to approach a Holy God except through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. “Therefore… .let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22)
The Authority of Scripture
We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the 66 books of the Holy Bible as the complete canon of God’s testimony to mankind. We are committed to esteeming Scripture as the very Word of God, inerrant in its original form. We do not accept any doctrine, which contradicts Scripture.
We understand that there are many practices and doctrines that are considered orthodox which do not contradict the Scripture, but which are not directly addressed in His Word. We are committed to giving liberty in the belief and practice of these teachings, but we will endeavor to maintain the simplicity of the biblical testimony and its stated practices as we are given grace to perceive them.
We do not accept any spiritual belief and/or experience as having its source in the Holy Spirit that does not have a foundation in Scripture. We do not accept any revelation, vision, dream, prophecy or discernment as truth, which contradicts Scripture, or cannot be verified by it. We do not believe that any other writings have the same authority as the canon of Scripture.
We serve a King who’s kingdom is not of this world.
To sojourn on earth while citizens of heaven, we have the privilege of accessing the evidence and true substance of His kingdom through faith. Until the kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our God in Christ, “…the just shall live by faith.” (Hab. 2:4 & Rm. 1:7) For it is by faith that we are saved, by faith we are justified, by faith we are sanctified, by faith we are glorified, and by this faith, which God has granted, we the just shall live. (Eph. 2:8-9)
True faith is of the heart and not just the mind. (Rm. 12:3) God’s purpose for requiring faith is to raise our focus and concentration above the temporal to the One who is eternal. Our faith is not in faith, but we run, with endurance, the race that is set before us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. (Heb. 12)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Regeneration is the result of the restoration of the spirit, soul and body into the likeness and image of God in believing that Jesus, the Son of God, has made full payment for sin. He died and rose again so that we can live and be free from death. The old has passed away, behold all things have been made new. This does not imply immediate perfection in our temporal life or lifestyle. It does mean that true faith will result in a radical change in us. Spiritual Regeneration involves the communication of new life. The two powers that operate to produce this life are the Word and the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 3:5-6; Jas. 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:23) This is what is meant by being born of water and of the Spirit. While the Christian must mature in faith, truth and life, this is a process that begins at the new birth. It is possible to change our behavior without regeneration, but changing our hearts requires the new birth and it is our hearts upon which God looks. (Rom. 10:9-10)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Regeneration is the result of the restoration of the spirit, soul and body into the likeness and image of God in believing that Jesus, the Son of God, has made full payment for sin. He died and rose again so that we can live and be free from death. The old has passed away, behold all things have been made new. This does not imply immediate perfection in our temporal life or lifestyle. It does mean that true faith will result in a radical change in us. Spiritual Regeneration involves the communication of new life. The two powers that operate to produce this life are the Word and the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 3:5-6; Jas. 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:23) This is what is meant by being born of water and of the Spirit. While the Christian must mature in faith, truth and life, this is a process that begins at the new birth. It is possible to change our behavior without regeneration, but changing our hearts requires the new birth and it is our hearts upon which God looks. (Rom. 10:9-10)
All have sinned and are in desperate need to escape the sentence of eternal judgment and separation from God. (Rom. 3:23) One sacrifice offered by the man Christ Jesus was sufficient for this purpose. Through belief and trust in Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice on the cross we now live free and are worthy to approach His throne of grace. Any attempt to gain access for approval from God by works is an affront to The Cross. Good works are not offered for His approval, but for His Joy and Glory and must be offered through Jesus the Son.(Eph. 2:8&9, 1 Pet.2:5)
We believe that water baptism should be by immersion and accomplished after repentance and commitment to the Lordship of Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for our sin. This ordinance is a personal and public statement of faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ on our behalf, and is a commitment to lay down our lives to be one with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is an additional impartation, which may be subsequent to regeneration (Acts 8:15-17 & 19:1-6). This baptism is usually accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit, such as power, prophecy and speaking in tongues, etc.
We believe that this gift is presently available to all who believe. (Acts 2:38-39) But is not mandatory for salvation or regeneration. While these are accomplished by the Holy Spirit, (Acts 19:1-7), there were disciples who did not even know that there was a Holy Spirit. Just as Paul made it a priority to instruct those believers and pray for them to receive this gift, we are committed to doing the same. The purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to impart spiritual power to the believer to be a witness. (Acts 1:8, 5:32) This baptism is to be distinguished from being filled with the Spirit (Acts 4:31, 7:55, 13:9,52), which can be a special and/or repeated empowering for specific purposes.
We believe that when Christians truly have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, they should begin to take on His nature and fruit, becoming “helpers” and “comforters,” leading others into truth, and testifying of Jesus. (Gal. 5:23; Luke 12:49 The Baptism of Fire)
We believe in the literal, physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take authority and rule on earth. We believe that those who are alive and remain at the return of our Lord will be changed and caught up to be with Him in the air. Those who have died in the faith will be resurrected and precede those who are alive. We believe in the literal, physical resurrection of both the just and the unjust for the Day of Judgment. For those of us who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf, this resurrection is for eternal life in fellowship with God. Those who are not justified by faith in Jesus are resurrected for an eternal judgment.(1 Thes. 4:16-17)
Present Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8) and that His ministry in and through the church by the Holy Spirit has not changed from the beginning. We accept, acknowledge, encourage and seek all of the biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit as present and vital for life and for the church to accomplish her full purpose and end time mandate. The Holy Spirit continues to kindle His fire and awaken hearts everywhere.
