Tenets of Faith

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and practice, superior to conscience, tradition and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:1-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

We believe in the one true God (Deut. 6:4; Ex. 20:1-3; Isa. 45:5-7; 1 Cor. 8:4), who has revealed Himself in nature, and in the Bible as the eternally self-existent One, self-revealed "I AM" (Ex. 3:14); and further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association within the godhead, i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 13:14).

We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is the creator of all things (Gen. 1:1-31), the absolute and omnipotent ruler of the universe.

We believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the attributes He shares with the Father; He is coequal, and coeternal with the Father (John 1:1; 10:30; 14:9). We believe that Jesus Christ is co-creator of the universe (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2). We believe in the virgin birth (incarnation) which was necessary for Him to become man to save mankind from their sin (John 1:14; 3:16; Isa. 7:14; 53:10-13; Matt. 1:21).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only savior of man through His sacrificial death effective by our faith in Him (John 3:16). We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15; Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-9; John 20:1-15).

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to receive the Church, which is His body, unto Himself at the Rapture, then later returning with His Church at the Advent (His Second Coming), to establish His millennial kingdom on Earth (Acts 1:11; l Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:1-4).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (2 Cor. 2:10 -13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), will (1 Cor 12:11), eternality (Heb. 9:14), omnipresence (Ps. 139:7-10), omniscience (Isa. 40:13-14), omnipotence (Rom. 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 2 Cor. 13:14).

We believe the unique ministry and manifestation of the Holy Spirit in this age began on the day of Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16,17; 15:25). One of His ministries is His baptizing work; baptizing the believers with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) as the Spirit gives them utterance. The baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 12:4-10, 28) but different in purpose.

We believe in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today.

We believe that man was created by God in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:16-17). Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination and moral responsibility. God’s highest intention and ultimate purpose in the creation of man was that man should glorify God and enjoy His fellowship forever. However, because of man’s voluntary transgression in disobedience to the revealed will of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty not only of physical death but also of spiritual death which is separation from God; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. God in His great mercy and compassion provided a way for man to be reconciled to God through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Rom. 6:23; Rom 5:12-19; Eph 2:1-3).

We believe that salvation is wholly of God's grace and on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Eph. 1:4-7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18,19). When a person humbly comes to Christ and acknowledges Him with a repentant heart, believing, confessing and accepting Christ as Saviour and Lord, he receives salvation and is born-again spiritually (Rom. 10:9-10; John 3:5-7; John 1:12). By the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace through faith in Christ, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; John 3:16).

We believe that regeneration is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are imparted (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation which is Jesus Christ.

We believe that Justification is an act of God (Rom. 8:30-33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Acts 2:38; rom. 2:24; II Cor. 7;10). This is a legal act of God vindicating a sinner, declaring him not guilty before Him, and imputing Christ's righteousness on him.

We believe that every person who is justified is sanctified (set apart) unto God for holy purpose. This aspect of sanctification is positional (initial) and is instantaneous. As the believer grows in his spiritual life, he is progressively and ultimately sanctified. This aspect of sanctification shall be realized when believers are glorified with Him in glory (1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Heb. 2:11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thes. 5:23; Phi. 3:12; Eph. 5:25, 27; 1 John 3:5-9).

We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one, united spiritual body, the Church (1 Cor. 12:13), of which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). The Church, also known as the Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32), is composed of all "born-again" believers who were called out for assembly and fellowship for the praise of His name. It is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ made up of all Christians in this present age (Eph. 2:1-3:6).

We believe that there are two ordinances of the Church: Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and outward testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom. 6:1-11). The Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Cor. 11:23-32). This ordinance should be observed by all believers as a memorial of Christ's death and suffering. The elements of bread and the fruit of the vine symbolizes His body and blood that was sacrificed and shed at the Cross (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

All believers are entitled, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This was the normal experience for all members of the early church. With it comes endowments of power for life and service, the bestowment of gifts and their purpose in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8). This wonderful experience is distinct and subsequent to the new birth (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). The initial physical evidence of this baptism is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4).

We believe that God still heals today. This is a deliverance from physical sickness and infirmities. It is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; James 5:13-15).

We believe angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Heb. 1:6). These holy angels have a unique and specific ministry to believers.

We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19) by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Gen. 3:1 - 15). These fallen angels and Satan are the open and declared enemy (adversary) of God and man (Isa. 14:12-17; Rev. 20:10).

We believe that the outside ministry of the local church is evangelism and missions. This is the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ to all people in every place compelling them to come to Christ and personally experience His saving grace. The Great Commission of Christ to the Church is to go into all places to make Christ known to all people (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20).

We believe in the personal bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation (1 Thess. 4:13-17; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53). Between this event (Rapture) and His glorious return with His Saints (Second Advent, AKA the Revelation), Christ will reward believers according to their work (l Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). This is the Blessed Hope of the Church.

We believe that immediately following the removal of the Church from the earth (John 14:1-3; l Thess. 4:13-17) through the Rapture, the righteous judgment of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 16). This period is also known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27), the seven-year tribulation period.

We believe that after the tribulation period, Christ will return to earth to occupy and reign on the throne of David as King of kings and Lord of lords. This will be a literal one thousand year reign of Christ, and it will be characterized by universal peace, righteousness and prosperity (Rev. 20:14; Isa. 11; Ezek. 36:33-38).

We believe in a literal hell and Lake of Fire, a literal place of torment and suffering. This is the final abode of the devil and his fallen angels; and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10-15).

We believe that all the saints, washed by the precious blood of Christ will finally spend eternity with God in the new heaven and new earth. There will be an unending joy in the presence of God, for there will be no more tears and pain (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21, 22:1-5).

We believe that marriage is ordained by God Himself. It is an intimate and complementing union between a man and a woman in matrimony for which the two become one physically, in the whole of life. God's design in marital relationship is heterosexual, not homosexual, and monogamous, not polygamous (Gen. 2:21-24; Matt. 19:4-6).