The Holy Bible

THE HOLY BIBLE, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (2Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26).

The Godhead

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God the Son. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was conceived by the Holy Spirt, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles and many signs and wonders, 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 (John 1:1,14, 20:28; 1Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1Timothy 2:5). Virgin Birth Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary's womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:27-35).

Redemption

Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen.1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).

The Blood of Christ

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 and damnation to Hell (lake of fire). (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).

Regeneration

Jesus Christ is the only way to Salvation. For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 14:6, John 6:44, 65).

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 (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).

Repentance

Repentance is to change our mind in regards to sin and should always result in a commitment to turn away from sin, thereby forsaking sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, the empowerment of His Grace operating through us to live a victorious life. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9).

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 (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11). 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 not only Savior, but also the Lord of their life. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (John 1:12; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelations 3:20).

Stewardship

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. All things ultimately belong 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)

Baptism in 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 (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is a free gift and often is witnessed by the physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28), but different in purpose and use.

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 (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4- 8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 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).

Church Government

Jesus Christ as Head of The Church and by election has bestowed upon certain men and women the spiritual calling and office of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These five offices constitute the eldership of the Church whose function is to cooperate harmoniously in spiritually equipping and activating all believers for effective service in every good work within every sphere of life, including the marketplace, political, education, media, arts, family and church. The work of the eldership is to establish and maintain spiritual unity within a culture of honor, love, and servanthood - to establish and nurture the priesthood of all believers in Christ. Their objective is to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and further the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Church’s Mission

The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, to present unto HisSon a spotless Bride, and to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world, the priority reason-for-being a part of the Church is

• To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16).

• To be a corporate body in which man may offer extravagant worship unto God through the Holy Spirit (1 Chronicles 16:23-31, John 4:21-24, Romans 12:1,2, Revelation 4:8-11, Psalm 29:1,2, Hebrews 12:28-29, Psalm 100, Psalm 30:11-12, Psalm 149:3-4, 2 Samuel 6:14-15, Psalm 150, Psalm 63:4, Psalm 141:2, Psalm 134:2, 1 Kings 8:54, Exodus 35:1-5, 35, 1 Chronicles 15:16, Job 19:23-24, Habakkuk 2:2, 1 Corinthians 12:13).

• To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:12).

• To be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for one another and unto all the world (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).

• To be kingdom representatives and ambassadors on the earth who usher in the reign and dominion of the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, thereby bringing a revelation of His goodness and His will to pass on the earth. (Matthew 6:10, Revelation 1:5-6, Mark 16:15-18)

The Church exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

• This experience:

  • Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3,4).

  • Adds a necessary dimension to a worshipful and intimate relationship with God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 12-14).

  • Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ and care for the poor and needy of the world (Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 25:37-40; Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:29).

Marriage and Family

God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2: 22,24; Matt 19: 5-6).The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people.

• A husband is to love 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. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

• 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.

The Ministry

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in:

• Revealing the goodness of God through signs and wonders and evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20),

• Worship of God (John 4:23,24),

• Building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11,16),

• Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).

Healing of the Sick

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 (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29). Sickness and disease are not from God and it is His will to heal at all times.

Casting out Demons

Casting out demons" refers to the belief that through the authority of Jesus Christ, believers can command and expel evil spirits, or demons, from a person's life by praying in Jesus' name, based on the teachings in the Bible where Jesus himself is depicted as casting out demons; this is often seen as a spiritual act of deliverance, where the power of God overcomes the demonic influence. (Luke 9:1, Mark 16:17-20, Mark 1:34, Mark 1:39, Mark 3:13-15, Luke 8:26-33.)

God's Will for Provision

It is the Father's will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God's will while onEarth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ's provision in order to better serve others.

• 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).

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 (The Lake of Fire)

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, 21:8).The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).

The 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 (Matthew 24:30, 26:63- 64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).

The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52).

The Millennial Reign of Jesus

The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:1l-16; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 20:l-7).

The New Heavens and New Earth

We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21: l).