Statement of Faith and Purposes

The programs and activities governing the form of worship shall be based upon and at all times shall be consistent with the following creed and beliefs:

A. The Scriptures. The Bible is the inspired word of God, the product of Holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant as recorded in the new Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16; I Thess. 2:13; II Peter 1:21)

B. The Godhead. Our God is One; but manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt. (Phil. 2:6; Col. 2:9; Matthew 3:16-17). God the Father is greater than all; the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14). Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 10:30). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).

C. Man, His Fall and Redemption. Man is a created being, made in the image and likeness of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed his blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Romans 5:12: Romans 3:23; Romans 3:9-10; I John 3:8; Galatians 3:13-14). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing good works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8-10).

D. Eternal Life and New Birth. Man's first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when accomplished produces eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).

E. Water Baptism. Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol for the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Romans 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted: "On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

F. Baptism in the Holy Ghost. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4).

G. 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 and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Heb. 12:14; I Thess. 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Philippians 3;12-14; I Cor. 1:30).

H. Divine Healing. Healing is for the whole man; for the ills of the physical body, the soul and the spirit and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-16; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4-5).

I. Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord. 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 first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and together with His Saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).

J. Heaven, Our Eternal Home. We believe in a literal heaven, an eternal home which the Lord Jesus has gone to prepare for us, where the redeemed shall live forever in the presence of God (John 14:1-3; Acts 7:55-56; Rev. 21:1-4; Rev. 22:3-5).

K. Hell and Eternal Retribution. The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the 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 God (Hebrews 9:27; Rev. 19:20; Hebrews 6:1-2).

L. Communion - The Lord's Supper. We partake of the Lord's Supper to show the Lord's death till He comes (I Cor. 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body (Isaiah 53:5; I Cor. 11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Heb. 9:11-16,22; I Cor. 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it (I Cor. 11:28-30) for if we receive it unworthily - without giving it honor as our salvation - we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor. 11:27).

M. Laying on of Hands. A simple belief that the power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of Hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and this is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of Hands for healing (Mark 5:22,23 and 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 29:11-12); Laying on of Hands to confer office (Acts 6:26); Laying on of Hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:15-18); Laying on of Hands to believe words spoken to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (I Tim. 4:14); Laying on of Hands for Ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (II Tim. 1:6).