Beliefs

ARTICLES OF FAITH

THE BIBLE is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of creation of the heavens and the earth, and of mankind, and containing a correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding the heavens and the earth and the destiny of man. Furthermore, there is no salvation outside of that which is contained within its pages. It is the final authority in all-scriptural matters. (Acts 4:12).

I. The One True God

We believe in one everlasting, eternal God, infinite in power, holy in nature and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible deity.
God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation.
(1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28)

II. Knowledge of God

Scripture asserts that the knowledge of God is universal, not merely proven but declared.
(Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; Romans 2:15)

III. Nature of God

God is invisible, incorporeal, without body or parts, and free from all limitations.
God is Spirit, not flesh and bones.
(John 4:24; Luke 24:39)

IV. The Oneness of God and the Commandments

The Lord our God is one Lord.
The greatest commandments are to love God fully and love one’s neighbor.
God is one God and Father of all, above all, through all, and in all.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29–31; Ephesians 4:6)

V. Manifestation of the One God

God manifested Himself in the Old Testament as:
- Jehovah-Rapha, Shammah, Jireh, McKaddesh, Shalom, Tsidkenu, Nissi
God manifested Himself:
- In the Son while on earth
- As the Holy Ghost after the ascension
  (Isaiah 53:5; Genesis 22:7–14; Leviticus 11:44; Judges 6:23–24; Jeremiah 33:16; Exodus 14:13–14; 17:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Acts 1:8)

THE SON OF GOD

I. God Manifested in the Flesh

The one true God, Jehovah of the Old Testament, took on the form of man and was born of the Virgin Mary.
God was manifest in the flesh as Jesus Christ.
(John 1:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:11; 1 Timothy 3:16)

II. Christ’s Mission and Reception

Jesus came to His own, yet was rejected.
In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself.
(John 1:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19)

III. Fullness of the Godhead in Christ

In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus is fully God and Man.
(Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19)

IV. The Mediator and Sacrifice

Jesus is the only mediator between God and man.
His humanity was the sacrificial Lamb for redemption.
(John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12, 26; 1 Timothy 2:5)

V. The God-Man and Eternal Lordship

Jesus is divine by the Father and human by the mother.
He is the Son of God and Son of Man.
All things are under His authority, and God will be all in all.
(Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:30–31; 1 Corinthians 15:27–28)

VI. Christ’s Eternal Identity

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the eternal Almighty.
(Revelation 1:8)

THE NAME

I. Names and Titles of God

God revealed Himself through various titles in the Old Testament, including Elohim, God Almighty, El Shaddai, Jehovah, and Jehovah Lord, the redemptive name.

II. Prophecy of the Redeemer

Isaiah prophesied of a coming child whose names would reveal His divine identity:
- Wonderful
- Counselor
- The Mighty God
- The Everlasting Father
- The Prince of Peace
  (Isaiah 9:6)

III. Fulfillment in Jesus Christ

The prophecy was fulfilled when the Son of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior.
Jesus came to save His people from their sins.
(Matthew 1:21)

IV. Salvation in the Name of Jesus

Salvation is found in no other name under heaven.
Jesus is one with the Father and the fullness of God revealed.
(Acts 4:12; Colossians 2:9; John 10:30; John 14:6; 1 John 5:20)

CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL

In the beginning God created man innocent, pure and holy; but through the sin of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human race, fell from the holy state, and God banished them from Eden. Hence, by one man’s obedience, sin entered into the world. (Galatians 1:27; Romans 3:23, 5:12).

REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION

Pardon and forgiveness of sins are received through genuine repentance, which involves confessing and forsaking sin, and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by which we are justified (Romans 5:1). Repentance was preached by John the Baptist, proclaimed by Jesus, and emphasized by the Apostles to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 2:38; 11:18; 17:30).

The word repentance comes from Greek terms meaning a change of mind, heart, purpose, and life, resulting in transformation. Jesus declared the necessity of repentance, saying, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). He also taught that repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).

WATER BAPTISM

The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, reserved for those who have fully repented, turning from sin and the love of the world. Baptism should be administered by a duly authorized minister in obedience to God’s Word. The proper formula for water baptism is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, following a public confession of faith (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 19:5; Colossians 2:12).

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST

John the Baptist declared that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), and Jesus affirmed this, saying His followers would soon be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:5). At Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost and began speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). Terms such as “baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire,” “filled with the Holy Spirit,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost” are used interchangeably in Scripture. It is biblical to expect that all who receive the baptism or filling of the Holy Ghost will manifest the physical sign of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12). As prophesied by Joel, God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28). Peter explained that this promise, received from the Father through Jesus, is for all who God calls, including future generations and those far off (Acts 2:33, 39).

TONGUES

I. Two Classifications of Tongues

Speaking in Other Tongues
- Languages as the Spirit of God gives utterance.
- Acts as a supernatural witness or sign of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
- Foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11–12) and Joel (Joel 2:28).
- Promised by Jesus as a sign for believers (Mark 16:16–17).
- Manifested at Pentecost for Jews (Acts 2:4) and Gentiles (Acts 10:44–46).
The Gift of Tongues
- Unknown languages mentioned by Paul (1 Corinthians 12:1,10; 14:1–40).
- Given to some believers for self-edification (1 Corinthians 14:27–28).
- Can be used to edify the church if interpreted (1 Corinthians 14).
- Can be self-operated, misused, or require regulations.
- Different from the tongues that serve as a witness of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

II. Biblical Instructions and Encouragement

Speaking in tongues should not be forbidden (1 Corinthians 14:39).
Paul personally spoke in tongues and encouraged others to do so (1 Corinthians 14:18).

DIVINE HEALING

The first covenant God made with Israel after the Exodus was a covenant of healing, in which He promised to protect them from disease if they obeyed His commandments (Exodus 15:26). God is our ultimate Physician, and Jesus continued this ministry, preaching the Gospel and healing all sickness and disease (Matthew 4:23–24). His atoning sacrifice paid for the healing of our bodies, just as it secured salvation for our souls: “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24). Divine healing is therefore available to all believers, who are empowered to pray for the sick and expect recovery (Mark 16:18; James 5:14–16). These promises remain for the church today, offering both physical and spiritual restoration.

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus shared the Passover supper with His Apostles and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He broke bread, declaring it His body given for us, and shared the cup, representing His blood of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19–20). By partaking of the bread and cup, believers proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26).

FOOT WASHING

After the Passover supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, demonstrating humility and service (John 13:4–5). He instructed them to follow His example, washing one another’s feet as a divine practice to manifest the spirit of humility (John 13:14–15).

HOLINESS

Godly living should characterize every believer, following the example of Christ by living holy, righteous, and humble lives (Titus 2:11–12; 1 Peter 2:21–23; Hebrews 12:14). Believers are called to holiness in all conduct, avoiding worldly lusts, immodesty, and ungodly entertainments, and instead embracing modesty, good works, and reverent prayer (1 Peter 1:15–19; 1 Corinthians 11:2–14; 1 Timothy 2:8–10).

THE GRACE OF GOD

Salvation comes through grace and truth in Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Believers must walk with God, remain in His love and favor, and avoid unrepentant sin, or risk being lost (Jude 21; John 15:2,6; 2 Peter 2:20–21). Grace—God’s unmerited favor—is a gift received by faith and keeps us saved (Ephesians 2:8).

RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS

We understand the scriptures to teach the restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of his Holy Prophets since, the world began. (Acts 3:21). However, the devil, his angels, and all sinners will be eternally damned…(See Revelations 20:10).

CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES

We recognize human government as divinely ordained and affirm loyalty as citizens, yet as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we cannot take human life or participate in combat (Matthew 5:39; Hebrews 12:14). We may serve in non-combat roles and fulfill civic duties, but we cannot join any organization or act against our conscience in matters of violence. We urge prayer for leaders and honorable service, while seeking to remain consistent with God’s command to do no violence.
We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain non-combat capacities, but not in bearing arms.

SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.

According to God’s Word, we firmly believe that God’s people should have no association with secret societies or any organization that involves fellowship with unbelievers and binding oaths (James 5:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

TRANSLATION OF SAINTS (RAPTURE)

The Lord’s return is near; the dead in Christ shall rise and believers alive will be caught up to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21).
The Feast of Atonement is observed as a reminder of this approaching day (Hebrews 9:20-28).

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Divorce is permitted only for fornication; remarriage is allowed for the innocent party in the Lord (Matthew 19:9; Matthew 5:32).
Ministers are advised not to remarry to uphold a higher standard (1 Corinthians 7).

TITHING

Tithing is God’s financial plan for His work, established from Abraham’s time.
Practiced under Mosaic Law, endorsed by Jesus and Paul (Matthew 23:23; Malachi 3).
Christians are encouraged to give faithfully and according to God’s prosperity.

SECOND COMING OF JESUS

Jesus will return personally, visibly, and gloriously (Matthew 24; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Titus 2:13-14).
Believers look forward with hope to this event.

THE MILLENNIUM

Current troubles are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:3-8; Daniel 12:1).
A thousand-year reign of peace will follow, with Christ as Lord and the saints as king-priests (Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1-2; Hebrews 2:14).

FINAL JUDGMENT

After the Millennium, there will be a resurrection of all the dead.
All not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire prepared for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:7, 15; 21:8).