What We Believe

THE WORD

We believe the Word of God. It is our guide to our daily conduct, and to the doctrine we present in every way (Deut. 4:2, 6:6, 7, 17; Prov. 6:23). It makes wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15; Romans 1:16; James 1:21), produces faith (2 Tim. 3:15; Romans 10:17), makes Jesus Christ known (2 Tim. 3:15; John 5:39; 1 Cor. 15:1-8), builds up (Acts 20:32), gives inheritance (Acts 20:32), produces profit in doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16), makes the man of God perfect (2 Tim. 3:17), and makes known that salvation is always through faith in Jesus Christ; never through works, rituals, water baptism, communion etc. (2 Tim. 3:15; Ephes. 2:8-9; Romans 3:24-31).

GREAT COMMISSION

We believe the Great Commission as the marching orders of Jesus Christ, bringing hope to all men (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18). We believe this command applies to all believers, not only preachers. The invitation to salvation is for all alike, so why should not the responsibility of getting the invitation to others be for all alike? We have the same rights, privileges, promises, and provision for equipment for service, so all should help in every possible way to evangelize the world according to our ability and direction from God. There is no excuse for millions of church members leaving this work to only a few who seek to obey the Great Commission.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

We believe in an attitude of gratitude and a wholehearted expression of the soul performed with the heart, mind, and soul of intelligent beings that long to worship God. We believe that worship is not only singing to God, but is also your reasonable service for what God has done & for who He is. In addition to the common thought of worship, we also hold to Romans 12:1 that says worship is also how we live by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. People are now to bring themselves to God instead of sacrifices to the altar as of old. They are to be wholly the Lord's as were the former sacrifices. With respect to our body, we believe we are to: yield it to God (Rom. 11:1; 6:13-20), make it living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), make it holy (Rom. 12:1; 1Cor. 3:17), make it accepted of God (Rom. 12:1), make it full of light (Mt. 6:22), reckon it dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11), refuse its slavery to sin (Rom. 6:12), mortify its deeds (Rom. 8:13), refuse to defile it (1Cor. 3:17), make it a fit temple for the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:13-20), make it free from fornication and only for the Lord (1Cor. 6:13-20), glorify God in it (1Cor. 6:20), keep it in control (1Cor. 9:27), & put off its sins (Col. 2:11).

PRAYER

We believe in the power of prayer, especially prayer in the Spirit. Prayer is the offering up of our desires for lawful and needful things and things we want that are promised by God, with humble confidence that we will obtain them through Jesus Christ for God's glory and for our good. It is the pleading of our cause in God's court. Prayer is seeking help from God in matters that are beyond our power. It is the personal appeal to a personal and present God based upon His will and Word and our lawful desires. It is cooperation with God's willingness to manifest His goodness to all those who have faith in Him and depend upon Him for help. Prayer is simply asking and receiving from God.

HOLY GHOST

We believe the Holy Spirit is God and dwells in men only in the sense of union with, but never by bodily entrance into the human body to live there like an incarnation. God and man are in perfect union and are considered as being one and dwelling in each other. He is our joint-help, which is the assistance afforded by any two persons to each other, who mutually bear the same load or carry it between them, though He, Himself, is flawless. He helps us live victorious over sin if we choose to follow Him (Gal.5:16-25; 6:7-8); helping us overcome our physical, mental, or moral weakness. We also believe that He sets free from sin (Romans 8:2), cancels death penalty (Romans 8:2), fulfills righteousness (Romans 8:4-5), indwells believers (Romans 8:9-11), gives life (Romans 8:10), quickens the mortal body (Romans 8:11), mortifies sinful members (Romans 8:13), leads children of God (Romans 8:14), adopts into God's family (Romans 8:15), bears witness of sonship (Romans 8:16), helps infirmities (Romans 8:26), and makes intercession for saints (Romans 8:26).

SCRIPTURE

The Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God. It is our guide to conduct and doctrine. The Spirit used the faculties and abilities of the writers to record things, past, present, and future. He gave direct revelations, guided them to choose records of men, and superintended the writers in all their work until we now have a perfect and infallible record of the origin and destiny of all creation.

THE GODHEAD

We believe that the Godhead consists of three separate and distinct persons, each with a personal spirit body, a personal soul, and a personal spirit. We do not believe that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Spirit refer to three manifestations of one Person or one Being. This will mean much to you as you learn to know and love God and follow the divine plan for your life. At least, this conception of God will make the whole Godhead comprehensible to you. It will no longer be a mystery beyond all possible understanding as you have perhaps been taught.

JESUS CHRIST

He is 100% God (Rev. 1:8; Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1-2; Acts 20:28), while at the same time became 100% man (Heb. 2:14-17; 4:14-16).

THE FALL OF MAN

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God; however through the transgression of one man, Adam, sin entered into the world. Death did not come by personal sin, as it did in the case of Adam. Death passed upon all people because of Adam's sin (Gen. 2:17). Therefore, all men are born under sin and in the need of a Savior (Rom.5:12-21).

MAN'S REDEMPTION

The words redeem, redemption, etc., are used 160 times in the Bible. Not once do we read that it takes two or three works of any kind to redeem. On the contrary, it plainly states in the Bible that Christ redeemed men by "one sacrifice for sins" (Heb. 7:27; 9:28; 10:12, 14), that He "once suffered for sins" to redeem (1 Pet. 3:18), that He "died unto sin once" (Rom. 6:6-10; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4) that He paid only one "price" to redeem from all sin (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and that this was done one time at one place for the one purpose of getting rid of all sin, not only past sins, but also inbred sin (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 6:3-13; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; Heb. 2:9-18; 5:9; 9:14-28; 10:1-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:5-10; 5:1-5, 18). Christ is our redemption as well as our sanctification and when we receive Him we get both of these phases of salvation (1 Cor. 1:30). At the same time that we receive Christ we are fully reconciled to God and redeemed from the devil and all sin (2 Cor. 5:17; 6:1-23; 8:1-13; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:5-10; 5:1-5, 18).

THE NEW BIRTH

We believe the new birth is moral and spiritual change, not a physical one (Galatians 4:29; John 3:1-8), a change of heart, will, motives, desires, life and conduct, and not an organism (2 Cor. 5:17-18), a change of masters, not of constitutional makeup of body, soul, or spirit (Romans 6:11-23; Romans 8:1-4), an adoption of one from the satanic family into the family of God (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5; Ephes. 1:5), not a coming into existence of the body, soul, or spirit, as in the natural birth, but a consecration of them to serve God and holiness instead of Satan and sin (Romans 6:16-22; Romans 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10; Galatians 5:16-26), not a begetting by the Holy Spirit in the sense that Jesus became and is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14,18; John 3:16), but a renewal in righteousness and true holiness of one who is already in existence (Ephes. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10; Psalm 51:10), a change of nature, but not the coming into existence of that nature (Romans 3:24-25; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5), a change of favor, a new standing before God (Romans 5:1-2; Ephes. 2:1-9; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:8-10), and a change of character, state and service (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Cor. 13; Romans 3:24-31; Romans 5:1-11; 2 Tim. 2:21; Titus 2:11-14). There is no comparison between the natural and spiritual birth as to choice in the matter, conception, embryo, process, and actual birth.  The very moment one is grown enough to recognize he is a sinner and when he repents and believes the gospel a moral and spiritual change takes place (Mark 1:15; 2 Cor. 5:17-18; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:9-10; Ephes. 2:8-9; 1 John 1:9).  The very moment he decides to sin again he has a moral fall, incurs the penalty of the broken law again and comes under the sentence of death again (James 1:13-15; James 5:19-20; Romans 6:11-23; Romans 8:1-13; John 8:34; 2 Peter 2:19-22; Hebrews 6:4-9; Hebrews 10:26-29; Galatians 5:4,19-21; 2 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 John 3:8-10; Ezekiel 18:4; etc.).  If person sins, he must be forgiven and restored or pay the death penalty as in Galatians 6:7-8 and in the above scriptures.

ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life is not the physical life of the body for we have this life only as long as the soul and spirit remain in the body. Death in Scripture means separation from the purpose for which a creature was created. Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the body. When this takes place one loses physical life (James 2:26). Eternal life is not the natural immortality or consciousness of the soul and spirit, for both the saved and unsaved exist forever and are fully conscious after physical death (Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 10:28; 17:3; Luke 20:38; 23:43; Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 6:9-11; Heb. 12:23; 1 Pet. 3:4; John 11:24-25; 14:19). The soul exists and is conscious even though it is dead (Eph. 2:1-10; Matt. 8:22; 1 Tim. 5:6). Spiritual death is the separation of the inner man from God because of sin (Isa. 59:2; Eph. 2). Eternal life therefore could not be the natural eternal life or consciousness of the inner man either in or out of the body. Eternal life could not be the eternal existence or consciousness of eternal souls in eternal Hell, for only the righteous have eternal life by abiding in Christ (John 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 15:1-7; 1 John 2:24, 25; 5:11). Eternal death is the eternal "separation" from God (Matt. 10:28; 25:41, 46, Rev. 2:11; 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8; Isa. 66:22-24). Eternal life is the opposite of eternal death-eternal union with God (John 17:3; 1 John 2:24-25; 5:11-12; 1 Cor. 6:17).

SALVATION

We believe that salvation from sin comes through: confession (Romans 10:9; 1 John 1:9), grace through faith (Ephes. 2:8-9), sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thes. 2:13), godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10), faith in His blood (Romans 3:25), and faith in His name (Acts 4:12). We believe that only past sins are forgiven (Eze.18:24-26; Rom.3:25; 2 Pt.1:9; Jas.1:13-16; Rev.2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19), so that our standing depends upon our faith and union with God and steadfastness in prayer. The greatest saint can stand only as long as he depends upon God and continues in obedience to the gospel (Gen. 2:17; 3:1-19; Dt. 8:11-18; Prov. 1:10-17; 2:10-16; 4:14-15; 5:6-21; 6:27-28; 7:7-23; 9:15-17; 12:26; 14:27; 16:29; 19:27; 28:10; Isa. 33:15-16; Mt. 13:22; Lk. 8:13; Rom. 6:12-23; 8:12-13; 12:21; 14:13-21; 1Cor. 7:5; 8:9-13; 10:1-12; 2Cor. 2:11; 11:3; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 4:27; 6:10-18; 1Tim. 5:15; 6:9-17; Heb. 3:6,12-14; 6:4-11; 10:26-38; Jas. 1:2-16; 4:7; 2Pet. 2:9,20-22; 3:17; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Any man who rejects these conditions of living right will someday see that he cannot escape death and eternal punishment. Salvation is a hope and not actually an unforfeitable possession until the next life (1Th. 5:8; Rom. 8:20-25; 2Th. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:5,9,13). Eternal life is also a hope now, even though we possess it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11,11,18-19; 1Pet. 1:3,13). It will not actually be an unforfeitable and an eternal possession until the next life and at the end of a life of sowing to the Spirit (Mt. 7:13-14; 18:8-9; 19:28-29; Mk. 10:29-30; Lk. 18:29-30; Rom. 2:7; 6:21-23; Gal. 6:7-8; 1Tim. 1:16; 4:8; 6:12,19; 1Pet. 1:5,9,13; 3:7; 1Jn. 2:25; Jude 1:20-24; Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29).

BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT

The theory that the body is always sinful and the flesh sins every day, but the soul and spirit are perfectly sinless and holy is one of the most foolish, ignorant, and unscriptural theories the devil and his agents are seeking to impose upon intelligent Bible loving people. There can be no Scripture produced that says any such thing. This is purely a doctrine of demons to deceive men and cause their souls to be lost in eternal Hell. We believe in repentance if we sin because sin damns the body, soul, and spirit whenever it is committed. The following Scriptures prove that the body must be holy and sinless as much as the soul (Rom. 6:2, 6-7; 8:1-4,10, Rom 12-13; Rom. 12:1-2); 1 Cor. 6:13,15,19-20); 1 Cor. 3:16-17); 1 Cor. 9:27); 2 Cor. 4:10; Col. 2:11-13; 1 Cor. 7:34).

WATER BAPTISM

Baptism in water is by submersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord. It is for believers only and is identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. No scripture says that sins are washed away by baptism other than ceremonially. Cleansing is done: by God (Psalm 51:1-13; Titus 2:11-13), by Christ (Matthew 1:21; Rev. 1:5), by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11), by grace through faith (Ephes. 2:8-9), by faith in the blood (Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:9; Ephes. 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-23; Rev. 1:5), by faith without works (Romans 2:24-31; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:19-29), by confession of sins (1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19), by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; John 3:5; John 15:3; Ephes. 5:26)

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit-baptism is the immersion or burial of the believer in the Spirit which time he receives the Spirit in his life in all "fullness" and "without measure" and is "endued with power from on high" to do the works of Christ (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; 14:12-17; Acts 1:4-8; 3:6; 5:12-16; 19:11; Mark 16:16-20; Heb. 2:3-4; etc.). It is the same full anointing of the Spirit that Christ received (Isa. 11:1-2; 42:1-7; 61:1; Matt. 11:4-6; 12:18; 20:22-23; Luke 4:16-21; John 3:34; 14:12; Acts 10:38). It is the Spirit coming in, upon, filling, overwhelming, infusing, anointing, and enduing with full power, and not with just a "measure" as in the Old Testament days. It is the Spirit taking full possession of the believer to live, speak, and work through him in the same degree that was manifested through Christ and the apostles. It is the fullness of what men had in part before Pentecost.           

SANCTIFICATION

We believe that sanctification means to be set apart from a secular, unrighteous use to a holy and righteous purpose. Sanctification is two-fold: First, God sets you apart, and then you daily set yourself apart by remaining obedient. So, sanctification begins when one is brought to obedience at the new birth and salvation (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-13; 1 John 3:9; 5:1-18), and then purges himself of the affairs of this life; that is, consecrates himself to give them up so that God can cleanse him of them (2 Tim. 2:4, 21). This is at the new birth (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 5:1-5, 18).

COMMUNION

Each believer is supposed to partake (Matthew 26:26-27; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:17; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:28) as it is a remembrance of the death of Christ until He comes again (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-26). It can be partaken daily (Acts 2:42, 46), weekly (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:17) or as "often" as desired (1 Cor. 11:26). Early disciples observed it daily until they began to have weekly meetings, then it was observed every Sunday, according to history and Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2. It will be observed by Christ and all believers in the kingdom of God forever (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18, 30). It is an ordinance that should bring unity and love among believers and not division and strife (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:16-30). It should be partaken in faith and proper examination of self or condemnation, sickness and even death may result (1 Cor. 11:17-30).

TITHING

Tithes and offerings belong to the house of the Lord. Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God's blessings (Romans 4:12; Hebrews 7:6-10; 1 Cor. 9:7-14; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Malachi 3:8-10; Proverbs 3:9-10; Genesis 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

THE RAPTURE

The word rapture simply means to transport from one place to another. The Scriptural expressions equated with rapture are "caught up" (1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Cor. 12:4); "receive you unto myself" (John. 14:3); and "come up hither" (Rev. 4:1; Rev 11:12). When we use the term, we mean the "catching up" of Christians to meet the Lord in the air, who then go to the planet heaven with Christ to become settled in their eternal mansions that He has gone to prepare for them who serve Him until death-or until the time of the rapture (1 Thess. 2:19;1 Thess 3:13;1 Thess 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4; Jas. 5:7-8; Rev. 4:1). When we refer to the rapture we do not mean the second coming of Christ, or any part, stage, or phase of it. The rapture is a distinct and separate coming of the Lord with at least seven years between the two comings out of heaven.

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING

The second advent is the time when Christ will come to the earth with the saints, and this is the coming that will take place immediately after the tribulation (Mt. 24:29-31; Mt 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14; Jude 14-15).