This church body accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. For the purpose of maintaining general unity, this church body adopts the following doctrinal statement:
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OUR TENANTS OF FAITH
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1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason.
(II Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; I Peter 1:23-25)
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true god has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, s
Self-revealed "I AM" and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; Matt. 28:19; John 14:26)
3. THE DIETY OF CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
(1) His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:26-35 Isaiah 7:14)
(2) His sinless life (Heb, 7:26; I Peter 2:22)
(3) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
(4) His atoning work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3)
(5) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6)
(6) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, Rom 8:34)
4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(Gen. 1:26-31. 2:17, 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21)
5. SALVATION OF MAN
A. Condition of Salvation
The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved through regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life.
(John 3:3-8. Rom. 5:6-9, 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 2:11)
B. The Evidence of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. (Rom. 8:16; Titus 2:12)
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
A. Water Baptism
The ordinance of baptism by immersion should be followed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have truly repented and in their hearts have believed in Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus Christ and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Rom. 6:4)
B. Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements of unleavened bread and the unfermented fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing His divine nature, a memorial of His atoning sacrifice, a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined on all believers "until He comes." (Luke 22:19-20; I Cor. 11:26)
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 1:8; 8:15-17; 11:14-16; 19:1-6)
8. EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The full consummation of the baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46; 19:2, 6)
9. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
The Scriptures teach a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by living in obedience to God's Word.
(Rom. 8:3-4; I Thes. 5:23; Heb. 12:14; I Peter 1:16)
10. THE CHURCH
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. (Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23)
11. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose; (a) the evangelization of the world, and (b) the edifying of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15; 20: Eph. 4:11-16)
12. DIVINE HEALING
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.
(Ps. 103:3; Isa. 53:3-5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; James 5:14; I Peter 2:24)
13. 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 coming of the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church. (I Thes. 4:16-18)
14. THE MILLENIAL REIGH OF JESUS
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ form heaven, the salvation of Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world's hope. (Rom. 11:25-27; Rev. 5:10; and chapters 19-20)
15. THE FINAL JUDGMENT
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death. (Matt. 25:26; Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8)
16. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
We "according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness".
(II Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1)