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I.
GOD:
We believe in the one true God revealed in the Bible. He is Creator, Redeemer
and the sovereign Ruler of creation. He is the author of truth, love and
faith.
II.
BIBLE:
We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God and our standard for
faith and practice. We believe it is the standard by which all subsequent
revelation is to be evaluated.
III. SIN:
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God. But through
sin (disobedience) mankind is separated from God and that, without Jesus
Christ, He is without hope. “For the wages of sin is death.”
IV.
SALVATION:
We believe that man’s salvation is through renouncing his own self
determination, taking responsibility for his disobedience and seeking
forgiveness from God. Further, we believe such a penitent person must put
his faith in Jesus Christ…whom we believe to be the incarnate Son of
God. Jesus died as a substitute for man’s transgressions. He who was
raised on the third day and is now ascended back to the Father is the Way,
the Truth and the Life. The visible evidence that one has repented and put
his faith in Jesus Christ includes public confession, baptism in water,
infilling of the Holy Spirit and coming under the pastoral instruction of
the church.
V.
HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe that there are many experiences which are valid encounters with
the personage of the Holy Spirit. Baptism with the Spirit, filled with the
Spirit and anointed with the Spirit are among the scriptural terms used to
describe such encounters.
These experiences should produce
greater commitment to God’s will, a greater realization of His power and
a greater edification of His church.
We further believe the Holy
Spirit imparts gifts and abilities greater than our own to accomplish
God’s will. These gifts ought to be operative in the church, supervised
by mature leaders and ministered in love by Christians whose lives reflect
godly character. These gifts include miraculous healings, revelations and
utterances. And that all things be done decently and in order. As the
fruit of the Spirit is brought forth in our lives, it gives evidence as to
His infilling and empowering.
VI.
JUDGEMENT:
We believe in a final judgment at the end of the age. We believe the
righteous and the wicked shall stand before Him and be judged. Those who
have a faith producing righteousness will be rewarded with the privilege
of ruling with Him and enjoying His eternal blessings. Those who are
wicked in relationship with God and man will be eternally punished.
CONCLUSION:
These principles of our faith are foundations for God’s ongoing leadership in
our lives. We realize that our statement of faith does not relieve us of
the responsibility to live by faith. We acknowledge those who serve Jesus
Christ now, whose doctrinal expressions are different from our own. We
desire to walk with them as brothers and sisters. Our statements are not
to be interpreted as walls but rather as doors through which we can
communicate.
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