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Beliefs
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
ONE TRUE GOD
THE MESSIAH - JESUS OF NAZARETH
THE NAME OF GOD
CONVERSION
HOLINESS
DIVINE HEALING
APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Scriptures to be inspired of God; the infallible Word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
These Scriptures are the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the church must be based upon, and harmonize with, the Holy Scriptures. They are to be read and studied by all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27)."... no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20, 21).
ONE TRUE GOD
The first of all the commandments is, hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord" (Mark 12:29; Deut. 6:4). "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:6).
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:19; Joel 2:28).
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways; in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.
THE MESSIAH - JESUS OF NAZARETH
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).
The one true God, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the Virgin Mary. As Paul says "and without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness.
"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (John 1:11). This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. "… God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. . ." (2 Cor. 5:19).
We believe that, "… in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell" (Col. 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus on His Father's side was divine, on His mother's side, human; Thus, He was known as the Son of God and also the son of man.
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him" (1 Cor. 15:27). "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8).
THE NAME OF GOD
God used different titles, such as "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh", "El Shaddai," in the Old Testament.
"... unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God was named, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His People from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
CONVERSION
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REPENTANCE
Forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a changing of one's mind and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30).
The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words which mean, change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.
Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
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WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of conversion required baptism by immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, turned from their sins and forsaken the love for the world. It must be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience to the Word of God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the Bible.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; ..." (Joel 2:28).
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance."
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues.
Apostle Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He (Jesus) hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2:33). Further, "...The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39).
Apostle Paul, explaining the purpose of this promise, wrote; In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13,14)
The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, is not to be confused with the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14. These are distinguished from one another by use and purpose.
HOLINESS
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8). After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4). If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18).
DIVINE HEALING
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24). Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He commanded His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached. There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God. "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE
The Holy Scriptures teach that "except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God". We are commanded to "come out from among them and be ye separate"
We teach the Apostle's doctrine of salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
WE PRAY TOGETHER ALOUD because in the Bible we read, "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord." Acts 4:24
WE LIFT OUR HANDS IN PRAISE because in the Bible we read, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord." Psalm 134:2
WE SING WITH ALL OUR HEARTS because in the Bible we read, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice and sing praise." Psalm 98:4
WE PLAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS because in the Bible we read, "And all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments." 2 Samuel 6:5
WE CLAP OUR HANDS AND SHOUT UNTO GOD because in the Bible we read, "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Psalm 47:1
WE DANCE BEFORE THE LORD because in the Bible we read, "Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs." Psalm 150:4
WE ANOINT WITH OIL AND PRAY FOR THE SICK because in the Bible we read, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:" James 5:14
WE ALLOW THE OPERATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS because in the Bible we read, "when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation." 1 Cor. 14:26
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