1. |
The Bible |
We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and is the only authoritative
source of doctrine and practice for Christians. (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:21; Heb.
4:12) |
2. |
God |
We believe that there is only one person who is God. He is a literal (corporeal)
being, the Father of Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things, eternal, immortal, and will
eventually rule over the Eternal Kingdom. (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6-8, 45:18; I Cor. 8:6;
Eph. 4:6; I Tim. 2:5, Rev. 22:5)
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3. |
Jesus |
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of God’s Holy Spirit
and of the Virgin Mary. He is truly unique, being both God’s son and the son of man. God’s
plan from eternity was made flesh in the person of Jesus who perfectly represented God, his
Father. Jesus was the promised Savior, the Messiah who was sinless and thus able to die on
the cross for the sins of all men. Jesus was mortal and remained in the grave for three
days until God raised him. Jesus then ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of
God interceding for Christians. One day God will send Jesus back to this earth to establish
His Kingdom and bring to fruition God’s plan for all eternity. (Luke 1:32-35, 3:22;
John 1:14; 3:16; 20:31; Acts 7:55; I Tim. 2:5; I John 5:5)
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4. |
Holy Spirit |
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the power of God manifest on the earth in the
lives of God’s people. The Holy Spirit is promised to all believers (Acts 2:38) as part of
the baptismal experience. It is given to us to empower us to witness of Jesus Christ and
the kingdom (Acts 1:8). Individual gifts of the spirit are given to members of the church
to enable the church to accomplish God’s purposes (I Cor 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4). The
demonstration of the Spirit’s presence is evidenced in an individual’s life, attitude, and
actions by the evidence of the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22,23)
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5. |
Man |
We believe that God created man from the earth, and then gave him the breath of
life which enabled him to live. Although created innocent, through disobedience to God man
fell under the condemnation of death. Thus all men are both sinful and mortal, and are in
need of salvation which can only come through Jesus Christ. Death is the cessation of all
life and consciousness and man remains in the grave until Jesus’ return to this earth. At
that time, Jesus will raise and reward Christians with immortal and incorruptible life.
(Gen. 2:7; 3:19; Eccl. 3:20; 9:4,5,10; Matt. 3:13-17; John 5:28,29; Rom. 6:23;
I Cor. 15:50-55)
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6. |
Plan of Salvation |
We believe that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). It is by
the grace of God, through the atoning blood of Jesus, and consists of God’s forgiveness of
sin, the imparting of His Spirit, and finally the gift of immortality at the resurrection
when Jesus returns. The steps we must take are:
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a) |
Belief in the gospel of the Kingdom and the things concerning Jesus Christ.
(Acts 8:12; Rom. 1:16) |
b) |
Sincere repentance for sins, which may be evidenced by confession and
restitution. (Acts. 2:38) |
c) |
Baptism, immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
(Mark 15:15,16; Rom. 6:1-6; Acts 22:16) |
d) |
Growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(I Peter 2:1-3) |
7. |
Future Hope - Kingdom of God |
We believe that the future hope of mankind is the Kingdom of God upon this earth
when Christ returns. We believe that this return will be a literal, personal, visible
return (Acts 1:11). At this time Israel, the literal descendents of Abraham through Jacob,
will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah (Zech. 12:10,11). Israel will, in accordance with
God’s covenant, be restored to Palestine as the head of the nations in the Kingdom of God.
(Ezekiel 36:21-32) Christians will be rewarded with citizenship in the Kingdom of God and
will reign with Jesus for 1000 years as joint-heirs. This Millennial reign will be followed
by a short rebellion, the Great White Throne judgment by God, the destruction of the wicked,
and the establishment of the “New Heaven and a New Earth” where God will reign for eternity,
and all sin and death will be no more. (Matt. 25:30,31, I Thess. 4:16,17; II Pet. 2:12-14;
Rev. 5:9,10; 20:4-10; 21:1-4,7,8)
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