What We Believe Do you have a Bible? Good. Go get it. We'll wait right here... Are you back? Okay. Hold the Bible in your hands. You are now holding our statement of faith! For more specific information, keep reading: Fellowship “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” John 13:35. The membership of this body will meet together in council to discuss and proclaim the scriptures in order that they may arrive at the truth. People of all professions, race, or ethnic groups are welcome in our services. All are encouraged to respect our scriptural distinction, exhibit Christian principles, and use Christian courtesy. Remember, we are all brethren and committed to one, who is Jesus Christ. While maintaining its inherent right to sovereignty in the conduct of its own affairs, this local body of believers shall voluntarily enter into full cooperative fellowship with assemblies of like precious faith, and shall share in the privilege and assume the responsibilities enjoined by that affiliation. Divine Inspiration Of The Scriptures Peter declared: (2 Peter 1:21) “for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but by holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The Bible cannot be understood by the natural mind since it is a supernatural book revealed to man by a supernatural God. Read 1 Corinthians 2:14. Contrary to the teachings of modern man, the Bible gives the only explanation of creation and teaches that God is the only source of life. The prophecies of the Bible prove conclusively that the Bible is Divinely inspired. No other book has prophesied in minute detail events that actually occurred some 4000 years later. Jesus authenticated all the writings of the Prophets in Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:28-32. In Luke 24:27 Jesus sanctioned all the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as the Genesis account of the creation of man. Read Matthew 19:14. The Virgin Birth Jesus was born of a virgin according to Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Thus He (Jesus) received His Divine Nature (Luke 1:35). He received His human side of His nature through Mary, His mother. John 1:14 said “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Since He is the image of the invisible God, He is the God-man. Read Colossians 1:15. The Godhead The Scriptures teach that there is one God in three manifestations spoken of as, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Read John 4:24 and Colossians 1:15. Jesus Christ is God, the invisible Spirit, Incarnate in the flesh. Read 1 Timothy 3:16 and John 1:14. Man Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). According to Romans 5:12-14, Adam’s sin was transmitted to the entire human race. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Whereas, the first Adam failed, Jesus Christ was triumphant over all sin and paid sin’s ransom for all, in order to make all alive. Read 1 Corinthians 15:45 and Romans 15:21. Salvation We show our faith in Christ through repentance for sin, baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and walking in obedience to the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). The Gospel pictures Christ through repentance (death), baptism (burial), and walking in the new life (resurrection). Read Romans 6:1-6. The Holy Ghost indwells the believer at salvation (Acts 21:38, 10:44-48, and 16:31-33). Water Baptism The Scripture only authenticates baptism as being immersed in water only in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. One should be baptized as soon as possible after one has thoroughly repented of his/her sins and shows that he has turned from the world (Acts 2:37,38). Spirit Baptism The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is received when one is born again. This is the provision which places one into the Body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; and Col. 1:4). The evidence of the new birth or Baptism into the Spirit is the love of God (1 John 3:14; John 13:35). On the day of Pentecost, the sequence of events were as follows; they were first Baptized into the Spirit and then they were also filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 2:4). The Infilling Of The Spirit The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer evidences itself at Salvation. As the believer yields and gives himself over totally to the Spirit that is in him, he will be possessed totally and filled with that same Spirit. The last unruly member of the body, the tongue (James 3:8), is yielded to the Spirit and the believer may exercise an utterance of other tongues. Any one of the other eight Gifts of the Spirit may also be exercised (1 Cor. 12:7-11). The Baptism into the Spirit differs from the infilling of the Spirit, in that; the Baptism of the Spirit must come first. To be filled is to allow the Spirit to totally possess the believer. Eternal Security The eternal security of the believer depends on his obedience to God’s Word (2 John 1:9, 1 John 3:24). Salvation is eternal and God is abundantly able to keep us from falling and present us faultless as we obey Him (2 Peter 1:10, Jude 24). 1 John 1:9 tells us when we sin, we must confess and forsake all sin. Willful, persistent sin results in spiritual death and in the end, the Lake of Fire (1 John 5:5-16, Heb. 10:26,27,39). 1 John 1:5-9 indicates that one must confess and repent of sin in ones life. The Church The Church was born on the day of Pentecost and is made up of all that obey the plan of Salvation as shown in the Gospel of Christ. This includes all believers wherever they may be found (Acts 1:5; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13; and Ephesians 1:22,23). The Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24 set forth the order and meaning of the communion. It is an ordinance of the Church and should be taken literally. It was practiced by the early Church (Acts 2:46). It is strongly emphasized that those holding ought toward a fellow believer, whether a member of this local Body or not, refrain from the practice of this ordinance until restoration is made. The ordinance will be served as an “open communion”, maintaining that restricting to only members would do more harm than good. It is to show the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26). Self-examination is a needed prerequisite before partaking of the elements of communion (1 Cor 11:28,29). This church will practice communion as lead by the Lord, under the direction of the pastor. Foot Washing Foot washing is the privilege of the believer in that it exhibits the spirit of humility and love one to another. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and said we also should follow his example (John 13:14,15). Divine Healing Isaiah 53; 4,5 and Psalm 103:2-5 sets forth the privilege of prayer for the sick. We prayerfully leave it unto the mind of God as to whether we receive this healing through medical facilities, or whether it is an act of his Divine Grace of healing. James 5:14-16 gives us the pattern to follow. Tithing Tithes and offerings are God’s financial plan to provide for His work through the Church. Beginning with Abraham, it was practiced by Moses’ law and endorsed by Jesus (Matthew 23:23). God commands us to give a tenth. God called it robbery if we do not obey (Malachi 3:8-10). Paul stressed the need of not only tithes, but also offerings (1 Cor. 8 & 9). Second Coming of Christ There are differing opinions concerning the teachings of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Biblical teachings indicate that his coming is in two phases: the rapture (parousia) and revelation. In the rapture, Jesus will come for the Church. He will receive the Church in mid air and take them to Heaven (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The revelation of Jesus Christ will come at the end of the Tribulation period. At this coming, he will smite the anti-christ and the Christ rejecting people (Revelation 19; 11-21). After this, Jesus Christ will set up his Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 11; Zachariah 14:4,9). Heaven And Hell There is a literal Heaven for those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior and live a life of obedience (John 14:1-3; Rev. 7:9). The final destination of the wicked is a literal Hell, burning with fire and brimstone (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:15). Christian Conduct The Christian should always exemplify Jesus Christ, who dwells in them. Having accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we should allow our lives to be an example to others in our action and reactions, our walk, our talk, this being our dress and outward character (2 Timothy 2:19). We need to recognize that our body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, therefore glorifying God (1 Cor. 6:19,20). Homosexuality Since homosexuality is an abomination before the Lord (Leviticus 18:22) we strongly oppose the practice of homosexuality and lesbianism. Therefore we would not allow any individual who practices homosexuality to hold an office, or preach and teach in our church. Abortion We are opposed to abortion. “there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.” Proverbs 6:16,17; Ex. 20:13; is. 49:1; Ex. 21:22,23; Lk. 1:39-45; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 1:5 Ps. 139:13,14; Gen. 25:19-26. Tobacco, Alcoholic Beverages, and Drugs Since tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and hallucinogenic drugs are poisonous and habit forming and components of the old sinful nature, no Christian can advance spiritually and continue their use because using either in any manner is a lustful habit of the flesh. Therefore we refrain from the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and hallucinogenic drugs in any form. (Gal. 5:24; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Cor. 7:1)