We Believe

THE TRINITY

We believe in one God who is seen in three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Matthew 3:16,17; John 1:1,14; John 14:9; Genesis 1:2,26; John 4:24, John 10:30; John 14:16-20

THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father, Creator of all things visible and invisible.

Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 11:3

THE DEITY AND HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe Jesus was born fully human and fully divine, conceived of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.

Matthew 1: 18,23; Luke 1:31; Hebrews 7:26; I peter 2:22; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 28:6; Luke 24: 39; Philippians 2:7,8; John 1:14; Romans 5:15-17; Colossians 2:9; I John 1:1; Luke 1:26-38.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who indwells Christians. We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - an experience that empowers the Christian. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the enduing with power from on High upon the sanctified believer. It is the “promise of the Father” and when one receives this “gift of the Holy Ghost”, it is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking a language unlearned previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

John 15:26; John 16:5-15; I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; II Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:20-33; 7:37-39; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-6; Luke 24:29; Hebrews 12:28; I Corinthians 12:1-31

AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is God’s word to humankind. Its statements are authoritative and errorless. We acknowledge that the Bible is true in all it affirms. The truth of God’s word gives us wisdom, and serves as the compass that directs us in all we do for the rest of our lives. We are obligated to obey God’s Word.

II Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:1-5; Matthew 5:18, 24:35; Hebrews 4:12; John 5:39; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 24:47; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19; II Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21

SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

We believe that salvation and forgiveness of sins is only received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Clearly, God set Christ above all the Old Testament and commands us to hear Christ. 

John 3:16,17; II Peter 3:9;Proverbs 24:11; Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-9,19-22; I Peter 1:18-19; I John 1:7-9; John 10:10; Hebrews 1:1; Mark 9:2-7; Acts 3:22,23, 26:22; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 2:1-4; Genesis 41:37-46; Colossians 1:13-19

BAPTISM

We believe that water baptism is an outward expression of the inward work of salvation. Baptism means a public declaration of one’s decision to follow Jesus Christ. It symbolizes one’s death to the world, burial of the old life, and being raised into new life with Christ Jesus. The mode and method of baptism are important to us because we are convinced that baptism is not necessarily for children below the age of twelve. We are not necessarily pinpointing the age of twelve, but we are referencing a stage in life when one is able to make sound decision, and being able to consider the significance of one’s decisions because one has reached an age of responsibility. Also, we believe that baptism should be done by immersion (not sprinkling) “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” We acknowledge that Water Baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God. 

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4,5; Colossians 2:12

PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

We believe that believers have priestly privileges and responsibilities. Because Christ offered the perfect sacrifice for sin, God no longer authorizes or sanctions a special class of priests. Like their male counterparts, women are also called into active and effective Christian service and ministry.

Hebrews 4:16; Galatians 3:28; I peter 2:4-9: Exodus 19:5-6; Revelation 1:4-6; 5:6-10

SANCTIFICATION

We believe that entire sanctification is a definite act of God’s grace, subsequent upon the new birth, by which the believer’s heart is purified and made holy. Works, struggle, and suppression cannot attain sanctification. It is obtained by faith in the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life and purity of heart are central to Christian living. Becoming spiritually disciplined helps Christians to gravitate towards purity, sanctification and holiness.

Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 12:14; Isaiah 35:7-9; II Timothy 2:19; II Corinthians 5:11; Jeremiah 6:16, 13:23; I John 3:3; I Corinthians 1:2; Luke 1:74-75; John 17:15-17; I Thessalonians 4:3,7,8; 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrew 2:11; 10:10,14; 13:11; Titus 2:11-14; I John 1:7; I Peter 1:14-16.

LAST THINGS

We believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.

John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-9; II Thessalonians 2:5-7; Philippians 3:11, 20-21; I John 3:1-3; Job 19:25-27; Psalm 71:20; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; I Corinthians 15:12-57; I Thessalonians 4:13-16; Hebrews 6:1,2; Philippians 3:8-11; Revelation 20:4,6,12-13; Matthew 24:21,22,29; Revelation 9:16; Mark 13:19; II Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13; Daniel 6:23-35; II Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 19:1-10; Zechariah 14:3,4; Matthew 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 13:24-37; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14-15; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 14:9-20; 2:2-4; John 5:24; 3:17-19; Daniel 12:2,3; Matthew 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41-42; John 5:28-29; Romans 2:15-16; 14:12; II Peter 2:9; Jude 6; I Corinthians 6:1-4; Acts 10:42; Revelation 20:11-15; Psalm 102:25-26; Isaiah 51:6; 65:17; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; II Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 66:22; II Peter 3:12-13; I Corinthians 13:12; I John 3:2-3; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:1-5; Matthew 25:41; Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:46; Luke 12:4-5; 16:19-31; Matthew 5:22,30; Mark 9:43-47; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:10,12-15.