What We Believe

1 / GOD

  There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

2 / JESUS CHRIST

   Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father (John 1:14). He is the Eternal Son of God and Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is very God and very man without conversion, composition, or confusion yet one Christ.

     When the fullness of time was come, He was born of a virgin (Matt. 1 :23; Luke 1 :31 , 3 5)-He lived a sinless life fulfilling the law perfectly (Heb. 7:26, 1Peter 2:22). He performed many miracles, having the Holy Spirit without measure (Acts 2:22,10:38). He died on the cross for our sins; ( 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21). He rose from the grave bodily (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Cor.15:4).

     He ascended into Heaven where He is seated at the right Hand of God the Father making intercession for the saints (Acts 1:9; Philp. 2:9 - 11; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:34). He is coming back again to judge men and angels at the end of the world (Acts 1:1 1, 10:42;17:31; Romans 14:9; 2 Peter 2:41).

     Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and Man (I Tim. 2:5). He is the prophet, priest, and king of the church. No one can come to the Father but by Him (Acts 3:22; Heb.5:5.6; Ps 2:6; Luke 1:13; Acts 4:12; Eph. l: 22,23).

3 / HOLY SPIRIT

   The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. He is God (Acts 5:3 &4). The Holy Spirit gave us the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21) and He is the only means by which we can understand the Holy Scriptures (2 Cor. 2:9 -14).

     The Holy Spirit applies salvation to man by sealing us after we believe the truth (Eph. l: 13) and by using the truth to sanctify us (John l7:17; Eph. 6:17; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13).

     The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the Believer's life (Gal. 5:22: Eph. 5:9) along with supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body (1 Cor. 12:8). These gifts being very much available for the Church today (Eph. 4:11-14) are to be used in accordance with scripture (1 Cor. 12, 13,14).

     The Holy Spirit fills believers. When filled with the Holy Spirit, believers are both controlled and empowered by the Spirit (Eph. 5:18, Acts 1:8). When controlled, believer’s exhibit greater godliness (Eph. 5:18 - 6:5). When believers are empowered, spiritual gifts are often manifested (Joel 2:28; Luke 1: 39; 1:67; Acts 2:1 - 4). Boldness is also an evidence of being filled with the

Spirit (Acts 1:8; 4:8; 4:31"- 33).

     Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a continuous thing (Eph. 5:18; Greek: be ever filled; keep on being filled; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31), whereby believers seek to live a Spirit filled life every day. Scripture teaches various ways that a believer can be filled (Acts 4:31; Luke 11:9-13; Acts 9:17; Acts 8:17; Acts 19:6; Acts l0:44).

4 / SCRIPTURE

   The Bible is the God breathed word of God (2 Tim 3:16). It is comprised of the 66 books that make up the Old and New Testament, without any additions or subtractions. Though translated from its original language, Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament, the word of God has been preserved (Is. 40:8).

     God is the author of all scripture and He determines the meaning of a text. No scripture is given for private interpretation (2 Peter 1:19) meaning that we do not approach the scriptures with a 'what does it mean to you' mentality. We must study to show ourselves approved and must labor to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

     One of the best rules for interpreting Scripture is Sola Scriptura 'scripture alone.' Difficult passages should be explained by using less difficult passages.

We are saved through the word of God (1 Cor. 1:21; Romans l0:9-17;Eph. 1:13; James 1:18). The word of God maintains the Christian spiritual life (Matt. 4:4). It provides the Believer spiritual nourishment so that we may spiritually grow (1 Peter 2:2). The Bible is sufficient to thoroughly equip the Christian for life (2 Tim. 3:16).

     The word of God sanctifies the Christian (John 17:17; Ps. 119:9 & 11). The word of God is the Christian's weapon against evil (Eph.6:1; Heb. 4:12). The Bible is the only infallible record of God's self-revelation to mankind. The Scriptures are authoritative and must rule and guide all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded or changed by later tradition extra-biblical revelation or worldly wisdom.

5 / SALVATION

   Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept  Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

     Salvation is by God's grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) in the life and work of Jesus Christ (John 3: 16). Believers repent of their old ways of life (Acts 3:19) and turn to God believing in Christ alone for salvation (Eph.2:8; Acts 4:12). At that moment our sins are pardoned and his righteous life is imputed unto to us( Rom 3:21-31).

     This salvation will be witnessed by regeneration (a changed life 2 Cor. 5:17). We will no longer walk in darkness (1 John 1:6). We will begin to keep His commandments (1 John 2:3-4). We will love the brethren (1 John 2:9-11; 3:14-15). We will no longer love the world (1 John 2:15 & 16). Our lives will no longer be characterized by sin (1 John 5:18).

6 / HEBREW DOCTRINE