THE
BIBLE
We believe the Bible 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).
The Bible is
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 Bible.
It is 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).
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THE
ONE TRUE GOD
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).
The Scripture does more than attempt
to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes
and declares that the knowledge of God is universal.
(Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible,
incorporeal, without parts, without body, and therefore
free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24),
and a spirit hath not flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39).
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).
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.
Perhaps most importantly his name is Jesus!
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THE
SON OF GOD
The one
true God, the Jehovah 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: 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).
"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 fulness of the
Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in
Him should all fulness 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, or the God-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).
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THE
NAME
God used different
titles, such as "God Elohim," "El Shaddai," "Jehovah," and
especially "Jehovah Lord," the redemptive name
in the Old Testament.
For 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).
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REPENTANCE
AND CONVERSION
Pardon and
forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance,
a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by
faith in the Lord 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 baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have
fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It
should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience
to the Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to
the Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling
Matthew 28:19.
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THE
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance."
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. 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.
The speaking with other tongues, as
recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and the gift
of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians, chapters
12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in
use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel,
said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; ..." (Joel
2:28). Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience,
said, having received of the Father the promise of
the Holy Ghost, 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).
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FUNDAMENTAL
DOCTRINE
Our basic and fundamental doctrine shall be the Bible standard of full salvation,
which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost
with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives
utterance.
We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into
the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they
shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.
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PENTECOST:
WHAT'S THAT?
The day
of Pentecost was observed in Jerusalem fifty days after
the celebration of the Passover, which commemorated
Israel's deliverance out of Egypt. It is significant that this day was chosen
by the Lord to begin the fulfillment of Joel 2:28: "I will pour out my Spirit
upon all flesh...."
The Spirit came upon the waiting,
praying disciples in an overwhelming manner. Their complete commitment to Christ
and His commission evoked a mighty baptism of God's power. This was evidenced
initially by their speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4). The Spirit was resident in
their lives from that moment. The Spirit-filled early church witnessed many outstanding
miraculous happenings (Acts 3:1-7; 4:31). They were able to lead victorious lives
as a result of their Pentecostal experience.
Two baptisms were disclosed on the day of Pentecost. There
was a baptism in the Holy Spirit, and in the Apostle Peter's
message that followed, water baptism
in the name of Jesus Christ was commanded (Acts 2:38). This outward, physical
baptism mysteriously merges with that of the Spirit, and is the "one baptism" of
Ephesians 4:5. This is what Jesus referred to as being "born again" in
John 3:3-7. And how wonderful to be born into the family of God-changed, transformed,
and made a "new creature in Christ Jesus".
No, Pentecost is not a denomination. It is a new birth experience. It is primitive
Christianity made relevant to today's world. The people referred to as Pentecostal
simply believe, teach, and receive all that transpired on that birthday of the
church...Pentecost, 33 A.D. There is a church near you that embraces these basic
Christian truths and experiences. You owe it to yourself to attend-and see what
Pentecost can really mean to you!
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