20 Fundamental Doctrines
1. THE ONE TRUE GOD:
We believe in the One True GOD Who has revealed Himself as the Eternally, self-existent “I AM”; the Creator of Heaven and earth, and the Redeemer of mankind. He has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19)
2. THE DEITY OF CHRIST THE WORD:
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son of GOD; the Word who was manifest in the flesh. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, fulfilled the substitutionary work of the cross, making atonement for sin. He was crucified and buried, resurrected from the dead, and is now alive and seated at the right hand of GOD, ever living to make intercession for the saints. (Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 7:25,26; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 1:3)
3. THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE:
We believe that the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testament, are inspired of GOD and are the revelation of GOD to man. They are the authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:15,16)
4. THE NEW COVENANT CHURCH:
We believe that the Church has become partakers of a New and better Covenant by faith in Jesus Christ. Although we accept the Old and New Testament scriptures as both being Divinely inspired, at the same time, we believe it’s vital for the Church to rightly apply the dictates of each Covenant. (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 7:22; Ephesians 2)
5. THE FALL OF MAN:
We believe that by disobedience to GOD, man fell from perfection, incurring death and ultimately separation from GOD. (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12)
6. SIN:
We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD, and therefore, everyone needs the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to be freed from sin. We also believe that whatsoever is not of faith is sin, and that our sin has been forgiven and not imputed unto us. We believe that if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, which will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (Romans 3:23; Romans 4:8; Romans 6:14; Romans 14:23; 1 John 2:1)
7. THE SALVATION AND REGENERATION OF MAN:
We believe that salvation is found through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the Spirit of Grace grants the necessary repentance for one to believe the gospel unto salvation. Once Jesus Christ is believed upon by faith, that person is then born-again and made a new creation. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of GOD according to the hope of eternal life. (Luke 24:47; Ephesians 2:8; John 3:3; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7)
8. HOLY COMMUNION:
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a covenantal meal between the believer and GOD, and that it declares peace between both parties who partake in this meal. At this time, the bread and the cup, symbolic of the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ, is consumed in remembrance of His atoning work and sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 11:26; Luke 22:19,20; John 6:53,54)
9. WATER BAPTISM:
We believe that water baptism is the act of being immersed in water according to the commandment and instruction of Jesus Christ. Water baptism associates a person with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says to repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:38)
10. HOLY GHOST BAPTISM:
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is a subsequent experience to the new birth of the believer in which a person is equipped and enabled with the Power of GOD for the purpose of being an effective witness for Jesus Christ. This experience is commanded of our Lord and cannot be viewed as nonessential. With it comes the enduement of Power, the gifts of the Spirit, as well as the ability to live a life of holiness. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12)
11. DIVINE HEALING:
We believe that divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14,15)
12. SANCTIFICATION:
We believe that sanctification means to be set apart, consecrated, or made holy unto the LORD and His purpose. Because sanctification is a state of being purified from sin, we believe that making a clear distinction between the sanctification of the soul and the sanctification of the spirit is imperative.
a) Sanctification of spirit: We believe that Christ Himself is our sanctification and we are therefore completely sanctified in spirit upon receiving His life. (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2)
b) Sanctification of soul: We believe that the sanctification of the soul is progressive, and therefore is the result of yielding to the working of the Holy Ghost. (Philippians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:21)
13. THE TEMPLE OF GOD:
We believe the Bible teaches that the believer in Christ has become GODs literal Temple in which GOD dwells. The Temple consists of three main parts, as it always has, which are these: the court (body), the Holy Place (soul) and the Holiest of Holies (Spirit). Understanding how the Temple is designed and how the Temple is to function eliminates much of the doctrinal confusion we see in the Church world today. We also believe that because we are the Temple of GOD, we must submit our entire being unto true holiness. (1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
14. HEIRS WITH CHRIST:
We believe that because we are the children of GOD by faith in Jesus Christ, and therefore, heirs with Jesus Christ, that we should live our lives in a way that is consistent with that truth. We believe that it is important for the believer to understand his or her identity in Christ, through which, we should live victoriously in thought, word, and deed. Because we understand that we’ve been accepted in the Beloved, we also embrace the authority we’ve been given as GODs children to live as His ambassadors on earth. (Romans 8:16,17; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 2:6)
15. THE GREAT COMMISSION:
We believe that the Great Commission is the command of Jesus Christ to his Church to go into all of the world and share the gospel. We believe that obeying this commission is a basic expectation, and therefore, non-negotiable. If you belong to Jesus, then you’re to carry the good news of the gospel into the world, both in word and in power. (Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:19)
16. THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
We believe that the Kingdom of GOD is what Jesus and the early Church preached, demonstrated, and believed, and therefore, we are to continue that ministry in the same manner, expecting the same results. We believe the Kingdom came in Power on the day of Pentecost, and is to be pressed into by the people of GOD. We also believe that we are to advance the Kingdom of GOD until Christ should call us home, not only in word, but in Power. (Luke 4:43; Luke 9:60; Acts 8:12; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; 1 Corinthians 4:20)
17. THE RAPTURE OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST:
We believe that the Bride of Christ will be taken from the earth prior to the time of GODs wrath being poured out upon the earth. GOD has promised to spare His Jewels on that day, and bring them into remembrance before judgment should come to pass, trying all who dwell upon the earth. During this time, there will be the marriage of the Lamb and His Bride in Heaven. (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Malachi 3:17; Revelation 3:10)
18. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:
We believe in the literal second coming of Jesus Christ, at which time, He will return to the earth with His saints. This will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation. (Zechariah 14:5; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-6)
19. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST:
We believe that every believer will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive rewards consistent with the things which were done while on earth. The primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ is not sin, but rather, is for the purpose of rewarding the works of righteousness which were done by the believer while on earth. (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8)
20. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT:
We believe there will be a final judgment in which those who died without Christ will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever’s name is not found written in the Book of Life will be condemned to everlasting fire, which is the second death. (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15)