What We Believe
The Bible is the word of God inspired as a revelation from God, the inerrant rule of faith and behavior, and is superior to consciousness and reason, but is not contrary to reason. (2 Timothy 3:15,16; 1 Peter 2:2).
The one true God has presented himself as the preexistent and self-revealed “I am”; And has been revealed including the principles of relationship and association, for example, as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19
Man was created good and righteous, because God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” But man, through voluntary disobedience fell, and his only hope of redemption is Jesus Christ the Son of God. Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21
- A. Conditions for Salvation The mercy of God that brings salvation was shown to all, by preaching repentance before God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Man is saved through the cleansing of being born again and by the renewal made by the Holy Spirit, and being redeemed by mercy, by faith he becomes an heir of God with the hope of eternal life. Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7.
- B. Proof of Salvation The inner proof of a believer’s personal salvation lies in the internal testimony of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outer proof for all men is a righteous and truly holy life. Matthew 5:16.
Baptism by burial with Christ will be officiated by the command of Scripture, for all who have truly repented and believe in their heart in Christ as Savior and Lord.
By doing so they will be immersed in water as an outward symbol of cleansing, after their hearts have been sprinkled with the blood of Christ for inner cleansing. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and have also risen with him to new life. Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22.
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements: bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol that expresses our sharing with the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); A remembrance of his suffering and death (1 Cor. 11:26); and a prophecy of Christ’s Second Coming (1 Cor. 11:26) is commanded to all believers “until he comes.” According to John 13:1-17, we believe and practice the Washing of the Feet.
All believers are entitled to it, and must wait fervently and seek with zeal the promise of the Father, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the ordinary experience of all believers in the first church. With it comes the clothing of power for life and work, receiving spiritual gifts and exercising them in the work of ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This miraculous experience stands apart from the new birth and comes behind it. (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
The baptism of believers with the Holy Spirit is attested to by the initial physical sign of speaking in other languages as the Spirit gives them to speak. (Acts 2:4) Speaking in tongues in this situation is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 12:4-10, 28) but different in purpose and use.
Scripture teaches us a life of holiness without which no one will see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can fulfill the commandment “Be holy for I am holy.” Complete sanctification is God’s will for all believers, and must be practised with zeal by walking in obedience to the word of God. Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Tes. 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6.
The Church is the body of Christ, the dwelling of God through the Spirit, with Divine designation for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. Ephesians 1:23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23.
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for three purposes: (1) The Evangelization of the world and (2) the building of the body of Christ. Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13. (3) Worship of God. John 4:23-24.
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17.
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. 1 Tes. 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor 15:51-52.
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Z. 14:5; Mat. 24:27,30; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezek. 37:21-22; Zeph. 3:19-20; Rom. 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Is. 11:6-9; Ps. 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet and anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life will be sentenced to eternal punishment in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15.
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 2:13; Rev. 21, 22.