TENETS OF FAITH
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
(Colossians 4:6)
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority for determining all doctrinal truths. The Bible is inspired, infallible, and inerrant (Prov 30:5; Rom 16:25-26; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
Trinity
There is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, co-eternal, and self-existent (Gen 1:26; Is 9:6; 48:16;
Matt 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; Heb 1:8-12).
Jesus Christ
Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. He has always existed, even before coming into this world. He is equal to the Father, but voluntarily submitted Himself to death on the cross for the purpose of redeeming mankind. No one comes to the Father, but by Him (Is 9:6; 48:16; Mic 5:2; John 1:14; 14:6; 20:28; Rom 8:3; Phil 2:5-8; 1 Tim 2:5; 3:16).
Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, also, He is the Son of God. While on the earth, Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man at all times. He was tempted in all points just as we are, yet without sin (Is 7:14, 9:6; Matt 1:18,23-25; Luke 1:27-35; Heb 4:15).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
He is an actual person, not an impersonal power or force:
a. He has wisdom and understanding (Is 11:2; 1 Cor 2:10-11)
b. He has a mind and will (Rom 8:27; 1 Cor 12:11)
c. He has emotions (Is 63:10; Eph 4:30)
The Holy Spirit teaches us all things, brings things to our remembrance, and guides us into all truth. He testifies of Jesus to reveal the deeper facets of God’s heart and mind, and conforms us to His image. He is also the author of the Holy Scriptures for the same, ultimate purpose (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Cor 2:10-14; 2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pet 1:21).
“‘But sanctify the Lord God, in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you . . .”
(1 Pet 3:15)
The Gospel
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came into the world, died on the cross for humankind, and atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood — just as the prophets foretold. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, and was seen by many witnesses following His resurrection. The gospel is the power of God to salvation for the one who believes (Acts 2:21; Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1-5ff).
Redemption
Humanity was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression it fell. We became sinful, both by our nature and by our deeds. Humanity’s only hope is in the redemption of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Eccl 7:29; Is 53:6; Rom 3:10-12, 23; 5:12-21; Eph 2:3).
Jesus’ Blood
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross of Calvary, was sinless, and is 100 percent efficient to cleanse humankind from all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death. (John 1:29; Rom 5:9; Eph 1:7; Col 1:20; Heb 7:25; 9:22; 1 John 1:7; Rev 1:5; 5:9; 2 Pet 1:4).
Repentance
As we believe on the gospel, we must confess our sins to God and repent of them. Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. True repentance begins in the heart, and changes our conduct in turn. Through repentance, we receive forgiveness of our sins. (Matt 3:8; Eph 4:24-32; 1 John 1:9).
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of human effort (Rom 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Gal 2:16; 3:8; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Heb 9:22).
Regeneration
For anyone to know God, they must be born again. Through this regeneration, we become a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away and all things have become new. We receive the spirit of adoption to become sons of God through Christ our Lord. (John 3:3; Rom 8:15; 2 Cor 5:17).
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through a present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Rom 8:29; 12;1-2; 2 Cor 3:18; 6:14-18; 1 Thess 2:1-3; Heb 2:11).
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, to sit at the right hand of the Father. In like manner, He will physically and visibly return to the earth, for the second time, to establish His kingdom in power and glory. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the scriptures (Matt 24:30; 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess 4:15-17; 2 Thess 1:7-8; Rev 1:7).
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. As a result, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected: they that are saved, to the resurrection of life; but they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:36-39; John 2:19-21; 20:26-28; Acts 24:15;
1 Cor 15:42-44; Phil 1:21-23; 3:21).
Hell
After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels (Matt 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Heb 9:27; Rev 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:8).
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves of free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit”
(1 Cor 12:13)
Jesus Indwells all Believers
Christians are people who invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to Him, thus making Jesus the Lord and Savior of their lives. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead. (John 1:12;
14:17,23; 15:4; Rom 8:11; Rev 3:20).
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ great commission. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the Body of believers. This is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:11,20-23; Eph 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb 12:23).
Three Sacraments
Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
The Lord’s Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and wine (representing the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Matt 26:26-29; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-26).
Washing the Saints Feet: Immediately following the Lord’s last supper with His disciples, Jesus Christ washed His disciples’ feet, thereby demonstrating our call to be servants to one another. We should wash one another’s feet (John 13:1-20).
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Given at Pentecost, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. He was sent by Jesus after His ascension to empower the church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth (Joel 2:28-29; Matt 3:11; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4,17,38-39; 8:14-17; 10:38,44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6).
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is manifest through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection and confirm the power of the gospel. The lists of these gifts in the Bible are not necessarily exhaustive, and gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters (Rom 1:11; 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; 14:1-40; Eph 4:16; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:5-6; Heb 2:4; 1 Pet 4:10).
Healing the Sick
Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in Jesus’ commission to His disciples. Healing of the sick is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit (Ps 103:2-3; Is 53:5; Matt 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; Rom 11:29; 1 Cor 12:9, 28; Jas 5:14-16).
God’s Will for Provision
The Father’s will is that believers become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life:
Spiritual (John 3:3-11; Rom 10:9-10; 2 Cor 5:17-21)
Mental and Emotional (Is 26:3; Rom 12:2; Phil 4:7-8; 2 Tim 1:7; 2:11)
Physical (Is 53:4-5; Matt 8:17; 1 Pet 2:24)
Financial (Deut 28:1-14; Josh 1:8; Ps 34:10; 84:11;
Mal 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-10; Phil 4:19).
Tithes and Offerings
The Hebrew word ‘tithe’ means ‘one-tenth’. The practice of tithing began with Abraham and not with the law; the law, which was 430 years later, could not change the intention set forth on this occasion. Abraham recognized something far greater in Melchizedek who was ‘made like the Son of God’ Himself, and ‘considered how great this man was’.
As heirs to Abraham’s promises, we ought likewise to consider Jesus, the High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Our tithes are an act of homage, or personal worship, to acknowledge He is greater than us. Through the resurrection of Christ, the testimony of tithing is complete, for “He receives [tithes] of whom it is witnessed that He lives.”
Tithing is the ‘benchmark’ for Christian giving. Those who give more than this are also giving an offering. Scripture encourage believers to give tithes and offerings.
(Genesis 14:18-20; [Gal 3:17]; Hebrews 7:3-4; Gal 3:29; Hebrews 5:5-6; Hebrews 7:7-8; 2 Cor 9:6-10; Mal 3:10-11)