Our Statement of Faith
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and
thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute
the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians
2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation
(1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every
word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents,
infallible, and God-breathed. We teach the literal, grammatical-historical
interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening
chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31;
Exodus 31:17).
We teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith
and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians
2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship.
The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their
individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed
and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error
in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).
We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given
passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning
of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical
method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John
7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility
of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture,
recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet
the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand
in judgment of it.
GOD
We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4;
Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John
4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence,1 eternally existing
in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2
Corinthians 13:14)—each equally deserving worship and obedience.
God the Father.
We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders
and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm
145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis
1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in
the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption
(Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation
within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is
Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to
believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own
glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds,
directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In
His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk
1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral,
intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity
past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves
from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own
all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His
own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).
God the Son.
We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses
all the divine Excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial,
and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).
We teach that God the Father created according to His own will and through
His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in
operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).
We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered
only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either
in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second
Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity
and so became the God-Man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible
oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew
1:23, 25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and
that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and
rule over God’s kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians
2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
We teach that, in the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity laid
aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and
took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself
of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through
the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that
His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and
redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).
We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty,
the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared
righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans
3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand
of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest
(Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews
7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).
We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God
confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the
atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection
is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers
(John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20,
23).
We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is
His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church
in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9-11;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20).
We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will
judge all mankind (John 5:22-23):
• Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
• Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew
25:31-46)
• Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15)
As the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Head of His
Body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming
universal King, who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6; Luke
1:31-33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust
in Him as Lord and Saviour (Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).
God the Holy Spirit.
We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived,
possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect
(1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians
12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience
(Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John
16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial
with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians
12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).
We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine
will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity
in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written
revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7).
We teach that while the active working and ministry of the Holy Spirit
has been a feature of every epoch, that the unique work of the Holy Spirit
in this age began at Pentecost, when He came from the Father as promised
by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building
of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The
broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin,
of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and
transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5;
2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent
in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians
12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers
them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9;
2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles
and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s
revelation, the Bible (2 Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possesses the
indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation,
and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with
(controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 1
John 2:20, 27).
We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church.
The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious
displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming
the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14;
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the
bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today, and
that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning
days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating
the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to
be characteristic of the lives of believers throughout the entire Church
age (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12;
Hebrews 2:1-4).
MAN
We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His
image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature,
intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility
to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).
We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man
should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the
will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the
world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
We teach that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will
and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual
and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently
corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable
to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable
him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation
is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of
our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23;
6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John
1:8).
We teach that, because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s
sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the
only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by
divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).
Created Male and Female
We teach that Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before
God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Genesis 1:26-27,
2:18). Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God
as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human
heart (Genesis 2:18, 21-24; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9; 1 Timothy 2:12-14). The
Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, manifests the equally high
value and dignity which God attached to the roles of both men and women
(Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18; Galatians 3:28). Both Old and New Testaments
also affirm the principle of male headship in the family and in the believing
community (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy
2:11-15).
We teach that Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before
the Fall, and was not a result of sin (Genesis 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13;
1 Corinthians 11:7-9). The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships
between men and women (Genesis 3:1-7, 12, 16).
We teach that redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced
by the curse (Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter
3:1-7). In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal
share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and
teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Galatians 3:28;
1 Corinthians 11:2-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15).
SALVATION
We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis
of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not
on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10;
1 Peter 1:18-19).
Regeneration.
We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit
by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus
3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of
the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John
5:24) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds
in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is
manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous
attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of
regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced
to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit
in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians
5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience
causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our
Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such conformity is climaxed in
the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17;
2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).
Election.
We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation
of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates,
saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians
2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility
of man to repent and trust Christ as Saviour and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23,
32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12;
Revelation 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means
of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign
election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls
to Himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will
receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).
We teach that the unmerited favour that God grants to totally depraved
sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part or to God’s
anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of
His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter
1:2).
We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract
sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty
in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice,
holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty
will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with
His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew
11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Justification.
We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33)
by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent
of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians
7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as Sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10;
1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness
is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves
the gracious imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter
2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians
1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to “be
just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans
3:26).
Sanctification.
We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification
and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a
saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should
not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification
has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or
condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13;
Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive
sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to
the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification.
Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit,
the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity
to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ
(John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4;
5:23). In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved
in a daily conflict—the new creation in Christ doing battle against
the flesh—but adequate provision is made for victory through the
power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays
with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely
ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural.
Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide
for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians
3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Security.
We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power
and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30;
Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews
7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance
of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which,
however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion
for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Galatians
5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).
Separation.
We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the
Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that
in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians
6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
We teach that, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God
granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total
consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate
our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord
and Saviour. We also teach that separation from all religious apostasy
and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2,
1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John
9-11).
We teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ
(2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian
life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of
the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans
12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).
THE CHURCH
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately
placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians
5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22;
4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began
on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at
the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed
by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Ephesians
2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel(1 Corinthians 10:32), a
mystery not revealed until this age (Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32).
We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly
taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17,
28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians
1:1) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate
themselves together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews
10:25).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians
11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts,
order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty
as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving
under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors,
and pastor teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of
whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9;
1 Peter 5:1-5).
We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy
5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation
is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17), while holding them
accountable to Scriptural standards of doctrine and purity (Galatians
1:8).
We teach the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy
2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14),
as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation
in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11;
1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus
1:10-16).
We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority
or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference
of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach
that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other
for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church,
however, through its elders and their interpretation and application
of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its
cooperation. The elders should lead the body in determining all
other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government
as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
Under God, the final judicial authority responsible for discipline
and doctrine resides with the congregation as a whole (Acts 6:3,5; Galatians
1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:6; 2 Timothy 4:3).
We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians
3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction
of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1
John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by
advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19;
Acts 1:8; 2:42).
We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians
15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12).
We teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes
His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual
gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for
the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:7-12), and He also gives unique
and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ
(Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous
gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the
apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message
(Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given
to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation
now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of
a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are
no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8-12).
Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive
even believers (1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14). The
only gifts in operation today are those non-revelatory equipping gifts
given for edification (Romans 12:6-8).
We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God
does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance
with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke
18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).
We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church:
baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism
by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of
a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen
Saviour, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a
new life (Romans 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification
with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).
We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation
of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn
self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also teach that, whereas
the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh
and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless
an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer,
and so is present, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).
ANGELS
Holy Angels.
We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped.
Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created
to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7;
Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).
Fallen Angels.
We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred
the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17;
Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew
25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race
by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).
We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah
14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10); that he is the prince
of this world, who has been defeated through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall be eternally punished
in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41;
Revelation 20:10).
LAST THINGS
Death.
We teach that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness
(Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately
into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians
5:8), that there is a separation of soul and body (Philippians 1:21-24),
and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), which initiates the first resurrection (Revelation
20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever
with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 50-54). Until
that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship
with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life
(John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and the unsaved
to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation
20:13-15).
We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment
until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when
the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John 5:28-29). They
shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46), cut
off from the life of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians
1:7-9).
The Rapture of the Church.
We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before
the seven-year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate
His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians
4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints,
to reward believers according to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15;
2 Corinthians 5:10).
The Tribulation Period.
We teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the
earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgments
of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel
9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16), and that these judgments
will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew
24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament
and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Daniel
12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week
of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46).
The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign.
We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth
to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:10-11;
2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for 1,000 years on the earth
(Revelation 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign
with Him over and all the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel
7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow
of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan
from the world (Daniel 7:17-27; Revelation 20:1-7).
We teach that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s
promise to (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17) to restore
them to the land that they forfeited through their disobedience (Deuteronomy
28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that was temporarily
set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26), but will again be awakened
through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-34;
Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29).
We teach that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized
by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11;
65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release
of Satan (Revelation 20:7).
The Judgment of the Lost.
We teach that following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign
of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth
and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at
which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation
20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and
brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10), whereupon Christ, who is
the Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great
and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.
We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will
be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (Romans
14:10-13), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment
in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15).
Eternity.