THE SCRIPTURES

​

The Bible is the only inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Timothy 3:16;

I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).

 

THE GODHEAD

 

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons— the Father, the Son, and the

Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Philippians 2:6).  God the Father is greater than all:  the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14).  The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the

One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; Jon 1:14).  The

Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).

 

MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION  

 

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world.  “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.  “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave his life and shed his blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Romans 5:14; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; I John 3:8).  Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).

 

ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH

 

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance.  The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal life

(II Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; I John 3:3-5).

 

SANCTIFICATION

 

The Bible teaches that without holiness, no man can see the Lord.  We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of

regeneration  and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 5:23;

II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30).

 

RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD

 

The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.”  His coming is imminent.  When He comes, “. . . the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. . .” (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16,17).  Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords.  Together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

 

HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION

 

The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire.  Therefore, he has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting.  The Lake of Fire is literal.  The terms “eternal” and “everlasting,” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20).