What we Believe
Hebrews 6:1-3
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do if God permit.”
Apostles Doctrine
We believe and teach the apostles doctrine. Jesus appointed the 12 apostles to teach the nations. We believe that the teachings of the apostles are the teachings and instructions of Jesus. John 17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”
Repentance & Faith to God
The bible teaches that one must have faith in God to be saved. Upon hearing the message of salvation, a soul must have faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.
There is one God and this one God manifests himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. We understand that within Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9
Hebrews 11:6- “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
After hearing the Word of God and being convicted of sin, repentance must take place in a person’s life as a response to the mercy and grace of God.
2 Cor. 7:10- “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Doctrine of Baptisms
The New Birth
No man can enter or see heaven except they experience the New Birth. You must be born again to be saved.
John 3:3-5 “Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Water Baptism
Doctrine of baptisms is plural in Hebrews 6. This indicates that there exist two baptism types that need to be experienced: As Apostle John stated above these are Water & Spirit. A believer in Christ, after repentance, is now able to obey the command of water baptism for those that believe on Christ as the scripture hath said.
Water Baptism is done by immersion, calling on the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and the as the answer of a good conscience toward God.
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Acts 2:38- “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.”
Acts 10:46-48- “… Then answered Peter, an any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
Acts 8:35-38 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, see here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
Acts 22:16 “And now why tariest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
1 Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
Spirit Baptism or “the gift of the Holy Ghost”
The New Testament pattern for receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost is laid out in the book of Acts accounts of various peoples receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. This gift is received from the Lord Jesus Christ subsequent or following a believers repentance. Any repented individual can receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. This exciting and divine encounter is evidenced by the individual speaking in other (unknown) tongues and is latter evidenced also by the development of the Fruit of the Spirit .
Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 10:44 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Laying on of Hands
We believe in the biblical doctrine of laying on of hands. This is done primary for purposes of prayer. Praying for someone to receive the Holy Ghost or interceding with them for other needs as well as for healing of the body. This connection allows the body of Christ and ministers within that body to minister “one to another”.
Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God they sent unto them peter and John who… prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
James 5:14 “ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord”
Resurrection of the Dead & Eternal Judgement
We believe that the church of God will be taken away out of the world prior to the wrath of God being poured out on the earth in judgement. After that time the Lord will return to earth for the final battle of Gog and Magog and establish his millennial kingdom and reign. Those saints who were saved by the blood of the lamb will reign forever with him as kings and priests in his kingdom on earth.
Acts 17:31 “because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”
Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”