As a great missionary once said, "There are certain basic Christian truths about which there must be
agreement. On all other doctrines there should be liberty. In all things there must be charity."
We stand on the essential doctrines of the faith and extend "the right hand of fellowship" to all who
embrace them. We also maintain the liberty of Christians to have different perspectives on the
non-essentials.
With that said, there are doctrines that are non-essential, yet important. We make these beliefs known,
with tolerance toward those who believe differently. Truth and accuracy in doctrine are vital, but one
can have "perfect doctrine" and still do severe damage to the Family of God by causing divisions over
the non-essentials.
Therefore, we are deeply committed to the essential belief that "In all things there must be charity."
Like the apostle Paul, "The goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart and a sincere faith" (1st
Timothy 1:5).
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the Holy
Spirit inspired them. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, is what we accept as our
infallible guide in matters pertaining to life and belief.
We reject any and all doctrines that contradict Scripture.
Faith
Without faith, it is impossible to please God and anything that does not spring from faith in Jesus Christ
in sin. But true faith is of the heart and not just the mind (Romans 10:10). True faith raises our focus
and concentration above the temporal to the One who is greater than all.
Jesus Christ
There is only one true God, revealed in the Holy Scriptures as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by the seed of the Holy Spirit. He, as God, emptied Himself to
become a human, just like us, so that He could be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Those
who place their trust in Him and His sacrifice are forgiven and fully restored to the fellowship with God
that was lost by man's transgression.
Jesus displayed the love and power of the Kingdom of God on the Earth, was crucified, buried,
resurrected from the dead and ascended to the right hand of our Father. Now, He lives in those who are
His, to display the reality of His World on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
We believe "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1st
Timothy 2:5). Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He is the only "door" to restoration and
fellowship with God (John 10). Any person or institution that seeks to mediate for others in place of
Jesus Himself is presumptuous and deceived.
The ultimate purpose of the church is to esteem and exalt Jesus in every way. Our focus is to know and
preach Him, and not ourselves. The main thing is to keep the main thing - loving Him - the main thing.
Therefore, we are passionately devoted to pleasing Him in all things.
Man
God created man from the dust of the earth, without sin or the knowledge of good and evil. The first
man, Adam, rebelled against the Lord and was, as God had warned, cut off from the Tree of Life; as a
result, death entered him and every man since that time.
But Jesus reversed the curse. Now, we can not only come before the Throne of Grace and Mercy, but
we can do so with boldness because our confidence is not in ourselves, but Jesus Christ.
The New Birth
When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and in His propitiation made for our
salvation, and repent (change our minds for the better), our lives are regenerated and renewed because
we are "born again", "born from above", as a new creation.
This life changing experience changes our lives forever, giving us a new beginning in the greatest
adventure of all time, as we mature in our love for Him and everyone around us.
Water Baptism
Water baptism requires a complete immersion of one's self under water as a testimony of our complete
immersion in Christ and His Kingdom and is accomplished immediately after commitment to the
Lordship of Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for our sin. This ordinance is a personal and public
statement of faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ on our behalf. It is a
commitment to lay down our lives to be one with Him in His death, burial and resurrection
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an additional impartation that is subsequent to our new birth in God
(Acts 8:15-17 and 19:1-6). This baptism is usually accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit, such as
speaking in tongues, prophecy, praise, worship, etc.
This gift is presently available to all who believe (Acts 2:38-39), but is not essential for salvation or
regeneration. While these are accomplished by the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7), there were disciples who
did not even know there was a Holy Spirit. Just as Paul made it a priority to instruct those believers
and pray for them to receive this gift, we are committed to the same.
The purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to empower the believer to be a witness in word and
deed (Acts 1:8, 5:32). This baptism is to be distinguished from being filled with the Spirit (Acts 4:31,
7:55, 13:9,52), which can be a special and repeated empowering for specific purposes.
When Christians truly have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, His nature and fruit should begin to
develop within their lives, becoming "helpers" and "comforters", leading others into truth, and
testifying of Jesus.
The Present Ministry of the Holy Spirit
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8). Therefore, His ministry in and
through the church by the Holy Spirit has not changed. We acknowledge, embrace, encourage and seek
all of the biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit as present and vital for the church to
accomplish her purpose in the Earth in these last days.