What We Believe
Foundation
This church is built upon the same foundation as the original New Testament Church. Paul said that the original church was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). Jesus said to Peter, "...Upon THIS ROCK I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
Origin
This church began on the day of Pentecost with the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost. "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, & it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, & it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, & began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).
The Bible
This church believes that the Bible is the divine, inspired word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
One God
This church believes in the existence of one God. "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE LORD" (Mark 12:29). (Also see Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 3:16).
Worship
This church follows the original pattern of worship characterized in the Bible. For example:
We Lift Our Hands
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord" (Psalms 134:2). "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 2:8).
We All Pray Together
"They lifted up their voice to God with one accord..." (Acts 4:24).
We Clap Our Hands
"O clap your hands, all ye people" (Psalms 47:1).
We Sing With All Our Hearts
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord..." (Psalms 95:1). "...Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19).
We Praise His Name In The Dance
"Praise His name in the dance..." (Psalms 149:3).
We Shout Unto God With Loud Voices
"Shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Psalms 47:1). "The disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a LOUD VOICE..." (Luke 19:37).
We Play Musical Instruments
"And all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments..." (2 Samuel 6:5).
We Testify Publicly
Jesus said, "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man confess before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8). Note: David's Tabernacle was a type of the New Testament Church (Acts 15:14-17), and the Psalms were a part of their worship (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Divine Healing
This church anoints with oil & prays for the divine healing. "Is any sick among you? Let us call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP..." (James 5:14-15).
The Plan Of Salvation
This church believes that grace through faith, repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost is the original plan of salvation commanded by Christ and preached by the apostles.
We Believe That Grace Through Faith is the Basis of Salvation
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is the unmerited favor of God by which salvation is provided. (See Luke 24:45-49; Titus 3:5). Faith is the condition of the heart through which salvation is applied. (See Mark 16:15-17; John 3:16, 7:38; Hebrews 11:6). Saving faith will always produce obedience to God's word. (See James 1:21-25; 2:17-24).
We Believe in Repentance To God For Divine Forgiveness
God commanded all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
We Baptize in Water In The Name of Jesus Christ For The Remission Of Sins
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Jesus' name baptism fulfills the command of Christ stated in Matthew 28:19 and in Luke 24:47. (Also see Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16).
We Believe In Receiving The Infilling (Baptism) Of The Holy Spirit Evidenced By Speaking In Tongues
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). Peter assured, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39). (Also see Acts 10:44-46; 19:6).
Holiness
This church believes in living the beautiful life style of holiness "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the BEAUTY OF HOLINESS" (Psalms 29:2). "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Gifts Of The Spirit
This church believes in the operation of all the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church. "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with all. For to one is given by the Spirit the WORD OF WISDOM; to another the WORD OF KNOWLEDGE by the same Spirit; to another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the GIFTS OF HEALING by the Spirit; to another the WORKING OF MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY; to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to another DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES; to another the INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:7-10).