Statement of Beliefs
We love the Bible as it is the inspired and infallible 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). Proper interpretation is not subject to personal opinion. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (1 Peter 1:20-21). We are admonished to rightly interpret scripture through careful study with the purpose of pleasing God. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus often quoted ancient scripture and never found occasion to correct it. We have full confidence in the Bible which made it unscathed through the ages. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35). The Bible contains all necessary instruction for us to be saved.
We are Christians first and foremost. A Christian is a follower of Christ and His teachings. A true Christian believes, follows, and worships Christ the Lord. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:13-14). "Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24). "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11). "And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26).
We are Apostolic, meaning we continue in the very teachings and Spirit led ministry of the apostles. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine" (Acts 2:42). "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3). "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." (Romans 6:17). "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Timothy 4:16). We are to follow the apostles as they followed Christ. Paul wrote, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1). "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip... how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost" (Hebrews 2:1-4).
We are Pentecostal, meaning we experience the Holy Spirit infilling just like the early church did on the Day of Pentecost. Following the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the plan of salvation has stayed the same even unto today and is clear and repeated in the Book of Acts. Here’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem unto the Jews: "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 2:1-4). Here’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit unto the Gentiles (any who are not Jews): "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. (Acts 10:44-46). Here’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit for existing believers: "Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." (Acts 19:1-6).
Relationship with God: To be spiritually healthy we must reject traditions and trends which are in opposition to scripture. The Bible is our handbook and the Holy Spirit is our guide on this journey of experiencing a deep, lasting, and personal relationship with God. Spending time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study increases our faith and sensitivity to Him. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14). "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10). "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." (Hebrews 11:6). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20).
There is one GOD and we know Him by name: As with any topic of the Bible it is extremely important that we use biblical terminology. To describe the Godhead we rely on scripture, not the traditions of men. The Bible describes God as Father, Son (aka "the Word in flesh" - John 1:1-14), and Holy Spirit. These are all valid revelations of the one true God. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (1 John 5:7). The purpose is summed up in the following scriptures: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16). "He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin." (1 John 3:5). "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8). "God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:8-10). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). "But ye shall receive power after than the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses" (Acts 1:8). The same Lord of the Old Testament is the same Lord of the New Testament. "For I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). Christ Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). God's people in the Old Testament had a clear view of His oneness. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). God revealed Himself to humanity as God the Father (Creator), the Son of God (Savior), and the Holy Spirit (His indwelling Spirit as our guide and comforter today). "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation. He said, "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6). "Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (Isaiah 43:10). Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (John 1:10, Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God in flesh (John 1:1-14). Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (John 14:7-11), and "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had no blood to shed. Thus, He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5) and came to earth as a man in order to save us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Lord personally available to abide in us. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-7). The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the comforter, helper, guide, Spirit of truth, peace, and power from on high (John 14:16-26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9-11). The elaborate story and reality of God revealing Himself with multiple titles and roles denotes how great and mighty He is, yet personally available to us. A human is tiny compared to Him, yet can have multiple titles and roles while being one. A man can be a father, son, and brother at the same time, yet he is just one person. We were made in the image and likeness of God, though He alone is God and we are but dust compared to Him. There is only one God, and He loves us with the best love of all. The name of Jesus is the highest name of all and that doesn't detract from God's fullness and greatness. Rather, it sheds light on how available and loving He is as His revelation to humanity was declared by the Son as "the express image of His person." (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus' name is essential to salvation, and to be the bride of Christ we must take on His name. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Jesus is the highest name of all. "Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" (Philippians 2:8-10). Christ reigns supreme. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:8-10). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8). Notice in the last verse where Jesus said He is "the Almighty". In the following prophecy from Isaiah it is clear Jesus is to be called: "The mighty God" and "The everlasting Father", along with all titles and descriptions of Him in the Bible. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is God. There is only one God.
Sin and Repentance: The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15) to all those who refuse to accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God. "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations" (Luke 5:32). Only Jesus can take away our sins and give us the power to live right. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him" (1 John 3:4-6). The Law of Moses was fulfilled by Jesus, yet the Law of Sin remains today, hence the need for the Savior. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity, no matter how good or bad they are. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Forgiveness and deliverance from sin is available to everyone. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-3). Being sorry is essential to lasting repentance. "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Mercy is granted as we repent through sorrowful confession to God as we turn away from sin. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13). Prior to repentance it seems impossible to find forgiveness and/or repent effectively, but when we make this leap of faith we are met with times of refreshing. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:10). While repentance is refreshing, the new birth experience is even more, so please read on.
Deliverance and Healing: God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings. "I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26). "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3). He continues to be our Healer today. Jesus endured mocking, whipping, crucifixion, and much more to heal us spiritually and physically. (Matthew 27:1-50). "With His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5). Where Jesus was present multitudes were healed. (Matthew 4:23, 8:1-18). Jesus shared this authority with the disciples to deliver and to heal (Matthew 10:1, John 14:12-14). Jesus also gave this authority to believers. "In my name shall they cast out devils... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17-18). There is no sickness or disease that is too hard for God. Anyone can be freed from addiction. Anyone can be delivered from demonic oppression or possession. Anyone can be healed spiritually or physically by the blood of Jesus and by the name of Jesus. The church has the authority to heal for the glory of God. "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: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up" (James 5:14-15). Our hope is in the Lord who is compassionate and merciful. "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23). Early in Jesus' ministry, He read from the book of Isaiah in a Nazarene synagogue (in His own country where they were especially hesitant to receive Him), "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19). By the grace and power of God, we are a church where the Lord is welcome to move in our midst to deliver, heal, and strengthen. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17). For complete deliverance, we need Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection applied to our lives.
Salvation consists of deliverance from sin and hell through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation is gifted to us by God's mercy and grace as we believe and obey His plan: repentance from sin (thanks to His death), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (thanks to His shed blood and burial), and the baptism of the Holy Ghost (thanks to His resurrection). "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, 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. 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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine" (Acts 2:37-42). We must be born again (John 3:7), and with this newness of life we have the grace to live holy. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:14). "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4). "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).
Grace: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17). "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:19-21). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:8-10). "Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." (Romans 6:15). "By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Holiness: After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). We are commanded to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12). We must present ourselves as holy unto God as it is our reasonable service. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove, what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2). "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1). "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (I Peter 4:18). No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8). "Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
We are Peacemakers: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9). "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Mark 12:31). "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35). "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45).
Water baptism in the name of Jesus is an essential part of New Testament salvation according to scripture. God does not give us unnecessary busy work and distractions when there is a world that is lost and dying. It's a message so important that Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is an essential part of being covered by Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galations 3:27). Jesus foretold of baptism's indisputable importance when he explained to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." We should be thankful for a loving and personal God who tells us exactly what we need to believe and obey to be saved by His mercy and grace. Baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with Him by baptism" (Romans 6:4, and Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39). Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] 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 [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2). Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions. The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus. Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Let's observe and obey His commands as it is written. We should notice that He said name (singular), not names (plural). Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles (plural) of positions held by God, while Jesus is the (singular) name chosen to remit sin. "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations" (Luke 24:47). To pronounce the name of Jesus at baptism is to perfectly fulfill the command of Jesus to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost. Three titles were given in this great commission, but only one name adequately applies all three titles. Jesus' last command became the apostles first command as they understood exactly what Jesus meant, and that's why 3000 were baptized in Jesus' name on the Day of Pentecost: "Then Peter said unto them, 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 2:38). "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The apostles understood Jesus is the name to use at baptism. From the day the church was established, on the Day of Pentecost, and through the end of their ministry they baptized all nations (Jews-Acts 2; Samaritans-Acts 8; Gentiles-Acts 10, Acts 19) in the name of Jesus. In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit also known as being Spirit filled means to be born of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 7:37-39, 14:16-21, 14:25-27). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "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). Here we are "afar off" and it continues in our day. Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance is the definite, indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that would follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and experienced by Jews and Gentiles alike. The gift of "divers kinds of tongues" was mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 and he gave regulations in 1 Corinthians 14:1-40. Tongues are for self-edification (1 Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public message, and it is to be interpreted. Since this gift can be misused in public, it needs proper regulation (1 Corinthians 14:23-28). Not all believers prophesy, and not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in function from tongues given by God as the initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39) and "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Corinthians 14:8). In summary, not all Spirit filled believers are used with the gift of tongues, yet all who experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit certainly do speak in other tongues as the initial evidence. God does not want us to wonder whether or not we received His Spirit. The biblical pattern of evidence is tongues, not goosebumps, not a sinner's prayer according to the tradition of men, and not whatever evidence we choose. Many have felt the warmth and love of His Spirit, but that is not evidence of receiving His Spirit. When Jesus told Nicodemus of the new birth experience that was to come he hinted at this when he stated you "hear the sound thereof" with "every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:5-8). This was clarified and solidified in Acts 2:4 when all 120 filled with the Spirit in the Upper Room spoke in tongues, and the pattern continued in the Book of Acts. Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function: speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues as mentioned in 1 Corinthians. The initial evidence and prayer language of tongues does not need to be interpreted, while the gift of tongues calls for the gift of interpretation. The point is not to seek after tongues. It will happen when we seek the Lord according to scripture. "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39).
Second Coming of Christ: Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy people (His bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5), and who are found faithful when He comes. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11). "One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready? The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of godliness void of the power of God; society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of pleasures (2 Timothy 3:1-13). These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of other things are starting signs that Jesus' coming is drawing near. Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity, and people's hearts failing them for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28). "Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection: There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust. "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29). "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." (Revelation 20:12-13). "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2). Read more... (1 Corinthians 15:12-23).
Judgment: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason, there will be a resurrection for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of everyone's heart. "And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... Then shall He also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34, 41, 46).
The King James Version has been used for our statement of beliefs and is our preferred version.
The New King James is also recommended by our church, especially for children and new believers.
There is not just one scripture which tells us everything we need to know to be saved,
but there is just one book, the Bible, which tells us everything we need to be saved.
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:11).
To look up more scriptures we recommend BibleGateway: