Fundamental message of Salvation
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The basic and fundamental doctrine of this church shall be the Bible standard of full salvation; which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
The Preamble
We believe the Bible to be inspired of God; the 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
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore all doctrine, faith, hope and all instruction for the church must be based upon and harmonize with, the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit.
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. ~ 2 Peter 1:20,21
*Twelve Articles of Faith*
Article One - The One True God
We believe in the one ever living, eternal God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation, through His Son in redemption; and as the Holy Ghost by emanation.
Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
~ I Corinthians 8:6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
~ Ephesians 4:6
That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:19
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall see visions.
~ Joel 2:28
The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal.
Because that may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ~ Romans 1:19
Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ~ Romans 1:21
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to debased mind, to do things which are not fitting; ~ Romans 1:28
Who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving our death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. ~Romans 1:32
Who show the work of the law written to their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. ~ Romans 2:15
God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body, and therefore free from limitations. He is Spirit
John 4:24 and ...a spirit has not flesh and bones..”
Luke 24:39 ...The first of all the commandments is, hear O Israel; the Lord our God is one (Lord” Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4).
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” ~Ephesians 4:6
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways; in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Ghost after the Ascension.
Article Two - The Son of God
The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says,
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. ~I Timothy 3:16
He came to His own and His own received Him not” ~John 1:11
This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ.
...God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19
We believe that,
In Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” ~ Colossians 2:9
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell” ~ Colossians 1:19
Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. ~I Timothy 2:5
Jesus on His Father’s side was divine, on His Mother’s side, human; thus, He was known as the Son of God and also the son of man, or the God-man. For He hath put all things under His feet.
But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.
~I Corinthians 15:27
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. ~I Corinthians 15:28
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
Article Three - The Name
God used different titles such as,
“God Elohim,” “God Almighty” “El Shaddai,” “Jehovah” and especially “Jehovah Lord,”
the redemptive name in the Old Testament.
“...unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:..and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”(Isaiah 9:6).
This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God was named
And 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). 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).
Article Four - Creation of Man and His Fall
In the beginning God created man innocent, pure and holy; but through the sin of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human race, fell from their holy state, and God banished them from Eden.
Hence by one man’s disobedience, sin entered into the world.
~ Genesis 1:27
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ~ Romans 3:23
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. ~Romans 5:12
Article Five - Repentance and Conversion
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 5:1
John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles.
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
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. ~ Acts 11:18
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. ~ Acts 17:30
The word ”repentance” comes from several Greek words which mean change of views and purpose, change in heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.
Jesus said,
Jesus said,
“...except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish.” ~Luke 13:3
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
~Luke 24:47
Article Six - Water Baptism
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience to the Word of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles.
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
For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ~ Acts 8:16
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. ~ Acts 10:48
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ~ Acts 19:5
thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19,
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
Article Seven - The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said “...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, infilling, or baptism of the Holy Ghost to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues.
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, infilling, or baptism of the Holy Ghost to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues.
...He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Jesus, in Acts 1:5 said,
...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4,
“...there were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
“baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire,” “filled with the Holy Spirit” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost”
The terms are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the Bible. It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, infilling, or baptism of the Holy Ghost to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues. The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4; 10;46, and 19:6
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
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
~Acts 10:46
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
~ Acts 19:6
and the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use and purpose. The Lord, through the prophet Joel, said,
“..I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh;...” ~Joel 2
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said,
“...having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He (Jesus) hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.”
~Acts 2:33
Furthermore...
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
Article Eight - Divine Healing
The first covenant that the Lord (Jehovah) made with the children of Israel after they were brought out of Egypt was a covenant of healing. The Lord said,
...if thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord (Jehovah rapha, the Lord healeth) thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give an ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee..” ~Exodus 15:26
The vicarious suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ paid for the healing of our bodies, the same as for the salvation of our souls, for
“...with His stripes we are healed” ~Isaiah 53:5
Matthew 8:17 reads,
Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses”
~I Peter 2:24
Jesus said of believers,
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.”
Later, James wrote in His Epistle to all the churches:
“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; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” ~James 5:14-16
All these promises are for the church today.
Article Nine - Communion and Foot Washing
On the night of our Lord’s betrayal, He ate the Passover supper with His Apostles, after which He instituted the sacrament.
And He took bread, and give thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me. Likewise He took also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you. ~Luke 22:19-20
Paul instructed the church how to observe it. ~ I Corinthians 11:23-34
Thus was instituted the use of literal bread and fruit of the vine, which are partaken of, literally, as emblems of His broken body and shed blood. There is also a spiritual significance and blessing in partaking of the sacrament.
Jesus said,
Jesus said,
if I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” John 13:14-15
This first example was given by our Lord, and it is a divine institution. It is well to follow His example and wash one another’s feet; thus manifesting the spirit of humility.
Article Ten - Tithing
We believe tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been since the days of Abraham. Tithing came with faith under Abraham; Moses law enjoined it, and Israel practiced it when she was right with God; Jesus endorsed it.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. ~Matthew 23:23
and Paul said to lay by and store as God has prospered you
Do not rob God of His portion, through tithes and offerings. ~Malachi 3:10
Article Eleven - Conscientious Scruples
We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our government; however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking of a human life. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct us as follows:
“...that ye resist not evil..” ~Matthew 5:39
Follow peace with all men...
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord ~ Hebrews 12:14
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. ~ Matthew 26:52
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. ~ James 5:6
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. ~ Revelation 13:10
These we believe and interpret to mean Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life. Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life.
Article Twelve - The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We believe that the time is drawing near when our Lord shall appear; then the dead in Christ shall arise, and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them to meet our Lord in the air. We believe in the second coming of Christ according to the revealed light of the scriptures. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 reads,
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Matthew 24: 30-31 reads,
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 reads,
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Philippians 3:20-21 reads,
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
We conclude according to the scriptures that God will reward the righteous with eternal life
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. ~John 8:51
as well as reward the unsaved with eternal damnation
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ~ Revelation 21:8
We believe in full redemption of our bodies as well as our spirit
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
~Romans 8:11