Beliefs and Doctrine
ARTICLE I
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the word of God. This Word, given by divine inspiration, including all sixty-six books complete the revelations of God to man.
The Holy Scriptures as the written Word of God reaches its Climax in revelation in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is the living Word of God
“All Scripture is good for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.: So that anything not written therein is not to be accepted as an article of faith.
ARTICLE II
God - The Holy Trinity
Section 1. God
We believe in the one true, holy and living Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He, as God, is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
Section 2. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune God-head; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one person; very God and very man, the God-man.
We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins; and that He arose from the dead; and ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us; and from thence shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.
Section 3. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead; that He is ever present and active in and with the Church of Christ. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful, and guides them into all truths
ARTICLE III
SIN
We believe man is fallen from righteousness, and apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is very far gone from original righteousness; is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil again, and that continually. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God. We believe man influenced and baptized with the Holy Spirit is responsible in freedom to exercise his will for good.
ARTICLE IV
Atonement (Redemption)
Scripture reveals the fact that the plan of redemption was included in the eternal counsel of God. Its purpose is to deliver all men from the dominion of Satan and restore them to divine favor and fellowship with God. To accomplish this, we believe that Jesus Christ by His crucifixion, by the shedding of His righteous blood, and His death on the cross made a full atonement for all human sin, and that the atonement is the only basis for salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual.
ARTICLE V
Free Will
We believe that man was created in the likeness of God and was given the ability for power of choice between right and wrong. We believe that man, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification may fall from grace, and unless he repent of his sin, be hopelessly and eternally lost
ARTICLE VI
Repentance
We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt, and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent, the gracious help of penitence of heart, and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon for sins and hope unto life eternal, resulting in a new spiritual life in Christ Jesus.
ARTICLE VII
Justification
Justification and condemnation are the only two possibilities existing in man's relationship to God. Universal fuilt has been charged against every member of the human race, God, the judge, holds all men to be sinners. Provision for the salvation of all men has been made through the redemption work of Christ on the cross of Calvary, where He became the substitute for all men. He assumes all man's guilt; bears all his penalty; and he is adjudged free from all his sins.
Judically, justification accounts man as guiltless with regard to his past sins and as the recipient of the imputed righteousness of Christ. Experientially, justificaion implies a spiritual birth and a new life. The Holy Spirit witnesses to this divine relationship and gives peace with God. We believe that we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ subsequent to repentance.
ARTICLE VIII
Regeneration
We believe regeneration is the renewal of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit; whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature, and experience newness of life. By this born-again experience the believer becomes reconciled to God and is enabled to serve Him with the will and the affections. We believe that good works are produced by the fruits of the Spirit, and follow regeneration. They do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to evert divine judgement.
ARTICLE IX
Adoption
We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God, by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.
ARTICLE X
Sanctification
Sanctification throughout the Word of God is used with various meanings: to declare holy, to set apart, and to cleanse. As a Christian experience, sanctification embodies the setting apart of the believer in entire consecration, and the cleansing of the believer's heart from carnality, accompanied by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The sanctification of the believer is required by God, provided for by Christ in His atonement, and divinely wrought by the Holy Spirit.
We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the Holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit and comprehended in one experience; the cleansing of the heart from sin; and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration, and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
ARTICLE XI
Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, "and so shall we ever be with the Lord." We believe in the literal second coming and premillennial reign of Christ.
ARTICLE XII
Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the dead; that the bodies both of the just, and of the unjust, shall be raised to life, and united with their spirits - "they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damination."
ARTICLE XIII
Judgment
We believe that all saints "must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whither it be good or bad."
ARTICLE XIV
Destiny
We believe that everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer enternally in hell.
ARTICLE XV
Water Baptism
The necessity of water baptism is established by the command and example of Jesus, and the practice of the New Testament church. Those who have sincerely repented of sin, who have by the excercise of their own personal faith received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and have been "born again" by the Holy Spirit, are eligible for the observance of this ordinance.
It is a symbol of inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a work of Chrisian discipleship. We believe the proper mode of Christian baptism is by immersion.
ARTICLE XVI
The Lord's Supper
In connection with His last observance of the Passover feast, Jesus instituted the sacred ordinance of the Lord's Supper; through the use of the broken bread and the cup. On this occasion He consecrated the bread, which represented His broken body; and the fruit of the vine, which represents his shed blood; as symbols of His redemptive sacrifice.
The Lord's Supper thus commemorates the sufferings and death of our crucified Lord; and it also points forward with hope and expectancy to the time, when, according to his promise. Christ will again fellowship in person with His disciples. As often as the church observes the Lord's Supper, she witnesses to the world concerning the death of Christ, and the Promise of His coming again. It is for those who rightly, worthily, and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup, that partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until He comes.
ARTICLE XVII
Divine Healing
We believe in the Bible Doctrine of divine healing, and urge our people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. Providential means and agencies when needed should be accepted.
ARTICLE XIII
The Church
Section 1. The True Church of Jesus Christ
The church of Jesus Christ is composed of all born again persons of every nation who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have entered into spiritual union with Him; who names have been recorded in the Lamb's book of life. Her eternal foundation is secured in the sonship, atonement, and resurrection, of her living Head, the Christ. The church came into being through the operation of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Ultimately as the bride of Christ she will become the glorious church triumphant.
Section 2. The Earthly Church
The earthly churches are groups of believers who are united in purpose of Christian fellowship, and for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to lost sinners in their generation, and for the upbuilding of God's Kingdom.
Section 3. The Christian's Missionary Church
The Christian's Missionary Church is composed of those persons who have voluntarily associated themselves together according to the doctrines and policy of said church and who seek holy Christian fellowship, the conversion of sinners, the entire sanctification of believers, their upbuilding in holiness and the simplicity and spiritual power manifeast in the primitive New Testament Church together with the preaching of the gospel to every creature.
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God. This Word, given by divine inspiration, including all sixty-six books complete the revelations of God to man.
The Holy Scriptures as the written Word of God reaches its Climax in revelation in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is the living Word of God.
"All Scripture is good for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." So that anything not written therin is not to be accepted as an article of faith.
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the word of God. This Word, given by divine inspiration, including all sixty-six books complete the revelations of God to man.
The Holy Scriptures as the written Word of God reaches its Climax in revelation in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is the living Word of God
“All Scripture is good for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.: So that anything not written therein is not to be accepted as an article of faith.
ARTICLE II
God - The Holy Trinity
Section 1. God
We believe in the one true, holy and living Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He, as God, is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
Section 2. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune God-head; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one person; very God and very man, the God-man.
We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins; and that He arose from the dead; and ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us; and from thence shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.
Section 3. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead; that He is ever present and active in and with the Church of Christ. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful, and guides them into all truths
ARTICLE III
SIN
We believe man is fallen from righteousness, and apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is very far gone from original righteousness; is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil again, and that continually. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God. We believe man influenced and baptized with the Holy Spirit is responsible in freedom to exercise his will for good.
ARTICLE IV
Atonement (Redemption)
Scripture reveals the fact that the plan of redemption was included in the eternal counsel of God. Its purpose is to deliver all men from the dominion of Satan and restore them to divine favor and fellowship with God. To accomplish this, we believe that Jesus Christ by His crucifixion, by the shedding of His righteous blood, and His death on the cross made a full atonement for all human sin, and that the atonement is the only basis for salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual.
ARTICLE V
Free Will
We believe that man was created in the likeness of God and was given the ability for power of choice between right and wrong. We believe that man, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification may fall from grace, and unless he repent of his sin, be hopelessly and eternally lost
ARTICLE VI
Repentance
We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt, and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent, the gracious help of penitence of heart, and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon for sins and hope unto life eternal, resulting in a new spiritual life in Christ Jesus.
ARTICLE VII
Justification
Justification and condemnation are the only two possibilities existing in man's relationship to God. Universal fuilt has been charged against every member of the human race, God, the judge, holds all men to be sinners. Provision for the salvation of all men has been made through the redemption work of Christ on the cross of Calvary, where He became the substitute for all men. He assumes all man's guilt; bears all his penalty; and he is adjudged free from all his sins.
Judically, justification accounts man as guiltless with regard to his past sins and as the recipient of the imputed righteousness of Christ. Experientially, justificaion implies a spiritual birth and a new life. The Holy Spirit witnesses to this divine relationship and gives peace with God. We believe that we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ subsequent to repentance.
ARTICLE VIII
Regeneration
We believe regeneration is the renewal of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit; whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature, and experience newness of life. By this born-again experience the believer becomes reconciled to God and is enabled to serve Him with the will and the affections. We believe that good works are produced by the fruits of the Spirit, and follow regeneration. They do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to evert divine judgement.
ARTICLE IX
Adoption
We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God, by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.
ARTICLE X
Sanctification
Sanctification throughout the Word of God is used with various meanings: to declare holy, to set apart, and to cleanse. As a Christian experience, sanctification embodies the setting apart of the believer in entire consecration, and the cleansing of the believer's heart from carnality, accompanied by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The sanctification of the believer is required by God, provided for by Christ in His atonement, and divinely wrought by the Holy Spirit.
We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the Holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit and comprehended in one experience; the cleansing of the heart from sin; and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration, and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
ARTICLE XI
Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, "and so shall we ever be with the Lord." We believe in the literal second coming and premillennial reign of Christ.
ARTICLE XII
Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the dead; that the bodies both of the just, and of the unjust, shall be raised to life, and united with their spirits - "they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damination."
ARTICLE XIII
Judgment
We believe that all saints "must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whither it be good or bad."
ARTICLE XIV
Destiny
We believe that everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer enternally in hell.
ARTICLE XV
Water Baptism
The necessity of water baptism is established by the command and example of Jesus, and the practice of the New Testament church. Those who have sincerely repented of sin, who have by the excercise of their own personal faith received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and have been "born again" by the Holy Spirit, are eligible for the observance of this ordinance.
It is a symbol of inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a work of Chrisian discipleship. We believe the proper mode of Christian baptism is by immersion.
ARTICLE XVI
The Lord's Supper
In connection with His last observance of the Passover feast, Jesus instituted the sacred ordinance of the Lord's Supper; through the use of the broken bread and the cup. On this occasion He consecrated the bread, which represented His broken body; and the fruit of the vine, which represents his shed blood; as symbols of His redemptive sacrifice.
The Lord's Supper thus commemorates the sufferings and death of our crucified Lord; and it also points forward with hope and expectancy to the time, when, according to his promise. Christ will again fellowship in person with His disciples. As often as the church observes the Lord's Supper, she witnesses to the world concerning the death of Christ, and the Promise of His coming again. It is for those who rightly, worthily, and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup, that partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until He comes.
ARTICLE XVII
Divine Healing
We believe in the Bible Doctrine of divine healing, and urge our people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. Providential means and agencies when needed should be accepted.
ARTICLE XIII
The Church
Section 1. The True Church of Jesus Christ
The church of Jesus Christ is composed of all born again persons of every nation who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have entered into spiritual union with Him; who names have been recorded in the Lamb's book of life. Her eternal foundation is secured in the sonship, atonement, and resurrection, of her living Head, the Christ. The church came into being through the operation of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Ultimately as the bride of Christ she will become the glorious church triumphant.
Section 2. The Earthly Church
The earthly churches are groups of believers who are united in purpose of Christian fellowship, and for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to lost sinners in their generation, and for the upbuilding of God's Kingdom.
Section 3. The Christian's Missionary Church
The Christian's Missionary Church is composed of those persons who have voluntarily associated themselves together according to the doctrines and policy of said church and who seek holy Christian fellowship, the conversion of sinners, the entire sanctification of believers, their upbuilding in holiness and the simplicity and spiritual power manifeast in the primitive New Testament Church together with the preaching of the gospel to every creature.
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God. This Word, given by divine inspiration, including all sixty-six books complete the revelations of God to man.
The Holy Scriptures as the written Word of God reaches its Climax in revelation in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is the living Word of God.
"All Scripture is good for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." So that anything not written therin is not to be accepted as an article of faith.
