Statement of Faith and Doctrine
1. WE BELIEVE the HOLY BIBLE to be GOD's inspired, preserved, and inerrant HOLY WRIT {sacred words} to the human race (Traditional Text, not Critical Text). It is HIS infallible voice to every person who will listen and obey (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 3:16; John 1:1-4; Luke 16:7; Matthew 5:18; Romans 10:10-11; Psalm 119; Galatians 3:8; 1 Peter 1:19-21; Mark 12:24; Luke 24:27, 32; John 5:39-40; Acts 17:10-11; 18:28; Romans 1:1-4; 15:4; 16:25-27; 1 Corinthians 15:3-9).
Finding a "Holy Bible" in your language can be a daunting task. First, choose a Holy Bible based on GOD's preserved words and manuscripts (Psalm 12:6-7). We only recommend Bible translations based on the Traditional Text or Hebrew (Masoretic) Scriptures for the Old Testament, and for the New Testament, translations based on the ancient Greek manuscripts used by the first apostles, the early Church, and the Protestant Reformation (i.e. Textus Receptus, Received Text; for example, the KJB [King James Bible] or KJVER [King James Version Easy Read] English translations; the RVG 2010 [Reina Valera Gomez] Spanish translation). FREE Bible studies available.
Second, determine whether they used formal equivalence or dynamic equivalence for the translation. Formal equivalence means the translators have given an accurate word-for-word translation from the original languages to English or whatever language. Dynamic equivalence, by contrast, attempts to capture the intended meanings from the original languages as-well-as-possible without an overt concern for the original terms or structure of the source scripture.
Translators using dynamic equivalence are forced to do a great deal of their own interpretation. However, this is not the case for translators using formal equivalence. We recommend formal Bible translations based on the Masoretic Hebrew (Old Testament) and the ancient Greek manuscripts from the apostles of the Lamb, the early Church, and the great reformers of the Protestant Reformation for the New Testament (i.e. Textus Receptus or Received or Traditional Text, e.g. the KJB/KJVer English translations).
Recent discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls show the Holy Bible to be the same as when originally written. The few discrepancies that remain are simple misunderstandings and mis-translations. These issues are all known and easily explained by honest seekers of truth. Yes, you can have total trust and confidence in GOD's preserved Word to you today (Proverbs 30:5-6; Psalm 12:6-7). And remember to avoid ALL the corrupt "gender-neutral" translations, the "gay-friendly" perversions, and the dishonest "cult-based" versions like the New World Translation of the Jehovah Witnesses.
2. WE BELIEVE in ONE GOD, eternal and self-existent; manifested to man as FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT (Genesis 1:26; Acts 5:31, 32; Matthew 28:19; John 20:28, 29; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Only the "GODHEAD" manifests the true nature and character of the living and only true GOD.
Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse."
Colossians 2:8-9, "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."
Acts 17:27-31, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of GOD, we ought not to think that the GODHEAD is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance GOD winked at; but now commandeth ALL men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto ALL men, in that He hath raised Him (Jesus) from the dead."
3. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is very GOD ... manifest to us as the GOD-man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary – "Emmanuel" – "GOD with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
John 1:1; 20:28, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was GOD ... And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my GOD."
Isaiah 9:6, "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."
Romans 9:3-5, "For I could wish that myself were accursed from CHRIST for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of GOD, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, WHO is over ALL, GOD blessed for ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh (JESUS), justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
4. WE BELIEVE that JESUS CHRIST is the only Saviour of the world. He died on the cross, atoning for the sin of ALL mankind. His life was given ... His blood was shed as a substitutionary sacrifice for ALL. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe that JESUS clearly teaches that everyone must be "born-again" to enter Heaven (John 3:16, 36).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith" through Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST alone – NO OTHER NAME (Ephesians 2:1-22; Romans 1-8; John 3:16-36).
Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
John 14:6, "JESUS saith unto him, I Am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by Me."
5. WE BELIEVE in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to: i) glorify Jesus Christ; ii) to convict people of sin; iii) to empower the believer in all things (John 16:7-11; Acts 5:29-32).
6. WE BELIEVE that man (Adam) and woman (Eve) were created in the image of GOD, but fell into sin by their choice. And GOD declares that every man and woman is from the lineage of Adam and Eve. Therefore, we are born with a sinful nature, we are "sinners" (Genesis 1-3; Romans 3:9-12; 23-26).
1 Corinthians 15:22, 45, "For as in Adam ALL die, even so in CHRIST shall all be made alive ... And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." "But the Scripture hath concluded ALL under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Galatians 3:22). Thank GOD for the "last Adam" – JESUS CHRIST!
7. WE BELIEVE that man can ONLY be: i) justified before GOD and saved from sin (repentance and faith) through Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; Romans 1-8); "Sin is the transgression of the law" – GOD's Law (Exodus 20; 1 John 3:4); ii) in addition, we can ONLY be "sanctified" or "set apart" for GOD's will by grace through Jesus Christ and Him crucified for our sanctification or holy living; iii) finally, we are glorified ONLY by HIS grace when we die. One must personally repent of one's sin and place one's faith in JESUS CHRIST and what HE accomplished on the CROSS for ALL humanity, as the ONLY means to experience GOD's salvation TODAY.
The forgiveness of our SIN is not accomplished by any human effort or works outside the grace and mercy of GOD through CHRIST crucified for us. Nonetheless, we must REPENT of SIN and choose life in CHRIST, and then fully yield our lives to follow and daily walk with GOD. Thereby, we will then bear "good fruit" (Ephesians 1-3; Romans 1-8; John 15). "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:20-21).
8. WE BELIEVE in a believer’s water baptism (full immersion), after one's personal conversion to JESUS, which identifies us with the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST. We should arise to walk in newness of life. We do NOT believe that the doctrine of infant baptism has any Bible-based support (Acts 8:36-38; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). While water baptism is a biblical step of obedience to GOD, one does NOT need to be baptized to be justified before GOD or "saved." The false doctrine of baptismal regeneration is "another gospel" (1 Corinthians 1:17).
9. WE BELIEVE the "true Church" is composed of people who have repented of their sin ... placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone, as their Saviour and GOD ... thereby, they have been regenerated by GOD’s Spirit - "born again from above by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:1-5; Acts 5:29-32).
10. WE BELIEVE in the literal Second Coming of JESUS CHRIST to judge both the living and the dead, the believer and non-believer (Matthew 24:14, 29, 30; Revelation 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 4:1; I Peter 4:5).
11. WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of ALL the dead (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Philippians 3:20, 21).
12. WE BELIEVE in everlasting blessedness for every true follower in Jesus Christ, with eternal damnation and everlasting punishment for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:34-46; Revelation 21-22; 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 4:2-5; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
13. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ has called and ordained HIS people with the sacred trust to proclaim and demonstrate the power of HIS Gospel to the entire world, even until the end (Matthew 28:17-20; Acts 1:6-8; 2 Corinthians 2:1-5).
14. WE BELIEVE the Holy Spirit is at work today within the Church through the priesthood of ALL believers. We believe that every disciple is a minister, called to serve in their gifts of grace and other capacities ... winning souls and teaching other disciples (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Matthew 28:16-20).
15. WE BELIEVE that the gifts of GOD’s Spirit are given to every believer ... and that these gifts of grace need to be activated and exercised by faith, in order to fulfil their divine purpose of blessing and ministering to others (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:1-40).
16. WE BELIEVE in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, wherein GOD may: i) empower every believer; ii) gift them with supernatural or other tongues; iii) and thereby may give believers a personal praise and prayer language to; iv) edify and assist them as worshippers and intercessors in prayer (Romans 8:26-27); v) and, strengthen their witness for JESUS (Acts 1:4, 5; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 19:1-7; 1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20).
17. WE BELIEVE in Divine healing for the Body ... Soul ... Spirit. Healing is part of the finished work accomplished by Jesus Christ at the cross. Healing grace can be received directly through faith in JESUS or by other means of grace released through members of His Body (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 5:13-16).
18. WE BELIEVE in the full function of the ministry gifts found in Ephesians 4. We believe that they still operate in some saints today and are given by JESUS Himself to: i) Perfect; ii) Edify; iii) Equip; iv) Unify the saints; v) So, they can enter into their work of the ministry; vi) And, edify the entire Body of Christ unto full stature (Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Acts 11:27-30).
19. WE BELIEVE the "true Church" is the people of GOD, not the buildings we use. "This Church" will extend GOD’s Kingdom into the entire world, until Christ returns to reign over ALL. We believe the Gospel of HIS Kingdom must not be proclaimed in words only, but “in the power and demonstration of the HOLY SPIRIT” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Mark 16:14-20; Ephesians 4:1-16).
20. WE BELIEVE that the Christian's life is not to be seen as a set of legalistic rules, rituals, or rigid forms of worship; but rather as a living reality, a life that’s daily clothed with grace from Jesus Christ. We believe the power to live our Christian life comes from an abiding faith that works by LOVE through CHRIST crucified, and simple obedience to follow HIM wherever HE leads (Philippians 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16; 12:9-10; John 1).
21. WE BELIEVE that Our Heavenly FATHER has restored intimacy with His children only through His SON. As a result, we should humbly and gratefully set our entire life apart as "holiness unto the Lord." Then, GOD’s ALL sufficient covenant provision through what CHRIST accomplished by HIS sacrificial and substitutionary death as the "Lamb of GOD"... will empower and make our full surrender to GOD not only possible, but joyful to ALL who believe (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-7; 1 Peter 1:15-17; Psalm 149:4; Isaiah 42:5-10; Matthew 18; Book of Hebrews).
Finding a "Holy Bible" in your language can be a daunting task. First, choose a Holy Bible based on GOD's preserved words and manuscripts (Psalm 12:6-7). We only recommend Bible translations based on the Traditional Text or Hebrew (Masoretic) Scriptures for the Old Testament, and for the New Testament, translations based on the ancient Greek manuscripts used by the first apostles, the early Church, and the Protestant Reformation (i.e. Textus Receptus, Received Text; for example, the KJB [King James Bible] or KJVER [King James Version Easy Read] English translations; the RVG 2010 [Reina Valera Gomez] Spanish translation). FREE Bible studies available.
Second, determine whether they used formal equivalence or dynamic equivalence for the translation. Formal equivalence means the translators have given an accurate word-for-word translation from the original languages to English or whatever language. Dynamic equivalence, by contrast, attempts to capture the intended meanings from the original languages as-well-as-possible without an overt concern for the original terms or structure of the source scripture.
Translators using dynamic equivalence are forced to do a great deal of their own interpretation. However, this is not the case for translators using formal equivalence. We recommend formal Bible translations based on the Masoretic Hebrew (Old Testament) and the ancient Greek manuscripts from the apostles of the Lamb, the early Church, and the great reformers of the Protestant Reformation for the New Testament (i.e. Textus Receptus or Received or Traditional Text, e.g. the KJB/KJVer English translations).
Recent discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls show the Holy Bible to be the same as when originally written. The few discrepancies that remain are simple misunderstandings and mis-translations. These issues are all known and easily explained by honest seekers of truth. Yes, you can have total trust and confidence in GOD's preserved Word to you today (Proverbs 30:5-6; Psalm 12:6-7). And remember to avoid ALL the corrupt "gender-neutral" translations, the "gay-friendly" perversions, and the dishonest "cult-based" versions like the New World Translation of the Jehovah Witnesses.
2. WE BELIEVE in ONE GOD, eternal and self-existent; manifested to man as FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT (Genesis 1:26; Acts 5:31, 32; Matthew 28:19; John 20:28, 29; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Only the "GODHEAD" manifests the true nature and character of the living and only true GOD.
Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse."
Colossians 2:8-9, "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."
Acts 17:27-31, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of GOD, we ought not to think that the GODHEAD is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance GOD winked at; but now commandeth ALL men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto ALL men, in that He hath raised Him (Jesus) from the dead."
3. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is very GOD ... manifest to us as the GOD-man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary – "Emmanuel" – "GOD with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
John 1:1; 20:28, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was GOD ... And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my GOD."
Isaiah 9:6, "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."
Romans 9:3-5, "For I could wish that myself were accursed from CHRIST for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of GOD, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, WHO is over ALL, GOD blessed for ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh (JESUS), justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
4. WE BELIEVE that JESUS CHRIST is the only Saviour of the world. He died on the cross, atoning for the sin of ALL mankind. His life was given ... His blood was shed as a substitutionary sacrifice for ALL. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe that JESUS clearly teaches that everyone must be "born-again" to enter Heaven (John 3:16, 36).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith" through Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST alone – NO OTHER NAME (Ephesians 2:1-22; Romans 1-8; John 3:16-36).
Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
John 14:6, "JESUS saith unto him, I Am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by Me."
5. WE BELIEVE in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to: i) glorify Jesus Christ; ii) to convict people of sin; iii) to empower the believer in all things (John 16:7-11; Acts 5:29-32).
6. WE BELIEVE that man (Adam) and woman (Eve) were created in the image of GOD, but fell into sin by their choice. And GOD declares that every man and woman is from the lineage of Adam and Eve. Therefore, we are born with a sinful nature, we are "sinners" (Genesis 1-3; Romans 3:9-12; 23-26).
1 Corinthians 15:22, 45, "For as in Adam ALL die, even so in CHRIST shall all be made alive ... And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." "But the Scripture hath concluded ALL under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Galatians 3:22). Thank GOD for the "last Adam" – JESUS CHRIST!
7. WE BELIEVE that man can ONLY be: i) justified before GOD and saved from sin (repentance and faith) through Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; Romans 1-8); "Sin is the transgression of the law" – GOD's Law (Exodus 20; 1 John 3:4); ii) in addition, we can ONLY be "sanctified" or "set apart" for GOD's will by grace through Jesus Christ and Him crucified for our sanctification or holy living; iii) finally, we are glorified ONLY by HIS grace when we die. One must personally repent of one's sin and place one's faith in JESUS CHRIST and what HE accomplished on the CROSS for ALL humanity, as the ONLY means to experience GOD's salvation TODAY.
The forgiveness of our SIN is not accomplished by any human effort or works outside the grace and mercy of GOD through CHRIST crucified for us. Nonetheless, we must REPENT of SIN and choose life in CHRIST, and then fully yield our lives to follow and daily walk with GOD. Thereby, we will then bear "good fruit" (Ephesians 1-3; Romans 1-8; John 15). "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:20-21).
8. WE BELIEVE in a believer’s water baptism (full immersion), after one's personal conversion to JESUS, which identifies us with the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST. We should arise to walk in newness of life. We do NOT believe that the doctrine of infant baptism has any Bible-based support (Acts 8:36-38; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). While water baptism is a biblical step of obedience to GOD, one does NOT need to be baptized to be justified before GOD or "saved." The false doctrine of baptismal regeneration is "another gospel" (1 Corinthians 1:17).
9. WE BELIEVE the "true Church" is composed of people who have repented of their sin ... placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone, as their Saviour and GOD ... thereby, they have been regenerated by GOD’s Spirit - "born again from above by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:1-5; Acts 5:29-32).
10. WE BELIEVE in the literal Second Coming of JESUS CHRIST to judge both the living and the dead, the believer and non-believer (Matthew 24:14, 29, 30; Revelation 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 4:1; I Peter 4:5).
11. WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of ALL the dead (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Philippians 3:20, 21).
12. WE BELIEVE in everlasting blessedness for every true follower in Jesus Christ, with eternal damnation and everlasting punishment for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:34-46; Revelation 21-22; 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 4:2-5; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
13. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ has called and ordained HIS people with the sacred trust to proclaim and demonstrate the power of HIS Gospel to the entire world, even until the end (Matthew 28:17-20; Acts 1:6-8; 2 Corinthians 2:1-5).
14. WE BELIEVE the Holy Spirit is at work today within the Church through the priesthood of ALL believers. We believe that every disciple is a minister, called to serve in their gifts of grace and other capacities ... winning souls and teaching other disciples (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Matthew 28:16-20).
15. WE BELIEVE that the gifts of GOD’s Spirit are given to every believer ... and that these gifts of grace need to be activated and exercised by faith, in order to fulfil their divine purpose of blessing and ministering to others (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:1-40).
16. WE BELIEVE in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, wherein GOD may: i) empower every believer; ii) gift them with supernatural or other tongues; iii) and thereby may give believers a personal praise and prayer language to; iv) edify and assist them as worshippers and intercessors in prayer (Romans 8:26-27); v) and, strengthen their witness for JESUS (Acts 1:4, 5; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 19:1-7; 1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20).
17. WE BELIEVE in Divine healing for the Body ... Soul ... Spirit. Healing is part of the finished work accomplished by Jesus Christ at the cross. Healing grace can be received directly through faith in JESUS or by other means of grace released through members of His Body (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 5:13-16).
18. WE BELIEVE in the full function of the ministry gifts found in Ephesians 4. We believe that they still operate in some saints today and are given by JESUS Himself to: i) Perfect; ii) Edify; iii) Equip; iv) Unify the saints; v) So, they can enter into their work of the ministry; vi) And, edify the entire Body of Christ unto full stature (Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Acts 11:27-30).
19. WE BELIEVE the "true Church" is the people of GOD, not the buildings we use. "This Church" will extend GOD’s Kingdom into the entire world, until Christ returns to reign over ALL. We believe the Gospel of HIS Kingdom must not be proclaimed in words only, but “in the power and demonstration of the HOLY SPIRIT” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Mark 16:14-20; Ephesians 4:1-16).
20. WE BELIEVE that the Christian's life is not to be seen as a set of legalistic rules, rituals, or rigid forms of worship; but rather as a living reality, a life that’s daily clothed with grace from Jesus Christ. We believe the power to live our Christian life comes from an abiding faith that works by LOVE through CHRIST crucified, and simple obedience to follow HIM wherever HE leads (Philippians 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16; 12:9-10; John 1).
21. WE BELIEVE that Our Heavenly FATHER has restored intimacy with His children only through His SON. As a result, we should humbly and gratefully set our entire life apart as "holiness unto the Lord." Then, GOD’s ALL sufficient covenant provision through what CHRIST accomplished by HIS sacrificial and substitutionary death as the "Lamb of GOD"... will empower and make our full surrender to GOD not only possible, but joyful to ALL who believe (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-7; 1 Peter 1:15-17; Psalm 149:4; Isaiah 42:5-10; Matthew 18; Book of Hebrews).
