Teaching basics
1. THE WORD OF GOD
- We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the written revelation of God to man. It shows the infallible order of God's faith and guidance. 2. Tim 3:16 ; 2. Peter 1:21.
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
- We believe in the existence of the one God, who was, is, and abides forever in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4 ; Mark 12:29 ; Matthew 28:19 ; Ephesians 2:18
3. JESUS CHRIST
- We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Christ, the Son of God Matthew 16:16; Born of the Virgin Mary; Tempted like us, yet without sin; the reality of His miracles, His substitutionary atoning death for us, His bodily resurrection, His triumphant ascension and continual intercession for us before the Father; His coming again in power and glory. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 ; Hebrews 4:15 ; Acts 2:22-24 ; Luke 24:51 ; Hebrews 7:26 ; Matthew 24:30 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
4. MAN, THE FALL OF MAN AND SALVATION
- Man was created by God in the image of God as male and female: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Genesis 1:26-31
- Man fell into sin through his own fault, and thereby fell into physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. Genesis 3:1-7 ; 1 Kings 8:46 ; Romans 3:23 ; Ephesians 2:1-5
- His only hope of salvation is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John 14:6 ; Romans 5:12-21
5. MAN'S SALVATION
- The grace of God unto salvation reaches man through the call of Jesus, "Repent and believe in the gospel." This experience, described as conversion and rebirth, is a work of the Holy Spirit and occurs on the basis of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. By grace, a person is justified through faith and has the living hope of eternal life. Titus 2:11 ; Mark 1:15 ; Romans 10:9-17 ; John 3:5 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; 1 Timothy 2:5-6 ; Romans 3:21-26.
- The inner assurance of personal salvation is the witness of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:16 ; 1 John 5:9-12
6. BAPTISM
- The ordinance of baptism by immersion in water is a command of Jesus. All who have repented and believe in their hearts on Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are to be baptized and added to the church. Matthew 28:19 ; Mark 16:16 ; Acts 2:38 ; Acts 10:47-48
- Baptism is a sign of the experienced cleansing from sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. Acts 22:16
- Baptism is a public confession in which the old man's having died and new life with Christ is witnessed. Romans 6:3-8 ; Colossians 2:12
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT
- The baptism in the Holy Spirit as promised by the Father Luke 24:49 can be received already at conversion, together with the new birth Acts 10:43-46 ; Acts 11:15-16. But it can also follow it in time Acts 8:12-17 ; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:4-6.
- Through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the believer is enabled to serve God, to witness Jesus Christ with power Acts 1:8. It is accompanied by "speaking in new tongues" Acts 2:4 ; Acts 10:45-46 ; Acts 19:6. This speaking in other tongues is outwardly the same as the gift of tongues 1 Corinthians 12:7,10,30 , but different in purpose and application 1 Corinthians 14:2,4.
- The gifts (charisms) are allotted by the Holy Spirit in divine sovereignty for the mutual edification of believers and for service to the world 1 Corinthians 12:11. Every believer should zealously pursue the gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1,13.
8. THE CHURCH
- The New Testament church is instituted by Jesus Christ Himself and is an essential part of God's plan of salvation Matthew 16:18 ; Ephesians 3:2-11. Jesus is the head, and the church is his body. Ephesians 5:23,30,32 ; Colossians 1:18 ; Romans 12:5.
- Every born-again believer belongs to the universal church of Jesus Christ, which is visible in locally organized churches.
- As the spiritual home of all baptized believers, the church is a local community of life, faith, and service through which God causes His salvation to be proclaimed to the world. Matthew 18:15-22 ; Ephesians 2:19-22 ; Ephesians 4:7-14 ; 1 Peter 1:9.
9. SUPPER
- In the Lord's Supper, the congregation proclaims the memorial of Jesus' death and resurrection until his return. In doing so, believers celebrate their fellowship with one another and encounter their exalted Lord. Matthew 26:26-28 ; Mark 14:22-24 ; Luke 22:19-20 ; Acts 2:42 ; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 ; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
10. SANCTIFICATION
- Grace in Christ enables the believer to live a sanctified life. John 17:19 ; 1 Corinthians 1:30 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; Hebrews 10:10
- This life of sanctification Hebrews 12:14 ; 1 Peter 1:15-16 is shown by the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-25 ; Ephesians 4:15.
11. DIVINE HEALING
- We believe in divine healing based on the redemptive work of Jesus and encourage prayer in faith. Exodus 15:26 ; Isaiah 53:4; Mark 16:17-20; James 5:14-15.
12. THE CONSUMMATION
- We believe that Jesus Christ our Lord will come again in power and glory - for salvation to those who believe in Him, and for judgment to the ungodly world 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10.
- We expect the resurrection of all people - to eternal life in glory or to eternal judgment Daniel 12:2 ; John 5:29 ; Acts 24:15.
- We expect a new creation of God for eternal life for His people after the passing away of the present world Isaiah 65:17 ; 2 Peter 3:13 ; Revelation 21:1-7.