Tenets of Faith

Tenets of Faith

THE SCRIPTURES
The Bible is the inspired word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote, as the Holy Spirit moved them. In these, we find the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of mankind, and the divine and final authority for the Christian faith and life. (11 Tom. 2:5; Lk.1:27-35; 1 Tim.3:16; Rom.8:34). The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament is our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16, I Thess. 2:13;2 Pet. 1:21)

THE GODHEAD
Our God is one but manifests in three persons, namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit being co-equal. (1 John 5:7). God is the sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14). The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the only begotten that has existed with the Father from the beginning (1 Tim. 2:5; John 1:14; John 1:18, John 1:1). He is the true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now is seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate (Heb. 7:24-25, Rom.8:34; 1 John 2:1). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is Eternal (John 15:26).

MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
Man is a created being made in the image and likeness of God but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the son of God was manifested to undo the works of the devil and He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 3:10;1 John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing good works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8).

ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH
Man’s first step towards salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary for all men and when experienced, produces eternal; life (John 3:3-5; 1 John 5:12; 2 Cor. 7:10

THE CHURCH
The true Church is composed of all those who are born-again. Through this new birth, we are united together in the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church. Every Church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs. (Eph.4:15-16).

WATER BAPTISM
Baptism by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, and it is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. It is to be observed by the Church in this present age. However, it is not to be regarded as a means of salvation. (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col 2:12; Act 8:36-39).

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit himself gives utterances. (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 2:38-39; 19:1-7; 2:4). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. In this dispensation, He indwells guides, instructs and empowers the believer for godly living and service.

SANCTIFICATION
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ return. (Heb.12:14; 1Thess. 5:23; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil 3:12-14:1 Cor. 1:30)

SIGNS AND WONDERS
Through insights into testimony mysteries (Mk.4:11; 1 Cor.2: 10) such as laying of hands to impact the gifts of God (2 Tim.1:6; Deut. 34:9) Holy Communion (1 Cor.11:23-26)/Anointing people and things with oil (Mk. 6:13; Exo.30:25-31) Feet-Washing (John 13:3-10)
• Anointing clothing material (Acts. 19:11-25)
• Blood of sprinkling (1 Cor. 5:7; Exo. 12:1-25
• Prophetic utterance (Isa.43:26; Mk. 11:23

DIVINE HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is a privilege of every member of the church today (James 5:14, 15: Mk16:18; Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet.2:24)

RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD
The angels said to Jesus disciples, “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. “He coming is imminent. When he comes; 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…” (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17
Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as Kings of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, and together with His saints, who shall reign as Kings and priests He shall reign a thousand years (Rev.20:6)

HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION
The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopeless and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting”, used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev.19:20)