TENETS OF FAITH (STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS)
The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all truth in the Bible, only that it covers our present needs as to these fundamental matters.
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (II Tim. 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "I AM"; and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10-11; Matt. 28:19).
3. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
Man was created good and upright. For God said, "Let us make man in Our image and after Our likeness". But man, by voluntary transgression, fell and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-21).
4. THE SALVATION OF MAN
(a) Conditions to Salvation
The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace through faith he became an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
(b) Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
5. BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of Baptism by burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4).
6. THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the Divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ; a memorial to His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His second coming; and is enjoined on all believers "until He comes" (John 6:48; John 6:51; John 6:53-57; Luke 22:19-20; n Peter 1 :4; I Cor. 11 :26).
7. THE CHURCH
The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the Church of the First Born, which are written in heaven (Eph. 1 :22; Eph. 2: 19-22; Heb. 12:23).
8. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM
A divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry have been provided by our Lord for a two fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) the edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15, 20; Eph. 44:11-13).
9. DIVINE HEALING
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14).
10. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (I Thess. 4:16-18; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51-52).
11. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF JESUS
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the Scriptural promise and the world's hope (II Thess. 1 :7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 1l:25, 27; Rev. 20:1-7).
12. THE
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the
13. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
We "according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness" (ll Peter 3: 13; Rev. 21: 1).