Foundational Scriptures & Essentials of the Bible
Foundational Scriptures
John 17:23 (NIV), “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Ps. 133:1-3 (NIV), “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there, the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV), “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 12: 30-31 (TPT), “You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with a passionate heart, from the depths of your soul, with your every thought, and with all your strength. This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.”
Ps. 37:4-5 (NLT), “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
The essential of the Bible message is this
God is…that is His Character. God can…that is His Capabilities.
God will…that is His intentions. God has already…that is His record.
Statement of Faith & What We Believe
THE SCRIPTURES
WE BELIEVE the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct doctrines.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)
THE GODHEAD
WE BELIEVE God is one, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal. God the father is greater than all, the sender of the Word, and the Begetter. The Son is the Word, flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal.
(Philippians 2:6, John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14, John 1:1, John 1:18, John 15:26)
MAN’S FALL & REDEMPTION
WE BELIEVE man is a created being, made in the likeness and image 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 work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Romans 5:14, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 1 John 3:8, Ephesians 2:8)
JESUS CHRIST
WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (John 1:1,14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5).
SALVATION & THE NEW BIRTH
WE BELIEVE man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life. (2Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22; Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12, John 3:3-5)
BAPTISM WITH HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received by faith subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is received by faith, evidenced by speaking with other tongues and then the believer is commanded to continually “be filled” with the Spirit. (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4,38, 19:1-7, Ephesians 5:18)
WATER BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER
WE BELIEVE baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)
WE BELIEVE A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)
SANCTIFICATION
WE BELEIVE 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 and Christ’s return. (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
DIVINE HEALING
WE BELIEVE healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and/or by the laying on of hands and/or by the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of every partner of the Church today. (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-25, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5)
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST & THE RETURN OF OUR LORD
WE BELIEVE in the physical, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe His coming is imminent. When he comes, the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds (what we refer to as the Rapture), to meet the Lord in the air. Following the tribulation, He shall return to the Earth as King of kings, the Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years. (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 20:6)
HELL & ETERNAL RETRIBUTION
WE BELIEVE anyone who physically dies without accepting and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel and repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used to describe the duration of punishment in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and pleasure of saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20)
GOD’S WILL FOR PROVISION
WE BELIEVE It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on Earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision to better serve others.
- Spiritual (John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
- Mental and Emotional (II Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3).
- Physical (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24).
- Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19).