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About God: We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. (Deut. 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1) We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father and is truly God and truly man. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and atoning death for the sins of the world, was resurrected bodily for our justification, and now reigns in Glory until all things be put under His feet (I Tim. 3:16). About Scripture: We believe in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures in their original autographs, given by the Holy Ghost without error as He moved upon holy men of old. Furthermore, we believe that the church has no authority to establish doctrine or practices contrary to these same scriptures, which were subsequently accepted as Canon by the early Christian Church. (I Tim. 3:16) About Man: We believe that man was made in the image of God and is the crown of creation. He is now by reason of the fall spiritually alienated from his Creator. Apart from God he has no ability to attain to this high calling. (Psalm 8; Ephesians 2:8-9) We believe that justification is by grace through faith in our Lord's sacrifice on Calvary. (Romans 3:21-24) We believe that all people are to repent and be buried with our Lord Jesus Christ in the water of Baptism. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; II Peter 3:9) We believe in sanctification through the Holy Ghost. It is our understanding that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost are active within the body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. Furthermore, we believe that the development of these gifts ought to be encouraged under the guidance of local church authority. (Acts 8: 14-17; Acts 19:1-2; I Cor. 12:4-7) We believe that those who are called by the name of Christ should depart from iniquity, understanding that salvation from the penalty of sin only begins the process of redemption. We acknowledge that one work of the Holy Ghost is to create in us the character of Christ. (II Tim. 2:19) About Church: We believe in the Priesthood of the believer; that is to say, all people born of God have equal status before God and direct access to their Lord. (1 Pet. 2:5) We believe in the identity of the body of Christ on the earth is primarily perceived through the local church. While encouraging the voluntary association of local churches and recognizing the need of consensus on matters of fundamental doctrine and conduct, we strongly confess the local church to be sovereign and autonomous. (Rev. 2, 3) We believe that the callings of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher are functional within the body of Christ until the Lord's return. Furthermore, these ministries are gifts to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, that the body of Christ may be edified. (Ephesians 4: 11-16). About Kingdom: We believe in the literal Second Coming of our Lord, the literal rule of Christ upon the earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation, and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 22:1-7). About Sin: Man was born with a sin nature due to Adam's sin. (Ps. 51; Rom. 5:12-14, 18-19) He then practices sin. Adam's spirit was separated from God when he sinned. This is death. The new birth is the only thing that can change this (John 3: 1-8; Eph 2:1-6) Reconciliation of God and man was the issue. Salvation realigns us back to the original plan of God. To be saved from sin, one must first acknowledge their sinful standing before God. Their heart must be prepared to receive God. By the law is the knowledge of sin. This creates conviction in a person's heart. It reminds us that God's standard is high above us and we have come short of his glory (Rom. 3:20; Rom.7:7) About Justification: The first phase of salvation addresses a person's status before God. Justification is a judicial act where the heavenly court declares a person in right standing before God. At the point of justification, heaven pardons the person. To effectuate reconciliation between God and man, Jesus died to pay the price required by God, also called the propitiation. God was appeased. God then forgives and pardons man. Justification is based on what Christ has done for us and on faith in the finished work of Christ. We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:2) By grace are you saved through faith (Eph. 2:8) Justification is when God imputes righteousness unto the believer by faith (Rom. 4:1-16) It is not received by works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9) The only way to be forgiven is to receive the righteousness of God (not our own righteousness.) When a believer believes and confesses their confidence in the cross (Rom. 10:9-10), he is justified (acquitted); his human spirit comes alive again. He is "born again" (Eph. 2:1-6). Repentance is part of this first phase. Jesus said, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 4:17.) Repentance is a change in thinking, and then it is a turning from something and to something. The first part of salvation has nothing to do with deliverance from the world, but deliverance from the wrath of God. God cannot deal with anyone until he first forgives them, or his wrath would kill them. About Water Baptism: Right standing before God is necessary prior to baptism. Baptism is for believers (He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mk. 16:16; Acts 8:36-37; Acts16:30-33) Obedience releases/activates faith. Faith is demonstrated through baptism (Mk 16:16). No unbelievers should be baptized. When a person trusts the cross, they are ready to come out of "Egypt” (a type of the world.) The Red Sea separated God's people from Egypt. They were "delivered" through the Red Sea (a type of water baptism.) Without faith, nothing happens in baptism; with faith, the believer rises to walk in newness of life. Baptism aligns us with the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 19:1-5) Baptism is a circumcision of the heart. (Col 2:9-13) Abraham was justified before circumcision. Circumcision deals with verification, validation and authenticity of the faith that was already there. Baptism is a seal of the righteousness of my faith. It also cuts the enmity of the old nature of sin. It cuts away something from the heart. It deals with deliverance (Rom 6:1-14) Baptism identifies us with Christ in his death. What the believer has just been delivered from (the old man) is buried, crucified, put away. "His" life is over. The believer should no longer serve sin but seek God's plans, purposes, etc. When a believer is baptized, it is a death to themselves and a resurrection to Christ through them. According to Romans 4:11 baptism should be received, just like Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of righteousness. A believer should be baptized in the name (person, character, nature) of Jesus. To be baptized is to be immersed into Jesus. Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. If a person believes and confesses, they need to be instructed about baptism. (Acts 8:36-37) Water baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21) About the Holy Spirit: Resurrection typifies the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings our spirit back to life. Salvation is a work of the Spirit of God. If someone is a believer, the Holy Spirit is already present. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for evangelism, witnessing, giving evidence of his resurrection, leading us, guiding us into truth, teaching us and bringing all things to our remembrance (Acts 1:8; John 14:26; 16:13; Rom. 8:14) Speaking in other tongues is an evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-47; Acts 19:6) The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17.) One cannot be baptized in the Holy Spirit without first being forgiven, justified, and born again. About Communion: The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's Death and Suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special union of his soul with the glorified Christ.