WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHY WE BELIEVE IT
Below we have listed the essential doctrines of the 1st Century Church, and where they are taught in the Word of God.
HOLY BIBLE
We believe that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, in it’s original manuscripts, is 100% the Word of God. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all Doctrinal Truths. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Prov. 30:5).
TRINITY
The Doctrine of the Trinity or Tri-unity is that in one God there are three distinct persons, The Father, The Son (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit. They are all of the same substance, and are co-equal and co-eternal. (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 28:19, Mk. 1:9-11).
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the 2nd person of the Trinity. On earth he was 100% God and 100% man. He was the only man ever to live a sinless life. (Jn. 1:1,14; Jn 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:16; Isa. 9:6; Phil. 2:5-6).
VIRGIN BIRTH
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Holy Spirit (the 3rd person of the Trinity) in the Virgin Mary’s womb. He is called the Son of God because He was conceived by God. (Matt. 1:18,20; Lk. 1:35).
REPENTANCE
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. (1 Thes. 4:3; 5:23).
SALVATION
We are saved by grace (which is undeserved and unearned) through faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not as a result of our good works or any human efforts. (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:5).
CHRIST’S BLOOD
The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to forgive man of all sins. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for the sins we had committed, enabling all mankind to be free from the penalty of sin (which is death). (1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5; Col. 1:20; Rev. 5:9).
CHRIST INDWELLS ALL BELIEVERS
A Christian is a person who has invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside of him through the Holy Spirit. He is putting his trust in what Christ has accomplished for him when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead. (Jn. 14:17, 23; 15:4).
RESURRECTION
We believe that Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. One day all believers in Christ will also be physically resurrected in their glorified bodies to their eternal reward in Heaven with God. (Lk. 24:36,39; Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:42, 44).
HEAVEN
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 5:1; 1 Pet. 1:4).
HELL
After living our life on earth, the wicked will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they will be eternally, consciously, tormented with the Devil and the Fallen Angels. (Heb. 9:27; Matt. 25:41).
TWO ORDINANCES
1 – WATER BAPTISM – Following believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Lord. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38).
2 – THE LORD’S SUPPER – A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and wine, representing the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, are taken in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. (1 Cor. 11:23-25).
SECOND COMING
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the scriptures. (Rev. 1:7; Acts 1:9-11).
HEALING OF THE SICK
Healing of the sick was demonstrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. Given as a sign which was to follow believers, it is a part of Christ’s atonement on the Cross. (Matt. 8:16-17; Acts 8:6-7; Mk. 16:17-18).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Given at Pentecost, it was the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel through the whole earth. The purpose of the gift of tongues is to bring edification to the believer, to enhance his prayer life and as a sign to the unbeliever. (Acts 2:17, 38-39; Mk. 16:17).
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
A Christian Marriage is a covenant between one man (one biological man) and one woman (one biological woman) to live together in fidelity to one another, to serve God together and fulfill His purpose for them together as husband and wife. (Gen. 2:24; Heb. 13:4).