There is no God but Jehovah and Jesus is His Son!
The basic doctrine of the New Testament church is outlined in Hebrews 6:1-2
Hebrews 6
1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be the direct and absolute Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as it moved upon the tongues and pens of men who had received the special anointing of God for this express purpose: (II Peter 1:21). “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” We believe the Bible to be God’s means of doctrine, instruction, and comfort to the Church today, infallible in its authority, singular in interpretation, and man’s only avenue of access to God.
The One True God
We believe in the One ever-living, eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, and possessing absolute, indivisible Deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation, through the Son in redemption, and as the Holy Ghost by emanation (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28).
The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal (Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body and therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and “a spirit hath not flesh and bones…” (Luke 24:39).
The first of all commandments is, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD:” (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all:” (Ephesians 4:6).
This one True God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways, in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Ghost after the ascension.
The Son of God
The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (I Timothy 3:16;John 1:10).
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11). This one true God was manifested in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ.
“… God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;…” (II Corinthians 5:19).
We believe that, “… in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9).
The Name
“… unto us a child is born, unto us a son in given:… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God was named, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: For he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Man and His Fall
God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26,27), innocent, pure and holy (Romans 5:11, Ephesians 2:3). Man needed a redeemer which has been supplied in the seed of the woman, which seed bruised the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15; Luke 2:10,11); that is, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).
The Grace of God
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2:11,12)
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). A Christian, to keep saved, must walk with God and keep himself in the love of God (Jude 21), and in the grace of God. The word “grace” means “favor.” When a person transgresses and sins against God, he loses favor. If he continues to sin and does not repent, he will eventually be lost and cast into the lake of fire. (Read John 15:1,6; II Peter 2:20-22) Jude speaks of the backsliders of his day and their reward. (Read Hebrews 6:4-6)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8).
The Communion
Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, gave the first communion, consisting of bread and wine (Genesis 14:18), to our father Abraham. Christ, being “made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Evidently administered the same (Hebrews 7:21; Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:23-32).
On the night of our Lord’s betrayal, He ate the Passover supper with His apostles, after which He instituted the Communion service. “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19, 20).
Paul instructed the Church how to observe it (I Corinthians 11:23, 24,25).
The Washing of Feet
This ordinance is as much a divine command as any other New Testament ordinance. Jesus gave us an example that we do even as He had done. He said that we ought to wash one another’s feet. And again, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them” (John 13:4-17). There is scriptural evidence that this was practiced by the church in the days of the apostle Paul (I Timothy 5:10).
Divine Healing
The physical suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ purchased healing for our bodies, as His death, burial and resurrection provided for the salvation of our souls, for “… with his stripes we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5). Matthew 8:17 reads, “… Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (See also I Peter 2:24)
We see from this that healing for the body is in the atonement. That being true, then it is for all who believe. Jesus said of the believer, “… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Later James wrote in his epistle to all the church, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:14-16).
Repentance and Remission of Sin
The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).
Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).
Water Baptism
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world.
It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel in obedience to the Word of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles; 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5, thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
Holy Spirit Baptism
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said “… He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, “… ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, “… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The terms “baptized with the Holy Ghost,” “filled with the Holy Ghost,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” are synonymous terms which are interchangeable in the Bible.
Apostolic Doctrine of the New Birth
The basic and fundamental doctrine of this church is the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (Acts 2:4,38; John 3:5).
Holiness
We believe that godly living should characterize the life and walk of all saints according to the sign and example found in I Peter 2:21; Titus 2:11; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15-17.
We believe we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1), to abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22), and to turn away from those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5; I Corinthians 11:6; I Timothy 2:9,10; I Peter 2:3,4).
The Word of God teaches a distinction between the dress of a woman and a man: “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garments: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” (Deuter-onomy 22:5) The word “abomination” used by God in this verse indicates that this rule will not change through all generations. Christian men are not to wear women’s clothing, and Christian women are not to wear men’s clothing.
Modesty is not confined to dress alone but also includes conversation and manners. Philippians 4:5 teaches us, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Holiness is not only an inward presence of God but it is also reflected in the outward life of the Christian in his conduct in this world.
Tithing
We believe tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been since the days of Abraham. Tithing came with faith under Abraham, Moses’ law enjoined it, Israel practiced it when she was right with God, Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23), and Paul said to lay by in store as God has prospered you. Do not rob God of His portion, that is tithes and offerings (Read Malachi 3).
The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
That the Lord Jesus Christ is to come to earth in person is a doctrine clearly set forth in Apostolic times. James taught it; the Apostles preached it; the saints expect it; (See Matthew 24:1, etc.; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; I Corinthians 1:7,8; 11:26; Philippians 3:20,21; Titus 2:13).
Translation of Saints
We believe the catching away of the church draweth nigh, and at that time all the dead in Christ shall rise from their graves, and we that are alive and remain shall be translated or “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36-42; Luke 17:20-37; I Corinthians 15:51; Philippians 3:20,21; I Thessalonians 4:13-17).
The Word of God teaches the imminent second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that there will be first an appearing or catching away of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:13) preceding His second coming back to earth; and we believe His return to be at hand and likely to occur at any moment.
Final Judgement
All shall stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive their final reward, those who are on the right hand shall receive everlasting life, and all whose names are not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast into the lake of fire, burning with the brimstone, which God has prepared for the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:5-15; Matthew 24:41-46; Revelation 21:8).
