Principles Of Faith

A properly constructed building rests firmly on a strong foundation. The New Testament, particularly the writings of the Apostle Paul, has listed the foundational principles of Christ upon which we are to build our lives.

God wants us to lay our foundation on sound Biblical doctrine that leads us into perfection. The word perfection is better understood using the Amplified translation of the Bible: "advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity" (Hebrews 6:1a). Perfection or completeness refers to spiritual maturity.

Repentance from Dead Works

The word “repent” means to turn away from something. What are we to turn from? We are to turn from darkness to light, from sin to salvation, and from the ways of the world to the ways of God.

Faith toward God

We are justified before God, not by our good works, but through faith in the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 NKJV).

The Scripture says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

The Doctrine of Baptisms

Water baptism is a sign of death to the self-life and receiving the resurrection life of Jesus (Romans 6:3-5). It is a sign to others that a believer has chosen to live according to the Kingdom of God.

Baptism in the fire of the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification (Matthew 3:11). Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, who labors to purify us by washing us in the water of the Word and the blood of Jesus. The work of sanctification cleanses us and sets us aside for God’s will and purpose. Baptism in the Spirit is for believers, and it includes the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:5-7). With Jesus as the Baptizer (John 1:32-33), the believer is to continually walk in the Spirit and to be filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18).

Laying On of Hands

With the laying on of hands from a righteous believer there is…

♦ the impartation of gifts (1 Timothy 4:14).

♦ the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-19).

♦ healing for the sick (Mark 16:18).

God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul. Even handkerchiefs or aprons that were brought from his body to the sick resulted in diseases and evil spirits leaving them (Acts 19:11-12).

Resurrection of the Dead

The first resurrection will be at Jesus’ coming when the dead in Christ are raised first, then we which are alive and remain will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 22:31-32; John 5:28-29; John 11:24-26; 1 Corinthians 15). The second resurrection will take place after the 1000 year reign of Jesus on this earth (Revelations 20:5-6).

Eternal Judgment

Both the saved and those not saved will be judged from the two record books kept in heaven. Revelation 20:15 (NKJV) says, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” On the Day of Judgment every person will give an account for the deeds done in the body (Revelations 20:11-13).

Key Elements of Our Faith

♦ We believe the Lord is one God and finds His expression in the person of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7).

♦ Jesus was born of a virgin and fathered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:27-35).

♦ Jesus is the only door into heaven, and His blood is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the sins of man (John 10:1-5).

♦ By faith and grace we receive salvation of our spirits, souls, and bodies through the cross of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

♦ We believe in holy living. We believe the Holy Spirit will work from the inside out, perfecting the believer through faith, grace, and the Word of God (1 Peter 1:16-18).

♦ The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is given for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17)