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Are our beliefs orthodox? Yes.
"And
without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory" (1 Tim. 3:16)
We Believe…
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The Bible is the inspired, infallible and
authoritative Word of God. We believe it is the standard by which any
revelation or guidance, personal or corporate, must be tested.
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There is one God and Creator who is
eternally existent and manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
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In the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His
Incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life and atoning death, bodily
resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father.
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That man was created in the image of God,
but through Adam’s transgression incurred both physical and spiritual
death—separation from the union and communion which God created. A sin
nature is now “born of the flesh” and is the human condition without
Christ.
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That the only solution for man’s sin
problem is to be “born of the Spirit” by repentance from sin and
acceptance by faith of Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. This
free gift of eternal life is available to all through a personal faith
in Christ and His redemptive work on the cross, bringing justification
"once for all" by His blood. Salvation is both present and progressive,
as we abide and walk in the light of His presence
(1 Jn. 1&2).
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In the personal return of the Lord, and
the resurrection of both the saved to everlasting life and the lost to
everlasting punishment, known as the second death.
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That Jesus Christ is our Savior,
Lord, Deliverer, Baptizer and Healer. His life and ministry are
available to us today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever
(He. 13:8).
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In one Baptism
(Ep. 4:5),
consisting in its various aspects as the
baptism by the Spirit into Christ and His body
(1 Co. 12:13),
signified by the water
baptism; in the baptism by Christ into the Holy Spirit
(Lu. 3:16)
according to Acts 2:4; also the baptism of
suffering, fire, etc., all of which constitute the doctrine of baptisms
(He. 6:2).
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In the sanctifying power of the Holy
Spirit to make us one flesh, one body, one bread with God Himself. The
indwelling presence and supernatural power of the Holy Spirit unites a
Christian with the very life of God and enables him to live a holy life
(He. 2:11).
This covenant
relationship is celebrated through the regular church practice of Holy
Communion, commonly called “Eucharist,” which, as more than a simple
observance, signifies our participation (as Christ’s Body) in the very
life of God
(1 Co. 10:16-1 7; 2 Pe. 1:4).
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