Our General Stand On Scripture
The following addresses our general stand on the Word of God. It is given for
informational purposes for those individuals who may want to examine our beliefs
relating to key issues of Scriptural interpretation.
Declaration Of Faith
We believe the teachings of the Word of God and endeavor to uphold the rules and
regulations presented there by God for his people. Since there are many
differences of interpretation among genuine Christians, we will list some items
to alert individuals as to where we stand on various matters that are seen
differently in the body of Christ. We find that statements of beliefs are quite
similar except for certain areas.
The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self existent one. God
has further revealed Himself as father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isa. 48:16, Matt.
28:19, Luke 3:22)
The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God
and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of
faith and conduct. (2Tim.3:15-17, 1Th. 2:13, 2Pet. 1:21)
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and as much shares in the
divinity and deity of God. (Matt. 1:23, John 5:22-23, 2John 3, Hebrews 1:1-13)
Original Sin and the Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright, but Adam, through disobedience, fell from the
grace of God. Adam’s
transgression incurred not only physical death for man, but spiritual death,
which is eternal separation from God. (Gen. 2:17, 3:6-24) This necessitated
man’s need of salvation.
The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption and salvation from the power of sin is through the
shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12, Rom. 5:8-13, Jas. 1:21, Eph.
2:8)
Baptism in Water by Immersion
All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be
baptized. This is a declaration to the world that they identify with
Christ in His death and have been raised with Him in newness of life. (Matt.
23:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Rom. 6:4)
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of His sufferings and death and a prophecy of
His second coming. It is enjoyed by all believers until He comes. (1Cor. 11:26)
Foot Washing
We believe in the ordinance of foot washing for all believers as instructed by
the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 13:14-15)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical
sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. (Acts
2:4) With the baptism in the Holy Spirit, comes the endowment of power for holy
living
and service, the bestowing of the gifts or enabling of the Holy Spirit and their
uses in the ministry of the body of Christ. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4&8, 1Cor.
12:1-31) This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of
the new birth. (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-15,15:7-9)
Divine Healing
Divine healing was provided for in the Old Testament. (Ex. 15:23-26, Ps.
103:1-3, Isa. 53:4-5) and is an integral part of the Gospel. (Matt. 8:16-17,
Acts 5:16, Jas. 5, 14-16)
Second Coming of Christ
This includes the catching away of the church (1Th. 4:16-17) followed by the
actual, visible return of Christ with His saints (the church) to reign with Him
for 1000 years. (Zech. 14:5, Matt. 24:27, 30, Rev. 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6)
This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezek.
39:28-29, Zeph. 3:19-20, Rom. 11:26-27) and universal peace. (Isa. 11:6-9, Ps.
2:3-8, Mic. 4:3-4)
Heaven and Hell
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and will
be judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of
Life, together with the devil, his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will
be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and
brimstone, which is the second death.
(Matt. 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Rev. 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8, 2 Pet. 3:13, Rev. 21:1)
Standing To Sing
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the
Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on
high.(2Chr. 20:19) “After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9-10)
Clapping Hands
“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph!”
(Ps. 47:1)
Lifting Hands
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus
will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Ps.
63-3-4) “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.”
(Ps.134:2) “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1Tim 2:8)
Giving Praise To God
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!” (Ps
103:1) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our
God” (Rev. 19:1) “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as
the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,
Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 19:6) “What is it then? I
will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will
sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” (1Cor.
14:15)
Tongues And Interpretation
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”
(1Cor.14:39) “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another
the interpretation of tongues” (1Cor. 12:7,10)
“I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he
interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” (1Cor. 14:5) “If any man speak
in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by
course; and let one interpret.” (1Cor. 14:27)
Singing And Praying In Tongues
“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is
unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray
with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
the understanding also.” (1Cor. 14:14-15)
Worship
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the
Father in
spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a
Spirit: and they
that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Singing
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord”; (Eph. 5:18-19) “Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. (Col. 3:16)
We Prophesy
“The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but
prophesy?” (Amos 3:8) “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification,
and exhortation, and comfort.” (1Cor.14:3)
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.” (1Cor.14:1) “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every
man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same
Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the
working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to
another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”
(1Cor. 12:7-10)
Let’s Face It
We have to take a stand on the Word of God and be directed by His Spirit. Man
has added his own interpretation to the things of God throughout history. Some
things man got right, and some things he got wrong. God is revealing new truths
that are hidden in His Word every day. Let us be open to the Spirit of God and
take a stand for righteousness as we open up our hearts and let the Lord Jesus
Christ do in us as He pleases.