ARTICLES OF FAITH
THE BIBLE
1. We believe the Bible to be the Inspired WORD OF GOD, and accept the same as the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice II Tim. 3:16-17
GOD
2. We believe in the TRIUNE GOD, equal in divine perfection and attribute, executing distinct but harmonious office in the work of redemption.
GOD THE FATHER, maker of heaven and earth; the co-creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal, all powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and unchangeable Creator of all. (Deut. 32:6; Ps. 103:13; Is. 63:16; Matt 6:9, Eph. 4:6 Rom. 8:14-16;
GOD THE SON, co eternal with the father, conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary; took upon Himself the form of man and bore the curse of sin, sickness and death, redeeming us back to God. He arose the third day and ascended into heaven where He sits on the right hand of the father. 2 Cor. 13:14, Phil. 2: 6 – 11, 1 Tim. 2:5, Matt. 1:21-23; Is. 53:1-5
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, co existent and equal with the father and the Son, sent by the Father through the Son to reprove the world of sin and prepare the Bride of Christ. Gen 1:2; John 16:8, 13
THE FALL OF MANKIND
3. We believe in the total FALL AND DEPRAVITY of man, lost and unable to save himself by his own efforts. Rom. 5:12, 13, 13 3:9-23, Acts 1:8; John 14:26
THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION
4. We believe that CHRIST WAS FORE-ORDAINED before the foundation of the world as God’s Lamb, to shed His blood for the salvation of men. 1 Pet. 1:19, 20; Is. 9:6,7
SALVATION
5. We believe a CHRISTIAN is one who has been saved from the penalty of sin by God’s grace alone, regenerated by the Holy Spirit and given power to repent of sins. Romans 8:1, 2; John 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:25
SANCTIFICATION
6. We believe that having been cleansed by the blood and quickened by the Spirit, it is God’s will that WE SHOULD BE SANCTIFIED DAILY and made a partaker of His holiness. A true Christian must forsake the very appearance of evil. Rom. 6:22; 1 Thess. 5:22
MARRIAGE
7. We believe that MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD; sanctified by the Lord Jesus Christ, and commended of St. Paul to be honourable among all men. A Christian man or woman should not marry an unsaved person. Having been united by God in Holy matrimony, neither person, as long as both shall live, shall be free to remarry. 2 Cor. 6:14; Matt. 19:5-6; Lk 16:18
WATER BAPTISM
8. We believe that WATER BAPTISM by immersion, in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, is commanded by God; that is subsequent to conversion; that it is not saving ordinance, but an outward sign of an inward work. Matt. 28:19
COMMUNION
9. We believe in the COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER as a type of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord, and as an ordinance showing forth the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, and a looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 1 Cor. 11:23.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
10. We believe the Baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT is a definite experience not identical with conversion. The initial evidence of this experience is the speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. It is given to endue with power; to give inspired utterance in witnessing for Christ; to lead the believer into holiness and sobriety; to equip him for efficient soul winning. John 14:16; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 3:38; 19:6; 1 Cor. 3:16.
(a) The spirit-filled life is one that experiences a continual renewing from on high. The spirit is as gentle as a dove, easily grieved and wounded by coldness, prayerlessness, idle conversation, worldliness and a critical spirit. Eph. 5:18
(b) The spirit bestows gifts severally as He will; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. These gifts should be coveted earnestly by all believers and exercised in the spirit of love. 1 Cor. 12:7-11
(c) Moderation in all things … never leading into unseemly manifestations, un-Christ-like extremes, but well balanced, sober, seasoned with love. Zeal should be governed by godly wisdom.
DIVINE HEALING
11. We believe that DIVINE HEALING is the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted in answer to believing prayer and is provided for in the atonement. We believe that Acts 3:16; Matt 8:16-17
SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
12. We believe THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, that is a personal and imminent reality before the millennial reign of Christ. The Rapture of the redeemed from the earth, both those which are dead in Christ and those which are alive, is something to be anticipated by every true believer. 1 Thes. 4:16,17
GREAT TRIBULATION
13. The GREAT TRIBULATION will end when Christ comes in glory with His saints to set up His millennial kingdom on earth. Then He shall reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 10:24,25
BODY OF CHRIST
14. We believe that every born-again believer should identify himself with the VISIBLE CHURCH OF CHRIST and should labour diligently and contribute his temporal means towards the spreading of the gospel. All tithes should be brought into the storehouse of the Lord. Hebrews 10:24, 24
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
15. We believe that THE GOVERNMENT IS ORDAINED OF GOD and Christians should be subject to the laws of the land except those contrary to the revealed will of God. In times of war, the individual’s participation is to be governed by his own conscience. Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29
FINAL JUDGEMENT & HELL
16. We believe in the FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED, Matt. 13:41-43, with a literal place of hell or outer darkness, bitter sorrow and remorse. This is prepared by God for the devil and his angels and those whose names are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Rev. 20:10, 14, 15, 21:7,8
HEAVEN
17. We believe that HEAVEN IS THE HABITATION OF GOD where Christ has gone to prepare a place for all His children. 1 Cor. 2:9; John 14
EVANGELISM & MISSIONS
18. We believe that because of the soon coming of Jesus Christ, we should put forth our utmost to THE PROMULGATION OF THE GOSPEL to every kindred, tribe and tongue; that soul-winning is the chief mission of the Church and that all hindrances should be laid aside so that nothing should hinder world wide evangelism. 2 Tim. 4:1-2