- We believe that the Christian Holy Bible, which is also called the Holy Scriptures, is the Word of God for all generations (2 Tim 3:16-17). Although there are many different translations of the Bible, we believe that each translation is helpful in understanding the original writings (also called “autographs”) for as long as the translation was done properly.
- Concerning the trustworthiness of the Bible, we adhere to the principles stated in the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. We also believe in the right way of interpreting the Scriptures. Therefore, we adhere to the principles stated in the Chicago Statement of Hermeneutics.
- We believe that there are only sixty-six books in the Bible, as recognized by all Evangelical and Pentecostal churches worldwide. We do not accept the Apocrypha or the Deuterocanonica as inspired (Rev 22:18-19), although it can be used for historical or cultural analysis.
- We believe in the Tri-unity of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:18-20) They are not three gods but only one God in three Persons as explained in the Nicene Creed.
- We believe that all men have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Therefore all men need to be saved, or born again, i.e. to be saved by experiencing the new birth from above, or through the Holy Spirit. This can only happen if they come to the saving knowledge of the truth, which is the Gospel, that is, if they believe in the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone (2 Cor 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).
- We believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, the Savior, Christ our Lord (Rom 10:9-10). He died for the sins of the world, which means He is the Savior of all, and He rose again from the dead, which means He is the first of the resurrected ones, and He is Lord of all (Romans 1:1-7). He is indeed the Good News of God for the world (Acts 13:32-33), and is therefore the only true object of faith, obedience and worship.
- We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone – and not by works of self-righteousness (Eph 2:8-10). Therefore, each one must repent and believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved (Acts 2:38). Each one must also choose to remain in Him in order to remain saved. For we also believe that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Therefore, we believe in discipleship as inherent in what it means to be a true follower of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
- We believe that God gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who obeys His Gospel (Acts 5:32). He is the presence and power of God in every true believer (John 14:15-21). Receiving the Holy Spirit is a personal experience that can also be verified by others (Acts 10:44-46). The proof of such a gift are varied and cannot be limited to just speaking in tongues, although it can be considered as often primary. The most important gift, however, and the proof of being filled with the Holy Spirit, is love (Galatians 5:22-23).
- We believe in the universal church (“catholic” with a small “s”) called and created by the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:40-47). This is the only true church that continues to exist today in various forms. It exists as various local Christ-centered churches, communities, and organizations scattered throughout the world (1 Cor 1:2). We recognize every Bible-believing Christian organization that adheres to the fundamental truths of the Christian faith as taught by the apostles in the New Testament, and as confirmed by the prophets in the Old Testament. We recognize that there may be some differences on minor points of doctrine among these various groups, but each group belongs to one true body of Christ (as explained in Ephesians 4:1-5), if they believe in Him who is the only true Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and if they adhere to His word, the Bible.
- We will only refuse fellowship with those churches who seek to destroy the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by creating unnecessary divisions, or by claiming superiority from other legitimate groups, or by dishonoring legitimate Christian leaders. Such behaviors are of the flesh and cannot be considered “Christian.” Therefore, we will not fellowship with such people (Romans 16:17-18).
- We believe that every true believer becomes a member of the universal church at the time of their new birth through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:12-13). But each one must decide which organization they wish to join or commit to (Acts 9:26). We believe that every true born again believer must be committed to a specific Christian group in order to be discipled. We do not believe in individualistic attitudes or arrogance that undermine the integrity of Christian groups.
- We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to establish the kingdom of God once and for all here on earth (1 Cor 15:24-28). Our ultimate destination is not heaven per se, but a New Creation, the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1-5). No one knows the day or the hour of His coming (Matt 24:30-36), but we believe He will come again and appear literally, in bodily form, out of the heavens. There will be a resurrection of the dead, both the righteous and the unrighteous. Those who are in Christ will receive a new body that will never die and they will spend eternity with God in the new heavens and the new earth. Those whose names are not in the Book of Life will rise and spend eternity in the lake of fire together with Satan and his demons (Rev 20:11-15). We refuse to speculate on what happens to them eventually. We do not believe in setting dates concerning the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We simply wait with watchful expectation for His return (1 Thess 5:1-11). Meanwhile, we remain diligent in our service to Him, so that when He comes we will not be ashamed when we see Him face to face.
To know more, click any of the links below: