What We Believe

The Bible 

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  It has been divinely breathed into existence by The Almighty God and is infallible in the original manuscripts. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2nd Timothy 3:16). 

The Bible is the only written God-given authority in possession of man; therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the church must be based upon, and harmonize with, the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit (1st John 2:27). “No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2nd Peter 1:20, 21). 

The One True and Living God 

We believe in the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob, in the one eternal, ever-living God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. 

This one true God has revealed Himself as Father in creation; through His Son, in the incarnation and redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by emanation (1st Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; 2nd  Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28).  The Scripture goes further than simply attempting to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal (Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). 

God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient as well as invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without body, and therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and “a spirit hath not flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39). “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord” (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6). 

Before the incarnation, this one true God manifested Himself in divers ways. In the incarnation, He manifests Himself in the Son, who walked among men. As He works in the lives of believers, He manifests Himself as the Holy Spirit. 

We acknowledge the existence of the doctrine of the trinity which came to be, in it’s original form, at or around 200 ad.  However, because of its late dating and that the modern version of the doctrine of the trinity was not historically taught before its post-Apostolic origin, in around 381 ad. with later revisions, we cannot recognize it as being Apostolic and therefore, we admonish our people to not teach it. 

The Son of God 

The one true God, the YHWH of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1st Timothy 3:16). This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” (2nd Corinthians 5:19).  

We believe that “in him [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, Jesus or Yeshua in His humanity was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1st Timothy 2:5).  

Jesus on His Father’s side was divine, on His mother’s side, human; thus, He was known as the Son of God and also the Son of man, or the God-man.“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). 

The Name of God 

God used different titles, such as “God Elohim,” “God Almighty,” “El Shaddai,” and “YHWH,” the name in the Old Testament.  “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God was named. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  

The name Jesus means YHWH is Salvation or YHWH Savior.  Many have been named Yeshua but only Jesus of Nazareth truly fulfills the meaning of The Name, making it “the name above every name” (Phillipians 2:9). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). 

YHWH Defined: "Self Existent One" or "He Exists". Yeshua (Jesus) Defined: "Self Existent Savior"  YHWH Pictographically: "Behold The Nail, Behold The Hand".

Creation of Man and His Fall 

In the beginning God created man innocent, that is without the knowledge of sin; but through the sin of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human race, fell from their state and lost son-ship, and God banished them from Eden. Hence by one man’s disobedience, sin entered into the world (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 5:12). 

Repentance 

The word “repentance” means a change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, transformation, etc. True repentance is to die to self will and self life and to this age and to live in God’s will and God’s life and to the age of the Kingdom of God (Romans 6:6).  

Repentance is to renounce self life and desires and seeking to live after the desires of Jesus Christ. Repentance is absolutely essential for New Testament salvation.  

Repentance is a symbolic death and is the only way of obeying the death of Jesus Christ, it is the first step to the gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-4), and is the first step in being born again. 

Repentance should be continual in the life of a believer.  Luke 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 1st Corinthians 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 

For born again believers, if we sin, Jesus is just and faithful to forgive us our sin (1st John 1:9).  But we should not premeditate sin, but in malice be as babes. (1st John 1:9, 1Co 14:20)  “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 

Water Baptism 

Water Baptism invoking The Name of Yeshua (Jesus) is absolutely essential for New Testament salvation (Acts 4:12, John 3:1-7) and must be a conscious choice for the believer.  Water Baptism in Jesus Name is for the remission of sins (acts 2:38).  

Water Baptism is a symbolic burial and is the only way of obeying the burial of Jesus Christ, it is the second step to the gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-4), and is the second step in being born again.  Water baptism must be performed after true repentance, however it can biblically be administered after being baptized in the Holy Spirit.  

The scriptural mode of water baptism is by full immersion and should be performed as such, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. The scriptural formula of water baptism is “in the name of Yeshua”, with titles such as Lord and Christ used in conjunction with The Name at times.  The form  "Jesus" may be used as well as other translations of The Name and titles. 

Water baptism should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the gospel, in obedience to the Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ after a confession of faith by the recipient that Jesus is the only God and Savior, with the recipient (convert) calling on The Name of Jesus just prior to immersion in faith that their sins are being washed away (Acts 2:21, 38, 4:12, 10:43, 22:16, John 1:12, 3:18, Romans 10:8-15). According to the Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19. 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for New Testament salvation (Romans 8:9-11, John 3:1-7).  Holy Spirit Baptism is a symbolic resurrection and is the only way of obeying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is the third step to the gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-4), and is the third step in being born again.  

The baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot occur until after true repentance, however it can Biblically precede water baptism. John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said of Jesus, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”  Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”  Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance.” 

The terms “baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire,” “filled with the Holy Spirit,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost” are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the New Testament of the Bible concerning the infilling and indwelling of The Holy Spirit for New Testament born again believers.  It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues. 

The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and the gift of tongues, as explained in 1st Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use and purpose. 

The Lord, through the prophet Joel, said, “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, “Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he [Jesus] hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). Further, “the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39). 

In response to seeing all those, on the day of Pentecost, that were seeking the baptism of The Holy Ghost filled with the Holy Spirit speaking in other tongues, the people witnessing this event asked “what meaneth this?” (referring to the tongues) and Peter responded to the question, by answering what the tongues were a sign of, by quoting Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;”. 

How did those with Peter know the gentiles had received The Gift of The Holy Ghost at the household of Cornelius?  Acts 10:46  “Because they heard them speak with tongues”.

Fundamental Doctrines 

Our basic and fundamental Doctrines are the Bible standard of One (1) Indivisible God, The God of Abraham (Deuteronomy 6:4, Galatians 3:20).   Also, the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by full immersion in The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins with the convert being instructed to invoke Jesus Name just prior to immersion after having delivered a statement of faith, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:37-39, 1st John 5:8-9, John 3:1-7). 

We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body (Ephesians 4:3, 13). 

Divine Healing 

The first covenant that the Lord (Jehovah) made with the children of Israel after they were brought out of Egypt was a covenant of healing. The Lord said, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD [Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth] thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). 

Our Lord Jesus Christ went about Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people (Matthew 4:23-24). “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

Jesus said of believers, “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Later, James wrote in his epistle to all the churches: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:14-16). 

Holiness 

True Holiness is achievable through abiding in the Holy Spirit (Galations 5:16). Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the Lord, and we should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God. 

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:21-23). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:15-19). 

We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and Godly living.  We warn against such things as unwholesome radio, television programs, movies and music. Furthermore, we disapprove of any of our people using television sets or any other device in their homes to view such evils. 

Good, wholesome entertainment can be productive with moderate participation.  We admonish all of our people to refrain from any unwholesome practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church. 

The Grace of God 

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).  “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

A Christian must walk with God and keep himself in the love of God (Jude 21) and in the grace of God. When a person transgresses and sins against God and does not repent, he will eventually be lost and cast into the lake of fire. (See John 15:2, 6; 2nd Peter 2:20-21.) Jude speaks of the backsliders of his day, and their reward. (See also Hebrews 6:4-6.)(Also see Ezekiel 18:21-32.) 

Restitution of All Things 

We understand the Scripture to teach the “restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). But we cannot find where the devil, his angels, and all sinners are included. (See Revelation 20:10). 

Translation of Saints 

We believe that the time is drawing near when our Lord shall appear; then the dead in Christ shall arise, and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them to meet our Lord in the air at the last trump (I Thessalonians 4:13-17; I Corinthians 15:51- 54; Philippians 3:20-21). 

The Millennium 

We believe that the distress upon the earth is the “beginning of sorrows” and will become more intense until there “shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Matthew 24:3-8; Daniel 12:1), and that period of “tribulation” will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth and that for a thousand years there shall be “peace on earth and good will toward men.” (See Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5; Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1-2; Hebrews 2:14; Romans 11:25-27.) 

The Millennium shall be the rule of The Kingdom of God and we shall rule and reign with Him as Kings and Priests on the earth. (Rev 1:6, 5:10) 

Tithing       

We believe tithing in the Old Testamant is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been since the days of The Law. Tithing came with faith under Abraham; Moses’ law enjoined it, and Israel practiced it when she was right with God; Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23).  Paul said to lay by in store as God has prospered you.  

We shall not ask that our members tithe, however, we shall not forbid tithing. Tithing was under the law and is no longer commanded to Israel; Colossians 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross". 

Neither is tithing commanded to Gentiles (Actions of The Apostles 15:5-29).  But people gave to Jesus “from their abundance”; (Mark 12:44, Titus 2:13-14).  "Let every man be persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5)