3 Man, His Fall and Redemption Man
was created good and upright, for God said, "Let Us make man
in Our Image, after Our likeness." But man, by voluntary transgression
fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son
of God. 4 The Salvation of Man a) Man's only hope of redemption is through the
shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus Christ became sin
and sickness, providing both salvation and divine healing for all
mankind, being justified freely by his grace through faith. (Psalm
103:3) b) The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence
to the believer of his salvation is the direct c) Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity. (Acts 16:3, Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10) 5 Baptism in Water The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4,Col. 2:12) 6 Sanctification The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ's return. (Heb. 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30) 7 The Lord's Supper "And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way also the cup, when He had supped, saying 'This cup is the new covenant of My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (1 Cor. 11:24, 28) 8 The Promise of the Father All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31) 9 The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit The full consummation of the Baptism of believers
in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of
speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and by
the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony
and service. (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:2-6, 1:8) The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first born, which is written in Heaven. (Eph. 1:22, 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23) 11 Total Prosperity Spiritual. (John 3:3, 3:11; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Rom.
10:9-10) 12 Blessed Hope and Resurrection of the Just Jesus is coming again to gather all His saints to Heaven. The angels said to Jesus' disciples, ... "this same Jesus...shall come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." His coming is imminent. When He comes, "...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Thess. 2:1) 13 The Lake of Fire Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the 1 ake of fire. (Rev. 19:20, 20:10-15) 14 The Millennial Reign of Jesus The return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth as the Scriptures promised. (Rom. 11:25, 27; 2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-7) 15 Our Job and Commission as Believers We are instructed by Jesus to love God above all and our neighbor as we love ourselves. We can do no work for God outside of love. Our faith is dependent on love. (Matt. 22:37-40; John 15:17; 1 Cor. 13:1-13, 1 John 4:7-21; Gal. 5:6) |
