What We Believe:    Apostolic Doctrine

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Apostolic Doctrine:

Apostolic simply means to follow the teachings of the Chief Apostle, Jesus Christ according to the Word of God.

 

God:

There is only one God (Deut. 6:4) and three manifestations of that one God:

• The Father (Creator) – John 4:24; Is. 44:6; Is. 43:10; Is. 9:6

• The Son (Savior) – Romans 1:3; Matt. 1:23; John 1:1 – 14; I Tim. 3:16

• The Holy Ghost (Indwelling Spirit) –John 14:16 – 26; Romans 6:9 – 11

 

Bible:

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. (I Timothy 1:3; II Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20; Galatians 1:9)

It gives a true history of the creation of heaven, earth and humanity containing a correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven, earth and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation outside of what is taught within its pages. (Acts 4:12)

 

Water Baptism:

 Water baptism is an essential part of the New Testament church.

• Mode of Baptism: Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; Acts 8:16, 38; Acts 19:5). Sprinkling, pouring or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.

• Method of Baptism: The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus. Jesus’ last command to His disciples was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An angelic announcement revealed God’s saving name in the New Testament: “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 apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews–Acts 8:16; Gentiles–Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. “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).

 

Baptism of the Holy Ghost:

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God’s church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance.

It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). “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).

 

Tongues:

Speaking in tongues mean speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance.  Tongues are classified in two ways.  First, speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and secondly, the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.  Speaking in other tongues as the spirit of God gives utterance is a manifestation God has given as the witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:46).   It was prophesized by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that would follow believers of the gospel (St. Mark 16:17), and experienced by Jew and Gentiles alike.

Second, the gift of divers kinds of tongues, mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-10.  Paul stated forbid not speaking in tongues (I Corinthian 14:39).

 

Holiness:

After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).  We must present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service and be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing up your mind (Romans 12:1).  It is quite impossible to live a holy life without the Holy Ghost.  Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost have come upon you (Acts 1:8).

 

Divine Healing:

Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5).  Jesus went everywhere healing those that were sick, and He commanded His disciples to do the same (St. Matthew 10:8).  Jesus stated they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:18).

 

Second Coming of Christ:

Jesus Christ is coming back to the earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11).  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: and we that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

 

Resurrection:

There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.  I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them (Revelations 12:12-13).

 

Judgment:

It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done whether it be good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10).