Tenets Of Faith of what I believe and practice

[Apostolic Man]

Tenets Of Faith


We believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God. It is the sole authority for faith, doctrine, and instruction for Christian living. The basic and fundamental doctrine of this church shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4, 38-39.


We are Apostolic in our doctrine, Pentecostal in our worship, and Holiness in our lifestyle. It is our endeavor as a congregation to grow and expand the current ministries of the church, to provide a place of worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24), and to pray that the Lord will add daily such as should be saved. We are affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International.


Preamble


We believe the Bible to be inspired of God; the infallible Word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy3:16). The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; 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 all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27). "...no prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20, 21).


The One True God

We believe in the one ever living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself In Three Manifestations Father In Creation, through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by Regeneration. (1 Cor. 8:6 ; Eph. 4:6 ; 2 Cor. 5:19 ; Joel 2:28). The Scripture does more than attempt 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 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 Son Of God


The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says "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" (1 Timothy 3:16).


"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (John 1:11). 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..." (2 Cor. 5:19). We believe that, "...in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell" (Col. 1:19).


Therefore, Jesus 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 men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:25). "For He put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him" (1 Cor. 15:27).


"And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28). "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" (Rev. 1:8).


Repentance And Conversion


Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30). The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words which mean, change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc. Jesus said,"...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."



Water Baptism


The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It 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, 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 Ghost


John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...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 Bible.


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 1 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).


Holiness


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" (1 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 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" (1 Peter 1:15-19).


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 Revelations 20:10).