Statement of Faith

What We Believe

The basis of our creed, discipline, rules of order, and doctrine is the Word of God as taught and revealed by the Holy Ghost, that "All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 1

As a member congregation of The Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. (referred to hereafter in these Bylaws as the national church), we adhere to the basic biblical doctrines of the Apostolic Faith as set forth in The Discipline Book of The Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the Discipline Book). We summarize our doctrinal stand as follows:

We believe in one God: progressively manifested as the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Ghost in the Church.

We believe the Bible in its entirety to be the inspired Word of God as revealed by the Holy Ghost, and that it alone serves as the sole source of our creeds, doctrines, and disciplines.

We believe in the redemption of sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the apostolic doctrine of the new birth through the process of repentance, baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and baptism in the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

We believe in sanctification through the Word of God by the Holy Ghost, and in personal holiness of heart and life which enables us to desire and maintain a complete separation from sin and abstain from all outward appearances of sin and sinful activities.6

We believe in divine healing through faith in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, and that healing is included in the redemption of man as "the children's bread." We also believe in the ministries of deliverance, reconciliation, and restoration.

We believe in tithing as the means by which God's people can worship Him with their substance and thereby contribute to the work of His Church.

We believe in the divinely appointed ordinances of the Church which we are mandated to perform until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth; namely:

A. Water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, which is the primary act of faith and obedience to God's word subsequent to repentance.

B. Communion in the form of bread and wine which was first celebrated by Melchisidec, and later instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is a priest forever after the order of Melchisidec, which is to be observed in remembrance of the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as he made atonement for the sins of the world.

C. The washing of feet as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the last supper as a sign of humility and service to the Body of Christ.

We believe in the active work of evangelism/missions in accordance with the Great Commission by preaching the Gospel and demonstrating the love of God to humanity in real and practical ways.12

We believe in the literal second coming of The Lord Jesus Christ to gather His prepared church to be with Him forever.

John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6-8; John 1:1-4, 5:23, 10:30; 2 Corinthians 5:19: 1 John 5:7-8.

5 John 3:5; Acts 2:3-4. 38, 41, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5-6, Romans 5. 6 John 17:17, 19: Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:1-16;

Ephesians5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:21: Hebrews 10:10, 12:14; 1 Peter 3:1-15.

Psalm 103:3; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:15. IS: Acts 4:12; 13:39; Romans 1:16. 3:24. 5:1. 10:10, I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16: 1 Thessalonians 5:9: James 5:14-15.