We believe there is only one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, perfection, and goodness, who is the Maker, Governor, and Sustainer of all things, both visible and invisible, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose and the only proper object of religious worship. And in the unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory. (Genesis 1; Leviticus 19.2; Deuteronomy 6.4-5; Isaiah 5.16, 6.1-7, 40.18-31; Matthew 3.16-17, 28.19-20; John 14.6-27; 1 Corinthians 8.6; 2 Corinthians 13.14; Galatians 4.4-6; Ephesians 2.13-18; 1 John 1.5, 4:8)

We believe that the Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. His two whole and perfect natures –being truly God and truly man -- were united in one person, never to be divided. This one incarnate Christ came to be a sacrifice for sins, to reveal the Father, and to deliver His people from the power of sin. He truly suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. The Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for all people anywhere of any time so that whoever will may be saved. (Matthew 1.20-25, 16.15-16; Luke 1.26-35; John 1.1-18; Acts 2.22-36; Romans 8.3, 32-34; Galatians 4.4-5; Philippians 2.5-11; Colossians 1.12-22; 1 Timothy 6.14-16; Hebrews 1.1-5; 7.22-28; 9.24-28; 1 John 1.1-3; 4.2-3, 15)

We believe that Christ did truly rise again from the dead and took again His body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of human nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven, and there sits until He return to judge all people at the last day.

We believe that the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God. The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, is ever present and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding them into all truth as it is in Jesus. 

We believe that that the gifts of the Spirit are given to believers as God wills for the purpose of edifying and strengthening believers and are not the evidence of the Spirit’s fullness, nor are they necessary for salvation. (John 7.39, 14.15-18 and 26, 16.7-15; Acts 2.33, 15.8-9; Romans 8.1-27; Galatians 3.1-14, 4.6; Ephesians 3.14-21; 1 Thessalonians 4.7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2.13; 1 Peter 1.2; 1 John 3.24, 4.13)

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith. (Luke 24.44-47; John 10.35; 1 Corinthians 15.3-4; 2 Timothy 3.15-17; 1 Peter 1.10-12; 2 Peter 1.20-21)

We believe that the Old Testament is not contrary to the New, for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to all people by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and men and women, being both God and Man. Although the law given from God by Moses that applies to ceremonies and rites does not bind Christians, yet, notwithstanding, no Christian is free from obedience to the moral commandments.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocence, but by disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men and all women are very far gone from original righteousness and of their own nature inclined to evil, and that continually, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin.

We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by reason of which everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure state of our first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil, and that continually. We further believe that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the regenerate, until the heart is fully cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin for which no one is accountable until its divinely provided remedy is neglected or rejected. (Genesis 3, 6.5; Job 15.14; Psalm 51.5; Jeremiah 17.9-10; Mark 7.21-23; Romans 1.18-25, 5.12-14, 7.1- 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 5.16-25; 1 John 1.7-8)

We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person. It is therefore not to be confused with involuntary and inescapable shortcomings, infirmities, faults, mistakes, failures, or other deviations from a standard of perfect conduct that are the residual effects of the Fall. However, such innocent effects do not include attitudes or responses contrary to the spirit of Christ, which may properly be called sins of the spirit.

We believe that personal sin is primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love and that in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief. (Matthew 22.36-40 [with 1 John 3.4]; John 8.34-36, 16.8-9; Romans 3.23, 6.15-23, 8.18-24, 14.23; 1 John 1.9-2:4, 3.7-10)

We believe that the postlapsarian condition of men and women is such that they cannot turn and bring themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God, and so they have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the prevenient grace of God by Christ.

We believe that we are accounted righteous before God only by the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or worthiness. And so we believe that we are justified by grace through the faith of Christ alone and that those who believe have the witness in themselves.

We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed and acceptance as righteous to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Saviour.

We believe that the prevenient grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. (Genesis 1.26-27, 2.16-17; Deuteronomy 28.1-2, 30.19; Joshua 24.15; Psalm 8.3-5; Isaiah 1.8-10; Jeremiah 31.29-30; Ezekiel 18.1-4; Micah 6.8; Romans 1.19-20, 2.1-16, 14.7-12; Galatians 6.7-8)

We believe that the creation of the human race in Godlikeness included the ability to choose between right and wrong and that thus human beings were made morally responsible, that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare. (Job 14.4, 15.14; Psalms 14.1-4, 51.5; John 3.6a; Romans 3.10-12, 5.12-14, 20a, 7.14-25)

We believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. (Ezekiel 18.25-26; John 1.12-13, 3.6b; Acts 5.31; Romans 5.6-8, 18, 6.15-16, 23, 10.6-8, 11.22; 1 Corinthians 2.9-14, 10.1-12; 2 Corinthians 5.18-19; Galatians 5.6; Ephesians 2.8-10; Philippians 2.12-13; Colossians 1.21-23; 2 Timothy 4.10a; Titus 2.11-14; Hebrews 2.1-3, 3.12-15, 6.4-6, 10.26-31; James 2.18-22; 2 Peter 1.10-11, 2.20-22)

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience.

We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a child of God.

We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are received by faith, preceded by repentance, and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

(Luke 18.14; John 1.12-13, 3.3-8, 5.24; Acts 13.39; Romans 1.17, 3.21-26, 28, 4.5-9, 17-25, 5.1, 16-19, 6.4, 7.6, 8.1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1.30, 6.11; 2 Corinthians 5.17-21; Galatians 2.16-21, 3.1-14, 26, 4.4-7; Ephesians 1.6-7, 2.1, 4-5; Philippians 3.3-9; Colossians 2.13; Titus 3.4-7; 1 Peter 1.23; 1 John 1.9, 3.1-2, 9, 4.7, 5.1, 9-13, 18)

We also believe, however, that though God holds tenaciously to His own, all believers, despite being in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace, repudiate faith in Christ, and so apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost.

We believe that though good works, which are the fruits of faith and follow justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God’s judgment, they are nevertheless pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and spring out of a true and living faith; by them a living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit. Christ says plainly, however, “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.’”

We believe that not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Spirit and so unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Spirit, we may depart from grace given from above and fall into sin and, by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here, and they are to be condemned who deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin and which involves a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life. (2 Chronicles 7.14; Psalms 32.5-6, 51.1-17; Isaiah 55.6-7; Jeremiah 3.12-14; Ezekiel 18.30-32, 33.14-16; Mark 1.14-15; Luke 3.1-14, 13.1-5, 18.9-14; Acts 2.38, 3.19, 5.31, 17.30-31, 26.16-18; Romans 2.4; 2 Corinthians 7.8-11; 1 Thessalonians 1.9; 2 Peter 3.9)

We believe that the visible church of Christ, the Church Militant, is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure Word of God is preached.

We believe in the Church as a community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word.

We believe that God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the preaching of the Word and through ministry in His name; by obedience to Christ, by holy living, and by mutual accountability.

We believe that the mission of the Church in the world is to share in the redemptive and reconciling ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit. The Church fulfils its mission by making disciples through evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom of God.

We believe that the Church is a historical reality that organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms, exists both as local congregations and as a universal body, and sets apart persons called of God for specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation of the consummation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Exodus 19.3; Jeremiah 31.33; Matthew 8.11, 10.7, 16.13-19, 24, 18.15-20, 28.19-20; John 17.14-26, 20.21-23; Acts 1.7-8, 2.32-47, 6.1-2, 13.1, 14.23; Romans 2.28-29, 4.16, 10.9-15, 11.13-32, 12.1-8, 15.1-3; 1 Corinthians 3.5-9, 7.17, 11.1, 17-33, 12.3, 12-31, 14.26-40; 2 Corinthians 5.11-6:1; Galatians 5.6, 13-14, 6.1-5, 15; Ephesians 4.1-17, 5.25-27; Philippians 2.1-16; 1 Thessalonians 4.1-12; 1 Timothy 4.13; Hebrews 10.19-25; 1 Peter 1.1-2, 13, 2.4-12, 21, 4.1-2, 10-11; 1 John 4.17; Jude 24; Revelation 5.9-10)

We believe that the offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone.

We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. The Atonement is graciously efficacious for the salvation of those incapable of moral responsibility and for children in innocency, but it is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and believe. (Isaiah 53.5-6, 11; Mark 10.45; Luke 24.46-48; John 1.29, 3.14-17; Acts 4.10-12; Romans 3.21-26, 4.17-25, 5.6-21; 1 Corinthians 6.20; 2 Corinthians 5.14-21; Galatians 1.3-4, 3.13-14; Colossians 1.19-23; 1 Timothy 2.3-6; Titus 2.11-14; Hebrews 2.9, 9.11-14, 13.12; 1 Peter 1.18- 21, 2.19-25; 1 John 2.1-2)

We believe that sanctification is the work of God that transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is wrought by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), in entire sanctification, and in the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification, we are fully conformed to the image of the Son.

We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotion to God and the holy obedience of love made perfect.

We believe that it is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service.

We believe that entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, and is preceded by entire consecration. And to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. This experience is known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian or Scriptural holiness.”

We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace.

We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavour, one’s witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost.

We believe that by participating in the means of grace, especially in the fellowship and disciplines of the Church, believers will grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbour.

(Jeremiah 31.31-34; Ezekiel 36.25-27; Malachi 3.2-3; Matthew 3.11-12; Luke 3.16-17; John 7.37-39, 14.15-23, 17.6-20; Acts 1.5, 2.1-4, 15.8-9; Romans 6.11-13, 19, 8.1-4, 8-14, 12.1-2; 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.1; Galatians 2.20, 5.16-25; Ephesians 3.14-21, 5.17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3.10-15; Colossians 3.1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5.23-24; Hebrews 4.9-11, 10.10-17, 12.1-2, 13.12; 1 John 1.7, 9.

“Christian perfection” or “perfect love”: Deuteronomy 30.6; Matthew 5.43-48, 22.37-40; Romans 12.9-21, 13.8-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3.10-15; Hebrews 6.1; 1 John 4.17-18.

“Heart purity”: Matthew 5.8; Acts 15.8-9; 1 Peter 1.22; 1 John 3.3.

“Baptism with the Holy Spirit”: Jeremiah 31.31-34; Ezekiel 36.25-27; Malachi 3.2-3; Matthew 3.11-12; Luke 3.16-17; Acts 1.5; 2.1-4; 15.8-9

“Fullness of the blessing”: Romans 15.29.

“Christian holiness”: Matthew 5.1-7:29; John 15.1-11; Romans 12.1-15.3; 2 Corinthians 7.1; Ephesians 4.17-5.20; Philippians 1.9-11, 3.12-15; Colossians 2.20-3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3.13, 4.7-8, 5.23; 2 Timothy 2.19-22; Hebrews 10.19-25, 12.14, 13.20-21; 1 Peter 1.15-16; 2 Peter 1.1-11, 3.18; Jude 20-21)

We believe in the biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.

(2 Kings 5.1-19; Psalm 103.1-5; Matthew 4.23-24, 9.18-35; John 4.46-54; Acts 5.12-16, 9.32-42, 14.8-15; 1 Corinthians 12.4-11; 2 Corinthians 12.7-10; James 5.13-16)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, so that we shall ever be with the Lord.

(Matthew 25.31-46; John 14.1-3; Acts 1.9-11; Philippians 3.20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Titus 2.11-14; Hebrews 9.26-28; 2 Peter 3.3-15; Revelation 1.7-8; 22.7-20)

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits — “they who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.”

We believe in future judgment in which every person shall appear before God to be judged according to his or her deeds in this life.

We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord and that the finally impenitent shall suffer eternally in hell.

(Genesis 18.25; 1 Samuel 2.10; Psalm 50.6; Isaiah 26.19; Daniel 12.2-3; Matthew 25.31-46; Mark 9.43-48; Luke 16.19-31, 20.27-38; John 3.16-18, 5.25-29, 11.21-27; Acts 17.30-31; Romans 2.1-16, 14.7-12; 1 Corinthians 15.12-58; 2 Corinthians 5.10; 2 Thessalonians 1.5-10; Revelation 20.11-15; 22.1-15)