Articles of Faith

THE HOLY BIBLE: We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is the inspired word of God. It is the final authority in all matters concerning Christian conduct and work. (2 Tim. 3:16,17; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19).

THE GODHEAD: We believe that the Godhead consists of three separate, distinct, and recognizable personalities and qualities, perfectly united in one. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are different Persons in the Godhead, not merely three names for one Person. (Matt. 3:16, 17; 2Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:19,20).

JESUS CHRIST: We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was born of the virgin Mary. He was crucified and He died, was buried, but rose bodily the third day. (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18, 25; Rom. 1:4; 1Cor. 15:3,4).

THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN: We believe that all men are totally depraved, sinful and guilty since the fall, rendering them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. (Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-17; Mk. 7:21-23; Eph. 2:1-3).

REPENTANCE: We believe that repentance is a complete turning away from all sins and their deceitful pleasures and is required from every sinner before he can truly and effectively believe in Jesus with saving faith. (Pro. 28:13; Isa. 55:7; Ezek. 18:21-23; Mk. 1:15; Lk. 24:46, 47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21; 2Cor. 7:10; Heb. 6:1-3)

RESTITUTION: We believe that restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologising to those slandered. It is necessary, so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man. (Gen. 20:1-8, 14-18; Ex. 22:1-7; Lev. 6:1-7; Num. 6:6-8; 2Sam. 12:1-6; Pro. 6:31; Ezek.33: 14-16; Matt. 5:23-24, Lk. 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; Jam. 4:17- 5:6).

JUSTIFICATION: We believe that justification is the act of God’s grace by which one receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous, standing before God as though one had never sinned. It is received through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. At the time of justification, the justified is also REGENERATED. By regeneration is meant the act of God’s grace, whereby a spiritual change is wrought in the heart of man, making him a new creature and enabling him to live righteously, soberly and godly in this present evil world. (Ps. 32:1,2; Isa. 1:18; Mic. 7:19; 2Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8,9; Tit. 3:5; 1Pet. 1:23; Tit. 2:11-12; Eph. 2:1,5).

WATER BAPTISM: We believe that water Baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God. Water Baptism is one immersion (not three) “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” as Jesus commanded. (Matt. 3:13-17; Mk. 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 8:38,39; Rom. 6:4,6).

THE LORD’S SUPPER: We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ so that all believers (all members of the family of God) might partake thereof regularly to “shew the Lord’s death till He come”. The emblems used are “unleavened bread” and the juice of “fruit of the vine”. Anyone who eats and drinks unworthily brings “damnation”, punishment and chastisement upon himself. (Matt. 26:26; Lk. 22:17-20; 1Cor. 11:23-30)

SANCTIFICATION: We believe that sanctification is a definite act of God’s grace subsequent to the new birth (regeneration), by which the believer’s heart is purified and made holy. It is an instantaneous experience (distinct from gradual maturity of some believers) and is obtained through faith in the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Purity of heart and holiness of life are central to Christian living. (Lk. 1:74,75; Jn. 17:15-17; 1Thess. 4:3,7,8; 5:22-24; Eph. 5:25-27; Heb. 2:11; 10:10-14; 13:11,12; Tit. 2:11-14; 1Jn. 1:7; Heb. 12:14; 1Pet. 1:14-16).

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST: We believe that baptism in the Holy Ghost is the infilling of the heart of the sanctified with the Holy Spirit at baptismal measure and the enduement with power from on High. It is usually accompanied with the speaking of a language unlearned previously, referred to as “speaking in tongues”. Speaking in tongues is not taught people, since it is ‘as the Holy Spirit gives utterance’ to the baptised. (Matt. 3:11; 1:8; Lk. 3:16; 24:49; Jn. 1:30-33; 7:37-39; 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:5-8; Mk. 16:17; Acts 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-6).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today. (1Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-40). Also the rule is “purity before power” (cp. Heb. 1:9).

REDEMPTION FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW: We believe that redemption from the curse of the law, Healing of sickness and disease, as well as continued Health are provided for all people through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. (Ex. 15:26; Deut. 7:15; Ps. 103:1-5; Prov. 4:20-22; Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:16-17; 1Pet. 2:24; Mk. 16:15-18; Lk. 13:16; Jn. 14:12-14; 10:10; Acts 10:38; Jam. 5:14-16; 1Jn. 3:8; 3Jn. 2; Gal. 3:13-14).

PERSONAL EVANGELISM: We believe that personal evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer. Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul winner, bringing others to Christ. (Matt. 28:19,20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:46-49; Jn. 17:18; Acts 1:8; 8:1-4; Ps. 126:5,6; Pro. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; Ezek. 3:17-21).

MARRIAGE: We believe that marriage is binding for life, Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God’s perfect will and institution. The Bible forbids a believer marrying an unbeliever. Also, under the New Testament dispensation, no one has a right to divorce and re-marry while the first companion lives. When a person becomes converted, necessary restitution, on this line, must be done without delay if one has married wrongly. (Gen. 2:24; Deut. 7:1-4; Jos. 23: 11-13; 2Cor. 6:14-18; Pro. 31:10-31; Mal. 2:14,15; Rom. 7:2,3; Eph. 5:31-33; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mk. 10:2-12; Lk. 16:18; Jn. 4:15-19; Gen. 20:3-7).

THE RAPTURE: We believe that the Rapture (commonly referred to as the first phase or stage of THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST) is the catching away from the earth of all living saints and all who died in the Lord. The Rapture will take place before the Great Tribulation and can happen any time from now. “In a twinkling of an eye” with a moment’s warning, “the trumpet shall sound” “and 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”. (Jn. 14:1-3; Lk. 21:34-36; 1Cor. 15:51-58; 1Thess. 4:13-18; 5:4-9; 2Thess. 2:5-7; Phil. 3:11, 20, 21; 1Jn. 3:1-3)

RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD: We believe that the resurrection of the dead is taught in the Bible as clearly as the immortality of the soul. Every individual who has ever lived will be resurrected, some to honour and glory and others to everlasting shame and contempt. (Job. 19:25-27; Ps. 71:20; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; 1Cor. 15:12-57; 1Thess. 4:13-16; Heb. 6:1-2; Phil. 3:8-11; Rev. 20:4-6, 12, 13) THE

GREAT TRIBULATION: We believe that the Great Tribulation will occur after the Rapture and will be a time of terrible suffering on earth. It is also referred to as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:21, 22, 29; Rev. 9:16; Mk. 13:19; 2Thess. 2:3-12; Rev. 13). During this time, the Antichrist will take possession of this world for a reign of terror. He will not be a system or organisation but a person – a supernatural, diabolical being, in the form of a man, who will blaspheme and proclaim himself to be God (Dan. 8:23-25; 2Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 13:1-10).

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB: We believe that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place above, while the Tribulation continues on earth. (Rev. 19:1-10)

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: We believe that the Second Coming of Christ will be just as literal and visible as His going away, and He is coming to execute judgement upon the ungodly. He will also, then, set up His Kingdom and reign on this present earth for a thousand years. (Zech. 14:3, 4; Matt. 25:31-46; 26:64; Mk. 13:24-37; 2Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14, 15).

CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL REIGN: We believe that Christ’s millennial Reign is the 1,000 years’ literal reign of Jesus Christ on earth, which will be ushered in by the coming of Jesus back to earth with ten thousands of His saints. At this time, He will judge the nations that dwell upon the face of the earth. (Jude 14, 15; 2Thess. 1:7-10). During this time the devil will be bound. (Rev. 20:2, 3). It will be a reign of peace and blessing. (Isa. 11:6-9; 65:25; Hos. 2:18; Zech. 14:9-20; Isa. 2:2-4).

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT: We believe that the Great White Throne Judgement is when God finally judges all (the living and the dead, small and great) who have ever lived on the face of the earth, according to their works. This is after the Millennium. At this time the final judgement known as the ‘White Throne Judgement’, will be held. All those, from all ages, who have not yet been judged (believers’ judgement, as sinners before, was accomplished by Christ on the Cross. (Jn. 5:24; 3:17-19)) will stand before God at this time. The devil and his angels are judged at this time also and sent to the lake of fire forever. (Dan. 12:2,3; Matt. 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41,42; Jn. 5:28,29; Rom. 2:15,16; 14:12; 2Pet. 2:9; Jude 6; 1Cor. 6:1-4; Acts 10:42; Rev. 20:11-15).

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH: We believe that the New Heaven and the New Earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness” will be made by God and the redeemed shall dwell with God forever. This present earth which has been polluted by sin will pass away after the Great White Throne Judgement (Ps. 102:25, 26; Isa. 51:6; 65:17; Matt. 5:18; 24:35; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1). No unclean thing will be there. We shall know each other, our knowledge having been perfected. There will be no more curse upon anything. There will be no more night. The glory of the Lord will be the light thereof. (Isa. 66:22; 2Pet. 1:2, 13; 1Cor. 13:12, 1Jn. 3:2, 3; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5)

HELL FIRE: We believe that hell-fire is a place of everlasting punishment where sinners (all who do not have their names in the book of life) will suffer torments for ever and ever. It was prepared for the devil and his angels, (Matt. 25:41) but God has decreed that the wicked and those who forget Him and reject Christ shall also be cast there because of their sin and neglect of His salvation. Ps. 9:17; Matt. 25:46; Lk. 12:4, 5; 16:19-31; Matt. 5:22, 30; Mk. 9:43-47; Rev. 14:10, 11; 20:10, 2-15).