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The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired
by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible,
authoritative rule of faith and conduct. II Timothy 3:15-17; I
Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21.
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The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally
self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and
the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying
the principles of relationship and associating as Father, Son and Holy
Ghost. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22.
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- The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
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The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures
declare:
(a) His virgin birth. Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35.
(b) His sinless life. Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22.
(c) His miracles. Acts 2:22; 10:38.
(d) His substitutionary work on the cross. I Corinthians 15:3; II
Corinthians 15:4.
(e) His bodily resurrection from the dead. Matthew 28:6; Luke
24:39; I Corinthians 15:4.
(f) His exaltation to the right hand of God. Acts I:9, 11;
Philippians 2:9, 11; Hebrews 1:3.
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Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary
transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but
also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Genesis 1:26, 27;
2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19.
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Mans' only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God.
(a) Conditions to Salvation. Salvation is received through
repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being
justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God
according to the hope of eternal life. Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans
10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7.
(b) Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence of salvation
is the direct witness of the Spirit. Romans 8:16. The outward evidence
to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians
4:24; Titus 2:12.
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- The Ordinances of the Church
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(1.) Baptism in Water. The ordinance of water baptism by
immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe
on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptised. Thus they declare
that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised
with Him to walk in newness of life. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts
10:47; Romans 6:4.
(2.) Holy Communion. The Lord's Supper, consisting of the
elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing
our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4);
a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26); a
prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26; and is enjoined on
all believers "till He come!".
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- The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
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All believers are entitled to, should ardently expect, and
earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy
Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was the normal experience in the early Christian Church. With it
comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of
the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. Luke 24:49; Acts
1:4,8; I Corinthians 12:1-31. This experience is distinct from and
subsequent to the experience of the new birth. Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46;
15:7-9. With the baptism in the Holy Ghost comes such experiences as
an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a
deepening reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified
consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more
active love for Christ, for His Word and for the Lost. Mark 16:20.
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- The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy
Ghost
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The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the
initial, physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of
God gives them utterance. Acts 2:4. The speaking in tongues in this
instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (I Corinthians
12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
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Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and
of dedication to God. Romans 12:1,2; Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews
13:12. The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). "Be ye holy, for I
am holy" (Peter 1:15,16).
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his
identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, by faith
reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every
faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:1-13;
8:1,2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12; I Peter 1:5.
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The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the
Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great
commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of
the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, which is written in
heaven. Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).
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A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been
provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (a) the evangelization of
the world and (b) edifying of the Body of Christ. Mark 16:15-20;
Ephesians 4:11-13.
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Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from
sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all
believers. Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16; James 5:14-16.
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The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and
their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto
the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.
Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51,
52.
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- The Millennial Reign of Christ
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The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints,
which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ
with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. Zechariah
14:5, Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6. This
millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel
37:21, 22; Zephaniah 3:19, 20; Romans 11:26, 27) and the establishment
of universal peace. Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3, 4.
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There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be
raised and judged according to the works. Whoever is not found written
in the book of life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast
and false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in
the lake which burns with fire and brimstone described as the second
death. Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:42-48, Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15; 21:8.
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- The New Heavens and the New Earth
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We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." II Peter 3:13; Revelation
21:22.
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