The Statement of Faith |
1. The Bible We believe in the inspired Word of God contained in Old and the New Testaments, inerrant in the original writings and representing the supreme and final authority for faith and life. 2. The Holy Trinity We believe in One God who exists in triune persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 3. The Nature of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is true God and true Man; He was begotten by the Holy Spirit and embodied through Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for peoples` sins. After God resurrected Him from the dead, He ascended to heaven and now He sits at the right hand of the Father as our Priest and Intercessor. 4. The Nature of the Holy Spirit The mission of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ and to convince mankind of its sinfulness, to regenerate those who repent, to dwell inside believers in order to guide, instruct, protect, and assist them for a holy life in God’s ministry. 5. The Nature of Mankind We believe that mankind was created in God’s image and likeness, innocent and pure, but fell from this condition by sinning. Therefore, all people are spiritually dead and need God’s salvation through repentance. 6. Repentance, Regeneration, Sanctification Repentance is the act of returning to God and abandoning sin (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19). Regeneration is a supernatural transformation, performed by God as a result of man’s repentance. Sanctification is the condition of being free from sin, and living a life by the principles of the Bible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 7. Salvation We believe that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross brought salvation to all who repent of their sins and turn to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior. 8. The Church The true Church is composed of those who, by faith in the saving blood of Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by God’s Word and Spirit and are united in the Body of Jesus Christ of which He is the Head. 9. Church Membership Membership shall be granted to any believer who has demonstrated regeneration, who obeys the authority of the Bible, listens to and respects the leaders of the Church, lives a spiritual life of obedience and purity. 10. Spiritual Life We believe in the spiritual presence of Jesus Christ, who indwells the believers through the Holy Spirit, and empowers them to follow God’s commandments, by living in unity and respect as role models of love and purity. 11. Water Baptism Water baptism is the act of immersion performed in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, according to Jesus Christ’s commandment. Although this act does not have the power to wash away the sin, it does represent the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only the believers who have experienced repentance and regeneration are eligible for water baptism. 12. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit The experience of being baptized with the Holy Spirit comes after justification and, most of the times, after the water baptism, giving power for ministry and sanctification. It is the filling of the temple that has already been cleansed through repentance, regeneration, and justification; it is a gift of God as an answer to prayer. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues. 13. Spiritual Gifts They were given to the Church through the Holy Spirit in order to be used for edifying the Body of Jesus Christ. 14. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit A life filled with the Holy Spirit shall manifest love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. 15. The Lord’s Supper It was established by the Lord Jesus Christ as a remembrance of His death. Only born-again Christians, cleansed of sin and baptized in water can partake in the Lord’s Supper. 16. Against the Practices Condemned by the Bible The Bible forbids creating and supporting divisions (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 Thesalonians 3:6, 14; 2 John 10, 11). Also, the Bible forbids the use of alcoholic drinks, contrasting them with self-control and purity (Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-32; Isaiah 28:7; Galatians 5:21). The sexual orientations condemned by the Scripture, the use of tobacco and narcotics are sinful habits, which show a heart led by the flesh (Isaiah 55:2; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 10:31-32; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:3-8; James 1:21; Jude 4-8, 10-13). 17. Against Belonging to Secret Groups The Bible forbids associating, belonging to or pledging any obligation to secret groups (Matthew 5:34-37; John 18:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; James 5:12). 18. The Future of the Church We believe in the physical and visible return of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of saints for eternal life in God’s presence, and the bodily resurrection of the unjust to judgment. |