FAITH

1. God. There is only one eternal God: consisting of three separate and distinct persons but connected within one spiritual substance, yet equal in glory: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5; 28:19; John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:7).

2. Jesus. There is only one mediator between God and man: the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man, who atoned for the sins of the world on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven (Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

3. Scripture. The sixty-six books of the Bible are inspired by the Holy Spirit and contain all things necessary for salvation; they contain the perfect law of the Lord that converts the soul, makes men wise, and trains them in righteousness (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; John 17:17).

4. Salvation. By turning away from sin and trusting in the cross, anyone may be saved from eternal punishment in Hell, having their sins punished and forgiven by God. The wrath of God at our sins is done away with by our faith in the blood of Jesus, because “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities,” and “the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The Holy Spirit impresses on the hearts of Christians that they are saved from wrath, adopted as children of God, inclined to love and obey Jesus and the Bible, and bear the fruits of the Spirit in their attitudes. Those who persevere in faith and holiness to the end of their lives will live eternally blessed in Heaven; but those who do not, will go to Hell after death (Isaiah 53:4-8; Romans 4:7; 5:1; 8:16; John 3:18, 36; 14:6, 21; Matthew 24:13; 25:46; Hebrews 12:14; Galatians 5:22-23).

5. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Distinguished from inward regeneration by faith in the Gospel, this experience is an additional clothing and filling, often received in focused worship, when the holy and comforting presence of God is felt, and speaking in tongues comes to express what would otherwise be inexpressible joy and praise to God. It can also be received while listening to preaching or receiving prayer by the laying on of hands (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4, 15; 10:45-46; 11:15-16; 19:6; 1 Peter 1:8; Jeremiah 5:22; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

6. Prophecy, Healing, and Deliverance. The Holy Spirit speaks to Christians by means of visions, dreams, voices, interpretations of tongues, and signs, to bring messages of encouragement, warning, and comfort that agree with Scripture. Such revelations may be shared in a church service, but must be spoken with respect and remain subject to the judgment of pastors. It is also Biblical to pray for healing in Jesus’ name by the laying on of hands, and this includes casting out demons, but neither of these rule out the need for medical attention (Numbers 12:6; 1 Kings 19:12; Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Mark 16:20; Deuteronomy 18:21-22; 19:15; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Jeremiah 14:14; James 5:14-16; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).

7. Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Lord Jesus instituted the sacraments of believer’s baptism by water immersion and the Lord’s Supper. These actions confirm our faith in Christ. Both are meant to be spiritual symbols of our faith in the Gospel (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).