Fundamental Truths
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all Biblical truth; only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
1. About the Bible – The Scripture Inspired
The Scriptures (Bible), both the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word and are verbally inspired of God, written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. - 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
2. About God – The One True God
The one true God, has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator and Ruler of heaven and earth, the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Ghost Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22). These three are co-equal and are one God. - Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
3. About Jesus the Christ – The Deity of the Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
The Scriptures declare this about the eternal Son of God:
- Virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)
- Sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
- Miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
- Substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4)
- Exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9, 11; Hebrews 1:3).
4. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. - 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
5. About Human Beings – The Fall of Man
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin” 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) causing many problems in life. - Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
6. About The Salvation Of Man
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. - Romans 6:23; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7. About The Eternal Security of The Believer
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer according to John 10:27, 28 the sheep that remain faithful and continues to follow Jesus, is secure in that salvation for eternity (Rom. 8:12-14). If we have been genuinely saved according to Hebrews 3:14; 6:4-6; 10:26-29; 2 Peter 2:20-22, it is impossible to lose our salvation, however, if there is a complete disowning of Christ, a deliberate and decisive abandonment of the Christian faith, we are not described as backsliders but apostates, not merely fallen into sin but have denounced Christ. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. - John 10:26-29; 1 Cor. 15:2; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 3:6,14; 10:36-39; 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
8. About The Ordinances of the Church
a. Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world 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, 48; Romans 6:4).
b. Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements - bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of his second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till he comes!”
9. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. - John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
10. About The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the endowment 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; 1 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; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to his work (Acts 2:42), and more active love for Christ, for his Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
11. Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16).
12. About Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost, we are able to obey the command: “Be holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15.16) (Romans 6:1-11,13; Romans 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12.13; 1 Peter 1:5).
13. The Blessed Hope
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. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51.52).
14. The Millennial Reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of 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; Psalms 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4).
15. The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the Devil and his angels, the beast, and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire burning with brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
16. The New Heavens and the New Earth
We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21 and 22).