Fire For All Nations
THE SCRIPTURES – The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Timothy 3:16; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
THE GODHEAD – Our God is One God manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:16.
God, the Father is greater than all, the Source of the Word (Logos), and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word made flesh, the only Begotten; and He has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Son from the Father, and He is eternal (John 15:26).
A good example to illustrate the Godhead is water or H2o. Water or H2o can manifest in 3 distinct ways – liquid, solid (ice), and gas (steam). However, regardless of how it is manifested, it is still H2o.
MAN – HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION – Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil. He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 3:9-10; 1 John 3:8; Galatians 3:13-14).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law; and it is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH – Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men; and when fulfilled, it produces eternal life (II Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12).
WATER BAPTISM – Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, and it is for believers only. This ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST – The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4, 38-39; Acts 19:1-7).
SANCTIFICATION – The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace; it begins at the time of regeneration and continues until the believer goes to heaven. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30).
DIVINE HEALING – Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is accomplished by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every believer today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4, 5).
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD – The angels said, “This same Jesus. . .shall so come in like manner. . .” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “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 . . .” (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION – The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20; Hebrews 6:1,2).
COMMUNION – THE LORD’S SUPPER – We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (I Corinthians 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Isaiah 53:5; I Corinthians 11:24). The cup represents the New Covenant in His blood. (I Corinthians 11:25).
LAYING ON OF HANDS – This is a simple belief that power or anointing can be transmitted from one person to another by the laying on of hands. This was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood and by Jesus. Laying on of hands was practiced for imparting the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-8), for healing (Mark 5:22, 23, and 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12); to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); to anoint (I Timothy 4:14), to ordain, and to consecrate the believer into the service of the Lord.