OUR BELIEFS

Sundays

Church School

SUNDAYS @ 9AM

Worship Service

SUNDAYS @ 10AM

Weekly

Bible Study

WEDNESDAYS @ 12PM & 7PM

The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

THE TRUE GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

The Fall of Man

We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

III. THE FALL OF MAN

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

IV. THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION

We believe that 1while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust; 2freely, and by divine appointment of the Father, taking the sinner’s place, bearing his sins, receiving his condemnation, dying his death, 3fully paying his penalty, and signing with His life’s blood, the pardon of every one who should believe upon Him; 4that upon simple faith and acceptance of the atonement purchased on Mount Calvary, 5the vilest sinner may be cleansed of his iniquities and made whiter than driven snow.

Scripture References

  1. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
    The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Is. 53:5)

  2. “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)

  3. “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Is. 55:7)

  4. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

  5. “”Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’” (Is. 1:18)

V. SALVATION THROUGH GRACE

We believe that 1the salvation of sinners is wholly through grace; 2that we have no righteousness or 3goodness of our own 4wherewith to seek divine favor, and must come, therefore, throwing ourselves upon the 5unfailing mercy and love of Him who bought us and washed us in His own blood, 6pleading the merits and the righteousness of Christ the Savior, standing upon His word and accepting the 7free gift of love and pardon.

Scripture References

  1. “For by grace you have been saved...” (Eph. 2:8)

  2. “‘There is none righteous, no, not one:’”(Rom. 3:10)

  3. “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

  4. “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy
    rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” (Is. 64:6)

  5. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (Jn. 6:47)

  6. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13)

  7. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

VI. REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

We believe that 1upon sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and a whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be 2justified by faith, through His precious blood and 3that in place of condemnation they may have 4the most blessed peace, assurance and favor with God; that with open arms of mercy and pardon the Savior waits to receive each penitent who will in unfeigned contrition and 5supplication for mercy, open the door of his heart and accept Him as Lord and King.

Scripture References

  1. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9)

  2. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1,2)

  3. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1)

  4. “‘To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.’” (Lk. 1:77-79)

  5. “...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn. 6:37)

VII. THE NEW BIRTH

We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one; 1that the sinner is then born again in such a glorious and transforming manner 2that the old things are passed away and all things are become new; insomuch that the things once most desired are now abhorred, while the things once abhorred are now held most sacred and dear; and that now 3having imputed to him the righteousness of the Redeemer and having received of the Spirit of Christ, new desires, new aspirations, new interests, and a new perspective on life, time and eternity, fills the blood-washed heart 4so that his desire is now to openly confess and serve the Master, seeking ever those things which are above.

Scripture References

  1. “...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3:3)

  2. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

  3. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
    me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation     by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His

forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” (Rom. 3:24,25)

4. “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in
the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Ps. 1:1,2)

VIII. DAILY CHRISTIAN LIFE

We believe that having been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and having received the witness of the Holy Spirit at conversion, 1it is the will of God that we be sanctified daily and 2become partakers of His holiness; 3growing constantly stronger in faith, power, prayer, love and service, first as babies desiring the sincere milk of the Word; 4then as dear children walking humbly, seeking diligently the hidden life, 5where self decreases and Christ increases; then as strong men having on the whole armor of God, 6marching forth to new conquests in His name beneath His blood-stained banner, ever living a patient, sober, unselfish, godly life that will be a true reflection of the Christ within.

Scripture References

  1. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification...” (1 Thess. 4:3) “Now may the
    God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23)

  2. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)

  3. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)

  4. “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection...” (Heb. 6:1)

  5. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5)

  6. “A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.” (Is. 35:8) (Also, 1 Peter 2:2)

IX. WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that water baptism 1in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, according to the command of our Lord, is a blessed outward sign of an inward work; a beautiful and solemn emblem reminding us that even as our Lord died upon the cross of Calvary 2so we reckon ourselves now dead indeed unto sin, and the old nature nailed to the tree with Him; and that even as He was taken down from the tree and buried, 3so we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. 6 We believe in the 4commemoration and observing of the Lord’s supper by the sacred use of the broken bread, a precious type of the Bread of Life, even Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us; and by the juice of the vine, a blessed type which should ever remind the participant of the shed blood of the Savior who is the true vine of which His children are the branches; that this ordinance is a glorious rainbow that spans the gulf of years between Calvary and the coming of the Lord, when in the Father’s kingdom, He will partake anew with His children; and that the serving and receiving of this blessed sacrament should be ever preceded by the most solemn heart-searching, 5self-examination, forgiveness and love toward all men, that none partake unworthily and drink condemnation to his own soul.

Scripture References

  1. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 28:19) (Also, Acts 2:37,38; Gal. 3:27,28)

  2. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4) (Also, Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20,21; Acts 22:16)

  3. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41) (Also, Mt. 28:19,20)

  4. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26) “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28)

  5. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)

X. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the baptism of 1the Holy Spirit is the incoming of the promised Comforter in mighty and glorious fullness 2to endue the believer with power from on high; to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus; to give inspired utterance in witnessing of Him; to foster the spirit of prayer, holiness, sobriety; to equip the individual and the Church for practical, efficient, joyous, Spirit-filled soul-winning in the fields of life; and that this being still the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, the believer may have every reason to expect His incoming to be after the same 3manner as that in which He came upon 4Jew and Gentile alike in Bible days, and 5as recorded in the Word, that it may be truly said of us as of the house of Cornelius: 6the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning.

Scripture References

1. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may
abide with you forever–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (Jn.14:16,17)

  1. “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:5,8)

  2. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)

  3. “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17)

  4. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those
    who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)

  5. “And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6) “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)

XI. THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

We believe that while the Holy Spirit is as a mighty rushing wind and as tongues of living flame that can shake and set ablaze whole communities for God, He is also as a gentle dove, 1easily grieved and wounded by impiety, coldness, idle conversation, boastfulness, a judging or criticizing spirit and 2by thoughts and actions dishonoring to the Lord Jesus; that it is therefore, the will of God that we 3live and walk in the Spirit, moment by moment, under the precious blood of the Lamb; 4treading softly as with unshod feet in the presence of the King; being patient, 5loving, truthful, sincere, prayerful, not murmuring, instant in season and out of season, serving the Lord.

Scripture References

  1. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day
    of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:30-32) “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--” (Eph. 6:18)

  2. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:1,2)

  3. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 Jn. 2:6)

  4. “...Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:16,25)

  5. “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Cor. 3:17)

XII. THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit has the following 1gifts to bestow upon the believing church of the Lord Jesus Christ: 2wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation; that according to the degree of grace and faith possessed by the recipient, these gifts are divided to every man severally, as He, the Holy Spirit, wills; that they are to be most earnestly desired and coveted, 3in the order and proportion wherein they prove most edifying and beneficial to the church; and 4that the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, should be put forth, 5cultivated, and diligently guarded as the resultant adornment, the constant, eloquent, and irrefutable evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

Scripture References

  1. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:...But earnestly desire the best gifts...” (1 Cor. 12:1,31) “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor. 12:11)

  2. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification
    of the church that you seek to excel.” (1 Cor. 14:12) “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29)

  3. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:6-8)

  4. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” (Jn. 15:8)

  5. “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Lk. 3:9)

XIII. MODERATION

We believe that 1the moderation of the believer should be known of all men; that his experience and daily walk should never lead him 2into extremes, fanaticism, 3unseemly manifestations, back-bitings, murmurings; but that his sober, thoughtful, balanced, 4mellow, forgiving, and zealous Christian experience should be one of steadfast uprightness, equilibrium, humility, self-sacrifice and Christ-likeness.

Scripture References

  1. “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Phil. 4:5)

  2. “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ--” (Eph. 4:14,15)

  3. “[Love] does not behave rudely...” (1 Cor. 13:5)

4. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col. 3:12,13)

XIV. DIVINE HEALING

We believe that divine healing is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ 1to heal the sick and the afflicted in answer to believing prayer; that He who is the same 2yesterday, today and forever has never changed but is 3still an all-sufficient help in the time of trouble, able to meet the needs of, and quicken the body into newness of life, as well as the soul and spirit in answer to the 4faith of them who ever 5pray with submission to His divine and sovereign will.

Scripture References

  1. “‘He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.’” (Mt. 8:17)

  2. “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’”? (Mt. 9:5)

  3. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mk. 16:17,18)

  4. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29,30)

  5. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let
    them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed...” (James 5:14-16)

XV. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that He will descend from Heaven 1in the clouds of glory with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and that at this hour, which no man knoweth beforehand, the dead in Christ shall rise, then the 2redeemed that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and that so shall they ever be with the Lord; that also seeing that a thousand years is as a day with the Lord, and 3that no man knoweth the hour of His appearance, which we believe to be near at hand, each day should be lived as though He were 4expected to appear at even, yet that in obedience to His explicit command, 5“Occupy till I come,” the work of spreading the gospel, the sending forth of missionaries, and the general duties for the upbuilding of the church 6should be carried on as diligently, and thoroughly, as though neither ours nor the next generation should live in the flesh to see the glorious day.

Scripture References

  1. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

    (1 Thess. 4:16,17)

  2. “...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
    and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12,13)

  3. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Mt. 24:36,42,44)

  4. “...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
    wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Heb. 9:28)

  5. “ ...‘Do business till I come.’” (Lk. 19:13)

  6. “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like
    men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.”
    (Lk. 12:35-37)

XVIII. JUDGEMENT

We believe that the dead both small and great shall be raised up and stand with the living before the 1judgement seat of God; and that then a solemn and awful separation shall take place wherein the 2wicked shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and the righteous to life eternal; and that this judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or in hell on principles of righteousness as set forth in His holy Word.

Scripture References

  1. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10)

  2. “The son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His
    kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mt. 13:41-43)

XIX. HEAVEN

We believe that Heaven is the 1indescribably glorious habitation of the living God; and that thither the Lord has 2gone to prepare a place for His children; that unto this four-square city, whose builder and maker is God, the earnest believers who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and have overcome by the word of their testimony will be carried; that the Lord Jesus Christ will present them to the Father without spot or wrinkle; and that there is unutterable joy when they will ever behold His wonderful face, in an everlasting kingdom where unto comes no 3darkness nor night, neither sorrow, 4tears, pain, nor 5death, and wherein hosts of attending angels sweep their harps, sing the praises of our King, and bowing down before the throne, cry: “Holy, holy, holy.”

Scripture References

  1. “...as it is written, ‘eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the
    heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (1 Cor. 2:9)

  2. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:2)

  3. “There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)

  4. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)

  5. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in
    His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:15-17)

XX. HELL

We believe that hell is a place of outer darkness and deepest sorrow, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched; a place prepared for the devil and his angels, where there shall be weeping and 1wailing and gnashing of teeth, a place of grief and eternal regret on the part of them who have rejected the mercy, love and tenderness of the crucified Savior, choosing death rather than life; and that there into a 2lake that burns with fire and brimstone shall be cast the 3unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, and they who 4have rejected and spurned the love and sacrifice of a bleeding Redeemer, — passing the cross to their doom, 5in spite of every entreaty and warning of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References

  1. “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His
    kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast
    them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt. 13:41,42)

  2. “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:10,15)

  3. “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever...” (Rev. 14:10,11)

  4. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed,
    into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Mt. 25:41) “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’” (Mk. 9:43,44)

  5. “... ‘As I live,’ says the LORD God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the
    wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11)

XXI. EVANGELISM

We believe that seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, and that the end of all things is at hand, the redeemed children of the Lord Jehovah 1should rise and shine forth as a light that cannot be hid, a city set upon a hill, 2speeding forth the gospel to the ends of the earth, girding the globe with the message of salvation, declaring with burning zeal and earnestness the whole counsel of God that when the Lord of Glory shall appear, they shall be found standing, with their loins girded about with truth, their activities and ministry laden down with the wealth of jewels they have won and guarded for Him, the precious 3souls, whom, by their faithful testimony they have been instrumental in leading from 4darkness into light; that soul winning is 5the one big business of the Church upon earth; and that therefore every weight and hindrance which would tend to quench the flame or hamper the efficiency of 6world-wide evangelism should be cut off and cast away as unworthy of the Church, 7detrimental to the most sacred cause of Christ and contrary to 8th great commission by our Lord.

XXII. TITHING AND OFFERINGS

We believe that the method ordained of God to sustain His ministry and the spread of the gospel after His command is “Tithing” and is generally accepted throughout all Foursquare churches, not only as God’s method to take care of the material and financial needs of His Church, but to raise the spiritual morale of His people to the extent that God must bless them. We are commanded in Malachi 3:10, “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this’, Says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.’” In the matter of “giving” and “free will offerings,” they are ordered of the Lord and practiced in all Foursquare churches as part of God’s plan for the church’s material needs and the spirituality of His people. We are admonished in Luke 6:38,“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Being “joint heirs” with Him we know that giving unto His kingdom which is also ours is an enjoyable thing, it being more blessed to give than to receive, for we are commanded in II Corinthians 9:7,“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Scripture Reference

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (1 Cor. 16:1,2)