Doctrinal Statement
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ" (Ephesians 4:1-7).
We affirm that the seven-fold unity expressed in this passage is the Holy Spirit's doctrinal statement for the Church, which is the Body of Christ. We believe that all the expressions of doctrinal positions and requirements for this Dispensation of the Grace of God must be in full accord with the Holy Spirit's outline. We recognize other doctrinal unities for other dispensations, but we affirm that Ephesians 4:4-6 stands alone as the doctrinal unity for this dispensation.
Desiring to be in full accord with the Mind of the Spirit, we hold and require the following doctrinal beliefs:
The Bible
The entire Bible in its original writings is inerrant, being verbally inspired of God and is of plenary authority (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21).The Godhead
There is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; 1 Tim. 2:5; Eph. 4:4-6; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).The Person of Christ
Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man (Lk. 1:35; Phil 2:6-9; Rom. 1:3-4).Total Depravity
All men by nature are dead in trespasses and sins and are, therefore, totally unable to do anything pleasing to God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 3:9-12).Redemption
God justifies ungodly sinners by His grace upon the ground of the blood of Christ through the means of faith. This complete salvation is bestowed as the free gift of God apart from man's works (Rom. 3:24-28; Rom.5:1, 9; Eph. 2:8-9)Eternal Security
All of the saved are eternally secure in Christ (Col. 3:1-4; Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 8:29-34; Rom. 8:38, 39; John 10:27-29; Eph. 1:13-14).Personality and work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a Person, Who convicts the world of sin and Who regenerates, baptizes, indwells, enlightens, and empowers (John 16:8; Tit. 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13, 17, 18, 3:16).The Church
In the present dispensation there is only one true Church, which is called the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22, 23; 3:6). The historical manifestation of the Body of Christ began with the Apostle Paul before he wrote his first epistle (1 Thess. 2:14-16 cf. Acts 13:45,46; Phil. 1:5,6 cf. Acts 16; 1 Cor. 12:13, 27 cf. Acts 18).Gifts
The ministry gifts for the Body of Christ are enumerated in Ephesians 4:7-11; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. Some of these gifts were permanent in nature and some were to pass away; some were of the nature of ministers given to the Church and some were individual enablements for spiritual services. Since the New Testament canon was completed through the ministries of Apostles and Prophets, we believe these two offices have been fulfilled and no longer exist. Likewise the sign gifts, such as tongues, miracles, and healing, which were addressed primarily to the nation of Israel (1 Cor. 14:22) have fulfilled their purpose and have passed away according to 1 Corinthians 13:8-11.Walk
By reason of Christ's victory over sin and of His indwelling Spirit, all of the saved may and should experience deliverance from the power of sin by obedience to Romans 6:11; but we deny that man's nature of sin is ever eradicated during this time (Rom. 6:6-14; Gal. 5:16-25; Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; 10:2-5).Lord's Supper
The communion of the Lord's Supper as revealed through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 is for members of the Body of Christ to observe "until He comes."There is no place in Scripture where the Lord's supper and water baptism are linked together either as ordinances or as sacraments for the Church.