FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINAL ALIGNMENT
Fundamental Doctrinal Alignment
1. We Are Holy Ghost Filled Believers
We believe that Spirit Baptism is a critical step of regeneration, which is needed to receive power from God in order to become a vessel of righteousness. When a person has truly received “Effective Grace”, the mind is transformed and desires to live holy. This is a love response. The Holy Ghost gives us the power to live this holy life.
This is accomplished when we are baptized in his presence and have a life changing experience with the Savior. It is the seal God places upon us to let the world know we are his.
Without the Holy Ghost it is impossible to live the life that a saved person will live. While we lack the power to control our corruptible flesh, the Holy Ghost can control the carnal nature, if we allow him. For the truths of God are only comprehended in our spirit.
The Holy Ghost will come with evidence and experience. You will know without a doubt that you have received this Holy Ghost Power. Tongues are for a sign. This is how we know we have had the experience of the Holy Ghost. Believers are promised a new tongue.
(1 Peter 1:22-23; 2 Timothy 2:19; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 12:2; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:37-38; 1Corinthians 14:22; Mark 16:17)
2. We Believe That Salvation Is Obtained Through Our Faith In The Atoning Blood Of Jesus Christ
Because of sin all mankind requires redemption and salvation from God. No man has earned this great gift of salvation. Death is the only acceptable payment for sin. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, who died for all, we can enjoy this great gift of salvation. It is not free, just paid for.
We believe that Salvation is an act of God whereby sinners are redeemed and saved from the consequence of sin, which is death. The fact that God requires death as payment for transgression is indication of the holiness of God. God’s wonderful love was displayed with his only begotten son being placed on the cross as substitute for our sins. In other words, God presented His son to satisfy his own need for justice.
That is not to say that more will not be expected of you later. God’s Grace is effective. It changes lives. Once we have received his Grace, the love of God in us will cause us to want to serve him with all our heart, mind and soul. Step one is not works; it is receiving this wonderful and powerful Grace.
By faith in Christ we enjoy this redemption, being purchased with his atoning blood, receiving the forgiveness of sins, and all other spiritual blessings.
(Romans 5:8-9; John 3:16; Acts 15:11; Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 4:33; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:13-14; Ephesians 1:7-10; Colossians 1:12-14)
3. We Are Sabbatarian And Biblical Feast Observers
Sabbath Observance
We believe, as the bible teaches, that the Seventh Day Sabbath and other Feasts, as described in Leviticus 23, are just as beneficial for God's people today as they ever were prior to the New Covenant, and therefore should be kept according to scripture. The Sabbath is the sign between God and his followers.
It is not just another day. We cannot "Keep every day Holy"; only this day was hallowed and set aside by God. Sanctify means to set it apart from every other day. There is no other day like it. Don't treat it like just another day. Don't profane it. Don't do common things like buying or selling. The only way to keep it Holy is to cease from labor and from carnal, self satisfying activity. It is a Holy Convocation, a day to gather together.
Keeping holy the Lord's day forms an important object of attention for those who would promote true godliness. Religion will not prosper if we profane his Sabbaths.
It was the custom of Jesus and Paul to keep the Sabbath. If we are to be Christian (Christ like) then we also must keep it.
(Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:1-3; Ezekiel 20:12; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14)
Feasts Observance
We believe that the biblical Feasts commemorate great acts of God and should be kept as memorials and testaments to his great power. We adhere to observances that are biblically set forth as “statues forever” for the people of God in the bible. The Holy Days commanded to be observed in Leviticus 23 have definite meanings in the plan of salvation.
Passover – Feast of Unleavened Bread - Peasch
Christ became our Passover (Sacrificed Lamb) and therefore we commemorate our great deliverance through his blood. His blood saves us from destruction. Christ kept this Feast as did his disciples after him. The 14th, 15th and 20th days of Abib, which is the 7th month in the Hebrew calendar, are Holy Convocations and no work should be done.
(Leviticus 23:4-8; Luke 22:14,19-20; Exodus 13:10; Exodus 12:18; Numbers 28:16; 2 Chronicles 35:1; John 19:31; Ezra 6:19; Ezekiel 45:21; Mark 14:12 ; John 2:23; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1Corinthians 5:7)
Pentecost – Feast of Weeks - Shavuot
The Greek word for Pentecost means fiftieth. Since it is connected to the Feast of Unleavened Bread it will always occur on 6th of Sivan, which is the 9th month in the Hebrew calendar. Two great events took place on this day. God gave his people the law and then gave them the Holy Ghost.
(Leviticus 23:9-21; Acts 2:17-18, 37-41; Deuteronomy 16:10)
Feast of Trumpets – Rosh Hashanah
It is the commemoration of the blowing of trumpets which points back to Pentecost & Mt Sinai and occurs on Tishri 1 which is the first day of the civil new year in the Hebrew calendar. It marks the beginning of the civil year. The trumpets signaled the approach of Yom Kippur, a most Holy Day. They were to remember the law and correct personal conditions in preparation for the day of oneness to come. It depicts the second coming of Christ.
(Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1; Ezekiel 40:1; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Nehemiah 8:2; Isaiah 27:13)
Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur
This day is a solemn occasion when all should afflict their soul through fasting. It is a day when no work is to be done. The priest was to atone for the sins of Israel. Now that Christ has entered in, each of us can personally approach God for reconciliation. Yom Kippur means “day of covering” and can be traced to the root that means “to be at one”. It is Jesus’ blood that covers our sins and allows us to be one with the Father.
(Leviticus 23:27-32; Exodus 30:10-16; Numbers 29:7-11; Leviticus 16:5-22; Acts 27:9)
Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot
The Feast of Tabernacles was held to commemorate the providence of God. It occurred after the harvest of the year. They were reminded that this blessing came with the Promised Land and that before they were nomadic, living in tabernacles (booths). One day we shall be harvested when Christ shall harvest his chosen from the earth.
(Leviticus 23:34-44; Deuteronomy 16:13-17; Zechariah 14:16-21; John 7:14, 37; Exodus 23:16; Nehemiah 8:14-18)
We believe that converted believers strive diligently to line up with God's desire for man as expressed in His law and total word
We believe that the people of God should live a life of holiness, which is a life separated from worldly and fleshly lusts. We are not physically separated because we are lights to draw others.
The bible teaches that we should come out from among the world and that we should make a difference between clean and unclean. Accordingly, there may be ways of life determined by the Ecclesia as additional points of separation. These must be founded upon biblical precedence, though they may not be law or commandment.
(2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 6:1-23; 1 Peter 1:13-23)
5. We Believe That Adherence To God's Law Is The Proper Response To The Grace And Deliverance God Provided To Us Through Jesus Christ
We believe that the commandments of God identify the Holy lifestyle that he expects from true repentant believers. Adherence to them shows God the proper love and appreciation for his great sacrifice on the Cross.
Why do we keep the Commandments of God? Simply because those that the bible identifies as being saved were also Commandment Keeper’s. Keeping God’s Commandments is the acceptable way to show our love to both God and man. Also, by keeping them we secure the love of God.
What does it mean to have love for God? Answer: To keep his Commandments, which are not burdensome, because we have the Holy Ghost in us. It is our duty to God and we are able to receive blessings from God when we keep them.
(Exodus 29:1-17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 12:17; 1 John 5:1-3; John 14:15; John 15:9 - 10; 1 John 3:22; Ecclesiastes 12:13)
