SCRIPTURES

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21). The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:15-17). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for “reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Also see (1 Peter 2:1-2).

THE GODHEAD

MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin has entered into the world (Romans 5:12), “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), “As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God was manifested to undo the works of the Devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (1 John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from the works and the law, and is made operative by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8).

NEW BIRTH AND ETERNAL LIFE

Man’s first step toward salvation is a godly sorrow that worketh repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). The new birth is necessary to all men (John 3:3-8), and when fulfilled produces eternal life with God (1 John 5:12). We believe that eternal life with God in Heaven is the reward of the finally righteous (Matt. 24:13, Mark 13:13), and that everlasting banishment from the presence of the Lord, and unending torture in Hell is the fate of the persistently wicked (Matt. 25:46, Psalm 9:17, and Rev. 21:7-8).

SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification leads to Holiness (Romans 6:22). “Follow peace with all men, and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of Salvation (1 Thess. 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, Phil. 3:12-14, and 1 Cor. 1:30).

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire (Matt. 3:11), is a gift from God as promised through the Lord, Jesus Christ (John 14:16, Acts 1:4-5), to all fully cleansed believers in this dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:39). He is accompanied with the speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46).

THE CHURCH

The true Church is the body of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 12:1-10), Christ being the Head (Col. 2:19). Its earthly constituents are men and women, born of the Spirit, living Holy lives, striving to do the will of God. To the Church is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12:1-10), necessary for the successful fulfillment of Christ’s great commission to the Church as given to the disciples in (Matt. 28:19 and Mark 16:15-20).

WATER BAPTISM

Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matt. 28:19), and is for believers only (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:37). Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God, the ordinance is a symbol of the Christian identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Peter 3:21, Rom. 6:4-5). The Association of International Gospel Assemblies, Inc. recognizes only ONE FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM – Matt. 28:19. We recommend the following formula for Water Baptism, “On the confession of your faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” (Matt. 28:19).

LORD’S SUPPER AND FEET-WASHING

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Saviour; and, being a memorial of His death, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1 Cor. 11:24-30). We believe in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper among all of God’s people. Only unfermented grape juice shall be used in connection therewith. We believe that feet washing should follow the Lord’s Supper (John 13:1-18). The Lord said in (John 13:14), “ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” We believe by doing this command that we shall keep ourselves humble before our Lord.

DIVINE HEALING

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15) and is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of everyone that will accept it (Luke 5:15).

MINISTRY

God through the Holy Ghost, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11), and qualifies the ones called, with power, talents, wisdom, and gifts pertaining to that office or offices (1 Cor. 12:28). “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called” (1 Cor. 7:20). We pray that our ministers will preach the whole Word of God, not taking away or adding to the Word of God. (Rev. 22:18-19).

WOMEN MINISTERS

The gifts and callings of God are without repentance, and the Holy Ghost divideth upon each as He wills …”In the last days our sons and daughters shall prophecy” … (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 8:17-18). When called of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit, our women shall have the freedom to serve in the ministry as they are led by the Spirit (Acts 2:18).

TITHES

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me, but ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). We believe that all Christians (including ministers) should pay Tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10-11). We also believe that our Church members should pay all of their tithes into the church where they are getting their Spiritual food. But we believe that all of our Ministers should pay their tithes into the association general headquarters, where they are getting their protection and their Spiritual help. We do not enforce this, but we encourage it. Pray for the Spirit of God to show you where you should pay your tithes.

RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS

We believe in the Pre-Millennial coming of our Lord in the clouds, to catch away His Bride. The angel said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner,” (Acts 1:11). 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, (1 Thess. 4:16-17). “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Rev. 19:7) The marriage supper will last for seven years, during which time will be the Great Tribulation Period here on earth. Following the tribulation, the Lord shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).

FINAL JUDGMENT

We believe in the great white throne judgment of all. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Rev. 20:12). “…and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20:13-14) The lake of fire is literal and eternal. “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: … Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:32, 33, 34, and 41).

ABORTION

We believe Scripture teaches that human life begins at conception, and that abortion is the unjustified taking of a human life, and is therefore the murder of a human being. (See Psalms 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Jeremiah 1:5). We do not believe abortion is acceptable for the reasons of birth control, the mental well being of the mother, gender selection, or for the termination of pregnancies caused by rape or incest.