[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1575319751322{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”what we believe” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center” text_transform=”cesis_text_transform_uppercase” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1575322581744{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”this is what we hold to” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” text_transform=”cesis_text_transform_uppercase” letter_spacing=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][cesis_line_divider color=”#191a1b” css_animation=”zoomIn” delay=”200″ margin_top=”15″ margin_bottom=”30″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]SCRIPTURE
We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, given to men by the inspiration of God. The Scriptures are free from error of any sort in all matters with which they deal, including scientific and historical as well as moral and theological (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13).
GOD, HIMSELF
We believe in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
BIBLICAL HISTORY
We believe in the full historical authenticity and clarity of the Biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literal fall and resultant divine curse on the creation, the worldwide cataclysmic flood and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel. (Genesis 1-11)
CREATION
We believe in the creation, test and fall of man as recorded in Genesis and his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness (Romans 3:10-18). Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God; he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Isaiah 7:14; 9:16).
CHRIST’S DEATH & RESURRECTION
We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples (1 Corinthians 15:14; Romans 4:25).
CHRIST’S BODILY ASCENSION
We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation, and His personal, literal, and bodily coming again the second time for the Church (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12, 22; Romans 5:11).
WATER BAPTISM
We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ in order to fulfill the command of Christ (Matthew 28;19; Acts 2:37-39; 19:1-6).
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation. A person baptized with the Holy Spirit will speak with new tongues. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; Galatians 3:14-15).
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 should be practiced and manifested in the church today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING
We believe that the Holy Sprit enables the believer to live a godly life, which manifest the fruit of the Spirit. It is the will of God that each believer, through the Holy Spirit, be sanctified wholly, being separated from sin and fully dedicated to the will of God. This is both instant and a progressive experience wrought in the life of the believer subsequent to conversion. (Ephesians 5:18; II Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14)
MARRIAGE
We believe in the sanctity of marriage as established by the Holy Scriptures, that God created marriage, and that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Ephesians 5:22-33).
HEALING
believe that the redemptive work of Christ provides healing for the whole man, body, soul and spirit. We believe in the healing of the body by Divine Power, or Divine healing in its varied aspects as practiced in the Early Church (Acts 4:30; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 12:9; James 5:1 ).
COMMUNION
We believe in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion or the Lord’s Supper, for believers (I Corinthians 11:23-32).
TITHES, OFFERINGS & PROSPERITY
We believe in the Tithe (the first ten percent of our income) that belongs to the Lord, offerings that are given willingly, and alms that are given to the poor. We believe prosperity is the will of God for every believer and always to be associated with God’s purpose (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:6-15).
ETERNAL LIFE
We believe in eternal life for believers (John 5:24; 3:16) and eternal punishment for unbelievers (Mark 9:43-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15). Our eternal destination of either Heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.
SATAN & HIS JUDGEMENT
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan and the eternal judgment of Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15).
In addition to these basic fundamentals we also hold that:
1. The Biblical form of church government is a plural eldership with a senior minister, who qualify on the basis of spiritual life, character, domestic life, and ruler ship ability (I Timothy 3).
2. The Church of Jesus Christ is the last instrument that God is using to extend His Kingdom prior to the second coming of Christ (Ephesians 3:10; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23).
3. The local church is completely autonomous, that is, it is self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating in its mature state.
4. Every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection and long term fruitfulness (Hebrews 13:17).
5. The theological framework for understanding all of God’s dealings with mankind is to be found in the divine covenants revealed in Scripture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]