Important Bible Truths

Repentance

Repentance is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin and the need to confess guilt with godly sorrow. It is not merely being sorry for sin, but turning from and forsaking the old life in order to walk by faith in God through the Holy Spirit.

Key Scriptures: John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:42; John 3:3–8; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19.

Justification

Justification is both a state and an act. For the repentant believer, it is the state of being without offense toward God. On God’s part, it is His gracious act of forgiving sins and declaring the individual accepted in a new relationship through faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures: Romans 5:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Regeneration / Born Again

Regeneration is the work of God in giving new spiritual life to the believer. Those who are dead in trespasses and sins are made alive through the Holy Spirit. To be born again is to become a new creation in Christ, a child of God, justified and regenerated through repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1; Titus 3:5; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 8:1–11; 1 John 5:1; John 3:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 4:4.

Sanctification

Sanctification spans the believer’s entire life. Initially, it is a work of grace subsequent to being justified, regenerated, or born again. It sets one apart for God, crucifies and cleanses the old nature, and enables the believer to be free from the dominant rule of sin.

Sanctification also calls the believer to intentional holiness: putting off habits and practices that belong to the old life and putting on the life of Christ through obedience, renewed thinking, and spiritual growth.

Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 6:6–7; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 8:12–13; Colossians 3:5; 2 Peter 3:17–18; Ephesians 4:22–32; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Holiness

Holiness is the command of the Lord and the calling of every believer. It is freedom from sin’s dominance, made possible by God’s sanctifying and cleansing work, and sustained by the believer’s whole-hearted pursuit of Christlikeness.

Holiness is also the collective goal of the Church, which is called to demonstrate the praises of Him who brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Key Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:14–16; Romans 6:11–14; Titus 2:11–12; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 2:9–10.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience, subsequent to salvation and sanctification or sometimes closely accompanying them. It is the Spirit’s indwelling and empowering of the believer for service in the Kingdom.

The Church teaches that this experience is accompanied by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and should not be confused with water baptism, regeneration, or sanctification.

Key Scriptures: Acts 2:38–39; Acts 8:14–17; Acts 10:44–46; Acts 19:2–7; John 14:17; Acts 1:8; John 16:7–15; Ephesians 5:18.

Speaking in Other Tongues

Speaking in other tongues is seen throughout Acts as evidence of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers. The Church teaches that speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

This experience is not an end in itself. Believers are called to continue walking in the Spirit, growing in Christian character, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

Key Scriptures: Acts 2:4–11; Acts 10:44–46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12–14; 1 Corinthians 14:2–4, 18, 39; Romans 8:1–14.

Fruit of the Spirit

Walking daily in the Spirit produces spiritual fruit in the life of the believer. This fruit cannot be produced by the flesh or by human nature but comes from the Spirit’s transforming work.

Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:16, 21–23; Ephesians 5:8–9.

Full Restoration of the Gifts to the Church

Spiritual gifts are given to and within the Church by the Holy Spirit. They may operate through individuals repeatedly or spontaneously as the Spirit wills. The Church does not teach that spiritual gifts have ceased.

These gifts are owned, distributed, controlled, and operated by the Spirit and are given to edify the body of Christ.

Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Romans 12:4–8; Ephesians 4:7–16.

Signs Following Believers

Because of spiritual gifts and the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders may accompany the works and ministries of true believers. The Church sees no scriptural warrant for the ceasing of these signs.

Key Scriptures: Mark 16:17–20; Romans 10:8–13; Hebrews 2:2–4.

Divine Healing

Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, God provides healing for the whole person. The Church believes divine healing is accomplished by the power of God and affirms the biblical duty of elders and ministers to pray for and visit the sick.

While God does not always heal instantaneously in response to prayer, believers are called to pray fervently and humbly leave the outcome in God’s sovereign hands.

Key Scriptures: Mark 3:1–5; Matthew 10:8; Acts 5:12; Matthew 8:14–17; 2 Timothy 4:20; James 5:13–18; Matthew 25:34–40; Psalm 103:2–3; Acts 3:11–16; Philippians 2:25–27.

Water Baptism

Water baptism is immersion in water according to Christ’s command. It does not wash away sins, but it is the answer of a good conscience toward God and represents the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism is outward evidence of submission to Christ and public declaration that one is His follower.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3–5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 10:47–48; Acts 16:30–33.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed. It is done in remembrance of Him and represents communion and fellowship with Christ.

The Church observes the Lord’s Supper with reverence, self-examination, prayer, and consecration. The elements are the fruit of the vine, representing Christ’s blood, and unleavened bread, representing His broken body.

Key Scriptures: Luke 22:14–22; 1 Corinthians 11:23–33; Acts 2:46–47.

Washing the Saints’ Feet

Footwashing was instituted by Jesus on the night of the Last Supper and is considered a New Testament ordinance. As the Lord’s Supper represents communion with Christ, footwashing represents unity, humility, community, and servanthood among believers.

Key Scriptures: Mark 14:12–17; Luke 22:21–27; John 13:3–17.

Tithing and Giving

Tithing means bringing one-tenth of our increase into the treasury of the Church. The Church understands biblical tithing as support for the Lord’s work, especially for the benefit of those who minister in the Word.

Offerings differ from tithing and are given in addition to the tithe. Both tithes and offerings are part of God’s plan to finance His work on earth and are administered through authorized Church policies and personnel.

Key Scriptures: Proverbs 3:9–10; Genesis 14:18–20; Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 9:6–14; Luke 10:7; Hebrews 7:4–10; Malachi 3:7–12; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; Philippians 4:10–19; Acts 4:32–35; Acts 20:35.

Restitution Where Possible

Restitution is restoring what was wrongfully taken or making things right with someone who has been wronged. It is a natural result of salvation by grace. Where direct restitution is impossible, the believer should still desire forgiveness, restoration, and a conscience void of offense toward God and others.

Key Scriptures: Luke 19:8–9; Acts 24:16.

Pre-Millennial Second Coming of Jesus

Jesus Christ is coming again. The Church understands His coming in two phases: first, Christ will come in the air to resurrect the dead saints and catch away living saints; second, He will return with the saints to reign on earth for a thousand years.

Key Scriptures: Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:4–6; Zechariah 14:4–9; Revelation 5:10.

Resurrection

God’s plan includes accountability for all people before His judgment seat. All the dead, both righteous and wicked, will be resurrected. The believer’s hope is in Christ, who will transform our bodies to be like His glorious body.

Key Scriptures: Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:30–31; Revelation 20:4–6; Philippians 3:10, 21.

Eternal Life for the Righteous

Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. It is promised to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Those who die in the Lord and those serving Him when He returns will receive the reward of eternal life.

Key Scriptures: John 17:3; John 3:16; Romans 6:22–23.

Eternal Punishment for the Wicked

How one lives in this present world determines eternal destiny. The unconverted and wicked face eternal punishment, described in Scripture as everlasting punishment and separation from the presence of the Lord.

Key Scriptures: Daniel 12:2; Romans 2:4–9; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.

Abstinence from All Liquor or Strong Drinks

The Church teaches abstinence from intoxicating beverages. Believers are called not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Spirit and to possess their bodies in sanctification and honor.

Key Scriptures: Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 28:7; Proverbs 23:20–21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 5:21.

Concerning Tobacco, Opium, Morphine, Etc.

The Church teaches against the use of tobacco in any form and the habitual use of narcotics or habit-forming drugs. Addictions and enslavements are incompatible with presenting our bodies to the Lord as holy vessels of honor for His use.

Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Concerning Food or Drinks

The New Testament makes no rigid rule concerning what foods a Christian shall eat or drink, except concerning strong drink and addictive or enslaving substances. Believers should not judge one another over food and drink.

Key Scriptures: Colossians 2:16–17; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:1–5.

On the Sabbath

The Church teaches that Sabbath observance as given to Israel was not carried into the Grace Dispensation as a binding requirement. Sunday is not the Sabbath, but it is appropriately set aside for worship as the Lord’s Day or Resurrection Day.

Christians are called to keep every day holy, and Christ Himself is our rest.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 2:2–3; Mark 2:27–28; Hebrews 4:1–11; Colossians 2:16–17; Romans 14:5–6.

Adornment

Scripture neither absolutely prohibits nor requires ornamental adornment. It gives guiding principles of modesty, sobriety, and attention to the inner person—a meek and quiet spirit.

The Church recognizes that cultural wedding symbols may be worn because of marital, social, and cultural situations, while warning that adornment must never be used in idolatrous, occult, lustful, or prideful ways.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:8; Ephesians 5:22–23; 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4; Isaiah 3:18–22; Romans 14:13.

Membership in Lodges / Secret Societies

The Bible opposes believers being unequally yoked with unbelievers, deeds done in secret, and divided loyalty. Because many secret societies require oaths of secrecy, the Church teaches against such memberships.

Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; John 18:20; Luke 16:13; Ephesians 5:12–13.

Wholesome Speech of the Believer

The believer’s speech should be truthful, wholesome, and edifying. Scripture condemns oath-taking in the sense of binding swearing and also teaches against profanity and corrupt communication.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:34–37; James 5:12; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:4.

Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

The Church affirms the biblical teaching that marriage is sacred and should not be entered into lightly or without proper preparation. Marriage was instituted by God as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman for life.

The Church affirms the biblical family as a father and mother in wedlock who may procreate children, and teaches that the home should be guided by love, discipline, and the nurturing principles of God’s Word.

The Church stands for the sanctity of marriage and human life and against practices contrary to God’s original design as expressed in Scripture. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing should be sought first in order to preserve marriages and prevent divorce.

The Church also recognizes, in a pastoral sense, that divorce may occur in certain circumstances. Cases involving divorce and remarriage should be handled with pastoral counsel and appropriate church leadership.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:18–25; Deuteronomy 6:7; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:3–12; Mark 10:12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2–3; 1 Corinthians 6:9–18; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 11; Colossians 3:18–21.