THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is “God’s Word”. The truths revealed in it did not have their origin with men, but with God. The Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of the Bible. We therefore believe that the bible is without error, completely true, relevant and an up-to-date book. We receive the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament as eternal, authoritative, coherent, complete and all sufficient, and the only infallible rule of faith. Its message is intended primarily for the human race. It is expressed in words and in terms, which human beings can understand. It’s central theme and purpose is the salvation of man.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 12:6
Matthew 24:35
Psalm 119:160
GOD
As revealed unto us by the Bible, we believe that there is only one God; Who is the Creator of both visible and invisible creatures –
Gen. 1:1;
Ps. 86:9-10;
Is. 43:10-11;
John 1:1-3.
Only God will be in existence forever. Ez. 3:14;
In God every creature receives life -John 5:26.
Jesus Christ
Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He came to the world purposely to save sinners according to the scriptures. He has existed throughout eternity, one of the persons of the Holy Trinity. He is the Son, the only begotten Son of God and the beloved of God. His coming to the world had been foretold before He ever came in the flesh to die for us. He was born by Virgin Mary, conceived of the Holy Spirit, without sin. He lived a perfect life, preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, performed miracles, healed the sick and raised the dead. He voluntarily surrendered his life to his enemies to be crucified. He then resurrected, and ascended to heaven to become our high priest. Jesus Christ will return to establish the kingdom of God on earth, and rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with His saints forever.
Matthew 17:15-17
John 1:1-14
Acts 2:32-33
Hebrews 4:14-15
Revelation 1:13:16
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third Person in the TRINITY. He has the same power, the same glory with God the Father and God the Son – John 14:16-17; John 15:26; Matt. 3:16; Acts 13:24. He is one with Father and the Son who is to be worshiped and served. Three Persons that become one are the source of blessings to all the living creatures in Heaven and on earth – Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; I John 1:5-7.
The Holy Spirit has a great work to perform. He Teaches, He Speaks to men, and bears witness in us – Acts 16:6-7;
He performs the work of regeneration for man- John 3:5-6;
He also performs the work of Sanctification in the born again souls until they are fully sanctified – John 16:8; Eph 1:17-19; II Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11.
This same Holy Spirit endows believers with gifts they can use – I Cor 12:7; He empowers one in the Lord. Acts 1:8.
The Trinity
We believe in the Divine Trinity. One Triune God exists in three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections
Matthew 3:16-17
2 Corinthians 13:14
Hebrews 9:14
1 Peter 1:2
1 John 5:7
THE DEVIL
We believe that there is a devil who seeks the downfall of every man. He brought sickness, sin, and death into the world (Genesis 3:1-16). He seeks the destruction of those who exercise their faith in the Lord Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8). The devil has several unclean spirits over whom he governs (Matthew 12:24). A time would soon come when he shall be thrown into the pit, and chained for one thousand years (Revelation 20:7-9). After this, he will be put into the lake of fire, where he will suffer alongside his followers eternally (Revelation 20:10).
FALL OF MAN
Man (Adam) was created in the image of God before whom he walked in innocence, holiness, and purity, but by voluntary disobedience and transgression, he fell from the glory of God to the depths of sin. The consequence of this is that all mankind became sinners by nature having been born after the fallen image of Adam. In his fallen state man is incapable of pleasing God or having any relationship with Him. Every man is totally inclined to evil, guilt and without excuse, deserving the condemnation and judgment of a just and Holy God.
Genesis 1:26-31
Genesis 2:7
Psalm 139:14
Col. 1:16
Psalm 51:5
Mark 1:15
REPENTANCE UNTO GOD
Sin is an inward spiritual attitude of rebellion towards God, which is expressed in outward acts of disobedience. Man in his fallen state cannot approach God or save himself and therefore needs a savior. Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins. Himself without sin, He took our sins upon Him, died in our place, and rose again from the dead, that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. The word salvation in the Greek means “soteria” which is translated “saving” or “deliverance” and preservation from destruction and judgment. To appropriate salvation, we must acknowledge our sins and repent from them; we must believe that Christ died for us, and rose again; we must receive the risen Christ as our personal Savior, and we must publicly confess Him as our Lord.
Hebrews 9:29
Romans 3:10, 23
Acts 3:19
Romans 10:8-13
Jude 3:24
JUSTIFICATION OR NEW BIRTH
We believe that justification or the new birth is by God’s grace wherein we are cleansed from our sins and can stand before God as though we had never sinned (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:25-26; Romans 5:1; I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 3:24; John 1:12-13; John 3:3,5; II Corinthians 5:9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23; Acts 10:43).
SANTIFICATION (HOLINESS)
The word sanctification in the Greek language is “hagiasmos” meaning (1) to be apart from sin (2) consecrated unto God, to be conformed to His holiness, purity, and perfection of character. The scripture teaches that “sanctified” is what the believer is [not a process, but a state, which the believer has already entered into once and for all. Acts 20:32; Romans 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:10-14; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 26:18], and “perfect” is what he is expected to be. Perfection is a spiritual growth for those who have been sanctified and consecrated. Therefore it is the total yielding of one’s life to the Holy Spirit, living the crucified life; being an overcomer; and being conformed to the image of Christ Himself. Perfection and true holiness are impossible without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. All attempts at achieving perfection without the Holy Spirit generally results in frustration and failure, inasmuch as “flesh”
cannot crucify flesh.
1 Peter 2:21-22
1 Peter 1:15
John 3:8-9
Corinthians 10:13
Matthew 5:48
WATER BAPTISM
Believing in Christ produces an inward change in our heart; baptism in water is an outward act of obedience, by which we testify of the change that has taken place in our hearts. By this act, we make ourselves one with Christ in His burial and in His resurrection; we are separated from the old life of sin and defeat; we come out of the water to lead a new life of righteousness and victory, made possible by God’s power in us.
Mark 16:16
Matt 28:19-20
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 8:37-39
Romans 6:4
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism in the Holy Ghost is a supernatural enduement with power from heaven to equip the Christian for effective witness and service. The initial evidence of Holy Spirit Baptism is speaking in unknown tongue as the spirit give utterance. The unknown tongue is a prayer language given to the believer, understood by God but unknown to man. It enables the Christian to build up his own spiritual life by direct and continual communion with God, and is the gateway into a life in which both the gifts and fruits of the Holy Ghost should be manifested. In the New Testament church, this experience was considered normal for all believers.
Joel 2:28
Luke 3:16
Acts 2:38-39
Acts 19:2
Mark 16:17
PRAYER
We believe that a Christian without condemnation of the heart has a right to thank God in adoration and prayer always. The Holy Spirit also helps us to pray according to the will of God (Romans 8:26). We must pray only in the name of Jesus (John 16:23; I Timothy 2:25). Without faith, our prayer is powerless before God (James 1:6-8; Hebrews 11:6). Much trouble and danger are encountered in the absence of prayer (Zephaniah 1:4; Daniel 9:13-14; Hosea 8:13-14). We are commanded to pray without ceasing (Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17; I Corinthians 7:5; Luke 18:1). It is God’s plan and order that we should pray to receive all the goods He has promised in His treasure for us (James 4:2; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 9:24-29; Luke 11:13).
DIVINE HEALING
Sickness is a direct consequence of the fall of man and his continuance in sin. Redemption not only dealt with sin but also its consequences, which includes sickness and diseases. Christ died on the cross; bore not only our sins, but also our sicknesses. Healing for our bodies from God comes to us through appropriation of the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary by faith in the word of God and manifestation of the gift of healing. Not only believers receive healing for our bodies, but also we may minister healing and deliverance to others in the name of Jesus. This can be accomplished by laying on of hands, praying for others in absentia and by getting bible believing church elders to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Luke 13:11,16
James
2 Corinthians 1:19-20
1 John 3:8
Mark 16:17-18
HOLY MATRIMONY
We believe that marriage is an honorable institution (Hebrews 13:4). Therefore, all those who wish to marry can do so in the church. And that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
HOLY COMMINION OR THE LAST SUPPER
We believe that the Holy Communion was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ shortly before His death when He commanded all Christians to gather regularly to share bread and wine till He comes back again (Luke 22:17-20; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; I Corinthians 10:18-21; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-30).
THE CHURCH OF GOD
We believe that the born-again souls are the Church of God (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:1-18; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 5:24-29). The Church is the assembly of all believers, the sanctified souls in Christ Jesus, those who we call the Holy people of God (I Corinthians 1:2; Acts 14:23; Philippians 4:15; Acts 2:41-47). They accept Christ as the Head of the Church and gather from time to time to worship God in truth and Spirit. Their major assignment is to spread the Gospel of Christ to all Nations (Matthew 28:19).
PROPHECY IN THE CHURCH
We believe in all the prophecies in the Bible. Also, the gift of prophecy can be received by believers by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:29). Prophecies should not be despised (I Thessalonians 5:20), but any prophecy that is contrary to the revealed will of God in the Bible should be rejected.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ; that it will be in physical form and will be visible to all in the manner as He was seen ascending to heavens (Acts 1:9-11; John 14:3). His return will be in two stages: first, a return in the sky, following which the Saints or the Bride of Christ will be raptured or caught up in the air to meet Christ in the sky (I Thessalonians 4:15-17; I Corinthians 15:51-52; Matthew 24:40-44; Matthew 25:10); and (b), Christ’s return to the earth when He will judge sinners and the ungodly (Revelation 19:19-21; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Zechariah 14:3-4).
NEW HEAVEN & NEW EARTH
We believe that after God’s judgment, this wicked world will be removed. God will create a new Heaven and a new Earth in which holiness will reign (Matthew 24:35; II Peter 3:12-13; Revelation 21:1-3).
LOCATION
PARISH HEADQUATER
170 Dean Street, Taunton, MA 02780 USA
(508) 509-7951
Sunday Service @ 10 am, Tuesday Bible Study @ 7 pm