It is important that we as a fellowship of churches share common doctrinal beliefs. These beliefs should be based upon sound biblical principals which serve as our spiritual foundation.

The Trinity
The Bible teaches us that there are three distinct persons that make up the Godhead. Although they are individuals, they act as one. The Trinity serves to teach us the importance of unity as a body of believers.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. I John 5:7

God as Creator
We are God’s creation, made in his image. Our composition is the dust of the earth [Genesis 2:7]. God in His divine providence breathed the breath of life into man thus making man a living soul.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

Jesus as God’s Son
St. John 3:16 is a popular scripture verse among children and adults alike. God’s love is demonstrated in His offer of Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus serves as the gateway to salvation through which all must enter.

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John 3:16

Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead. The Spirit is referred to as the Comforter by Jesus in Saint John 14:26. The Holy Ghost serves to lead us and to guide us in truth and righteousness. Because we are weak, we do not have the ability to keep ourselves. The Holy Ghost provides us with power.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
St. John 14:16-17

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matthew 3:11

Second Coming of Christ
In addition to believing in the birth and crucifixion of Jesus, we also believe that Jesus will return to reclaim His people. This physical return is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:17, 18

Sanctification
Sanctification is synonomous with cleansing and cleanliness as well as holiness. As children of God we strive to live in a manner pleasing unto the Lord. It is written in 1 Peter 1:16 “Be ye holy for I am holy,” a reference to God and his holiness.

The prophet Joel was instructed to, “gather the people and sanctify the congregation” [Joel 2:16]. God’s church (the body of believers) should be known as a “glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” [Ephesians 5:27]. We should live so that our lives honor the Lord and not bring shame upon his name. We serve as living examples of God’s holiness.

Water Baptism
Washing with water was used to symbolize purification in ancient
times. Baptism serves as an outward sign of repentance and symbolizes the cleansing from sin as a result of our confession to the Lord. It also represents our death to sin and our resurrection as a new creature.

In St. Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is also referred to as communion. Communion is a Christian sacrament in which bread and wine are partaken of as a commemoration of the death of Christ.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:26

Power of Prayer
Prayer is our opportunity to communicate with God. James 5:16 encourages us to “pray one for another, that ye may be healed”. It also declares, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The Bible provides us with examples of the power of prayer. Daniel was a man that prayed three times a day. He was also a man who enjoyed a special relationship with the Lord. Elijah prayed that it would not rain and for three years there was no rain. Paul and Silas are remembered for their midnight prayer. Inspite of imprisonment, we are told that at midnight they began to pray and praise God. The earth began to quake and their chains feel from them. A parable spoken by Jesus points out that, “men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1
Have you prayed today?

Divine Healing
Healing is from the Lord. As we pray we believe that God will intercede and heal those that are being prayed for. We are instructed by the Word of God, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:14, 15

We must “diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD.” We should also “do that which is right in his sight, and give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes.” God reminds us, “I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26