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Abstract of Faith (continued)
Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Gifts
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Baptism with the Holy Ghost is an instantaneous experience wrought in the life of the believer subsequent to entire sancti•cation. In this baptism, Christ is the agent, the Spirit is the element (Matthew 3:11). The baptism with the Spirit on the sancti•ed life is accompanied with speaking in tongues: “And they were all •lled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4; see also:10:44-47; 19:1-6). The baptism with the Spirit is a baptism of spiritual empowerment for service in the kingdom of God (Luke 24:49; John 15:26; Acts 1:8); it also enables one to minister effectively within the church for the self-edi•cation of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 4:11-16).
Speaking in Tongues always accompanies the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The believer speaks in “unknown tongues” as “the Spirit gives utterance” (Acts 2:4). “Unknown tongues” is distinguished from speaking by the gift of the Spirit in “divers tongues,” that is, in languages that are known to man (Acts 2:6;1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:2). In either case (“unknown tongues” or languages known to man), the manifestation of tongues (and interpretations) is always consistent with Word of God (1Corinthians 14:26). The gift of tongues is a sign to unbelievers (vv.14:21-23), but serve also for the self-edi•cation of the believer (v. 4).
Gifts Of The Spirit. There are various gifts and operations of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The gifts of the Spirit were in operation in the New Testament church, but thereafter the church began to “fall away,” and the manifestation of spiritual gifts began to wane. After the apostasy in the fourth century, and the ensuing “dark ages” of Christian history, the manifestation of spiritual gifts (particularly tongues-speaking) were almost non-existent (manifested on occasion mainly among so-called heretics and unorthodox Christians). In these last days (particularly since early in the twentieth century) God is again pouring out His Spirit “upon all •esh” according to prophecy, in order to ful•ll His eternal purpose through the church (Joel 2:28-32; 3:16-18; Acts 2:38, 39).
Signs Following Believers. Signs in the New Testament were mainly for the purpose of con•rming the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. As believers went forth preaching the Word in Jesus’ name, the Lord worked with them and con•rmed the Word with signs following” (Mark 16:15-20). Miraculous signs follow believers in order to con•rm the proclamation of the Word of God, to convict sinners, and to edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12-14).
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| Ordinances |
| Water Baptism is the act of being immersed in water by a minister of the gospel, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is commanded by Christ, and represents His death, burial and resurrection, which is experienced in the life of the believer (Romans 6:3-5). This ordinance has no power to wash away sin, but is the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). Water baptism is valid only when the candidate is actually born again (Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8-10; 16:15,16; John 3:22,23; Acts 10:47, 48; 16:33). Water baptism is identi•ed with spiritual regeneration; it is not the door into the church.
Lord’s Supper is a memorial meal, which calls to remembrance the sacri•ce of Christ, who shed His blood for our sins. Jesus commanded that this sacred meal be observed “in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). The broken, unleavened bread represents His body; the fruit of the vine (unfermented grape juice) represents His blood. This sacred ordinance should be observed with holy reverence, only after careful self-examination (1 Corinthians 10:16,17; 11:23-30). It is the outward sign of Christ’s covenant with the church (Luke 22:20).
Feet Washing is an ordinance in the church. Following the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Christ girded himself with a towel, washed the disciples feet, and said: “If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). This ordinance is distinguished from the cultural practice of feet washing in the Middle East; it has spiritual signi•cance and is commanded to be observed by believers (1 Timothy 5:10). The purpose of feet washing is not ful•lled through charity and good works. It is to remind us that we have one Master and Lord, who is the head of the church, and we are all His servants, and servants of one another.
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| Divine Sanctities |
| Sanctity of Life. Human life is sacred because it is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Taking of innocent life is thus strictly forbidden in Scripture, including abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, genocide, and suicide (self-murder). “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Whosoever sheddeth innocent blood will not be held guiltless before God (Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:30,31; Romans 13:8-10; Revelation 21:8).
Sanctity of Marriage. Jesus said, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one •esh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one •esh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4-6). Accordingly, marriage is between a male and female until death (Mark 10:2-12; Romans 7:2); as such it is a divine institution that should be held in the highest esteem among all men and women (Hebrews 13:4). Adultery, fornication, divorce and remarriage are sinful practices that violate the laws of God, and injure the home and family. Nevertheless, unfaithfulness (sexual relationships outside of marriage) is not grounds for divorce and remarriage, for “whosoever marrieth her which is put away committeth adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Therefore, those who remarry while their •rst companion is alive are not eligible for membership in the church (see Exodus 20:14,17; Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew
5:32; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 6:15-20; 7:2,3).
Sanctity of the Body. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are admonished to glorify God in our body (1 Corinthians 6:20-21). “If any man de•le the temple of God, him shall God destroy” (3:16-17). We are also admonished to present our bodies a living sacri•ce, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1), and “...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1
Corinthians10:31b). Incest, same sex unions, and all homosexual and lesbian relationships are strictly forbidden by the Scriptures. These practices are an abomination to God, though they may be sanctioned by a state or religious institution (Romans 1:24-28; Leviticus 18:22,23; 20:10-21). Practices such as “body piercing,” tattooing, mutilating and dis•guring the body, are of pagan origin and contrary to the spirit of holiness and biblical principles. These practices should have no place in the lives of believers (Cf: Timothy 2:8-10; Romans 12:1,2; Isaiah 3:16-22; 1 John 2:15-17).
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| Eschatology |
| Pre-Millennial Second Coming Of Jesus. Christ is coming again in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:27,28). “The dead in Christ shall rise •rst, 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; see also1 Corinthians 15:51, 52). All who are caught up in the •rst resurrection will attend the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Christ will then return to earth and reign with the saints for a thousand years (vv.4,6; see also Zechariah 14:4,5; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Jude 14,15; Revelation 5:10; 19:11-21).
Resurrection. There will be a resurrection for both the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will be raised at Christ’s •rst appearance in the clouds of glory. The resurrection of the wicked will occur after the thousand years reign of Christ on earth. “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15; see also Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:4-6; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, 41-58).
Eternal Life for the Righteous. The reward of the righteous is everlasting life in the presence of God. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46; Luke 18:29, 30; John 10:28; Romans 6:22; 1 Jn 5:11-13).
Eternal Punishment for the Wicked. Those who reject or disregard the call to repentance and salvation are doomed to eternal damnation (John 3:15-21). in hell there is no escape, no liberation, no annihilation. Hell is the “the second death,” and is a place of eternal torment. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with •re and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8; see also 20:10-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14:15; Matthew 25:46; Mark 3:29).
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