The Encounter

We Believe In...

The church accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice but, for the purpose of maintaining general unity, the church adopts the following statement of fundamental truths as a summary of Christian doctrine, whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God.

  • One Word: The Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, which is verbally inspired of God and is the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

                 (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

  • One God: Who exists forever as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son of God is Jesus, who came to earth and, born of a virgin, died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and returned to heaven.

               (1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

  • The Act of Creation: By which, out of nothing, God made the things that are: the universe, the elements, plant life, animal life (to reproduce after its own kind) and, finally, man, in the image of God.

               (Genesis 1 & 2, Hebrews 1:1-2)

  • The Fall of Man and One Means of Salvation: All have sinned and need a Savior; salvation is through repentance for sins and through faith in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ.

               (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 10:9-10)

  • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit: According to Acts 2:4, this Baptism is given by God to believers who ask for it. This experience gives a Christian power to be a witness unto Christ by his life and words, and provides for the growth of the fruit of the Spirit and the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. Believers should earnestly seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of the Lord Jesus. The initial physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. This experience is distinct from the new birth in Christ.

               (Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:38, Galatians 5:22-24, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

  • The Laying on of Hands and Prophecy

               (1 Timothey 4:14)

  • A Continuing Experience of Sanctification: Which is a progressive act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.

               (Romans 12:1, Hebrews 12:14)

  • One Church: Which was established by God and is made up of all true believers, with a God-called ministry for leadership, and is supported by tithes and offerings.

               (Matthew 16:13-19, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 16:1-2)

  • Divine Healing: The stripes Jesus received and His death on Calvary provide healing for our bodies in answer to believing prayer.

               (1 Peter 2:24, James 5:14-16)

  • The Blessed Hope: Which is the imminent return of Christ from heaven in which the dead in Christ shall rise and the living Christians shall be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.

               (Titus 3:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-56)

  • Two Destinies – Heaven and Hell: Heaven is promised to all believers as their eternal home, and eternal punishment in hell awaits those who do not place their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.

               (John 14:1-3, Revelation 21 & 22, Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:11-15)

  • The Existence of Satan: As both tempter and accuser who, with his angels (demonic powers), exists in personality and reality.

               (Revelation 12:9-10, Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:11-15)

  • The Great Commission: The evangelistic and missionary commission given by Jesus Christ to His disciples and the continuing church.

               (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:8)

  • Two Ordinances:

               a. Baptism by Immersion in Water should be observed by those who receive Christ as their Savior. It is a picture of the death of the sinful nature, and of a new life in Christ.

               (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38)

               b. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, should be observed by all Christians, in remembrance of Jesus’ atoning death.

               (Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-20)