"Covering. Covenant. Connection."
"Covering. Covenant. Connection."
We are a bible-believing, worship and teaching centered communion in the Reformed-Anglican Convergence tradition. Which means we embrace our evangelical nature in that our doctrine is Christ and scripture centered. We have received the faith as taught by the Apostles of Christ, recorded in the Apostle's Creed and exampled before us in the scripture and the practice of the early church. Though not Roman Catholic, we are a liturgical church, embracing the doctrinal ideals of the reformation while still preserving many of the worship practices of the ancient church. This includes episcopal polity, the priesthood of the believer, and justification by faith. Finally, Pentecostal, to us, is neither a denomination, nor a movement but the true nature of Christ’s church as seen at its birth, and through its early beginnings in the New Testament Book of Acts. Therefore, we are proud to be "Pentecostal" (should we have to label it), knowing that the example of our type of worship, faith, and relationship with God, is Holy Spirit inspired, scriptural and personally effective!
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the ‘Word of God.” We believe in the full divine inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the chief authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this Word. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 6:63, 8:31-32)
GOD:
THE FATHER
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Author and Creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting his nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the “Father” or “My Father”, showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as the Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son (John 15:8, 14:20). Jesus also gives God the distinction of “Fatherhood” to all believers when he explains God in the light of “Your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:8).
THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second person in the Godhead of the Trinity or Triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation (John 1:1). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary according to the scripture (Matthew 1:18), thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the Virgin Birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon (Matthew 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ became the “suffering servant” to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God, his Father (Romans 5:10). We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost is the third person of the Trinity and is of the same substance, equal to power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshiped. The Holy Spirit can be a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him or her a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 1:8, 8:39).
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification, and that “tongue-speaking” is only one of the primary evidences of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the manifestations of the “fruit of the spirit” and the “gifts of the spirit” (Acts 2:4,10:46, 19:1-6; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). We do not believe that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit in order to be saved (Acts 19:1-6; John 3:5). To be filled with the Spirit (or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) means to be Spirit controlled as expressed by Paul in Ephesians 5:18-19. Since the charismatic demonstrations were necessary to help the early church to be successful in implementing the command of Christ, we therefore, believe that a Holy Ghost experience is essential for all today; especially in the identification and fulfillment of God’s purpose for the life each believer.
"This is, perhaps, one of the best explanations of the function and baptism of the Holy spirit! It is then followed up by a wonderful example of the Holy Spirit at work! This should really bless you and bring great clarity."
+K.C. Brooks
We believe that man was created holy by God, composed of body and soul. We believe that man is now, by nature, sinful and unholy. Being born in sin, he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all sins by the blood of Jesus. We believe that man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that having become a child of God, by being born again and adopted into the family of God, he may, and should, claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life in glory.
SIN
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world (Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-20), and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief (I Timothy 2:14). Adam’s sin, committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it permanent pollution or depraved human nature to all his descendants. This is called “original sin.” Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God. We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he has fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again (John 3:7). While we believe man’s life is filled with a perpetual struggle between sin and holiness, we believe that our victory over sin lies in our faith in Christ, and the power of His resurrection, that is in the Holy Spirit.
SALVATION
Salvation deals with the redemption of the sinner and his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Spirit upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings conversion, faith, justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is the work of God, which results in a change of mind in respect to man’s relationship to God. (Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17; Acts 20:21). Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and a heart trust in the promises of God through Christ (Romans 1:17, 3:28; Matthew 9:22; Acts 26:18). Conversion is that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated sinner, in his conscious life, to turn to Him in repentance and faith (II Kings 5:15; II Chronicles 33:12-13; Luke 19:8, 9; Acts 8:30). Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is imparted to man, and the governing disposition of the soul is made holy. Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works (Romans 6:4;5:6; Colossians 2:12; 3:1).
DIVINE HEALING
We believe and partake in the very real manifestation of God’s Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles (Mark 16:18). Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to His disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith (Luke 9:40-41). Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority, by the will of God. James’ writings in his epistle encourage Elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. We believe that by faith, individually and corporately, and the will of God, the sick shall be healed and made whole even as they were in the bible?
MIRACLES
We believe in miracles and that they occur to convince man of the reality and power of God, and the truth of His word, that they might be saved. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of the will of God, which confound the comprehension of general logic , and has as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God’s word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity, do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, The Holy Spirit is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; Luke 4:36, 7:14-15; 5:5-6; St. Mark 14:15).
THE CHURCH
The Church forms a spiritual unity (community) of believers, of which Christ is the divine head, and is animated by the Holy Spirit. It professes one faith, shares one hope, and serves one King. It is the fortress and foundation of truth and God’s agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than our knowledge. The word “EKKLESIA” was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18, the occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillippi. Unknown to many, ekklesia does not translate into "church" but instead refers to a "community," if you will, identified by their ideals and whom they serve. In essence Christ called us out from under the control of civil government under emperors and governors and called us to serve God, causing our faith to essentially make us stand out from the world. (John 15:19, 17:16, 18:36; Acts 17:6; Romans 12:2).
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
When we speak of the ordinances of the church we are referring to those acts which have been instituted by the command of Christ. As such the ordinances are distinctly different from the sacraments of the Church. The Anglican Churches of Pentecost observes only two ordinances; Water Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.
A. WATER BAPTISM
We believe that Water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ in the gospel of John 3:5, however, we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation, but is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his or her personal Savior. As Pentecostals, we believe in and practice immersion baptism as a preference over “SPRINKLING,” because immersion corresponds more closely to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord (Colossians 2:12), and the scriptural accounts of baptism. It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other method. Therefore, we practice immersion as our primary method of Baptism. In accordance with the fullness of the scriptures, through the commandment of Christ and the example of His Apostles, we baptize “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; in Jesus name.” (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:4, 19:5)
B. THE HOLY EUCHARIST (COMMUNION)
Communion symbolizes the Lord’s death and suffering for the benefit of, and in the place of, His people. It also symbolizes the believer’s participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his or her soul with the glorified Christ, and his or her brothers and sisters in faith. (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
A sacrament, in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, is a rite (sign) which results in God's grace being conveyed to the individual, and that they [all] are necessary for salvation. In stark contrast, Protestant churches (such as ourselves) and Evangelical churches believe that the sacraments are symbolic practices that not only connect us to the life and ministry of Christ but express our commitment to our faith and are not essential to salvation; whereas the bible tells us grace is free, and needs no outward symbol or ritual. (Titus 3:4-7) Traditionally, the Church (universal) observes seven sacraments; baptism, confirmation, holy communion, confession, marriage, holy orders, and the anointing of the sick. The Anglican Churches of Pentecost does not observe the sacraments of confirmation and confession.
"The difference between Sacraments and Ordinances."
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the second coming of Christ; that He shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; St. Matthew 16:27; 24:30; 25:30; Luke 21:27; John 1:14, 17; Titus 2:11) and that the Church, His bride, will be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians, 4:16-17). We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure, and live in preparation through holiness for our faith’s reward.
ANGELS
The Bible uses the term “angel” (a heavenly body) clearly and primarily to denote messengers or ambassadors of God with such scripture references as Revelations 4:5, which indicates their duty in heaven to praise God (Psalm 103:20), to do God’s will (Matthew 18:10) and to behold his face. But since heaven must come down to earth, they also have a mission on earth. The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the Creation, and also that they will accompany Christ in His return in Glory.
DEMONS
Demons denote unclean or evil spirits; they are sometimes called devils or demonic beings. They are evil spirits, belonging to the unseen or spiritual realm, and can be embodied in human beings. The Old Testament refers to the prince of demons, sometimes called Satan (Adversary) or Devil, as having power and wisdom, taking the habitation of other forms such as the serpent (Genesis 3:1). The New Testament speaks of the Devil as Tempter (Matthew 4:3) and it goes on to tell the works of Satan, The Devil, and Demons as combating righteousness and good in any form, proving to be an adversary to the saints. Their chief power is exercised to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ. It can well be said that the Christian Church believes in Demons, Satan, and Devils, and that they have a power and a mission. However, we further believe they can be subdued and conquered as in the commandment to the believer by Jesus. “In my name they shall cast out Satan and the work of the Devil and to resist him and then he will flee (WITHDRAW) from you.” (Mark 16:17).