02/12/2015
Tenets of the Church of Pentecost:
The Bible
We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. That the Bible is infallible in its declaration, final in its authority, comprehensive and all-sufficient in its provisions (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21).
The One True God
We believe in the existence of the One True God, Elohim, maker of the whole universe; undefinable, but revealed as Triune God- the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:26, one in nature, essence, and attributes – omnipotent (Deuteronomy 6:4; Job 42:2; Revelations 19:6; Isaiah 46:9,10); omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12; 147:5); omniscient (Isaiah 46:9-10; Job 42:2; Acts 5:4, 5).
Man’s Depraved Nature
We believe that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6), and are subject to eternal punishment (Romans 6:23; Matthew 13:41, 42), and need repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30; Matthew 4:17; Acts 20:21) and regeneration (John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5).
The Saviour
We believe man’s need of a Saviour has been met in the person of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21; John 4:42; Ephesians 5:23; Philippians 2:6-11), because of His Deity (Acts 2:36; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13, 14; Isaiah 9:6), Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7;14; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:25-26, Sinless life (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5;21), Atoning Death (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 2;2), Resurrection (Acts 2:36; 10:39-40; Matthew 28:5-7; Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and Ascension (Acts 1:9-11; 2:33-36); His abiding intercession (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34) and His Second coming to judge the living and the dead (Revelations 22:12, 20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Timothy 4:1; Acts 1:11; 10:42).
Repentance, Justification, Sanctification
We believe all men have to repent and confess their sins before God (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17, 30; Luke 15:7), and believe in the vicarious death of Jesus Christ before they can be justified before God (Romans 4:25; 5:1). We believe in the sanctification of the believer through the working of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11) and God’s gift of eternal life to the believer (Romans 6:23b; John 17:2, 3; 10:27, 28; 1 John 5:11-13).
The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Communion
We believe in the sacrament of Baptism by immersion as a testimony of a convert who has attained a responsible age of 13 years (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:9, 10; 16:16; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). Infants and children are not baptized, but are dedicated to the Lord (Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 10:13-16). We believe in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion which should be partaken by all members who are in full fellowship (Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 26:21-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-33).
Baptism, Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:3, 4, 38-39; 10:44-46; 19:1-6); and in the operation of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 8-11; 28-30; Romans 12:6-8 and Galatians 5:22, 23).
Next Life
We believe in the Second-Coming of Christ and the Resurrection of the dead, both the saved and the unsaved. They that are saved to the resurrection of life and the unsaved to the resurrection of damnation (Acts 1:11; 10:42; Mark 13:26; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Romans 2:7-11; 6:23).
Tithes and Offerings
We believe in tithing and in the giving of freewill offerings towards the cause of carrying forward the Kingdom of God. We believe that God blesses a cheerful giver (Genesis 14:18-20; Malachi 3:6-10; Hebrews 7:1-4; Matthew 23:23; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
Divine Healing
We believe that the healing of sickness and disease is provided for God’s people in the atonement (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:7-13; 16, 17; James 5:14-16; Luke 13:10-16; Acts 10:38; Mark 16:17, 18). However, the Church is not opposed to medication by qualified medical practitioners.
