Our Core Fundamentals
REPENT, BE BAPTIZED,
RECIEVE THE HOLY GHOST
REPENTANCE
Repentance is our first response to the gospel. It is more than feeling sorry for sin—it is a sincere turning of the heart, mind, and life toward God. The Bible teaches that genuine repentance includes confessing and forsaking sin, asking God for forgiveness, and choosing to follow Jesus in obedience.
​
To repent, come to God honestly in prayer. Admit your sin, surrender your will, ask Him to forgive you, and make a sincere decision to turn away from the life you were living. Repentance does not mean becoming perfect before coming to God; it means fully yielding yourself to Him and allowing Him to begin changing your life. Scripture presents repentance as the beginning of the biblical response to salvation, followed by baptism in Jesus’ name and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
​
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
— Luke 13:3 (KJV)
BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME
​
We believe water baptism is an essential part of the New Testament plan of salvation. After repentance, a believer is baptized by complete immersion in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Baptism is not merely a church tradition or an outward symbol. It is an act of faith and obedience through which we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
​
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38 (KJV)
​
In baptism, the old life is buried with Christ. Just as Jesus arose from the grave, the believer rises from the water to walk in newness of life. We are not baptized only to join a local congregation; we are baptized in obedience to the gospel and in the saving name of Jesus.
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3–6 (KJV)
​
Baptism is a spiritual work received through faith in the power of God. We are buried with Christ in baptism, raised with Him, and brought into a new life under the authority of His name.
​
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
-Colossians 2:11–14 (KJV)
​
INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST
“Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”
— Acts 19:2 (KJV)
​
The apostles did not assume that believing alone meant a person had already received the Holy Ghost. They asked this question because the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a distinct and essential New Testament experience promised to every believer.
​
We believe the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God coming to dwell within us, giving spiritual power, new life, and strength to live for Jesus. When the first believers received the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, they spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This same biblical evidence continued throughout the Book of Acts.
​
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” -Acts 2:4 (KJV)
​
The Holy Ghost is not reserved for a select few, nor was it limited to the early church. It is God’s promise to every generation and to everyone He calls.
​
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” -Acts 2:38–39 (KJV)
​
We believe every person can receive the Holy Ghost by seeking God in faith, surrendering fully to Him, and allowing His Spirit to fill them. The initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Through His Spirit, God empowers us to overcome sin, live a consecrated life, and become witnesses of Jesus Christ.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” -Acts 1:8 (KJV)