OF PHILADELPHIA
fAITH cHAPEL Church 

 

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (II Tim. 3:15, 16; I Peter 2:2).

2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "I AM"; and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).

3. MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our likeness." But man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21).

4. THE SALVATION OF MAN
a) Conditions of Salvation
The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all man, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
b) The Evidence of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true Holiness.

5. BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of Baptism by burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truely believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner cleansing. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47, 48; Rom. 6:4; Acts 20:21; Heb. 10:22).

6. THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper, consisting of elements, unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Pet. 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (I Cor. 11:26); and a prophesy of His second coming (I Cor. 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers "until He comes."

7. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry, (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1:8; I Cor. 12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).

8. THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
The Baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same essence as the gift of tongues (I Cor. 12:4-10, 28) but different in purpose and use.

9. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By power of the Holy Ghost, we are able to obey the command, "Be ye Holy, for I am Holy." Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Heb. 12:14; I Pet. 1:15, 16; I Thess. 5:23, 24; I John 2:6).

10. THE CHURCH
The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fullfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First-Born, which are written in heaven (Eph. 4:11-13).

11. DIVINE HEALING
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17).

12. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (II Thes. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-14; Rom. 11:26, 27; Rev. 20:1-7).

13. THE MILLENIAL REIGN OF JESUS
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of natural Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the Scriptural promise and the world's hope (II Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-14; Rom. 11:26, 27; Rev. 20:1-7).

14. THE LAKE OF FIRE
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).

15. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
We, "according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21, 22).