The Bible

The Bible is the Word of God and is an infallible guide for man. It is divinely inspired, authentic, and authoritative. This direct revelation from God teaches about sin, repentance, and God's plan of salvation through Jesus, as well as the creation of the universe and the origin and eternal destiny of man. 2 Timothy 3:16. 

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God (Divine Trinity)

There is one eternal, self-existing, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and incomprehensible God, revealing Himself in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coexistent from eternity to eternity. 1 John 5:7.

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God the Son

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coexistent with the Father. When He came to earth, He was born of a virgin and became flesh, but without the taint of sin. He suffered and died on the cross, arose from the dead, revealed Himself to his disciples, and ascended into heaven. Only through the shedding of his blood can we have atonement for sin and free access to the throne of grace. Only through his resurrection can we have eternal life. John 3:16.

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God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He proceeds from the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the indwelling, abiding Comforter of the saints and guides them into all truth. John 16:7-13.

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Creation

The Genesis account of creation is true and authentic. The theory of evolution, which teaches natural development from the lowest to the highest forms of life is a direct contradiction of this truth and therefore is false. Genesis 1-2.

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Man

Man was created an intelligent being by an immediate act of God, and in his original state was like his maker in righteousness and holiness. Through transgression man fell, and in that fallen state is estranged from God. Of himself, man is utterly unable to return to righteousness because even his mind and conscience are defiled. Genesis 1:27-3:24.

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The new birth

Only those who by true repentance, confession of sin, and faith in the atoning work of Christ are redeemed from sin. Through this new birth we become children of God, "partakers of the divine nature," obedient to God's Word. John 3:3-16.

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The church

The church is comprised of those who have been born again and are baptized into the fellowship of the united church of God, which is the body of Christ. "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). This church, founded by Jesus Christ, was first in heaven, came to earth when man was created, and existed throughout the Old Testament. The church of God is most clearly revealed in the New Testament after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Her primary mission is to preach the Word.

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Authority of the church and excommunication

God has provided for the organization, government, and perpetuation of his visible church. He has given her authority through the Holy Spirit to interpret scripture and choose needed leaders. Every member should support the church by willing obedience and ready service. The church must be kept pure and the erring be restored by faithful discipline, including the excommunication of members who persist in unfaithfulness or teach false doctrine. Titus 3:10.

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Avoidance of the excommunicated

Willful, persistent transgressors who are separated from the church's fellowship are to be scripturally avoided in order to draw them back to God and to prevent further defilement of the church. This includes withdrawing the right hand of fellowship, not eating together as taught in 1 Corinthians 5, not engaging in merely social fellowship, and not entering into business partnerships. The exercise of this doctrine must be motivated by Christian love with care taken to avoid offense. "Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:15). Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. 

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The Great Commission

The church has been given the commission to go "and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). The church seeks to fulfill that commission in our local communities, surrounding areas, our respective countries, and around the world as Jesus instructed: "In Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

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Believers baptism

Penitent believers who are truly born again should be admitted into the church through water baptism, which is an outward sign of the new birth and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures point to pouring as the proper mode of baptism. Acts 2:38.

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Holy Communion

Christ instituted Holy Communion as a memorial of his suffering and death. It should be observed by all believers to proclaim his death. Only those of like faith who are at peace with God and men should participate. Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.​​

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Feet washing

The ordinance of feet washing in connection with the Communion as instituted by Jesus should be practiced by all believers of the same faith. John 13:4-17.

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Head covering 

Every Christian woman, in submission to God's order, should have her head covered as taught in 1 Corinthians 11.

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Holy kiss

The salutation of the holy kiss should be observed among Christian believers of the same faith (brother to brother and sister to sister). It is a light, dry touch of the lips and, in some cultures, on the cheek. It is a sacred ordinance of Christian love and is reserved for sacred occasions. Romans 16:16.

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Divine healing

Anointing with oil, laying on of hands, and prayer for healing should be administered to the sick who call for it in faith. James 5:14-15.

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Holy matrimony

Marriage was divinely instituted for the happiness, purity, and propagation of the human race. It receives divine sanction only between one man and one woman. It is dissolvable by death, and we also acknowledge what Jesus taught about the marriage bond being broken through unfaithfulness. There should be no marriage between a believer and an unbeliever. Matthew 19:3-12.

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The beard

Man was created with a beard, and it should be grown to the honor of God. Leviticus 19:27; 21:5.

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Separation from the world

The church and the world are distinctly separate and essentially different in their aims, affections, and pursuits. It is sinful to be conformed to the world in mode of dress, social activities, amusements, financial pursuits, or other allurements. Christians are to have no part in secret or oath-bound organizations or societies. Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

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Temperance

Christians should be temperate in all things lawful, and should abstain from intoxicants, tobacco, and illicit drugs. Philippians 4:5.

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Purity and modesty

Christians are to be pure, holy, devout, and reverent. Vulgar conversation, secret vice, immorality, and sinful conduct are outside the realm of Christian living. Believers should be clothed modestly, not drawing attention to their bodies. Jewelry, costly or fashionable dress, and bodily ornamentation should be conscientiously avoided. 1 Peter 3:3-5.

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Nonresistance

The letter and spirit of the Gospel are emphatically against strife, contention, and war. No believer should have part in these, whether between individuals, in lawsuits, or in conflict among nations. The church of God is opposed to war in any form. This doctrine was taught by Christ and the apostles and has always been lived by true Christians. Matthew 5:38-45; John 18:36.

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Separation of church and state

There is a complete separation of church and state. Christians are not to seek public office, vote in general elections, or serve on a jury. Believers are subject to the laws of civil government unless they conflict with the doctrine of the Word of God. The swearing of oaths is clearly forbidden in Scripture. 1 Peter 2:13; Romans 13:1-5; Acts 5:29.

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The return of the Lord

The personal, second coming of Jesus is imminent and is the blessed hope of the believer. Jesus will not come to literally reign on the earth, but will judge the world in righteousness and receive his own to himself in heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

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The resurrection

There will be a bodily resurrection of both the just and the unjust. On the last day, all the dead shall be raised and made alive by the incomprehensible power of God. Those alive when Jesus comes will be changed "in the twinkling of an eye," and all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54. 

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Hell

Those who have rejected the blood atonement of Christ will be banished to hell, the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The smoke of their torment will ascend forever. Matthew 25:41.

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Heaven

The righteous--redeemed, blessed, and glorified--will eternally be with the Lord in the realms of endless bliss and glory. John 14:1-3.