Our Beliefs
Please open this PDF File of our complete Statement of Beliefs with Scriptural references.
I. HOLY SCRIPTURES
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God by which we understand the whole Bible to be inspired in the sense that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original writings.
II. THE GODHEAD
The Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature and attributes and are worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience.
1. THE FATHER
The Father exists eternally as the Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of the Law, to whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be all in all.
2. THE SON
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the Father. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice. He rose from the dead. He is now at the right hand of the majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is also God, performing actions and possessing the attributes of Deity. His personality is shown by the fact that He has personal characteristics and that individuals may relate to Him as a person.
III. MAN
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God. He fell through sin and, as a consequence, incurred both spiritual and physical death. Spiritual death and the depravity of human nature have been transmitted to the entire human race with the exception of the Man Christ Jesus. Man can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
IV. SALVATION
Salvation has been provided for all men through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. It is the only perfect redemption and substitutionary atonement for all the sins of the world, both original and actual. His atoning work has been proven by His resurrection from the dead. Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life.
V. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Man can be born again only through faith in Christ. Repentance, a vital part of believing, is a complete change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit, turning a person to God from sin.
VI. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is dedication to God and separation from evil. In experience it is both instantaneous and progressive. It is produced in the life of the believer by his appropriation of the power of Christ's blood and risen life through the Person of the Holy Spirit. He draws the believer's attention to Christ, teaches him through the Word and produces the character of Christ within him. Believers who sin must repent and seek forgiveness through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
VII. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which the believer yields control of himself to the Holy Spirit. Through this he comes to know Christ in a more intimate way, and receives power to witness and grow spiritually. Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the experience of the new birth.
VIII. THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
All who are born again are members of the universal church, which is the Body and Bride of Christ.
IX. THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal church. The local church is ordained by God and provides a context in which believers corporately worship God, observe the ordinances of the church, are instructed in the faith and are equipped for the evangelization of the world.
For more information regarding our beliefs and Scriptural references please Download the complete PDF file "Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths" or visit our National Office at www.paoc.org