WHAT WE BELIEVE
ARTICLE I - Of the Inspired Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that every part of scripture should be adhered to. The Scripture of both Old and New Testament provide the prescription for the infallible, authoritative rule of Christ in our lives.
ARTICLE II - Of the One True God
The one true God, has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, "I AM" the Creator of Heaven and earth and the Redeemer of Mankind. (Exodus 3:14; St. John 8:58)
"Jesus is God" is the basis of our teachings (Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4, 2 Samuel 7:22, I Chronicles 17:20, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 43:10-13, 44:6, 45:5-6, Mark 12:29, I Corinthians 8:4, Ephesians 4:5, I timothy 2:5, Acts 9:5 and Revelation 1:3).
We believe that there are three that bear record in heaven - the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. These three are ONE manifested in the person of Jesus Christ who being in the image of the Invisible God is the Creator of all things. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Isaiah 9:6, John 14:8-11, Revelation 1:8 and John 10:30-38).
ARTICLE III - Of Faith
Section I- We believe in justification by faith according to Romans 5:1 and that no man is justified with God as long as he is in defiance to the Word
Section II- We believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood to sanctify all who believe in Him. SC Ref: Hebrews 13:12, I John 1:7-9, I Thessalonians 5:23, St. John 17:17 and Acts 26:18.
Section III- We believe that sanctification affects the whole man, even the innermost being according to Matthew 23:26, I Thessalonians 5:23. We believe that this act is instantaneous and is carried on into holiness. Leviticus 11:44.
ARTICLE IV - Of the Holy Ghost
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost as it was on the day of Pentecost. We believe that those who receive the Holy Ghost will speak with other tongues as the spirit gives utterance. (Acts 2:1-4, 19-5, 10:43-46, Luke 11:13).
ARTICLE V - Of Water Baptism
We believe in immersing in the water according to Acts 2:38, 8:12 and 10:47, baptizing in the Name of Jesus, the one who commissioned and gave authority to baptize. The commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 was carried out by the Apostles (Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5).
ARTICLE VI - Of Sanctification and Holiness
Sanctification is a work of Grace. It begins in regeneration by the application of the blood of Jesus read: 1 John 1:7, Heb. 13:12, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:18-20 and Revelations 7:14, John 1:12-13, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
We understand that the word sanctification means separation and consecration ( St. John 17:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 5:25-26, 2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Peter 1:2). The Church of God in the dispensation was sanctified. Scriptures which support our belief are Deuteronomy 14:2, 7:6, Ezekiel 36:23, Jeremiah 1:5, Daniel 7:27, John 17:19, Acts 20-32, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6-11 and Hebrews 2:11.
Godly living should characterize the life and work of all saints according to the pattern and example of Jesus and His Apostles. We should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We will then live a life of purity and abstain from all appearances of evil.
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Corinthians 7:1,2, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Romans 8:5-9, Galatians 5:16-21, Philippians 3:12-16, Leviticus 10:10 and 11:44.
ARTICLE VII - Of Women Preachers
The church believes that a woman has a right to preach or teach. God said He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, and sons and daughters shall prophesy. To prophesy means to utter predications, to make declarations of events to come, and to instruct in religious doctrine. Read Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28, Acts 21:9, Romans 16:1-2 and Philippians 4:3. When God made man, He also made woman to help man (Genesis 2:19-23).
ARTICLE VIII - Of Communion and Feet Washing
We believe that Christians or Saints shall observe the Lord's Supper using natural emblems, bread and wine. We say wine because we are under the Melchizedek Priesthood who gave to Abraham bread and wine, Genesis 14:18, 1 Corinthians 11:20-26, and following the supper they shall take water and wash one another's feet; brothers wash brothers feet and sisters wash sisters feet, everything being done decently and in order.
We believe in taking the Lord's sacrament and the washing of one another's feet. We believe it was literally carried out. We understand from reading God's Word it was ordained and inserted into the church by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Read: St. John 13:1-17, Genesis 18:4. Abraham washed the feet of the angels. Luke 7:44, Mary washed the feet of Jesus. John 13:5, Jesus washed his disciples' feet. 1 Timothy 5:10, Feet washing was continued in the New Testament Church.
Matthew 26:29, Jesus gave his disciples sacrament. The fruit of the vine (no water). 1 Corinthians 11:20-30, Paul gave instructions how the Lord's Supper should be carried on. We have no designated time to carry this ceremony out but as the Lord leads through the pastor, overseer, or bishop.
Be it further resolved that no licensed minister, or teacher should give sacrament or baptize without instruction and orders being given by the pastor, overseer, or bishop.
ARTICLE IX - Of the Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth in a glorified body because we believe him to be glorified and to be coming in the power of the Spirit to rule and judge the Earth.
We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ to this Earth after the Rapture or Catching Away of the dead in Christ and those saints who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.
1 Thessalonians 4:14; We believe that those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him to this Earth at his Revelation when every eye shall see him. Zechariah 14:16, Matthew 16:27, 24:30, John 14:1-3, Acts 1:11, Hebrews 9:28, Colossians 3:4, 2 Timothy 4:8, Jude 14, Revelation 1:7.
ARTICLE X - Of Divine Healing
We believe that this is a divine instruction built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ Himself is the Chief Corner Stone. It is the Christian's right and privilege to trust God for the healing of the body when one is sick or afflicted. (James 5:14, Mark. 11:22, Mark 9:23, Hebrews 11:6 and Acts 3:6, Verse 16).
We do not condemn those who are weak in the faith using medicine. For the Bible says, "He that is weak in faith receive ye, but not with doubtful disputations." Romans 1:41 The Scripture says that there will be some who use herbs, but we who do not use herbs must not judge those who do. Romans 14:2-4
ARTICLE XI - Of Equal Morals and Duties
We believe in the equality of all mankind and that every man's duty toward God is the same. "Have we not all one Father? Hath not God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our Father?" (Mal. 2:10).
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation." (Acts 17:26).
"He fashioned their hearts alike; he considered all their works." (Psalms 33:15).
Hear this, all ye people: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world." (Psalms 49:1). "Both low and high, rich and poor, together." (Psalms 49:2).
ARTICLE XII - Of Laws of the Land
We believe the civil magistrates are ordered for peace, safety and the welfare of all people. Therefore, it is our duty to be in obedience to all of the laws of the land so long as they are not contrary to the Word of God. We do not believe in war nor condone violence but we believe in obeying the laws of the land. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.
ARTICLE XIII - Of the Holy Covenant
Having been led as saints by the spirit of divine profession to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as a savior and the supreme standard of our faith and love, we do now in the presence of God and angels in solemn and joyful worship of the saints, testify together as one body in Christ.
We, with a prayerful knowledge, tarry for the Holy Ghost, and promise to walk together as saints in holiness and love, to advance this church, to promote the growth spiritually, to sustain its' worship, ordinance, discipline and doctrine, to give freely, cheerfully, regularly to the support of the gospel, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and to spread the Apostolic message throughout all nations.
We wholly testify and promise to hold family and sacred devotion, to religiously educate our children, relatives and friends to the principles of the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God, to walk as saints before mankind; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, cautious or watchful on all sides in our deportment, and run the evils from our homes and services with prayers, testimonies, messages, and songs. We shall abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, from the sale and use of tobacco, snuff, illegal drugs and all appearances of evil. We shall read adequately and hold the sayings of 2 Peter 1:3-7 and be loyal at all times to the Presiding Bishop of the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God.
We promise to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate sympathy and Apostolic feelings for one another; to respond freely to the church, bishops, overseers, elders, and saints; to be courteous in speech, to be slow to take offense, but always ready to forgive, being mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay, St Matthew 18:20-22. We promise to look forward to "One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism" and to do as saints with God helping us. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" St. John 13:17.
Amen.