TENENTS OF FAITH AND DOCTRINE
The City of Light accepts the Scriptures as the revealed Will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these Statements of fundamental Truths and Doctrine.
I.
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 Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12).
II.
The One True Godhead. The triune Godhead is comprised of three (3) separate and distinct personalities. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with The Father and The Holy Spirit.
III.
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 (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7;
Romans 5:12-21).
IV
The salvation of Man
-
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalm 103:3), being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
-
The evidence of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).
-
Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity
(II Corinthians 5:10).
V
Baptism in Water. The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).
VI
The Lord’s Supper. “And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup; after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup”
(I Corinthians 11:24, 25,28).
VII
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 church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
VIII
The evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the manifestation of spiritual powers in public testimony and service (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2-7; 6:1-8).
IX
The Church. The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven (Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23).
X
Marriage. Marriage is a biblical institution established by God as described by Scripture. We believe the biblical ideal for marriage is the uniting of one natural born man and one natural born woman in covenant commitment. Accordingly, this church’s Sr. Pastor, Executive Pastor, Assistant Pastors, and Associate Ministers will not officiate in same-sex unions or same-sex marriages, nor will the City of Light’s property or resources be used for such purposes. (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Ephesians 5:22-33)
XI
Total Prosperity.
(a) Spiritual (John 3:3).
(b) Mental (Romans 12:2).
(c) Physical (I Peter 2:24).
(d) Financial (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
XII
Blessed Hope. Jesus is coming again to gather all of His Saints to Heaven (I Corinthians 15:51-52, I Thessalonians 4:16-17; II Thessalonians 2:1).
XIII
The Lake of Fire. Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15).
XIV
The Millennial Reign of Jesus. This return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His Saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth as the Scriptures promised (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-7). After this, there shall be a new Heaven and
a new earth (Revelation 21).