What We Believe
Where Are We Going
North Charleston
Apostolic Church
Apostolic Church
North Charleston
Apostolic Church
Apostolic Church
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth,
and humanity and containing a correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven,
earth, and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation outside of what is taught in
its pages.
God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all
living beings. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father; though His son, in
redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, in regeneration (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II
Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28)
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin
has fallen upon all humanity from Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is
eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to accept salvation as
set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of
Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin,
water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the
baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic
ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and
therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him
[Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the
water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of
the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New
Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
[resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God,
but are only human traditions.
Formula for Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We
should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An
angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins"
(Matthew 1:21).
The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that
the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they
baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved"
(Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is
necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is
evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance.
It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the
Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His
disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost
upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the
Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
Tongues
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has
given as the definite, indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy
Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).
It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12),
foretold by Jesus as a sign that would follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and
experience by Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gift of "divers kinds of tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-12 and
concerning which he gave regulations in I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both for
self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of the church (I Corinthians
14:27-28).
In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public message, and it is to be
interpreted. Since this gift can be misused in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians
14:23-28). Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in function from
tongues given by God as the initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39) and "I thank my God, I
speak with tongues more than ye all" (I Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to
the contrary?
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker,
as the Spirit gives utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function:
(1)speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and
(2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12)
and warned that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all
worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter
4:18).
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made
special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and
obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by
His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He
commanded His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who
believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18).
Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can
be healed by the power of God.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him ,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed
sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will
catch away a holy people (His bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His
blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found faithful when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of
godliness void of the power of God; society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled
with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13).
These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel
12:4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of
other things are starting signs that Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity,
and people's hearts failing them for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming
is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice,
and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead
which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them" (Revelation
20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I Corinthians 15:13-23.)
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this
reason there will be a resurrection for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of
everyone's heart. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them
one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the
sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. . . .Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these shall
go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34,
41, 46). like Jesus served people.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth,
and humanity and containing a correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven,
earth, and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation outside of what is taught in
its pages.
God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all
living beings. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father; though His son, in
redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, in regeneration (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II
Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28)
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin
has fallen upon all humanity from Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is
eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to accept salvation as
set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of
Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin,
water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the
baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic
ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and
therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him
[Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the
water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of
the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New
Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
[resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God,
but are only human traditions.
Formula for Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We
should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An
angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins"
(Matthew 1:21).
The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that
the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they
baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved"
(Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is
necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is
evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance.
It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the
Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His
disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost
upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the
Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
Tongues
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has
given as the definite, indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy
Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).
It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12),
foretold by Jesus as a sign that would follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and
experience by Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gift of "divers kinds of tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-12 and
concerning which he gave regulations in I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both for
self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of the church (I Corinthians
14:27-28).
In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public message, and it is to be
interpreted. Since this gift can be misused in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians
14:23-28). Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in function from
tongues given by God as the initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39) and "I thank my God, I
speak with tongues more than ye all" (I Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to
the contrary?
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker,
as the Spirit gives utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function:
(1)speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and
(2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12)
and warned that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all
worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter
4:18).
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made
special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and
obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by
His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He
commanded His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who
believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18).
Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can
be healed by the power of God.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him ,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed
sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will
catch away a holy people (His bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His
blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found faithful when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of
godliness void of the power of God; society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled
with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13).
These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel
12:4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of
other things are starting signs that Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity,
and people's hearts failing them for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming
is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice,
and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead
which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them" (Revelation
20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I Corinthians 15:13-23.)
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this
reason there will be a resurrection for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of
everyone's heart. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them
one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the
sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. . . .Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these shall
go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34,
41, 46). like Jesus served people.
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