State Faith Pg 3

We believe that the Holy Spirit is not merely an influence (Matt. 28:19), but a divine Person; that He is the source and power of all acceptable worship and service and is our abiding Comforter and Helper (John 15:26,27; Acts 1:8, 2:33-36), that He never will depart from the Church nor from the weakest believer (John 14:16,17, 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; 5:3,4).

Further, He is the Third Person of the Triune God, being God Himself (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3,4; Heb. 9:14; Psalm 139:7-10; Luke 1:35), the divine Agent in nature, revelation, and redemption (Gen. 1:2; Psalms 104:30; 1 Cor. 2:10; 2 Cor. 3:18); that He convicts the world of sin (John 16:8-11), regenerates those who believe (John 3:5), indwells, baptizes, seals, empowers, guides, teaches, and sanctifies all who become children of God through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:19, 12:13; Eph. 3:16, 4:30; Romans 8:14; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 6:11).

We believe all truly regenerated people are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit the moment they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior (1 Cor. 10:32, 12:13; Eph. 2:13-18). The baptism of the Spirit is not a separate event apart from the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit at salvation (Acts 15:6-11; Gal. 3:2,14; Rom. 8:9, 10:13,17;).

At the turn of the century, Pentecostalism arose emphasizing a "second experience," apart from conversion, and described it as the baptism of the Spirit, usually accompanied with a sign, speaking in tongues. The implication was that conversion saved an individual from punishment, but he was incomplete until the "baptism experience" when he was provided the power to live the Christian life. In this day, this "baptism experience" has continued and crosses many denominational lines. Because of this, our position regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues, and extra-biblical revelation, based upon what we believe the Bible teaches, is that a man is made complete in Christ at the moment of his conversion (Acts 11:15-17 cf. Acts 1:5, 1 Cor. 12:13 with 1 Cor. 1:1,2; Romans 8:9,16). He then appropriates continuously and increasingly those provisions which are his in Christ Jesus (Eph. 5:18).

Therefore, we believe that the charismatic gifts are not evidence of any unique baptism (second blessing, etc.) or filling or superior ministry of the Holy Spirit; and the practice, teaching, and promotion to the contrary is error. Thus, we will not engage in any work affiliated with such practice or teaching (2 Cor. 6:17).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an initial Christian event simultaneous with conversion (1 Cor. 12:13). As the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, His ministry needs to be continuously and increasingly appropriated (Eph. 5:18). The primary evidences of the resulting fullness (or control) of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23).

Further, it is clear that Biblical tongues in the Book of Acts are unlearned foreign languages supernaturally given by the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues was a sign confirming the validity of the apostolic message of the kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 1:6,7 with 14:22; Heb. 2:4; Mark 16:20) and with the completion of the Scriptures, no further revelation is required. We also believe that with the death of the apostles in the First Century, so too, the apostolic office ceased. Therefore, tongues as a further or extra-biblical revelation cannot exist today. Thus, their purpose has ceased once their purpose had been fulfilled. We believe the present day tongues movement is divisive and is contrary to God’s Word. We believe that God does heal and answer the prayer of faith, according to His will and therefore, precludes our cooperation in any healing campaigns with "faith-healers."