.STATEMENT OF FAITH
The programs and activities governing the form of worship of BREVARD WORSHIP CENTER, INCORPORATED, an inter-denominational church, shall be based upon and at all times shall be consistent with the following creed and beliefs:
THE SCRIPTURES:
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of the Holy Men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16, I Thess.2:13, II Peter 1:21,I Cor. 2:13, Luke 24:27, Psalms 119:105).
THE GODHEAD:
We believe that there is but one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead, there are three Persons of one substance, of eternal Being, and equal in holiness, justice, wisdom, power and dignity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
JESUS CHRIST:
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and His priestly ministry. He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Savior, Sanctifier, Baptizer, Deliverer, Great Physician, and King. (John 1:1-2, 14; I Peter 1:3-5; Colossians 1:15,19; 2:9; Hebrews 4:14-16; Philippians 2:6-11; Acts 1:5; 2:4; 10:38; Luke 1:35; 2:11, 3:16; 7:22; 4:18-19; Romans 3:24-25;Revelation 19:16)
MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION:
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and give His Life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 3:9-12, 3:23, 5:12; I John 3:8,18; Galatians 3:13,14; Ephesians 2:1-6; Isaiah 64:6; Genesis 1:26, 2:7).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. Salvation is received by personal repentance of sin and by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:12, I Peter 1:18-23; I John 5:10-13; Romans 8:1, 28-39, 10:9-13).
ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH:
Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow, that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).
WATER BAPTISM:
Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Romans 6:4, Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted, to-wit: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.”
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST:
The baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 2:38-39; 10:42-46; 19:1-7; I Cor.12:12-14)
SANCTIFICATION:
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration. (I Thess. 4:3-7; 5:23, II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; 6:11; Philippians 3:12-14; I Cor. 1:30; Rom. 5:1-2; Acts 26:18, 29-32; John 15:2-5; Heb. 2:11; 12:14; I John 1:9)
DIVINE HEALING:
Healing is for the physical, emotional and spiritual ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5; Rom. 8:26-28; Psa. 107:20)
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD:
The Angels said, “This same Jesus shall come in like manner.” When He comes, “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.” (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and together with His Saints, shall reign a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6)
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION:
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Heb. 6:1-2; 9:27; Rev. 19:20).
COMMUNION--THE LORD’S SUPPER:
We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body. The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God. We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it, for if we receive it unworthily--without giving it honor as our salvation--we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (Isaiah 53:5; I Cor.11:23-34; Hebrews 9:11-28).
WASHING OF THE SAINTS’ FEET:
Foot washing took place in the Old Testament as well as done by our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. We believe in this practice as a humbling and unifying act of love done by the church body. (Genesis 18:4, 19:2, 24:32, and 43:24; 1 Sam. 25:51; 2 Sam. 11:8; John 13:5; Luke 7:44; 1 Tim. 5:10)
LAYING ON OF HANDS:
Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing and it is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22-23 and 41; Acts 19:11-12, and 28:8); laying on hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); laying on of hands to cultivate the gift given through the word of prophesy and laying on of hands for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Tim. 4:14).
CHRISTIAN LIFE:
We believe that the Christian is called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Because he has become a new creature in Christ Jesus and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we believe he should recognize that he is a pilgrim in this world, with a mission to proclaim Christ, and to live a life consistent with his Christian testimony. (Romans 8:5-9; Col. 1:27-28, 2:6-7 and 3:1-3; II Cor. 5:17; I Peter 1:14-16; John 14:16-17)
RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS:
We believe that God has appointed prayer, Bible reading, worship, fellowship, giving, and witnessing as means of grace and growth for His children. We further believe that, as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will give account to Him. (James 5:16; John 4:24; Acts: 1:8; II Peter 3:18; Heb.10:24-25;II Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:16; II Tim. 2:15 and 3:15-17; Malachi 3:10)
THE CHURCH:
We believe that the Holy Spirit unites all true believers into the Church, which is Christ’s body, and that as members of His body, they are to manifest love for each other, and to represent Him and spread His Gospel throughout the world. We further believe that, as thus being members one of another, we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, loving one another with a true heart fervently.
