scriptural foundations of faith
The doctrinal beliefs of Destiny
The scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15‑17; 2 Peter 1:21).
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. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10‑13; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35).
His Sinless Life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).
His Miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
His substitutionary work on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9‑11; Hebrews 1:3).
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26‑27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12‑19).
Man’s only hope is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13‑15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5‑7).
The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
Baptism in Water. The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47‑48; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:21).
Holy Communion. The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and cup, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His Second Coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He comes!”
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 Christian Church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, and bestowal of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:29, Acts 1:4‑8; 1 Corinthians 12:1‑31).
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1‑2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12).
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 General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven. (Ephesians 1:22‑23, 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (1) The equipping of the saints, and (2) The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15‑20; Ephesians 4:11‑13).
Healing is an integral part of the gospel. God’s will for His people is to walk in Divine Health. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Exodus 15:26, 23:25‑26; Numbers 21:7‑9; Psalm 90:10, 102:24, 107:20, 119:89; Proverbs 4:22; Ecclesiastes 7:17; Isaiah 53:4‑5; Matthew 8:16‑17; 1 Peter 2:24; James 5:14-16; 3 John 2).
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51‑52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Titus 2:13).
We believe in the Rapture of the Saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible Second Coming of Christ with His saints to reign on Earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27,30 Revelation 1:7; 19:11‑14; 20:1‑6).
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43‑48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11‑15; 21:8).
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22).