The Bible is completely adequate by itself to serve as the guide for our beliefs and way of living. The following doctrines are intended to be the common basis for our fellowship and unity, or as the Bible recommends, that we may agree with one another so as to avoid divisions because of disagreements on what we believe (I Corinthians 1:10 and

Acts 2:42). There is no claim that the wording of this statement is divinely inspired.  Furthermore, there is no pretense that this statement contains all of the Bible’s truth. It merely covers some basic fundamental teaching thought to be vital to successful Christian living.

The Bible is Inspired:

The scriptures of the entire Bible are verbally inspired of God. It was not just the ideas that were inspired; even the choice of words was inspired as the original writers were moved by God to write what He wanted them to say. We, therefore, believe that (1) the Scriptures are God’s revelation of Himself to mankind, (2) they are infallible (never wrong), and (3) they are the divinely authoritative guide for our faith, belief, and manner of living (2 Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

            One True God:

There is one true God. He has revealed Himself as having always existed without any outside cause or agent bringing Him into being (Isaiah 43:10). He is the creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1) and the One who redeems, saves, or rescues mankind from sin and its painful consequences (Isaiah 43:11). God has further revealed Himself as a single Being (Deuteronomy 6:4) consisting of three interrelated persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19 and Luke 3:22). This concept of one God or Being of three persons is called the Trinity.

            The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God:

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has always existed.  He, too, is without beginning or end (Revelation 1:8). In order to complete His earthly sacrificial mission, He became human by being born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:23 and

Luke 1:31,35). He lived a perfect life, absolutely without sin (Hebrews 7:26 and I Peter 2:22). While on earth He worked many miracles through the anointing of the Holy Spirit

(Acts 2:22, 10:38). In order to restore fallen mankind, He died on the cross as a substitute for the sins of every person (I Corinthians 15:3 and II Corinthians 5:21). He was raised from the dead by the supernatural power of God (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39;

 I Corinthians 6:14, 15:4).  Since His resurrection He has been exalted (honored), and is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11, 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).

            Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity, yet is no less important than any other part of the Godhead.  The Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father as the Comforter, and Counselor (John 14:16 The Holy Spirit is to teach and bring to memory all that Jesus has taught us in His Word (John 14:26).

            Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11), according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5; Hebrews 13:8; Ephesians 5:18). This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church

(Acts 2:4, 38, 39). With it comes the enduement of power for life and service

(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 3:6), and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46;

11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God

(Acts 2:43; 9:31; 5:5,11), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work
(Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 2:3-5), a more active love for Christ, his Word, and the lost (Luke 9:1-6; Acts 2:42-47).

            The Fall of Mankind:

Mankind was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, mankind, by willful choice, ignored God’s instructions…choosing to engage in what they knew was wrong and evil.  As a result, mankind fell from innocence and goodness 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). The Bible teaches that mankind is destined to remain fallen, until his tendency toward evil thoughts and deeds is reversed through accepting of the salvation provided in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  Education can improve a person intellectually and socially, but belief in the saving work of Jesus Christ is the only lasting means that can improve a person morally.  Salvation restores the relationship with God that was broken with the fall of mankind.

            The Salvation of Mankind:

Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin. God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness.  Mankind's only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus, God’s Son –blood that was shed as Jesus died on the cross. (The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries: Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), Luke (chapter 23, and John (chapter 19).)

The Experience of Salvation

Salvation is received as a person (1) repents before God his sins and sinful nature or inclinations, and (2) believes or has faith in the fat that the death and resurrection (supernatural restoration to life) of Jesus Christ removes and brings forgiveness for his sin. In response to placing faith in God’s love and freely given salvation, one experiences the washing of regeneration (or spiritual rebirth), the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and is declared righteous (right with God). Regeneration, renewal, and justification (justified, or made right with God) are words describing what happens at salvation. At the moment of salvation, a person becomes heir to God’s promised hope of eternal or everlasting life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11,

Titus 3:5-7).

The Evidences of Salvation

The inner evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit giving one the assurance that God has accepted him (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence, visible to others, is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12). In other words. It is living a life totally committed and pleasing to God. 

The Ordinances of the Church:

Some churches use the term sacraments instead of ordinances. Sacraments, however, carries for many people the idea that a spiritual work takes place in a person when the sacrament is received or experienced. Eagle Ministries Chapel chooses to call water baptism and Holy Communion ordinances because they are religious practices ordained or established by Jesus Himself. In fulfilling these spiritual duties, Christians are reminded of an important work that has already taken place in the heart of the believer.

Baptism in Water

The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in water (not sprinkling) is commanded in the Scriptures (Mark 16:16). All who repent and believe on Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord are to be so baptized. This act of baptism symbolically declares to everyone that the old sinful life and life-style of the baptized believer died with Christ at salvation and a new spiritual being has been raised with Christ (in His resurrection) to live a new life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

Holy Communion

The Lord’s Supper or Communion, consisting of bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice), is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26). In eating and drinking the symbols of Christ’s suffering and death, the believer expresses his awareness that through salvation he, (1) has been made right with God, and (2) shares the divine nature of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4). The ordinance also looks forward to Christ’s second coming (I Corinthians 11:26) for it is a reminder to proclaim the Lord’s death “until He comes!”

            Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separating ourselves from evil and identifying with things that are good, upright, and morally pure.  It is a process that takes place as Christians devote themselves to God (Romans 12:1,2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 1:12). Scriptures teach that we are to be holy because God is holy (I Peter 1:16). For “Without holiness no one will see the Lord”(Hebrews 12:14). Living in holiness is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.  A Christian is sanctified as he identifies with Christ, and accepts, in faith,  His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.  Sanctification is a daily acknowledgment of our union with God through His Son Jesus. As this identification occurs it is only natural for the Christian to offer every portion of his life to the control of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13, 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13;

I Peter 1:5).

Importance of This Doctrine

Salvation is not the end of a Christian’s spiritual growth. Although we are declared holy or sanctified at salvation, there is still much spiritual growth to be experienced. As the believer submits himself to the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, he is progressively transformed toward a divine nature, like that of Christ.  This doctrine is important because too many Christians stop growing spiritually after salvation, or even after entry into a spirit filled life a Baptism.  But God’s design for each believer is that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23), and the character traits of a Christ-like life, be more obvious each day.

            The Church and Its Mission

The Church as described in the Bible consists of all people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only remedy for their sins.  The Church includes all Christians and has no boundaries as to age, race, gender or denomination. It is the body of Christ, the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit.  Christ is the Head of the Church.  He has made every provision for the fulfillment of “the Church’s Great Commission

(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). Each Christian is an integral part of that Church. The names of all true believers (those making up the Church) are written in Heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 12:23).

God’s purpose concerning mankind is (1) to seek and to save people who are lost in sin (Luke 19:10),  (2) to be worshipped by all mankind (Revelation 19:10, 22:9), and (3) to build a unified body of believers mature in faith and knowledge like His Son – Jesus

(Ephesians 4:12).

Therefore, the priority reason for being part of Eagle Ministries Chapel as a part of the Church is:

1.) To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15).

2.) To be a corporate or unified body in which man may worship God (I Corinthians 12:13).

3.) To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).

            The Ministry

Involvement in ministry in response to a divine call is scripturally ordained in the Bible.  It is a provision of our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in:

(1)   Evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20),

(2)   Worship of God (John 4:23-24), and

(3)   Building a body of believers conforming to the life of Christ (Ephesians 4:11,16).

Importance of This Doctrine

An important New Testament teaching is “the priesthood of all believers”. All Spirit filled believers should be prompted by the Spirit to minister to or edify the rest of the body in some way.  But new believers must be discipled or trained to minister and serve. So God has provided that there be spiritual leaders who teach and lead the congregation to serve (minister to) spiritual and material needs both in and outside the local church. These specially ordained ministers today include pastors, evangelists, and teachers of the Word.  They should be recognized as Christ’s gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11) and given appropriate respect and appreciation. This doctrine is important because the success any church has in fulfilling its mission depends to a great degree on Holy Spirit anointed leadership.

            Divine Healing

Divine healing from God is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided in the Atonement (Christ’s suffering and death for our reconciliation with God). Healing is a privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).

            The Blessed Hope

All Christians who have died will one day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air.  Christians who have not yet died will be raptured or caught up with them to be with the Lord. Then Christians of all ages will live with God forever. The scriptural truth of the Lord’s soon return is “the blessed hope” (Romans 8:23; I Corinthians 15:51,52;

I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Titus 2:13).

            The Millennial Reign of Christ

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of all Christians, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for 1000 years (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27,30; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6). This millennial (1000 year) reign will bring the salvation of Israel as a nation (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19, 20; Romans 11:26,27) and the establishment of universal peace (Psalm 72:3-8; Isaiah 11:6-9; Micah 4:3-4).

            The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead – those who have died without accepting Christ’s salvation – will be raised and judged according to the way they lived.  Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life (the recorded list of people who received Christ’s forgiveness), together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be sent to everlasting punishment in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (sulfur), which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).

Importance of This Doctrine

God is a God of love. But He is also a just God. He cannot allow sin and wickedness to go unpunished. One false teaching suggests that all people, whether righteous or wicked, will eventually be saved.  But this is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. This doctrine is important because it reminds all humans that the judgment of everlasting punishment waiting the devil, his cohorts, and all people who have not accepted God’s gracious provision of salvation.

The New Heavens and the New Earth

“According to God’s promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell and reign forever”(2Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22).

Importance of This Doctrine

In the midst of our daily struggles and difficulties we are encouraged by the promise of what God has prepared for His faithful followers. Jesus told His disciples, and made the promise to all generations for Christians, “I and going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:2,3). After the millennium (1000 year period), all Christians will dwell forever with God and have access to a beautiful restored universe. This doctrine is important because it assures us of our future abode in a world far better than this one.