Apostles' Doctrine
We stand for the faith that was founded and built upon the precepts, practices and doctrines that are infallible. We believe that First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ is a direct descendent of the original Orthodox Church of the Orthodox persuasion. Our doctrine, which is that of the Apostles, reflects this experience. "And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' Doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer" (Acts 2:42).
God's Standard of Salvation
We earnestly contend for God's Standard of Salvation. In the Word of God, we can find nothing short of a Holy Spirit filled life: St. Mark 16:15-17; Acts 1:18; 9:17-18; 10:44-48; 19:1-6. Also read: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; St. Matthew 5:48; I Peter 1:15-16.
The Godhead
We firmly hold that Jesus Christ is God Almighty and apart from Him there is no God: Isaiah 7:14; St. Matthew 1:23; Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:14-17; Isaiah 45: 15-21; Titus 1:13; Deuteronomy 32:4; I Corinthians 10:4; Colossians 2:9; I John 5:20; Revelations 1:8.
The Lord's Supper
Melchizedek, the Priest of the Most High God, gave the first communion to our father, Abraham, consisting of bread and wine (Genesis 14:18). Christ being a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, eventually administered the same. Water and grape juice are modern substitutes that have been invented by the formal and carnal Churches of today (St. Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:23-32).
The Lord's Supper is to be celebrated by the use of the elements of bread (which represents the broken body of our Saviour) and wine (which represents the blood that was shed for the remission of sin). The wine shall be adminsistered by the use of one cup for all (I Corinthians 11:25; Mark 14:23).
Feet Washing
We hold that Feet Washing is an example given by the Lord Jesus to the Church and it should be observed as often as communion is served (St. John 13:5-14).
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
The pre-millennium coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in person, is a doctrine clearly set forth by the Apostles in the New Testament. Jesus taught it. The Apostles believed it, the Saints expect it. Read: St. Matthew-Chapter 24; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; I Corinthians 1:7-8; 11:26; Phillipians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:14-17; Titus 1:13-14.
Offerings
We
believe in the Apostles' principle
and custom of financing the Church
by means of Tithes and Offerings.
A tithe is one-tenth of one's earnings
and an offering is what is given of
free will in honor and sacrifice to
God above one's tithes. Offerings
may be received by the Minister and
workers in the field, wherever and
whenever given without begging (Malachi
3:8-10; St. Matthew 23:23; Hebrews
7:5-10).
We firmly hold that socials, concerts,
and shows, are not God's plan for
carrying on His work. Programs with
choirs and quartettes; charging entrance
fees at the door of the Church, is
of the devil himself and is the tradition
of men and not of God.[If you are wondering about our beliefs, several of them are listed below. Founded upon the Holy Scriptures, we stand and hold these ideals in our minds and hearts.[Continued]
-First Church Staff
Maltreatment
In the time of persecution or ill treatment at the hands of the ememy, we should not avenge ourselves but rather give place to wrath. For it is written: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12-19; Deuteronomy 32:35). Neither shall we take up any weapon of destruction to slay another in our own defense or in the defense of others. For it is written: "Do violence to no man." We should rather suffer wrong than to do wrong.
Marriage and Divorce
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery" St. Luke 16: 18; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:39; St. Mark 10:11-12. We have no right to add any thought or our own to such plain statements in order to justify those who have taken their second companion while the first one still lives.
Civil Government
All Civil Magistrates are ordained of God for peace, safety, and the general welfare of all people: Romans 13:1-10. Therefore, it is our duty to be in obedience to all requirements of the laws of the land that do not contradict biblical principles. They must not conflict as to force one into violation of the Sixth Commandment of Bearing of Arms and going to war. It is our duty to honor them, and show respect in all lawful requirements of the Civil Government.
Resurrection and Translation of the Saints
We believe that the time draweth near for the coming of the Lord to make a change in the present order of things. The dead in Christ shall rise first and those that remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The unrighteous and the wicked dead shall not rise, until the thousand years have expired, which shall be the White Throne of Judgement. "And whosoever is not found in the Book of Life shall be cast into the lake of fire." Revelation-Chapter 20; St. Matthew 24:36-42; St. Luke 17: 20-21; I Thessalonians 4:13-17.
After Christ has come for his saints in the translation and after the tribulation period, He shall return with them and reign on earth for a thousand years (I Thessalonians 4:17). There shall be peace on earth and good-will toward men, afterwhich, the Second Resurrection and the White Throne Judgement shall take place. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the First Resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).
The Millennium
Moreover, we believe that the distress upon the earth is the "beginning of sorrows" and will become more intense until there "shall be a time of trouble, such as there never was since there was a nation even to this present time (St. Matthew 24:3-8; Daniel 12:1); and that period of tribulation will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth" and that for one thousand years. There shall be 'peace on earth and good will toward men'-Revelation 20:3; Isaiah 65: 7-25; St. Matthew 5:5.
Final Judgment
When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a resurrection of the wicked dead, who shall be survived before the Great White Throne for their final judgment, and all whose names are not found written in the Book of Life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, burning with brimstone, which is the second death that God hath prepared for the devil and his angels and all the wicked who serve him. Satan will be cast in first: Revelation 20:7-15; St. Matthew 25: 41-46; Revelation 21:8. [If you are wondering about our beliefs, several of them are listed below. Founded upon the Holy Scriptures, we stand and hold these ideals in our minds and hearts.[Continued]
-First Church Staff