TENETS OF FAITH
The "Tenets of Faith" is a written statement based on the word of God that expresses the beliefs of the Holy Light Pentecostal Ministries, Inc.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative, infallible Word of God. It is the full and complete
revelation of the plan and history of redemption.
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.
Ref. II Peter 1:21, St. John 1:1
We believe that there is one God, eternally existed in the three persons: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are of one substance, equal in holiness, justice, wisdom, power and dignity. Understand there are not three Gods, but One God subsisting in three persons, the Trinity in Unity.
I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
I John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
John 14:16, 17 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth him: But ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the Church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have preeminence.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood, his bodily resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in his personal return in power and glory.
WE BELIEVE IN A CONVERTED LIFE
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Matthew 18:3 "… Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Ref. Isaiah 55:7, Luke 22:32
WE BELIEVE IN SANCTIFICATION
We believe the scriptures teach that sanctification is a process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; it is progressive and by the continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, the justified sinner is delivered from the power of sin, and is able to live a holy life.
St. John 17:17, 19 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. … And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
II Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Ref. I Cor. l:30, I Thess. 4:3, Heb. 13:12
WE BELIEVE IN BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST
It is a gift of power from God. When one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, one will experience the bible evidence as the disciples did on the day of Pentecost, speaking in other tongues as the spirit gave utterance. Acts 2:4
The Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire is obtainable by a definite act of appropriating faith on the part of the fully cleansed believer.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; …they shall speak with new tongues;
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Ref. Matt. 3:11, St. John 7:38, 39
WE BELIEVE IN DIVINE HEALING
Of the body through the precious atonement of Jesus, by which sickness and disease are destroyed.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
We believe that Jesus, while on earth, performed many acts of a supernatural nature.
He healed the sick. Matthew 20:29-34
James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
We believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority.
Mark 16:18 “… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Ref. Acts 5:15-16, I Peter 2:24.
THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
I Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
THE ORDINANCES
WATER BAPTISM
This act is symbolic of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. As believers, we die to sin and are buried with Him in baptism and raised to walk with Him in newness of life. Romans 6:4.
We believe in baptism by total immersion. Matt. 3:16
St. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Water baptism is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
Ref. Matt. 28:19, St. John 1:33
THE LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION)
We firmly believe that the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believers participation in the crucified Christ. The death of Christ as the object of faith, unites the believer to Christ, but also the effects of this act gives life, strength, and joy to the soul.
Ref. I Cor. 11:23-30, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20
FEET WASHING
Feet washing is practiced because Christ, by His example, showed that humility characterized greatness in the kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by Love, exists. St. John 13:4-17
We believe that Communion and Feet Washing should be carried out today as Jesus did, leaving us an example.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Why Do We Clap Our Hands and Voice Shouts of Praise?
Psalms 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Ref. Ps.32:11, Isaiah 12:6
Why Do We Sing Choruses and Scriptures, as Well as Hymns?
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ref. Ps. 95:2, Col. 3:16, Jas. 5:13
Why Do We Have Audible Praise Unto God?
Psalms 47:6, 7 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
Ref. Ps. 9:2, 22:3, 40:3, 47:6-7, 50:23, 69:30, 100:4, 147:1, 149:1, Luke19:37, Acts 16:25, Heb.13:15, I Peter 2:9
Why Do We Lift our Hands?
I Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Ref. Psalms 63:4, 134:2, 143:6, 63:4
Why are Musical Instruments a Part of the Worship Service?
Psalms 150:3-5 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Why Does The Whole Church Pray at Once for Specific Needs?
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Ref. Acts 4:24
Why Do We Prophesy?
I Corinthians 14:3, 4 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
I Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings. Ref. I Cor. 12:10
Why Do We Speak with Tongues and have Interpretation of Tongues?
I Corinthians 14:5 … for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Vs. 39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Ref. I Cor.14:27, 28.
Why Do We Fast?
Isaiah 58:6-8 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.
