Kingsfarm United Pentecostal Church is a Oneness Apostolic church
affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church
International. We embrace the Articles of Faith set forth by the U.P.C.I.:
PREAMBLE
We believe the Bible to be inspired of God; the infallible Word of God.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2
Timothy 3:16).
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore, all
doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the church must be based upon,
and harmonize with, the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men
everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the
Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27)."... no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2
Peter 1:20, 21).
ARTICLES OF FAITH THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy in
nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This
one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and
as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:19; Joel
2:28).
The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it
asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal. (Romans
1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible, incorporeal, without parts, without
body, and therefore free from all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and a
spirit hath not flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39).
The first of all the commandments is, hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one
Lord" (Mark 12:29; Deut. 6:4). "One God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:6).
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in divers ways; in
the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.
THE SON OF GOD
The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the
form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says
"and without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto
the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy
3:16).
"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (John 1:11).
This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that is, in His Son Jesus Christ.
". . God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them. . ." (2 Cor. 5:19).
We believe that, ". . in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it pleased the Father that in Him
should all fullness dwell" (Col. 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity
was man; in His deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice
of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. "For there is one God,
and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy
2:5).
Jesus on His Father's side was divine, on His mother's side, human; Thus, He
was known as the Son of God and also the son of man, or the God-man.
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things
are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things
under Him" (1 Cor. 15:27). "And when all things shall be subdued unto
Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things
under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8).
THE NAME
God used different titles, such as "God
Elohim," "El Shaddai,"
"Jehovah," and especially "Jehovah Lord," the redemptive
name in the Old Testament.
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: ... and His name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son
of God was named, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His
name Jesus: for He shall save His People from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL
In the beginning God created man innocent, pure and holy; but through the sin
of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human race, fell from their holy
state, and God banished them from Eden. Hence by one man's disobedience, sin
entered into the world. (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 3:23, 5:12).
REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a
confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it,
and the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18,
17:30).
The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words which mean,
change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to
transform, etc.
Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke
13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for those who have
fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should
be administered by a duly authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience to the
Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of
the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...He shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost
not many days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them
utterance."
The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire," "filled with
the Holy Spirit," and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are synonymous
terms used interchangeably in the Bible.
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of
the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with
other tongues.
The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6,
and the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are
the same in essence, but different in use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all
flesh; ..." (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He (Jesus) hath shed forth this which ye
now see and hear." (Acts 2:33). Further, "...The promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call." (Acts 2:39).
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE
The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible
standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism
of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the
Spirit gives utterance.
We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the
unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall
not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.
DIVINE HEALING
The first covenant that the Lord (Jehovah) made with the children of Israel
after they were brought out of Egypt was a covenant of healing. The Lord said,
". . if thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord (Jehovah-Rapha,
the Lord that healeth) thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight,
and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I
am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26).
Some translations read: "For I am Jehovah, thy physician," He being
our physician or doctor, we have the most capable in the whole world. Our Lord
Jesus Christ went about Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and
healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23, 24).
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews
13:8).
The vicarious suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ paid for the healing of our
bodies, the same as for the salvation of our souls, for with His stripes we are
healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Matthew 8:17 reads, Himself took our infirmities,
and bare our sicknesses" (See also I Peter 2:24).
We see from this that divine healing for the body is in the atonement. That
being true, then it is for all who believe. Jesus said of believers, ". .
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Later, James
wrote in his Epistle to all the churches: "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. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much." (James 5:14-16).
All of these promises are for the church today.
SACRAMENT OR COMMUNION
On the night of our Lord's betrayal, He ate the Passover supper with His
Apostles, after which He instituted the sacrament. "And He took bread, and
gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is
given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper
saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
(Luke 22:19-20).
Paul instructed the church how to observe it (I
Cor. 11:23-34).
Thus was instituted the use of literal bread and the fruit of the vine, which
are partaken of literally, as emblems of His broken body and shed blood. There
is also a spiritual significance and blessing in partaking of the sacrament.
FOOT WASHING
When the Passover supper was ended, we read in John 13:4-5, "He riseth
from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.
After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet,
and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded."
Jesus said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye
also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you" (John 13:14-15).
This first example was given by our Lord, and it is a divine institution. It
is well to follow His example and wash one another's feet; thus manifesting the
spirit of humility.
HOLINESS
Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the Lord, and we
should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12). "For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was 'guile
found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He
suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth
righteously" (1 Peter 2:21-23).
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call
on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's
work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that
ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter
1:15-19).
We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which
are not conducive to good Christianity and Godly living, such as theaters,
dances, mixed bathing, women cutting their hair, make-up, any apparel that
immodestly exposes the body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome
radio programs and music. Furthermore, because of the display of all these evils
on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in
their homes. We admonish all of our people to refrain from any of these
practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord
for His church.
THE GRACE OF GOD
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12).
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ" (John 1:17).
A Christian, to keep saved, must walk with God and keep himself in the love
of God (Jude 21) and in the grace of God. The word "grace" means
"favor." When a person transgresses and sins against God, he loses his
favor. If he continues to commit sin and does not repent, he will eventually be
lost and cast into the lake of fire. (Read John 15:2, 6; 2 Peter 2:20-21). Jude
speaks of the backsliders of his day, and their reward. (Also, read Hebrews
6:4-6).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it
is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS
We understand the scripture to teach the restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts
3:21). But we cannot find where the devil, his angels, and all sinners are
included. (See Rev. 20:10).
CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES
We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine
ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our Government;
however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking
of human life.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in
implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct us as
follows: ".. that ye resist not evil. . ." (Matt. 5:39): "Follow
peace with all men..." (Heb. 12:14). (See also Matt. 26:52; Rom. 12:19;
James 5:6; Revelation 13:10). These we believe and interpret to mean Christians
shall not shed blood nor take human life.
Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but
are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war,
armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual
destruction of human life.
Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union, boycott, or
organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong to any
organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive any
mark, without our right to affirm or reject same (1930).
However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or so-called
"conscientious objectors" that to obey the Bible is to have a contempt
for law or magistrates, to be disloyal to our Government and in sympathy with
our enemies, or to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our
commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot.
The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that
first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our
members to freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except in
the matter of bearing arms. When we say service, we mean service-no matter how
hard or dangerous. The true church has no more place for cowards than has the
nation. First of all, however, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be
kept out of war.
We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain
noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms. (1940).
We further believe that our military personnel must live in a manner
consistent with the Articles of Faith.
SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
According to the Word of God, we firmly believe and hold that the people of
God should have no connection whatever with secret societies or any other
organization or body wherein there is a fellowship with unbelievers, bound by an
oath. (James 5:12; 2 Cor. 6:14-18).
TRANSLATION OF SAINTS
We believe that the time is drawing near when our Lord shall appear; then the
dead in Christ shall arise, and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
with them to meet our Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil.
3:20-21).
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