Our Beliefs:
The Scripture:
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Timothy 3:16; I Thess. 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
The Godhead:
Our God is One, manifested in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:16-17).
God the Father is greater than all; the Source of the Word and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son is eternal (John 15:26).
Man, His Fall And Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:9-10, 23; I John 3:8; Galatians 3:13,14).
Eternal Life And New Birth:
Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).
Water Baptism:
Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted, to-witness:
“On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.”
Baptism in the Holy Ghost:
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Ghost, Himself, gives utterance. (Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 2:4; Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17)
Sanctification:
The Bible teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation. (Hebrews 12:14. I Thes. 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14: I Cor. 1:30) Holiness is a life that is set apart for the purpose of God, belonging to God, living with God and being a light to the world. (Luke 1:75; I Thes. 4:7; Heb. 12:14) There are to be signs following the believers. Your life is an open book. What you believe and the Lord that is working in you will come through to the world. (Mark 16:17-20; Rom. 15:18-19; Heb. 2:4)
Spiritual Gifts:
These are special abilities provided by the Holy Ghost for the building up of the church. (I Cor. 12:1-10, 28-31, 14:1) Fruits of the Spirit are a new work of the Holy Ghost in your life to create a better person. (Rom. 6:22; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Phil. 1:11)
Divine Healing:
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18. James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5).
Resurrection Of The Just And The Return Of Our Lord:
The Angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:16-17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth, as King of kings, and Lord of lords and together with His Saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).
Hell And Eternal Retribution:
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27; Rev. 19:20; Hebrews 6:1-2).
Communion — The Lords Supper:
We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (I Cor. 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Is. 53:5; I Cor. 11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Heb. 9; I Cor. 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it (I Cor. 11:28-30) for if we receive it unworthily—without giving it honor as our salvation—we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor. 11:27).
Likewise, we participate in the washing of the saints’ feet as this is an act of love that takes time and humility. (Jn.13:4-17; I Tim. 5:9-10)
Laying On Hands:
A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22, 23, 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11,12); laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); laying on of hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (I Tim. 4:14); laying on of hands for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Tim. 4:14).
Tithing And Giving:
This is giving to the church to support the work in the church. (Gen. 14:18-20, 28:20-22; Mal. 3:10; Luke 11:42; I Cor. 9:6-9; Heb 7:1-2)
Restitution:
Scripture directs those dealing with conflict to confront and work out differences where possible with others. (Mt. 3:8; Luke 19:8-9)
Marriage:
Scripture teaches that the home was the first institution provided to man by God himself. Marriage is a sacred relationship between one man and one woman only. As marriage is used as a symbol that describes the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church, SFGT holds that relationship in high esteem as described in Scripture. (Gen. 1:27, Gen. 2:18-25, Eph 5:25, Heb 13:4, Rev. 19:7-9). Scripture teaches men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and church. The husband is to be the spiritual leader in his home. (Rom. 3:23, 5:12, 1 Cor. 14:25, Eph. 5:22-25, Col. 3:16-19, 1 Tim. 3:12, Tit. 2:1-5, 1 Pet. 3:1-7, 1 Tim. 3)
Human Sexuality:
God has commanded that there be no sexual intimacy or sexual activity engaged in outside of the sanctity of marriage between one man or one woman. Acts of homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful and ungodly perversions of the gift of sex God has given to husband and wife within the sanctity of marriage. God forbids and disapproves of any attempt to alter one’s gender by medical surgery or appearance. (Lev. 18:22, Deut. 22:5, Eze. 22:8-11, Rom. 1 and 2)
Abortion:
Human life begins at conception and the unborn child in a mother’s womb is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. Teachings are rejected that the abortions of pregnancies are an acceptable and Godly practice. (Deut. 18:9, Ecc. 5:18, Ps. 139:13, Jer. 1:5, Ex. 21:22, Heb. 13:8)