SPC Doctrinal Statements:
Without apology, Shiloh Pentecostal Church is a Bible based Apostolic Church. To us, this means that we strive to ensure all our beliefs and teachings are scripturally sound with either explicit biblical passages or biblical principles that are rightly divided. (2 Timothy 2:15) As instructed, we are doing what the first members of the New Testament Church did by continuing 'steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.' (Acts 2:42)
With the Word of God as our foundation, we believe:
The Bible:
We believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. We believe that it has come to us as is stated in 2 Peter 1:21, 'holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' God inspired the writers and they penned the text. It is not the opinions of men, it is literally the Word of God. Thus it is without error, always relevant and is the absolute authority in the Christian's life and the governance of the Church. (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 14:37)
The Gospel:
We believe the Gospel is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe the Gospel is not only something that must be believed, but it must be obeyed for Salvation. (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17) We believe this is done by a believer's own death to themselves in repentance (Luke 13:3,5), their own burial in water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:12), and their own resurrection by the infilling of the Holy Ghost where it is now "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27; Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Who God is:
We believe there is only one God as is stated clearly in Deuteronomy 6:4. This one God is the creator of Heaven and Earth and He is the origin of all life. (Genesis 1) This one God has revealed Himself as Father in creation, Son in redemption and the Holy Ghost in the indwelling of the New Testament believer. His name is Jesus. (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 2:8-9; John 1:1,14) We reject the unbiblical doctrine of a triune Godhead.
Sin:
We believe sin entered the world through the fall of Adam and Eve as is detailed in Genesis 3. We believe that sin separates one from a relationship with God. (Isa 59:2) We believe that it is because of the imparted Adamic sinful nature that we are 'dead' and in absolute need of a New Birth. (Ephesians 2:1,5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:3-5) We believe that the remedy for all sin has already been paid in the death of Jesus Christ. (1 John 2:2) The acceptance of this gift takes place when one obeys the Gospel.
Salvation:
We believe salvation is a gift of God that cannot be earned or bought. It is available to any and all who will come to Jesus Christ. We believe that the salvation of mankind has been the plan of God from the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4; Revelation 13:8) This plan is the obedience to the Gospel. The death of Jesus Christ obeyed in our repentance of all our sins. (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:10) The burial of Jesus Christ obeyed in our water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12-14) The resurrection of Jesus Christ obeyed by our infilling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-46; Romans 8:9-11)
Water Baptism:
We believe that water baptism is a necessity for salvation. (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21) We believe that a person must be immersed in water in the Name of Jesus Christ in order to obey the scriptural mandate. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48: Acts 19:5; Colossians 3:17) We believe that the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 28:19 was fulfilled by the apostles in the biblical examples cited here. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not names but titles depicting relationship but the Name the apostles used in every biblical example of water baptism was Jesus.
Holy Ghost:
We believe the Holy Ghost is a gift from God to the individual who obeys the Gospel. (Acts 2:38) We believe the baptism of the Holy Ghost is essential for salvation. (Romans 8:9) We believe that when a person receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost there will be the evidence, to them and all witnessing, of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Mark 16:17; John 3:8; Acts 2:2-4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6) We believe that this experience should be renewed throughout a Christian's life. (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Church Attendance:
We believe that it is imperative for all believers to be faithful in their attendance at their local Church. (Acts 2:42; Heb 10:25) It is at the local Church where a Christian will grow in their spiritual walk and their relationship with the Lord under the authority of their Pastor. (Hebrews 13:17)
Praying for the Sick:
We believe and practice the laying on of hands by the ministry and anointing the sick with oil and praying for them as instructed in James 5:14-15. (Mark 16:18) We believe that God still performs miraculous works of healing and deliverance today. (John 14:12)
Holiness:
We believe that God is holy and thus is looking for and expecting holiness in His people. (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1) We believe holiness of the believer is not optional but is something that must be pursued and lived in order to be saved. (Hebrews 12:14)
The Great Commission:
We believe that the last words of Jesus Christ to His disciples as given in Matthew 28:19 are a command to all believers. We believe that all men have been given free will and thus it is imperative upon the Church to spread the Gospel and give opportunity to all people to hear and receive of the Grace of God. We believe it is the duty of all believers to be able to 'give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:". (1 Peter 3:15)
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
We believe in the return of Jesus Christ in which He will come and remove the Church from the earth. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) We believe after that there will be a period of time in which the events of the later chapters of the Book of Revelation take place climaxing in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as is detailed in Revelation 19. This event will usher in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:1-10)