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9.0 The Gift of the Holy Spirit
We believe God has commanded all believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:7, 8). This experience is a distinct work of God, subsequent to the gift of salvation and is received by faith (Acts 19:2). While there are many signs that may accompany the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the initial physical manifestation that God gives to each one is the ability to speak in other tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6). This supernatural utterance may initially occur in a variety of ways, often accompanied by laughter, weeping or groanings, but will ultimately manifest in earthly or heavenly languages the receiver has never learned (Rom. 8:26, Isa. 28:11, 1 Cor 14:15, 13:1). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is given in order to enable the born again spirit to communicate directly with God in prayer and worship and for personal ministry to others (1 Cor: 14:4, 16; Mark 16:15). The scriptures use several different terms in reference to Holy Spirit Baptism, including, the Promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit, being filled with the Spirit, and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 2:4, 2:33, 2:38, 10:47).
10.0 Sanctification
We believe that all God’s children are called to engage in the lifelong process of transformation by renewing their minds and yielding their bodies as instruments of righteousness unto God. The believer’s spirit is instantly sanctified upon being born again and is incorruptibly kept by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:24, 4:30). However, the mind (psyche) and body (sarx) are left largely unchanged by the salvation experience and must be willingly yielded to the Lord for an ongoing process of sanctification (1 Peter 1:13, 2:2). This is accomplished by regularly feeding the human heart with the anointed teaching and preaching of God’s Word, by individual Bible study and meditation; by personal fellowship with the Lord in worship and prayer; and by consciously making daily decisions to crucify the unwholesome desires of the flesh (Rom. 12:1, 2). At the rapture of the Church, the Lord Himself will bring to completion that good work He began in us and perfect in a moment that saving work He initiated in our lifetime (1Thess. 5:23).
11.0 Divine Healing
We believe that the redemptive work of Christ provides supernatural healing for our physical bodies. "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness..." (Matt. 8:17). Healing and wholeness is the highest will of God for all His children who live in obedience to His Word and exercise faith in His covenant promises. Healing may be sought by the utilization of several methods:
Exercise of faith in Bible promises (Mark 11:24)
The laying on of hands (Mark 16:15)
The anointing of the sick by church elders using the prayer of faith (James 5:14)
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-12)
The transmission of healing anointing by various methods (Acts 19)
Faith in God’s healing power and the use of natural and medicinal remedies may be mutual companions in the effort to bring healing. We acknowledge that any healing received in this lifetime is a temporary and secondary blessing, subjugate to the greater blessing of eternal life and fellowship with the Father.
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