TABERNACLE AFRICAN UNISERVAL CHURCH CONDITIONS OF FAITH The Scriptures We believe that the holy bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure to heavenly institution; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its manner. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the work, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard and authority by which human conduct and opinion should be tried. The True Universal God We believe the Scripture teach that there is one, and only one, living and true universal God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH. He is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; the Father of all Races of Mankind. In the unity of the God-head there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Original Sin We believe the scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of His Maker. However, by voluntary transgression, fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners not by constraint but choice. As being by nature, utterly voided that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation, without defense or excuse. Salvation We believe the Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. Justification We believe the Scriptures teach that we are accounted righteous before God only after the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by faith, and not of our own works and deserving. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secure every other blessing needful for time and eternity. 1 11/2000 TABERNACLE AFRICAN UNISERVAL CHURCH CONDITIONS OF FAITH Freeness of Salvation We believe the Scripture teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel and the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own determined depravity and voluntary projection of the gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. Regeneration We believe that the Scripture teach that in order to be saved; men must be regenerated, or born again. This effect is a manner above our comprehension by the Holy Ghost in connection with the Divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life. Repentance We believe the Scriptures teach repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in the soul by the regenerating Spirit of God. Whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. At the same time, heartily receiving the Lord Jesus as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior. Sin After Justification We believe the Scripture teach that sin willingly committed after justification is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin and by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. Therefore, they are to be condemned who say that they cannot commit sin as long as they live here; or deny the place of forgiveness for those who truly repent. Sanctification We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his Holiness. It is a progressive work begun in regeneration and is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, the Sealer and Comforter. This is a continual use of the appointed means – especially the Word of God – self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer, and in the practice of all godly exercise and duties. 2 11/2000 TABERNACLE AFRICAN UNISERVAL CHURCH CONDITIONS OF FAITH The Church The Visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women where the Pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are duly administered, according to Christ’s ordinance. All those things that of necessity are requisite to same; that a congregation may hold services in a house or outdoors, as was done by the Lord’s Apostles, or may, as conditions and circumstances will permit, acquire and edifice for convenience and accommodation. The Sacraments The sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s will toward us, by which He work invisibly in us and not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are two Sacraments ordained of Chris our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of our Lord. We believe that only such as worthily receive the same are approve of Chris, and they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as Saint Paul said. (I Corr. 11:29) Baptism We believe he Scriptures teach that Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby, Christians are distinguished from others that are not Baptized, it is also a sign of regeneration of the new birth. We believe that the form of Baptism whether by immersion, sprinkling or pouring of water, is a matter purely to the choice and desire of the individual to be so baptized. It is the duty of the Church to so comply with such request as circumstances, conveniences and local conditions will allow. Where no other choice is made known, the Church shall baptize by immersion, excepting where circumstances, shall make it imperative to baptize otherwise. The Blessing of Infants We believe the Scriptures teach that the blessing of infants is an institution of Christ’s Church, Jesus having commanded His Church: “Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. And He took them in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them.” The Blessing of Infants however, is by no means to be accepted as a sign or profession of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect, in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Only persons, who have reached their age of discretion, or over the customary 12 years, are to be received into the Church for Christian baptism upon regeneration and profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. 3 11/2000 TABERNACLE AFRICAN UNISERVAL CHURCH CONDITIONS OF FAITH The Lord’s Feast We believe the Scripture teach the Lord’s Feast to be a mandate of Christ to His Church and is a necessary institution as a moral and spiritual contribution to the welfare of the true believers and of the Christian Church. The Lord’s Feast being a provision of bread and wine, representing Christ’s body and blood, partaken of by all faithful Christians assembled for the purpose, in commemoration of the death of their Lord. , showing their faith in the merits of His sacrifice, their dependence on Him for spiritual nourishment, and their hope of life eternal through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to preceded by faithful self-examination. Universal Brotherhood We believe that the Scripture teach that God made of one blood all races and nations of mankind for to dwell upon the face of the earth, according to nations and countries. It was never intended for individuals of one race to lose their identity into another race, but through the Word of God and the Gospel of our Lord Christ Jesus, each ethnic group would accept God’s plan of salvation. Thereby, causing cooperation one with the other to the end that His kingdom come on Earth; His will be don on Earth as it is in Heaven. Civil Authority We believe the scripture teach that the civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society. We are to pray for our civil authorities and be continuously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THIS EARTH. The World to Come We believe the scripture teach that the end of the world is approaching and a New Jerusalem from above as seen by Saint John the Divine is about to be established. At the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution. A solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless sorrow, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgement will forever fix the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness. On Other Faiths Tabernacle African Universal Church concerns itself with propagation of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the Word and Commandments in the old and new Testaments of the Holy Bible. These teachings are otherwise, commonly known as of the Christian Faith. Tabernacle African Universal Church shall, at all times, promote, foster and maintain for the mutual advancement of all concerned, goodwill and cooperation with organized religious bodies of recognized faith where teachings are based upon the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. 4 11/2000 TABERNACLE AFRICAN UNISERVAL CHURCH CONDITIONS OF FAITH On the Ministry The ministry is of God and not of man. Tabernacle African Universal Church does not question the right and claims of any individual of approved character to have been called o f God to preach the Gospel. In all such instances, it is the policy of the Church to give credence to, and to readily accede to such claims. The only exception being that an individual desiring to serve through the Tabernacle African Universal Church must be qualified and willing to be subjected to preparation and training in the proper and intelligent interpretation of the old and new Testaments. If found deficient in officiating the duties of the ministry, then training will occur in accordance with the guidelines as prescribed in the Standard Operational Procedures of Tabernacle African Universal Church, Inc. 5 11/2000