Statement of Faith
This church accepts the entirety of the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, and the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. For the purpose of maintaining general unity, Henrietta Christian Fellowship has adopted the following statement of faith, which is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing – I Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:41). The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to our ministry. No claim is made that it contains all of the truths of the Bible. *
1. The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God. (II Timothy 3:15-17;
I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
2. The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self- existent “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11;
Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
A. His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35).
B. His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).
C. His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
D. His substitutionary work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21).
E. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4).
F. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1-3).
4. The Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).
5. The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
A. Conditions to Salvation
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
Justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God to eternal life. (Luke 24:47; John 3:3;
Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
B. Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
6. Ordinances of the Church
A. Baptism in Water
The ordinance of water baptism into Jesus Christ by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as savior and Lord are to be baptized. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).
B. Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements – bread and the fruit of the vine.
(II Peter 1:4; I Corinthians 11:26; I Corinthians 11:26)
7. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost
Believers should normally expect the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4) and the gifts of the Spirit as described in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14.
8. Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication unto God. (Romans 12:1,2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15, 16). The work of sanctification continues throughout our lives by faith, reckoning daily upon the fact of our union with Christ, and by offering every ability continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; I Peter 1:5).
9. The Church and Its Mission
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Every believer is a minister called to serve Christ in accomplishing His purpose for His Church.
10. The Five-Fold Ministry
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and the building up of the believers. (Ephesians 4:4-16)
11. Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16).
12. The Blessed Hope
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.
(I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51, 52).
13. The Millennial Reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21, 22; Zephaniah 3:19, 20; Romans 11:26, 27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3)
14. The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
15. The New Heaven and the New Earth
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
(II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21-22).
* Derived from: The minutes of the General Council of the Assemblies of God – 1979 Revision; Printed by Gospel Publishing House; Springfield, MO
Times and Location
Sunday Service 10am
174 Pinnacle Road
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 734-1857