HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit to be co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and with the Son (Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rom. 8:9-11; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16).  He is a Person.  He came to this earth as the fulfillment of Christ’s promise.  He convicts, regenerates, indwells, seals, infills, empowers, and guides the believer (John 16:7-13; John 3:35; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 5:18)

The Holy Spirit is everywhere-present (Ps. 139:7), as is the Father and the Son.  He is all-powerful (Luke 1:35) and all-knowing (1 Cor. 2:10).  He played an essential role in creation (Gen. 1:2).  The Holy Spirit brings conviction (John 16:8), restraining sin in the world (2 Thess. 2:7).  He also convinces the world of righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8-11). 

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.  God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-12).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary.  We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (Heb. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22)