"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of HTIC. The human phraseology employed in this article is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters.
The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM,” and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by the triune existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).
The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15, 17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
MAN: His Fall And Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Ro. 5:12-21).
The Salvation Of Man
Conditions of Salvation
The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life
(Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Ro. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47).
(Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Ro. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47).
Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his/her salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Ro. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness
(1 The. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9).
(1 The. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9).
Baptism In Water
The ordinance of baptism by immersion symbolizing burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life
(Matt. 28:19; Acts 19:47, 48; Ro. 6:4).
(Matt. 28:19; Acts 19:47, 48; Ro. 6:4).
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes”
(John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25)
(John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25)
The Promise Of The Father
All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
The Evidence Of The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance, is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 12:4, 10, 28), but the difference is in its purpose and use.
Sanctification Process
By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 The. 5:23,24; 1 John 2:6).
The Church
The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (I The. 2:4)
Ministry
Divinely-called and Scripturally-ordained Ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 15:16, 20; Eph. 4:11-13).
Divine Healing
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14).
The Blessed Hope ( Resurrection )
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (1 The. 4:16; Ro. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52).
The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of Abrahamic Children - Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 The. 1:7; Rev. 19:1l-16; Ro. 11:25; Rev. 20:l-7).
The Lake Of Fire
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).
The New Heaven And New Earth
We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:l).
The Virgin Birth Of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was completely sinless, born of a virgin, impregnated by the Holy Spirit to enable redemption of man. Only a man born of God, completely sinless, could redeem mankind and provide forgiveness of sin. (Matt. 1:23)
The Blood Atonement
Redemption of mankind is only appropriated through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Scripture details, “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin”. (Matt. 26:28, Eph. 1:7, Heb. 9:22)
Christ As The Head Of The Church
All leadership and functions of the church are subject to the authority of Christ in accordance with His Word and direction by the Holy Spirit. (Col. 1:18)
The Deity Of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was uniquely and completely both human and Divine. He was indeed far more than a prophet or teacher, rather God Himself made flesh to dwell among mankind. He reigns supremely above all persons and things. (Col. 2:9-10, 1 John 5:6-7)
ORDINANCES
Water Baptism
The ordinance of water baptism (Matt. 28:19) shall be administered by all established places of worship to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls (Ro. 6:3-5; Col.2:12).
The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly by all established places of worship, as enjoined in the Scriptures (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).