WHAT WE BELIEVE

Jude 1:3 (KJV) “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”

 

The Bible

The Bible is the infallible Word of God and the authority for salvation and Christian living (II Timothy 3:15-17). The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.  This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us. We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body. (i.e., that we all speak the same thing; I Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:3; Ephesians 4:13).

 

Fundamental Doctrine

The basic and fundamental doctrine of Ripon House of Praise shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 2:4)

 

Repentance and Remission of Sin

Repentance means to decide to turn from one’s sin. The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).

 

Baptism  

We believe the New Testament teaches that baptism saves the sinner. (1Peter 3:21). Jesus Christ our ultimate example walked approximately 60 miles to be baptized. Water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Further, we believe that by the believer’s continued submission to the Holy Spirit, his very weakness is transformed into strength to witness for Jesus Christ in power, and to live according to the will of God (Acts 1:5-8; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6). 

 

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a necessary and vital experience for every believer and is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.  It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

Those who seek the fullness of the Spirit may receive prayer for the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17; 19:2-6). 

 

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 the blessed hope of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51).