We believe all Christians should live for Christ and not for themselves. By obedience to the Word of God and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer should mature and be conformed to the image of Christ.
ARTICLES OF FAITH

1. SCRIPTURES INSPIRED

The Bible is the inspired Work of God, a revelation from God to Man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct. (II Tim. 3:15-17, I Pet. 1:23-25)

2. 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 & association; i.e. as Father, Son, & Holy Ghost. (Deut. 6:14; Mark 12:29; Is. 43:10; Matt. 28:19)

3. MAN, HIS FALL, & REDEMPTION

Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make Man in OUR image, after OUR likeness,” but man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Gen. 1:26-31 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21)

4. THE SALVATION OF MAN

(A) Conditions to salvation…the grace of God, which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, through the preaching or repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, & being justified by grace through faith, he becomes the heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15)
(B) The evidences of salvation…the inward evidence of the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit, (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.

5. BAPTISM IN WATER

The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ must be observe as commanded in the scriptures by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with HIM to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47; Rom. 6:4)

6. THE LORD’S SUPPER AND FOOTWASHING*

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial of His suffering and death and a Prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined on all believers “UNTIL HE COMES.” (John 6:48-51; Luke 22:19-20; II Pet. 1:4; I Cor. 11:26) (*St. John 13:2-14)

7. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost & Fire, according to the command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts, and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4-8; I Cor. 12:1-31) This wonderful Experience is in distance from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth. (Acts 2:38, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9)

8. THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST

The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 1:8, 2:42-43)

9. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION

The Scriptures teach a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” Entire Sanctification is the will of God for all in obedience to God’s Word. (Heb. 12:14; I Pet. 1:15-16; I Thes. 5:23-24; I John 2:6)

10. THE CHURCH

The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn which are written in heaven. (Heb. 12:23; Eph. 1:22, 2:19-22)

11. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose; (1) the evangelization of the world, (2) the edifying of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15-20, Eph. 4:11-13)

12. DIVINE HEALING

Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14)

13. THE BLESSED HOPE

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their Translation, together with those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church. (I Thes. 4:16-18; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Cor. 15:51-52)

14. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF JESUS

The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are scriptural promises and the world’s hope. (II Thes. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:25-27; Rev. 20:1-7)

15. THE LAKE OF FIRE

The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev. 19:20, 20:10-15)

16. THE NEW HEAVENS & NEW EARTH

We, “According to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (II Peter 3:13, Rev. 21:1)

17. HOMOSEXUALITY

We believe that homosexuality is a sin. That it counters the sanctity of marriage. No one engaged in such a lifestyle shall be allowed to represent Smithland Pentecostal Church, Inc. We will show respect toward those in such lifestyle and offer help for those who desire deliverance. (Romans 1:24-32, I Corinthians 6: 9,10)