PREAMBLE

 

TENET OF FAITH

 

Every group or body especially the people of faith has a mission. In the body of Christ and indeed “FAITHWORD PALACE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY INC.” there is a vision.

                        

The Tenet of faith with therefore mean the principles or fundamentals of faith of a people, comprising the doctrines(teachings)as believed, taught, and practiced in the realization of this vision. The tenet of faith forms the basis for measuring the end or ultimate destination of a people of faith. The tenet of faith of a mission is the acid test for evaluating its truth.

 

It is simply a table of content, showing the various doctrines that make up a ministry. We hereby outline the basis doctrines that make up the body of Faithword Palace International Assembly Inc.

 

We share in common the vision of God’s Servant, our founding Bishop, The Most Rev.Dr.Solomon Okoro and affirm with this statement.

 

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving”. Colossians 2: 6 – 7.

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1.THE BIBLE TEACHING

We believe that all Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – II Timothy 3: 16 – 17, Luke 24: 25 – 27. All Christian teachings and the Christian attitude of the children of God are such that are established in the Holy Bible – IITim 3: 10 – 15, 2Peter 1: 21, John 17: 17, Psalm 119: 105.

    We believe that in the Bible are written and revealed unto us the will of God: Man’s position to God, the way to obtain salvation: woe and destruction awaiting sinners that refuse to repent and everlasting joy that is kept for the born again souls. All Bible teachings are holy, what the Bible reveals as the will of God are such that we should accept, and whatever God writes in the Bible and his Law are to remain unchangeable: for the Heaven and earth may pass away but the Word of God stands for ever, Deut. 4: 2; Rev. 22:18 – 19; Matt. 24: 34 – 35.

 

2.ABOUT GOD: Psalm 33: 6 – 9

As revealed unto us by the Bible, we believe that there is only one God, who is the creator of both visible and invisible creatures – Gen. 1: 1; Psalm 86: 9 – 10; Isaiah 43: 10 -11; John 1: 1 – 3. Only God will be in existence forever – Rev. 1:8. In God every creature receives life – John 5: 26; Gen. 2: 7.

 

3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who took away our sins and is the Saviour of the world. We also believe that Jesus is God and was born by Mary the Virgin. He is God revealed in flesh. Through him all things were created – John 1: 1 – 14; 14: 9; Matt. 1: 18 – 25; Isaiah 9: 6; 53: 5 -6. We believe in His death on the cross and resurrection by which He brought redemption – Isaiah 53: 4 – 10;            I Peter 2: 24; John 10: 11; Galatians 3: 13; Matt. 20: 28; I Corinth. 15: 3;      Romans 4: 25; 2 Corinth. 5: 14; Heb. 9: 26.

 

4. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the TRINITY. He has the same power, the same glory with God the Father and the Son – John14: 16 – 17, 15: 26; Matt. 3: 16. He is one with the Father and the Son, who is to be worshiped and served. Three persons that become one are the source of blessings to all creatures in Heaven and on Earth – Matt. 28: 19; 2 Corinth. 13: 14; I John 5: 5 – 7. The Holy Spirit has a great work to perform: He teaches; He speaks to men; and bears witness in us – Acts 16: 6 – 7; He performs the work of regeneration for man – John 3: 5 – 6; He also performs the work of sanctification in the born again souls until they are fully sanctified – John 16: 8; Eph. 1: 17 – 19; 2 Thess.2: 13; I Corinth. 6: 11.

This same Holy Spirit endows us believers with gifts they can use – I Corinth. 12: 7 – 11. He empowers one in the Lord – Acts 1: 8.

 

5. ABOUT TRINITY

The egg is comprised of three parts: the Yellowish part, the Whitish part, and the shell. Despite this three (3) substances the egg is not three but one. Likewise, we believe that God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, but made of three persons; hence

they are ONE IN TRINITY. Gen. 1: 26 – 29; Matt. 3: 16 – 17, Matt. 28: 19.

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6. ABOUT THE DEVIL

We believe that there is a devil, who seeks the down fall of every man. He brought sickness, sin and death into the world – Gen. 3: 1 – 16. He seeks the destruction of those who exercise their faith in the Lord Jesus, Matt. 4: 1 – 11; James 4: 7; I peter 5: 8. The devil has several unclean spirits over who he governs – Matt. 12: 24. A time would soon come when he shall be thrown into the pit and chained for one thousand years – Rev. 20: 1 – 3. After that he will be put into the lake of fire where he would remain suffering together with his followers for ever and ever – Rev. 20: 10; 12: 4.

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7. ABOUT MAN

God made man ruler over all the other things He created – Gen. 1: 26. God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul – Gen. 2: 7. Therefore man is of three parts, namely: Body, Soul and spirit. Man is God’s ambassador on earth to take control over all other creatures on His behalf on earth. Gen.1: 26 – 28. God allows man to take part in His work and thereby reveal His love to mankind more than any other creature

– Gen. 2: 15. This also shows how God elevates man more than other creatures upon the earth. 

 

8. REPENTANCE UNTO GOD

Repentance is the sorrow of a godly man for his sins with decision to abstain from them – Acts 3: 19; 20: 21; 2 Corinth. 7: 10; Mark 1: 15; Isaiah 55: 7; 2 Chron.7: 14; Ezek. 18: 21; Prov. 28: 13, 20 – 23.

 

9. JUSTIFICATION AND NEW BIRTH

This is God’s grace whereby we are declared righteous, cleansed from our sins by which we are able to stand before God as though we have never sinned.

 Acts 13: 39; Rom.3: 23 – 26; 5: 1;  I Corinth. 6:11; Gal. 3: 24; John 1: 12 – 13; 3: 3; 2 Corinth. 5: 19; Titus 3: 5; I Peter 1: 23; Acts. 10: 43;  John 3: 3, 5.

 

10. SANCTIFICATION (HOLINESS)

Sanctification is another work of grace of God by which our souls are completely cleansed. This is the second accomplishment of the grace which though our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ is wrought after we have been justified and free  from our sins or regenerated – John 17: 15 – 17; I Thess. 4:3; Heb. 2: 11; 12: 14; 13; 12; I John 1: 7; Luke 1: 74 – 75; 2 Corinth. 7: 1; I Peter 1: 16; Eph. 5: 25 – 27; I Thess. 5: 23 – 24; 2 Thess. 2: 13; Gal. 5: 17 – 23; Psalm 119: 9, 11.

 

11. WATER BAPTISM

We believe in the baptism by the Name of the father, Son and the Holy Ghost – Matt. 28: 19 and not only in the name of Jesus Christ. The teaching is revealed in the New Testament and that all Christians must obey this rule – Acts 2: 24; 16:15, 30 – 33; Acts 18: 8; 19: 4 – 5. Even Jesus Christ was baptized to show us example – Matt. 3: 13 – 15. Every saved souls automatically qualifies for water Baptism – Acts 8: 29 – 39; 16; 28 – 33.

 

(i)Baptism by Trinity: We believe that all members of this Church should receive Water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost as believers who would not add or take out of the Word of God – Matt 28: 19; 3: 16.

 

(ii) The Reason of Water Baptism: The Water Baptism stand for a sign and example of two things: (a)It’s an outstanding sign and example of a true repentance of a sinner from his/her sins – Acts 2: 38; 22: 16.

(b)Anybody who is baptized is joined with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection – Rom. 6: 1 – 11; Col.2: 13. Therefore anybody who is baptized is dead to this world and the evils thereof, Gal. 6: 14.

 

12. BAPTISIM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

All born again souls should ask for the Holy Spirit from above, as the Apostles were ordered to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled from above. It is the promise of the Father, it is God’s gift, which He gives to them who obey Him – Luke 24: 49; John 4: 14 – 26; Acts 1: 4 – 5; Acts 5: 32; Acts 8: 14 – 17. It is God’s promise unto them who are far and all whom the Lord shall call – Acts 2: 38 – 39. Any Christian who receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit must speak in tongues – Acts 2: 4; Acts 10: 44 – 46; 19: 2 – 6.

 

13. ABOUT PRAYER

A Christian without condemnation of heart has right to thank God in adoration and in prayer unto the Lord always – Zech. 12: 10. His souls thirsts for God – Psalm 42 : 2. The Holy Spirit helps his infirmities in prayer – Rom. 8: 26. We must pray only in the name of JESUS – John 16: 23; I Tim. 2: 1 – 5. Without faith our prayer shall be powerless before God – James 1; 6 – 8; Heb. 11: 6. Those who are unable to pray annoy God – Isaiah 43: 22; Isaiah 64; 6 – 7. Much trouble and danger are encountered in such act – Zech. 1: 4; Dan. 9:13 – 14; Hosea 8: 13 – 14. We are commanded to pray and not faint and without ceasing – Col. 4: 2; I Thess. 5: 17; I Corinth. 7: 5;  Luke 18; 1. The Apostles put prayer first in their life and they spent much time in prayers – Acts 6: 4; Rom. 1: 9; Rom. 6: 4; Col. 1: 9. It is God’s plan and order that we should pray to receive all the goods He has promised in His treasure for us – James 4: 2; Dan, 9: 3; Matt. 7: 7 – 11; 9: 24 – 29; Luke 11: 13; Mark 9: 29.

 

14. ABOUT RESTITUTION

Restitution is a mark of true repentance. This is payment or restoring of what is damaged. Exod. 22: 3. Whatever cannot give us a clear conscience before man and God should be restituted without delay – Lev. 6: 1 – 7; Luke 19: 8; Prov. 28: 13; Acts 24:16.

 

15. DIVINE HEALING

Supernatural healing by the power of God is Biblical – Matt. 4: 23; Psalm 103: 3. Sickness is caused by the fall of man. The force behind this is Satan – Job 2: 19; Luke 13; 16; Acts 10: 38. But Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil – I John 3: 8. Christ purchased our soul from the curse of sin. He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows – Matt. 8: 15 17, and by His stripes we were healed – Isaiah 53: 4 – 5; Gal. 3: 13; I Peter 2: 2 – 4. Healing without medicine is of the Gospel – Matt. 9: 35; Mark 6: 10 – 18. We read that the twelve Apostles and the seventy disciples combined healing with their ministry of the Gospel – Luke 9: 1 -2; 10: 1 – 9. The Lord commanded us to go into the world, not only to teach the nations, but that we should also heal the sick, Matt. 28: 19 – 20; Mark 10: 1; 16: 15 – 18.

 

Methods for receiving Diving Healing:

i.By individual prayer – John 14: 13 – 14

ii.By the agreement prayer of two or group of people who have agreed to pray by faith – Matt. 18: 18 – 20.

iii.By the laying on of hand on the head or the afflicted part of the body – Mark 16: 18; Acts 9: 17 – 18; 28: 8.

iv. By the ministry of the Elders, anointing the sick with prayer of faith – James 5: 14 – 15; Mark 6: 12 – 13.

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16. ABOUT WORDLINESS

The Bibles teaches us to abstain from all appearances of evil – I Thess.5: 22, but follow after righteousness, faith, love, purging ourselves from unclean things so that we may be vessels unto honour sanctified, and prepared unto every good works – 2 Tim. 2: 21 – 22. Therefor our members should not be involved in such things, places or acts that does not glorify God, for such things are the work of the flesh. All people doing such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God – Gal. 5: 19 – 21; I Peter 4: 3 – 4; Prov. 31: 4 – 5; Rev. 1: 5 – 6; Gen. 19: 30 – 38.

 

17. SWEARING AND CURSING FORBIDDEN

All Christians should not swear, curse or blaspheme for we were not taught of Jesus in such way, “ Bless and curse not” Rom. 12: 14, swear not at all, neither by heaven nor by earth or any other swearing. But let your yes be yes, and your No, be No, so that you do not run into condemnation – Matt. 5: 34; James 5: 12.

 

18. REVERENCE TO PARENTS AND AUTHORITY

All Christians are to obey the law of the country, obey the government and authorities. They should honour their parents and elders – I Peter 2: 13 – 14; Rom. 13: 1 – 5; Eph. 6: 1 – 3; Mark 7: 10 – 13; I Tim. 5: 1 – 2, 6: 1 – 2; Lev. 19: 32; Prov.23: 22; Acts 5: 27; 4: 18 – 20. But in case there is conflict between God’s word and their directives, God is to be obeyed.

 

19. REBELLION AGAINST CHURCH AUTHORITY FORBIDDEN

Rebellion against Church minister is against the will of God. Those who rebelled against Moses did not escape unpunished – Num. 12 : 1 – 10; 16: 1 – 4; 32.

The Bible teaches that we should obey our spiritual leaders and submit to them – Heb. 13: 17; Jos. 1: 16 – 18; Deut. 17: 12; Jude 8 – 9.

 

20. LAYING OF HANDS AND ANOINTING THE SICK

We believe in the laying of hands and anointing the sick in the name of the Lord and that prayer of faith shall save the person – James 5: 14 – 16; Mark 16: 17 – 18. But we do not use means or methods which are not in accordance to Bible teaching and practices. The order of the Lord is that we should heal the sick free of charge – Matt. 10:8. We do not receive money or charge money before we offer prayer for anybody. However, people can show appreciation to God in Thanksgiving by making donations or giving money or material things.

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21. HOLY MATRIMINOY

Originally, God created man the then woman to be an help meet to the man for the purpose of companionship, caring and sharing. The plan of God was for both to live together, being fruitful, multiplying and replenishing the earth – Gen. 2: 18, 21 – 25.  Marriage is honourable in all – He.13: 4.Christian marriage is bordered along spiritual lines, where men and women that have laid this life’s foundation and so wish to marry, are free to marry but within the confines of Christianity.(ICorinth.7:7-9).

 

22. TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Regular payment of Tithes and offering is obligatory to every Christian because it is God’s command. It is God’s way of providing for the Ministers in the church. The Ministers and other church employees are paid their food allowances through tithes. The offering is used to cater for the needs of the church. Tithes and offering must be paid on every income e.g. Salary, profits from business transactions, gifts etc. Malachi 3: 8 – 12; Gen. 14: 19 – 20; Num. 18:20 – 21; Deut. 26:12 – 13; Lev. 27: 30; Heb. 7: 2 – 5; I Corinth. 16: 2; Matt. 23: 23.

NOTE: TITHES IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE MINISTER’S  WELFARE – Matt.10: 40 – 42; 2Kings 4: 8 - 17; I Sam. 9: 5 – 10; on giving to ministers.

 

23.PROPHECY IN THE CHURCH

We believe in all the prophecies in the Bible; likewise we believe that we can be given the gift of prophecy by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – I Corinth. 14: 29. Despise not prophesying – I Thess. 5: 20. However, the Bible advices us to test every spirit – I John 4: 1,therefore any prophecy that is against the Bible is rejected.

 

24. CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Above all, whatever is not Bible teaching should be ignored, entirely by all members. If there be found any member disobeying these teachings he/she may be disciplined privately, but if any backslider would not admit discipline and restitute his/her way, he/she may be disciplined openly as it is written in Matt. 18: 15 – 18, so that truth may be established by the witness of two or three according to the word of God. Rebuke them that sinned before all that others may fear – I Tim. 5: 20; I Corinth. 5: 1 – 13; 2 Corinth. 2: 6 – 11; Heb. 12: 5 – 12.

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25. ONE MAN,ONE WIFE, CORRECT DIVORCE AND RE – MARRIAGE

The word of God teaches us that monogamy has been the order since the beginning of the Law of Christ. Divorce is permissible only when a life partner has committed adultery.

 Even then none of the two should be married to a new partner while both are yet alive – Matt. 5: 31 – 32, 19: 9; Mark 10: 11 – 12; Luke 16: 18; Rom. 7: 2 – 3; Malachi 2: 13 – 16; Gen. 2: 18; Matt. 19: 4 – 6;

I Corinth. 7: 10 – 11.

 

26. HOLY COMMUNION OR THE LORD’S SUPPER

It is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ shortly before His death. He commanded all Christians to gather together regularly to share the bread and wine till He comes back again. Luke 22: 17 – 20; Matt. 26: 26 – 29; Mark 14: 22 – 25; I Corinth. 10: 16 – 21; Acts 2: 42; 20: 7; I Corinth. 11: 23 – 30.

 

27. THE CHURCH OF GOD

The believers, born-again souls are called the Church of God – Eph.1: 22; Col. 1; 1 – 18; Eph.3: 10; 5: 24 – 29. The assembly of the believers, sanctified souls in Christ Jesus, those who we call the Holy people of God, I Corinth.1:2; Acts 14: 23; Phil. 4: 15; Acts13: 28. Therefore all that God has called gather together in a place and fed with the Word of God – Acts 2: 41 – 47. They accept Christ as the head of the Church. They gather from time to time to worship God in truth and in Spirit to share the bread and eat. Their major assignment is to spread the Gospel of Christ to all nations – Matt. 28: 19.

 

28. DEDICATION OR SEPARATION

Dedication is very important for the children of God, for the Lord is Holy. John 17: 19; I Pet. 1: 15 – 16. If we want God to be our Father, we must separate and dedicate ourselves unto God – 2 Corinth. 6: 17 – 18. God called us unto Holiness – 1 Thess.4: 7; Rom. 12:1- 2.

 

29. THE DEAD IN CHRIST

We believe that a believer who slept in the Lord is with Christ already – Phil. 1: 22 – 23; 2 Corinth. 5: 1 – 9. Paul said that it is better to come out of this flesh and be with the Lord forever in our Heavenly home. Further still, he emphasizes that “But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even as other which have no hope.” I Thess.4: 13 – 19. Therefore all members should separate themselves from things of this world in worshipping the dead by which we become idolaters. Deut. 14: 1.

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30. RESURRECTION

We experience daily the resurrection of the Spirit, all the born again souls who are passed from death to life – Eph.6: 14; Rom. 6: 11; John 5: 20. As this body is dissolved, immediately we are entering into our Heavenly Home or house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens – 2 Corinth. 5: 1 – 8. There is resurrection of the Body. Jesus taught us plainly that the buried body will be raised up from the tomb at the last day – John 5: 25 – 27, 28 – 29. Paul also explained this to us – Acts 24: 15; I Corinth. 15: 22, 42 – 44; Phil. 3:21; Dan. 12:2. Only Holy people will be at the resurrection of those who belong to Jesus when He appears, but the sinners shall resurrect as people whose names are not found in the Lamb’s Book  - Rev. 20:4 – 5; John 5: 28 – 29; Rev. 20: 12 – 15.

 

31. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The second coming of Jesus Christ will be in physical form and will be visible to all in like manner as He was seen ascending up to Heaven – Acts 1: 9 – 11; John 14: 3. His return will be in two stages:

• CHRIST RETURN IN THE SKY AND RAPTURE:

The saints will be raptured to meet Christ in the sky – I Thess. 4: 15 – 17; I Corinth. 15: 51 – 52; Matt. 24: 40 – 44; 25: 10; Rev. 19: 7 – 9; 2 Corinth. 5:10.

• HIS RETURN TO EARTH:

       Christ will return to the earth to judge the sinners and the ungodly – Rev. 19: 19 – 21; 2 Thess. 1: 7 – 10; Jude 1: 14 – 15; Zech. 14: 3 – 4; Rev. 1: 7; Acts 1: 9 – 11.

Battle of Armageddon: Rev. 16: 13 – 16; 19: 11 – 21.

 

32. THE TRIBULATION PERIOD

The time between His coming to receive the bride, His Saints into Heaven and His coming to administer judgments will be the time of Tribulation – Matt. 24:21, 22 – 29; Rev. 9:16; Isa.26: 19 – 21; Mk. 13: 1 – 37; 2 Thess. 2: 1 – 12.

 

33. THE MILLENNIAL REGN

(Christ’s 1,000 Years Reign)

After Christ appears upon earth, He would set up His kingdom with the saints for one Thousand Years – Rev. 20: 1 – 6; 2: 26 – 27. This one Thousand years will be entirely different from any Kingdom ever set on earth. The Kingdom is peace all over – Isaiah 2: 2 – 4, there will be no death – Isaiah 65: 18 – 20. There would be no poverty – Micah 4:4; Isaiah 65: 21 – 25. Christ is the ONLY KING in the kingdom – Dan. 2: 44 – 45, 7: 13 – 14, 27; Isaiah 11: 1 – 16; 65: 18 – 25.

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34. SATAN IN PRISON

At the time of the millennial reign of Christ, Satan will be chained – Rev.20: 2 – 3, and it will be the time of peace and blessings to mankind also, Isaiah 11: 6 – 9, 65: 25; Hos. 2:18; Zech. 14: 9 – 20; Isaiah 2: 2 – 4.

 

35.THE COMING JUDGEMENTS

We believe that there would be three special judgments.

They are:                                         

• THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVERS:

This would start immediately believers are caught up in the sky, they shall before Christ to be rewarded in contrast to the anguish accomplished among the ungodly on the earth. This judgment is a forum for reckoning or evaluating the Christian service by the Lord, with a view to reward the faithful laborers. 2 Corinth.5:10; I Corinth.3:3, 11 – 15; James 1: 12; Rom. 2: 16; 14: 11 – 13; Rev. 19: 7 – 9.

• THE JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS:

This will be the time when Jesus had appeared upon the earth between the millennial reign – Acts 17: 31; Joel 3:2; Zech. 14:15; Jude 1: 14 – 15; 2 Thess. 1: 7 – 10; Rom. 2: 16; Rev. 1:7; Malachi 16: 21; Matt. 25: 31.

• THE JUDGEMENT OF THE UNBELIEVERS OR THE WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT:

This would happen after Christ’s one Thousand years of reign on earth.

The white throne judgement is the final judgement of the wicked and sinners. The result is that whosoever that appears before this judgement is condemned already not having the righteousness of God which is by faith in Christ. ( Rev. 20: 11 – 15; 2 Pet. 3:7; Dan. 12: 2)

 

36. NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

The Word of God teaches us that after the judgement, this wicked world will be removed, God will create new Heaven and new Earth in which Holiness will exist – Matt. 24: 35; 2 Pet. 3: 10 – 13; Rev. 21: 1 – 13; Isaiah 65:17, 66: 22.

 

37. ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

The Bible teaches us that there is in existence eternal punishment and eternal life – Matt. 25: 41 – 46. The wicked people will be sent to hell fire made of sulphur and brime stone and will be tormented both day and night in the presence of the Holy Angel and the Lamb. Their punishment will continue forever and ever – Rev. 14: 10 – 11; Lk. 16: 24; Mark 9: 43 – 44.

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38. DEDICATION OF CHILDREN

We don’t Baptist children, but we believe that after a child is born, the parents of the child should present Him/Her unto the Lord -  I Sam. 1: 22 – 24; Luke 2: 22 – 24;  Matt. 19: 13 – 15.

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38.THE LORD’S DAY

We believe that the first day of the week called Sunday is a special day which the believers should separate as the Lord’s day, during which time they are to gather to worship – Acts 20: 7; I Corinth. 16: 2; Rev.1:10.

The Lord resurrected on the first day of the week – Mark 16: 9; John 20: 1 – 10, 19 – 20, 26 – 28.