TWUDCF accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice; and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these statements of fundamental truths and doctrine.
The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the verbally inspired Word of God to humankind via the ministry of the Holy Spirit, revealing the will of God. It is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct for our journey through life. (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; Isaiah 40:8; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealing “I AM,” the creator of heaven and earth and the redeemer of humankind. He has further revealed Himself in three persons (the Trinity), embodying the principles of relationship and association as — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all co-existing. God the Father is greater than all, sender of the Word (Logos). The Son is the Word in flesh, the Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. The Holy Spirit is a part of both the Father and the Son and is eternal (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 40:10-31; I Timothy 6:15-16; John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 2:6; John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14; John 15:26; Luke 3:22; I Corinthians 8:6).
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the verbally inspired Word of God to humankind via the ministry of the Holy Spirit, revealing the will of God. It is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct for our journey through life. (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; Isaiah 40:8; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealing “I AM,” the creator of heaven and earth and the redeemer of humankind. He has further revealed Himself in three persons (the Trinity), embodying the principles of relationship and association as — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all co-existing. God the Father is greater than all, sender of the Word (Logos). The Son is the Word in flesh, the Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. The Holy Spirit is a part of both the Father and the Son and is eternal (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 40:10-31; I Timothy 6:15-16; John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 2:6; John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14; John 15:26; Luke 3:22; I Corinthians 8:6).
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus, eternally with the Father, is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare that He took upon Himself the form of man. Being born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life and gave His life on the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sins, purchasing our redemption with His blood. Being raised the third day from the dead, He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (a) Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35), (b) Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrew 7:26), (c) Jesus performed miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38), (d) Jesus was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4), (e) Jesus now resides on the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9; 11, 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrew 1:1-3).
Tithing
We believe and teach the giving of ten percent of one’s income to be an integral part of the Christian’s walk with the Lord. Abraham paid tithe before the law was given. The New Testament affirms the paying of tithes. God’s blessings of prosperity are promised to those who tithe (Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; II Chronicles 31:5; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Hebrew 7:6-8).
The Salvation of Man
Humankind’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Salvation is the gift of God to humankind. Separate from works and the law, it is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conditions of Salvation: Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Being justified by grace through faith, humankind becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 4:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
The Evidences of Salvation: The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence of salvation to all people is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
Faith and Works: Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works. However, our works will determine our rewards in eternity (Romans 10:9; II Corinthians 5:10).
Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Christ came to set us free from the law of sin and death and purchased our physical healing through atonement. Jesus’ words before He ascended into heaven were, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” The practice, therefore, of the laying of hands for healing is an active witness to our Lord’s power to heal. All believers have been given this privilege. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:13; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16, 17; Mark 16:15-20; James 5:14-15; Isaiah 53:4,5).
We believe that Jesus, eternally with the Father, is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare that He took upon Himself the form of man. Being born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life and gave His life on the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sins, purchasing our redemption with His blood. Being raised the third day from the dead, He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (a) Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35), (b) Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrew 7:26), (c) Jesus performed miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38), (d) Jesus was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4), (e) Jesus now resides on the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9; 11, 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrew 1:1-3).
Tithing
We believe and teach the giving of ten percent of one’s income to be an integral part of the Christian’s walk with the Lord. Abraham paid tithe before the law was given. The New Testament affirms the paying of tithes. God’s blessings of prosperity are promised to those who tithe (Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; II Chronicles 31:5; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Hebrew 7:6-8).
The Salvation of Man
Humankind’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Salvation is the gift of God to humankind. Separate from works and the law, it is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conditions of Salvation: Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Being justified by grace through faith, humankind becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 4:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
The Evidences of Salvation: The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence of salvation to all people is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
Faith and Works: Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works. However, our works will determine our rewards in eternity (Romans 10:9; II Corinthians 5:10).
The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water: The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures and is for believers only. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized.
Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36, 38; Acts 16:14, 15; Acts 10:47-48).
The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion): The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements- bread and fruit of the vine – is the symbol for expressing and sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Himself instituted it and we are to observe it till He comes again. The bread and fruit of the vine are symbols of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ and is a memorial of His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His Second Coming. (2 Peter 1:4).
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Promise of the Father: All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect the Promise of the Father at the point of salvation. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowal of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit should come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39); Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrew 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
Sanctification: Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 8:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrew 13:12). The scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrew 12:14) By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Bible teaches that without holiness, no person can see the Lord. Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his/her identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13; I Peter 1:5).
Baptism in Water: The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures and is for believers only. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized.
Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36, 38; Acts 16:14, 15; Acts 10:47-48).
The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion): The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements- bread and fruit of the vine – is the symbol for expressing and sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Himself instituted it and we are to observe it till He comes again. The bread and fruit of the vine are symbols of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ and is a memorial of His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His Second Coming. (2 Peter 1:4).
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Promise of the Father: All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect the Promise of the Father at the point of salvation. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowal of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit should come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39); Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrew 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
Sanctification: Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 8:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrew 13:12). The scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrew 12:14) By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Bible teaches that without holiness, no person can see the Lord. Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his/her identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13; I Peter 1:5).
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Christ came to set us free from the law of sin and death and purchased our physical healing through atonement. Jesus’ words before He ascended into heaven were, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” The practice, therefore, of the laying of hands for healing is an active witness to our Lord’s power to heal. All believers have been given this privilege. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:13; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16, 17; Mark 16:15-20; James 5:14-15; Isaiah 53:4,5).
Tenets of Faith: What We Believe
