Our Beliefs

The Pentecostal Apostolic Church of Dayton is a church that believes and teaches the full gospel of Jesus Christ.  As Apostolics, we endeavor to "continue in the faith which was once delivered to the saints (apostles)" (Jude v.3). We believe that everything we need to live by and believe for salvation is found in the Bible.  As such, we believe the following:

·        We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and our guidebook for living.  It gives us a true history of the creation of the heavens, the earth, and of mankind.  It tells us, correctly, of events to come regarding the heavens, earth, and the destiny of man.  There is no salvation outside of that which is contained in its pages.

·        We believe in One God, the creator and sustainer of all things, who manifest Himself as the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit) in the New Testament church.

·        We believe that because of original sin (the sin of Adam and Eve) all mankind is born in a fallen state and is in need of a Savior (Romans 5:12).

·        The plan of salvation is most concisely stated in the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 38 and 39, and is found woven and confirmed throughout the entirety of the Bible.  Salvation consists of deliverance from sin through the blood of Christ.  This is accomplished by repentance from sin, water baptism (by immersion) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.

·        God is Holy, and he requires us to pursue holiness (separation) unto him.  Leviticus 19:2 "...you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." I Peter 2:9, II Corinthians 7:1

The Apostle's Doctrine

We believe the Bible to be inspired of God, and that it is the infallible Word of God.  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Repentance

Pardon or forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, which is a confessing and forsaking of sins.  True repentance is changing directions from the old sinful life to a life lived for Christ.  John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it.  Jesus said, "...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).  Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Baptism

We believe in water baptism by immersion in the Name of Jesus Christ, according to Acts 2:38, which is a direct fulfillment of Matthew 28:19.  Water baptism is a very important part of the Plan of Salvation, for Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." According to the Book of Acts, all baptisms in the early Church were performed in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Holy Ghost

John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."  Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance."  It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the Holy Ghost to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues.  The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use and purpose.  The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28).  Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience said; "having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He (Jesus) hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2:33).  Further, "...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).

The One True God

We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God; infinite in power, Holy in nature, attributes, and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, in creation; through the Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Ghost, by regeneration (1 Cor. 8:6, Eph. 4:6, 2 Cor. 5:19, Joel 2:28).  The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God is universal (Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is a spirit, without body, and therefore free from all limitations (John 4:24).  A spirit hath not flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord" (Mark 12:29; Deut. 6:4). "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:6).  This one true God manifested Himself in divers ways in the Old Testament; in the Son while He walked among men; and as the Holy Spirit after the ascension, working through the Church, which is the Body of Christ.