First Pentecostal Church of Ragley is a conservative Pentecostal congregation that believes and teaches that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. We believe in one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who has expressed Himself in a variety of ways to suit His purposes, including as Father in creation, Son in redemption and Holy Spirit in indwelling and operation; however, the fact that He has so expressed Himself in no way diminishes His essential oneness. We further believe that Jesus Christ is the one true God manifest in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16) and that the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9).

 

We believe in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is obtained by grace, through faith in and obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). This obedience includes, as a critical component, compliance with the Biblical plan of salvation as expressed in Acts 2:38. Therefore, in obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) and the example of His apostles (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5; Acts 22:16), we practice water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. We also experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4) as an essential element of salvation.

 

We believe in the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive His church unto Himself (I Thessalonians 4:15-18). We believe He will return for a church that is holy and separated from the world (Ephesians 5:25-27); therefore, we teach a lifestyle of separation and sanctification unto the Lord in preparation for His coming. This is consistent with the Lord's command to be holy (I Peter 1:15-16) and with the Scriptural absolute that without holiness no man shall see God (Hebrews 12:14).

 

We believe it is the responsibility of the church to share the good news of the Gospel with every culture and nation (Mark 16:15). Therefore, it is the stated purpose of Ragley First Church to faithfully minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many men, women, and children of every ethnicity in the surrounding communities and around the world as we can before Jesus returns.

ONENESS OF GOD

                                 NEW BIRTH

REPENTANCE

There is only ONE God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), as the Son (Savior) and as the Life (the Holy Ghost).

BAPTISM IN 
JESUS NAME

We believe in water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission (washing away) of sin. Through baptism, we identify with the burial of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:11-14; Acts 2:38). Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of the new birth experience and entering into the kingdom of God (God’s church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership, but an essential element of salvation.

The only way to enter the Kingdom of God is the New Birth as Jesus taught in John 3:5 - ("Jesus answered, 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.")

and commanded in Acts 2:38 - (Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.)

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INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST

Just as John 7:38,39 teaches when we believe on Jesus as the scripture has said, we will be filled the Power of the Holy Ghost. We see this in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19. The Word of God says in Romans 8:9b, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." We believe in living separated and consecrated lives to our Savior.

We believe in repentance of all our sins, in a complete turning away of our old lives and accept the beginning of the New Birth process. We must die to our desires and turn and follow Jesus.

 

THIS IS THE INITIAL TRANSFORMING OF THE GOSPEL

Paul commands us to obey the Gospel and then teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 that the Gospel is the death, burial, and the resurrection. Once born again, we are new creatures in Christ and begin the process of being perfected by the ministry and the infallible Word of God. 

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