Why do we believe what we believe?
A Message from Our Pastor
First, let me introduce myself and tell you a little about me. I am Pastor Paul G. Kiggins of the Tabernacle of Praise Ministries. I am blessed to be the pastor of such a wonderful church. The members of this church are some of the warmest, most loving people anyone could ever want to know. This church is a church of action. We have programs for all ages, from the nursery to the adult group “A.C.T.S.” (Ambassadors Called To Serve). Our Chosen Generation Youth Group is active with many outings, as is the World Harvest Singles Ministry. In our Sunday Morning services, you will enjoy some of the best singing anywhere around. I assure you, you will not be disappointed!
As Pastor of this church, I believe I have the responsibility of preaching the Word of God. One may ask, “Exactly what do you believe to be the Word, and what are your beliefs?” The purpose of this page is to share with you some of our basic beliefs taken from the Holy Bible – the Word of God.
We Believe...
- The Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and it is from this Book alone we derive our teaching and doctrine:
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
- The One known as Jesus is the One True God, and all that is done is to be done in His name:
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (1 Timothy 2:5)
- The Lord Jesus Christ is alive and well today, and able to do all things. All power is given Him, and through His name we are forgiven, and through the shedding of His blood our sins are remitted, and that His Word stands as true today as it did 2000 years ago:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Hebrews 9:12,22)
- Repentance of one’s sins, water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and being baptized with the Holy Ghost is His divine specific plan of salvation:
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. (Acts 19:1-5)
- One must be filled with the Holy Ghost – the Sprit of God – for this is how we are known as His, by the spirit which resides in our hearts:
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.
Romans 8:9-11
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
- God’s healing power is for today, that it is not of men, but by His Spirit, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him: (Hebrews 11:6)
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
- We believe God’s plan of salvation is a very specific plan, and that just “any old way” of carrying out these commandments is not of the Word. This is evident from the few verses listed here.
- We believe Jesus Christ came to the earth, ministered unto men, was crucified for our sins, and rose up on the third day. He said He would send a Comforter – the Holy Ghost – and that He ascended into the heavens, and will soon come again to receive His people – His Bride:
John 14:16-18
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
- Jesus instructed His followers to go and tarry in Jerusalem until they were endowed with power. This power they received on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room where 120 people were indeed filled when His spirit sat upon each of them. This same experience was not just for the old Church, but is for us today:
Acts 2:39 For 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.
This is just a brief look into the Word and our beliefs, which are founded upon His Word. I have put together this page in homes that you could, in just a few minutes of your time, have an understanding of what we believe, and why I preach what I preach.
I believe that, as a minister of the Gospel, I have a responsibility to preach His Word, and to do so with all my might and strength, and not to compromise any part of this Word for the convenience of men. I believe I will be held accountable before Almighty God for every word I deliver, or any word I might withhold for fear of offending someone. Therefore, my prayer is to seek Him out before the delivering of every message, and I pray someone’s heart is touched by that which has been delivered through the preaching of the Word. It is not my desire to condemn others, but to preach this Bible without compromise, and to research the Word so as not to preach any other Gospel, as the Apostle Paul instructed:
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
In Conclusion...
I pray this be a blessing to all of you, and I want you to feel free if you have further questions to talk with me, or one of our ministers, for further in-depth study into the Word. There is so much more in the Scriptures that goes hand-in-hand with these that have been listed.
As I have mentioned, our church is a church of action, and we encourage you to not only come, but when you desire, to put your talent to work – whatever it may be. We welcome you here to worship and get involved, as much as you would like.
It is my sincere hope this provides you a little insight about our church, and what is preached, and why we believe what we believe. I would only add: come and worship with us and see what you feel, if it is real to you, and if you leave here feeling better than you did when you arrived!
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon
thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance
upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
~ Pastor Paul