It is the purpose of this Statement of Faith and message to set forth certain teachings that we believe.

 

Our sole authority for faith and practice among us is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible, the written Word of God is the unchanging foundation of this ministry. We affirm, ““But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8, NKJV).2 Our Statement of Faith are comprised of religious convictions, drawn from the Scriptures.

 

We profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among us is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11).

 

Because the Bible is without error and is complete, it produces an ever-living faith and has timeless relevance and essential truths that applies to all generations of humanity (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is always relevant and always essential, as mere humans, we have a growing understanding of biblical truth and must continually interpret the Bible with the Bible in the proper Biblical contexts relating the Bible to the needs of each new generation. The Bible does not change, it is unchanging and is the foundation of Christian faith forever.

 

We do not regard these as complete statements of our faith. As in the future we should hold ourselves free to refine or supplement our statements of faith as may seem to us wise and expedient at any time.

 

Scripture quotes in this document will be from the New King James Version (NKJV).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1: THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be verbally inspired by God, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and conduct (2 Pet 1:19-21; 2 Tim 3:16).

 

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore is and will remain to the end of the world.

 

The Bible speaks with authority because it is the Word of God. It is the final rule for faith and practice because it is the inspired and trustworthy witness to the mighty acts of God in self-revelation and redemption, all brought to fulfillment in the life, teachings, and saving work of Jesus Christ. It reveals the mind of Christ and teaches the meaning of His Lordship. In its unique and unified disclosure of the will of God for mankind, the Bible is the final authority in pointing persons to Christ and guiding them in all matters of Christian faith.

 

Scripture References: Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; 17:19; Josh. 8:34; Psalm 19:7-10;

119:11, 89, 105, 140; Isa. 34:16; 40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36; Matt. 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke

21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 15:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Rom. 15:4; 16:25-

26; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

 

ARTICLE II: GOD

We believe there is one true God and He has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the

Universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.

Scripture References: Deut. 6:4; Isa 43:10-11; Matt 28:19; Luke 3:22

 

 

ARTICLE III: THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and true God and true man; that there is no other name under heaven whereby men must be saved (Acts 4:12); and that as Christians, we are obliged to make this truth known.

 

Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God the Father, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present God.

 

We affirm that as God, Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; that He rose again from the dead on the third day, after which He was seen by many witnesses; that He then ascended into heaven, where He is now alive, and is our great HIGH PRIEST, and ADVOCATE with the Father. We believe that because He has thus conquered death for us, we too shall be delivered from death.

 

Scripture References: Matt. 1:20; 24:30-31; 28:19; Mark 16:4-6, 19; Luke: 1:30-33;

24:6-8; 1 John 2:1; Acts 4:12, 22:15; Hebrews 5:5-6; Gen. 18:1 ff; Psalm 2:7; 110:1;

Isa. 7:14:53; Matt. 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16 27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,

19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30, 38;

11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11, 16: 15-16, 28; 17: 1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20, 18; Acts 1-9;

2:22-24, Acts 4:12, 7:55-56; 9:4-5, 20; Rom. 1:3-4, 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3, 34; 10:4,

1 Cor. 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8, 24-28; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-

10; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 1 Peter 2:21-25, 3:22; 1 John

1:7-9; 3:2, 4:14-15; 5:9; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12: 10-11; 13:8; 19:16.

ARTICLE IV: GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God actively present in the world and He is God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, revealing Himself and His will to man. The Spirit therefore is the voice of divine authority and His authority is the will of Christ. In as much as the Scriptures came into being as men inspired by the Spirit spoke for God. He convicts men of sin and of righteousness and of judgment, thus making effective for individual salvation and the saving work of Christ. He abides in the heart of the believer acting as man’s advocate with God and God’s interpreter to man. He calls the believer to trust and obedience and thereby produces in his life the fruits of holiness and love.

 

The Spirit seeks to achieve God’s will and purpose among men. He empowers Christians for the work of ministry and sanctifies and preserves the redeemed for the praise of Christ. He calls for a free and dynamic response to The Lordship of Christ and for a creative and faithful obedience to the Word of God.

 

The promise of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is for every believer “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). “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.” (Acts 2:39.) We believe that this experience should be the beginning of a life of ever-increasing power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

 

According to Jesus, the baptism with the Spirit is evidenced by power to be a witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). That power is manifested in three ways: 1) power to speak a witness (with boldness, anointing, wisdom); power to live a witness (transformed, overcoming sin, temptation, and the devil, and living a holy Christ-like life); power to demonstrate a witness supernaturally through gifts and manifestations of the Spirit (speaking in tongues, prophecy, words of supernatural knowledge and wisdom, healing, being overcome by the power of the Spirit, etc.).

 

We affirm that God intends that all of the gifts of the Spirit be in full operation in the church and in believers’ lives today.

 

Scripture References: Matt 3:11; 28:19; John 7:37-39; 14:12, 26; 16:7; Acts 1:4-5,

8, 1 Cor 12-14; 1 Cor 14:21; Isa 28:11.

 

ARTICLE V: HUMANKIND

 

We believe that humankind was created by the special act of God, in His own image, and is the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning humankind was innocent of sin and was endowed by their Creator with freedom of choice. By free choice Adam and Eve sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan Adam and Eve transgressed the command of God and fell from original innocence; whereby their posterity inherited a nature and an environment inclined toward sin, and as soon as they are capable of moral action they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring men and women into His holy fellowship and enable them to fulfill the creative purpose of God.

 

The individual, because he or she is created in the image of God, is responsible for his or her moral and religious decisions. Each person is competent under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to make his or her own response to God’s call in the gospel of Christ, to commune with God, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. With their competence is linked the responsibility to seek the truth and, having found it, to act upon it and to share it with others.

Each person is competent under God to make his or her own moral and religious decisions and is responsible to God in all matters of moral and religious duty.

 

Each person is free under God in all matters of conscience and has the right to embrace or reject religion and to witness to his or her religious beliefs, always with proper regard for the rights of other persons. Such religious liberty is cherished not as a privilege to be granted, denied, or merely tolerated—either by the state or by any religious body—but as a right under God.

 

The Bible also reveals that Christ died for all people. The fact that humankind was created in the image of God and that Christ died for them is the source of each person’s worth and dignity. We have the God-given right to be recognized and accepted as an individual regardless of race, color, creed, or culture; to belong with dignity and respect to our community; and to have the full opportunity to achieve our potentiality. Therefore, every person is worthy of respect and Christian love.

 

Scripture References: Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5, 7, 18-22, 3; 9:6; Psalm 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5,

51:5; Isa. 6:5; Jer. 17:5, Matt. 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6,

12, 19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18, 29; 1 Cor. 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Eph. 2:1-22; Col.

1:21-22; 3: 9-11.

This doctrine in the tradition of the church has sometimes been called the “doctrine of man.” In today’s society, meanings change and some may mistakenly believe this is the doctrine of male human beings. To clarify any potential misunderstandings or offenses, we will use the word “humankind,” which is the meaning of the original  Hebrew and Greek terminology.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI: THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

 

We believe that man’s only hope of redemption is through the blood shed of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

 

Salvation is received by repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, a person becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Rom. 10-13-15; Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11;

3:5-7).

 

The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).

Grace is God’s loving and merciful provision for the need of lost men and women. Human beings, in their natural state, are self-centered and proud; they are in bondage to Satan and spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. Because of their sinful nature, human beings are helpless to save themselves. But God is graciously disposed toward all men and women in spite of their moral corruption and spiritual rebellion. Salvation is not the result of human merit or achievement but of divine purpose and initiative. It is not by means of sacramental mediation or moral training but by divine mercy and power. Salvation from sin is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, conditioned only upon repentance toward God and trust in and commitment to Christ the Lord (Eph. 2:7-9)

 

Prayer is one of the greatest privileges the human race has today. If an individual has not been born again, the first prayer that God wants to hear is a prayer of repentance (Romans 10:8-10).

 

Jesus Christ said,“ He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:11-12).

 

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21).

 

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2).

 

When we submit to God and ask Christ to intervene in our lives a whole new world of opportunity and privileges will open for us because God answers prayers. There are many types of prayer: the prayer of faith, the prayer of thanksgiving, intercessory prayer etc. Prayer is communication with God. It is a dialogue with God.

 

It is a dialogue with God. It is imperative that we pray in accordance with the Bible. First John 5:14 says, if we ask according to His will, He will answer us. For example, if you are praying for a need, or a concern in your life, you should understand and employ the following Scriptures:

 

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

 

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19).

 

According to these two Scriptures, if we have a care or need then Jesus is concerned about it. Anything, regardless of how large or small it may seem if it is a care He invites us to cast that care upon Him through prayer. It can be any one of the many cares of life that comes each and every day, need for strength to be a better Christian to do His will, or it could be healing for the physical body. “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:15). We as Christians cannot heal anyone, but He did say that we could pray and that the prayer of faith would heal the sick and the Lord would raise them up.

 

Jesus said in Matt. 18:19 “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.” “Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Another verse of Scripture, Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We know in the Bible days Jesus answered prayer for all problems, sickness and troubles, that plague humanity. In accordance to this verse of Scripture if Jesus answered prayers yesterday, He will do the same today. All through the Bible God has always answered prayer and the truth is that God always will.

 

Salvation, which comes by grace through faith, brings one into a vital life- changing union with Christ, which is characterized by a life of holiness and good works. The same grace by means of which one has been saved is the assurance of God’s continuing forgiveness and help in living the Christian life.

 

Redemption. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.

 

Regeneration, or new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart brought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.

 

Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerated person’s life.

 

Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

 

Scripture References: Gen. 3:15; Ex. 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matt. 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26;

27:22 to 28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14, 29, 3:3-21, 36; 5:24; 10:9, 28-

29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Rom. 1:16-

18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18; 29,39; 10:9-10, 13; 13:11-14; 1 Cor.

1:18, 30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Cor. 5:17-20; Gal. 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Eph. 1:7;

2:8-22, 4:11-16; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 1:9-22; 3:1.

 

 

ARTICLE VII: THE CHURCH

 

We believe that in the New Testament the term “church” designates God’s people in their totality or in local assembly. The church is a fellowship of persons redeemed in Christ Jesus, divinely called, created, and made one under the sovereign rule of God. The church as a local body—an organism indwelt by the Holy Spirit—is a fellowship of believers, voluntarily banded together for worship, study, Christian service, and the propagation of the gospel at home and abroad.

 

Religion in the worship of God cannot be confined to any particular structure or any particular place because the worship of God is conducted within the heart of an individual at any time, any place according to the dictate of the heart.

 

“The woman saith unto Him, Sir, I perceive that Thou are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and Ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe ME, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:19-24.

 

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21.

 

“For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also His offspring.” Acts 17:28.

 

Our ministry believes in using all of the modern means possible such as television, radio, publishing and any other means possible in preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ as commanded in the great Commission. (Matt 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18).

 

We endeavor to work in cooperation with all believers who desire the literal fulfillment of Christ’s prayer, “that they all might be one,” while maintaining scriptural sovereignty under God, to fulfill our purposes according to the dictates of our own conscience.

 

Religion is not confined to a sect or a ritual. The symbols of religion to one are anthems to another. What one may regard as charity another may scorn as foolish waste. And even education is today not free from divergence of view as to its validity.

 

Being committed to Christ’s teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in us by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

 

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.

 

The church in its inclusive sense, is the fellowship of persons redeemed by Christ and made one in the family of God. The church, in its local sense, is a fellowship of believers, voluntarily banded together for worship, nurture, and service.

 

Scripture References: Matt. 6:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42; 47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6;

13:1-3; 14:23, 27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2, 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17;

9:13-14; 12; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11, 21; 5:22-32; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim.

3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev. 2:3, 21:2-3.

ARTICLE VIII: CHURCH ORDINANCES

 

We believe that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two main ordinances of the church. They are symbolic, but their observance involves faith, confession, self-examination, discernment, gratitude, dedication, fellowship and worship.

 

The ordinance of baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on 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 to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47, 48; Rom. 6:4).

 

The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) is a sober searching of one’s heart, a

thankful remembrance of Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. The Lord’s Supper consists of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Cor 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Cor. 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He comes!”

 

Scripture References: Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26;

Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23, Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Rom.

6:3-5; 1 Cor. 10:16, 21; 11:23-29; Col. 2:12.

ARTICLE IX: EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

 

We believe that Evangelism is the proclamation of God’s judgment on sin and of

the Gospel (Good News) of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Evangelism is the response of Christians to persons in the bondage of evil and to the charge of Christ that His followers are to be His witnesses to all people. It declares that the gospel and the gospel alone is the power of God for salvation. The task of evangelism is primary

in the mission of the church and is the vocation of every Christian.

 

New Testament evangelism is evangelism by means of the gospel and by the power of the Spirit. It aims at the saving of the whole person. It confronts the lost with the cost of discipleship and the claims of The Lordship of Christ. It magnifies divine grace, voluntariness of faith, and reality in the experience of conversion. The constraining love of Christ, the doom of the unsaved, and the strength of sin constitute a compelling urgency.

 

Personal and mass evangelism, church-centered evangelism, the use of sound methods and every worthy medium, the witness of personal piety and a Christlike spirit, agonizing intercession for the mercy and power of God, and utter dependence on the Holy Spirit point the way to the kind of evangelism desperately needed for this critical time.

 

Evangelism which is primary in the mission of the church and the vocation of every Christian, is the proclamation of God’s judgment and grace in Jesus Christ and the call to accept and follow Him as Lord.

 

Missions, as we use the term, is the extension of God’s redemptive purpose through evangelism, education, and Christian service beyond the local church. The lost masses of the world constitute a stirring challenge to Christian churches.

 

Since Christians believe in the freedom and competence of each person to make his or her own decisions in matters of religion, it is our responsibility under God to see that each individual has the knowledge and opportunity to make the right decision. We are under the compulsion of the divine commission to proclaim the gospel to every person of every race and nation. The urgency of the present world situation, the aggressive appeal of competing faiths and ideologies, and our concern for the lost, call us to dedicate our utmost in people and money to proclaim the redemption of Christ to the world.

 

We must use every means at our disposal, including the modern media of masscommunication,togiveChristtotheworld.Wecannotrelyexclusivelyonasmall,speciallytrainedanddedicatedgroupofmissionaries.

 

Every Christian is a missionary, no matter where he or she lives or what their position or vocation may be. Our attitudes toward those of other nations, races, and religions are part of our testimony for Christ. Our witness in every realm and relationship of life must

lend credence to our proclamation that Jesus is Lord of all.

 

Missions seek the extension of God’s redemptive purpose in all the world through evangelism, and Christian service, and call for the utmost dedication on the part of Christians to this task.

 

Scripture References: Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-6; Isa. 6:1-8; Matt. 9:37-38; 10:5-15;

13:18-30; 37-43 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John

14:11-12.

 

ARTICLE X: END TIMES/HEAVEN AND HELL

 

We believe in the rapture of the church and the millennial reign of Christ Jesus.

According to God’s promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment.

 

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matt. 24:46; Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

 

The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

 

We look for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds to catch away those who are prepared at His coming (Acts 1:9-11).

 

Scripture References: Isa. 2:4; 11:9; Matt. 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27; 30, 36, 44,

25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9-43-48; Luke 12:40, 48: 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-

28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 4:5; 15:25-28, 35-58; 2Cor.

5:10; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thess. 4: 14-18; 5:1; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2; 1 Tim. 6:14;

2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:27-28; James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:28; 3:2;

Jude 14; Rev. 1:18; 3:11; 3:11; 20:1 to 22:13.

 

ARTICLE XI: STEWARDSHIP

 

We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. They are God’s representatives in the world. Christians have a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possession. They are therefore under obligation to serve God with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

 

Christian stewardship is the responsible employment under God of one’s life, talents, time, and material substance in the proclamation of the gospel and in Christian service and material substance in the proclamation of the gospel and in Christian service. In the sharing of the gospel, stewardship finds its highest meaning. Stewardship is based on the acknowledgement that all we are and have comes from God as a sacred trust.

 

We believe that according to God’s Word, He promised to bless us for our giving.

 

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

 

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vines cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of HOSTS.” Malachi 3:10-11.

 

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19.

 

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

 

All through the Word of God, He teaches us that if we will give to the cause of the gospel of Christ, and the outreaches of the kingdom of God, that He would bless us according to these Scriptures and many, many, more throughout the Bible. If we give to any church that is preaching the gospel of Christ, and winning lost souls and doing the work that God commissioned the church to do, He would bless us financially. Many times, the reason that people do not receive financial blessings from God is because they do not do it God’s way. Sometimes people get the idea that if God will give to them then they will give to God. However, that is not what the Word of God says to do. In order to receive His financial blessings we must do it God’s way. God says for us to give first then it will be given unto us (Luke. 6:38). He said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)

 

God is a righteously jealous God (Ex 20:5; 34:14). Throughout the Bible He always insists on being first in the lives of people.

 

By failing to do according to the Word of God for stewardship we hinder the divine plan of God for our lives.

 

Material possessions in themselves are neither good nor evil. The love of money rather than money itself is the root of all kinds of evil. In Christian stewardship, money becomes the means to spiritual ends both for the one who gives and for those who receive. Accepted as a sacred trust, money becomes not a threat but an opportunity. Jesus was concerned that human beings be free from the tyranny of material things and that man use material things to meet his own needs and the needs of others.

 

The responsibility of stewardship applies not only to the individual Christian but also to the church. What is entrusted should be spent wisely in the service of mankind and to the glory of God.

 

Christian stewardship conceives the whole of life as a sacred trust from God and requires the responsible use of life, time, talents, and substance—personal and corporate—in the service of Christ.

 

Scripture References: Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 8:18; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt.

6:1-4, 19-21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21, 42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11;

17:24-25; 20-35: Rom. 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12;16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9;

12:15; Phil. 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:20; Matt. 5:13-16.

ARTICLE XII BIBLICAL PROBLEM RESOLUTION

 

As Christians, we believe in resolving every problem that arises within this church with the Bible as the final authority in the manner that Jesus teaches (Matt.

18:15-17).

 

ARTICLE XIII PERTINENT ISSUES: PEACE AND WAR

 

We believe that it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all people on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ and they should pray for the end of all wars. We believe that force can only be used as a last resort in self-defense with restrictions in a life-threatening situation when all other peaceful means have been exhausted. The state should not initiate wars but has a duty to defend herself and her citizens.

The true remedy for all wars be it spiritual or physical is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of people and nations, the practical application of His law of love, and personal spiritual transformation by Jesus Christ.

 

Scripture References: Isa. 2:4; Matt. 5:9, 38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36; 38; Rom.

12:8-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Heb. 12:14; James 4:1-2; 1 Cor. 13:8.

 

ARTICLE XIV: THE PERSONALITY OF Satan

 

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that

he is the open and declared enemy of GOD and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

 

 

ARTICLE XV: DISPENSATIONALISM

 

We believe in the dispensational view of Bible interpretation but reject the extreme teaching known as “Hyper Dispensationalism,” such as that teaching which opposes either the Lord’s Table or water baptism as a Scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:8; 1

Corinthians 11:23-26).

 

 

 

ARTICLE XVI: THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST

 

We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation andpremillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in Hissubsequentreturntoearth,withHissaints,toestablishHisMillennialKingdom

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6; 1

Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; John

14:1-3).