2. We believe in the Trinity. Mankind (who is made as a representation of God, according to Genesis 1:26) has three separate, but critical, components (Mind, Body, Spirit), so does God. We believe that there is the Father (God Himself), the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit (which is the spirit of God). These three make up one God. We typically refer to this as the Trinity. Although the word Trinity is not used in the Bible, the Bible does make it clear that there are three, thus the word Trinity. (Genesis 1:1-4; Luke 3:22; John 1:1-4)
3. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God. The Bible is comprised of two powerful sections, the Old Testament, which gives us an overview of the past workings of God, and the New Testament, which informs us of Gods plan for our Destiny. It is our affirmation that the Bible, in its entirety, is verbally inspired of God, and is the revelation (or revealing) of God to man. Everything contained within its pages is 100% truth. As a matter of fact, the Bible defines truth. It is incapable of being in error. It is true authority, and it defines faith with its instruction on how to live. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12)
4. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. As spelled out in the Trinity, we know that the Son is Jesus. Jesus left heaven and His place in the Trinity only to clothe himself with carnality and live an obedient life on earth. He was obedient to the Father all the way to the cross, to the grave, and back to life again. We whole-heartedly stand behind the following truths:
1. Jesus' mother, Mary, was a virgin. (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31-35)
2. Jesus lived a life of obedience, sin free. (Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22)
3. Jesus performed miracles. (Acts 2:22, 10:38)
4. Jesus died on a cross for mankind. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
5. Jesus didn't stay dead; He came back to life. (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
6. Jesus is now in heaven fulfilling His divine place in the Trinity. (Acts 1:9-11, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)
5. We believe that in the Garden man sinned (disobeyed God). Man was created in the image, or just like God. Every attribute God had man had. However, man voluntarily disobeyed the request of God and, thereby, incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which in itself is separation from God. As a result, man placed himself in a position of need, for an act of redemption. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).
6. We believe in the Salvation of Man. God, in His eternal wisdom, filled with His abundant love, was no longer the same without His creation an man. He missed the companionship as well as the intimacy that He had once shared. As a father who is away from his children for an extended period of time, God desired to once again be with man. So, He sent Jesus to right the wrong of man. (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; John 3:16; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2: 8; Titus 2:11-12; 3:5-7)
7. We believe that Jesus was and is our example. Jesus' life was flawless. He faced every situation with His greatest weapon of defense, the word of God. During Jesusà life He did two significant acts that we know are powerful when thoroughly understood and practiced.
* Water Baptism - Jesus was baptized. His whole body was pushed beneath the water as a sign of the beginning of His earthly ministry and things to come. We should follow His example after we have confessed our belief in Jesus as Lord and savior of our lives. Baptism serves as an outward sign of an inward change as well as a reenactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This is why we immerse in water. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4)
* Communion - Jesus, just prior to His crucifixion, performed one of the most intimate acts with His disciples. In taking the bread and the wine they began a spiritual representation of the things to come in Jesusà powerful life. Communion is something to be honored and reverenced on a regular basis. It is a physical act of remembrance for what Jesus did for us. (1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Peter 1:4)
8. We believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by one of nine manifestations. In Acts 2:1-4, Luke tells us about what happened to 120 people on the day of Pentecost. In Acts 1:4, prior to this divine visitation, Jesus told this group to stay in Jerusalem until they experienced a spiritual injection of power. Luke tells us that on the morning of Pentecost Holy Spirit not only entered the room where these 120 were gathered, but that He also entered their spirits. This caused them to be filled with Holy Spirit. As a direct result, there was evidence of this in filling. The most common sign of the in filling of Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, but the Bible does not give direction that we should look for this as a sign of one being filled. It does, however, tell us of nine gifts that accompany Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11) as he indwells us. Therefore, in conclusion, as a sign of someone being filled with Holy Spirit there will be one of at least nine gifts manifested, if not more. But, in no doubt, there will be a sign. Furthermore, there are those who believe that this phenomenon was only for that time and that time only. We, on the other hand, believe what Peter says in Acts 2:38-39 that this gift is for everyone and I am part of that everyone!
9. We believe in being Holy. Peter 1:16 tells us that we (those who believe in Jesus) should be Holy just as Jesus was Holy. Being Holy is not determined by a pattern of systematic do's and don'ts. It is, on the other hand, a way in which you think and live. Holiness is not determined by what you wear, what you watch, what you do, or how you do it. It is determined on the inside. Holiness in the life of a believer is not seen on the outside but lived out and practiced on the inside and then experienced by those around you. The way to live Holy is clearly spelled out in God's word, but you must study God's word thoroughly to have an understanding of this way of living. Being Holy is living like Jesus. Just a helpful hint though, it's a whole lot easier than everyone thinks! (Romans 6:11, 13; 8:1-2; 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:14; 13:12; Peter 1:5)
10. We believe in gathering together for the purpose of corporate worship. The church is not a building, but a group of believers, inhabited by God. Each person has a gift and calling to build up a true body of believers. It is necessary for us to come together to support, encourage, have fun with, and help one another. We together will create an atmosphere that God himself will be enthroned on. It is hard for a family to grow and learn from each other if they never spend any time with each other. The more we are together, the stronger we become, as long as He is our focus. (1 Corinthians 3:16; Acts 7:48-49; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23)
11. We believe in Ministry. Ephesians 4:11 gives us five specific offices of ministry in the body of Christ. It is our position that these offices should be in operation today(Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher) . These five offices serve to accomplish three main goals: Evangelize our world (Mark 16:15-20), Establish true worshipers (John 4:23-24), and build a body of mature, strong believers who will see their destiny come to fruition. Ministry is who we are, because it's all about people.
12. We believe in demonstrative, aggressive Praise and Worship (P&W) The book of Psalms gives us a clear understanding of the practice of Praise and Worship to God. The word of God admonishes us to sing (Psalm 149:1), dance, (Psalm 149:3; 150:4), shout (Psalm 47:1b), clap (Psalm 47:1a), play instruments (Psalm 150:3-5), jump (Luke 6:23), lift up hands (Psalm 134:2), be loud (Psalm 33:3; 98:4), and bow (Psalm 95:6). All of these are outward expressions of our love, devotion, and thanks to God for who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do. For some reason, the body of Christ has relegated many of these expressions of P & W to the world. They declare that to do some of these Biblical expressions of P & W is to be like the world. On the contrary, to practice these expressions of P & W is to be Holy.
13. We believe in Divine Healing. Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. To be delivered or set free from sin, sickness, disease, and infirmity is provided for in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This freedom is the divine right and privilege of every believer. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16)
14. We believe in the laying on of hands. There are some forms of bacteria and viruses that can be passed around through contact with an infected host. Just by touching someone who has certain types of sicknesses and diseases one could take this sickness to them-self. The same principle is possible through God's power. The difference is that what God has for you won't hurt you. It is possible to transfer gifts, and the anointing through the laying on of hands. We affirm that this practice is important, even vital, for spiritual growth and proper maturing. (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 5:12, 8:10, 9:17, 14:3; Romans 1:11; 1 Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6)
15. We believe in the Blessings of God. The word of God is full of promises and commitments that extend from God to us. The way to tap into those blessings is to obey the word of God in every aspect. In so doing you become a part of a covenant connection between God and Man. Benefits that are included in this covenant are prosperity, favor, health, long life, wisdom, and the list goes on. You can't miss if you're tied into this powerful covenant. (Deuteronomy 8:18, 3-10; Malachi 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 3:29; 3 John 2)
16. We believe in giving of tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:10-11 states very firmly our responsibility for giving. The principle of tithing is very simple give 10% of all you make to God. This, in turn, creates a type of insurance policy (Malachi 3:11). God uses the tithe as payment for services rendered, protection in financial and spiritual affairs. When you give an offering though, you are making an investment and you will earn blessings and or dividends (Malachi 3:10). Giving is a physical sign of worship and links you to your destiny. (Luke 6:38; Matthew 6:21; Leviticus 27:30)
17. We believe in women in ministry. Do we serve a God that is prejudice? Is God a respecter of persons? Does God contradict his word? The answer to the above is no!
The Bible is full of direction on this subject, but you must study the word (2 Timothy 2:15) and not just read the word. For instance, in Numbers 23:19, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 1 Timothy 3:1 are all examples of times in which no gender was to be implied, but rather human, person, man kind, any, what comes from the womb. There are other times where history must be taken into account, for example Paul in 1 Timothy 2:8 is writing to this new young pastor of seventeen by the name of Timothy. Timothy is trying to start a church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a city that worshiped the fertility goddess Diana, and history records when entering into the city you were greeted by a very tall, two-dozen bare breasted statues of her. So this was a highly matriarchal society. God's plan was not to shut down women, but to bring order. It is no wonder that the enemy would like to take women out of ministry, for women make up 2/3 of the body of Christ. (Galatians 3:28-29, Joel 2:28, 1 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Timothy 1:5)
18. We believe in a Final Judgment. There will one day be a final judgment in which those who were not believers in Christ will be judged according to their works. Whoever is not found in the Book Of Life, together with the enemies of God (the devil and his angels and followers), will be forever confined to eternal punishment in a lake of fire which burns more fiercely than white hot. This is what is considered the second death. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19 & 20)
19. We believe that there will be a new heaven and new earth. Because of the standard established by the word of God we affirm that according to His (Jesus') promise, there will one day be a new heaven and a new earth. The time of this great newness will be at the end of time, as we know it, and the beginning of our eternal life. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21, 22)
Blessings!
pastorcraigsloan@gmail.com
pastortarasloan@gmail.com
