Doctrine

 

Our Creed

 

Our creed is Christian.  Christian groups agree that the Bible is unmistakably clear about the following basic truths set forth in this creed:

 

Apostles Creed

 

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

5. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.

6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

9. the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,

10. the forgiveness of sins,

11. the resurrection of the body,

12. and life everlasting.

Amen.

 

See http://www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene.htm for more details.

 

The Church

I highlighted the statement about the communion of saints, because I wanted to explain it.  Jesus knows who truly loves him, and is following His Gospel.   This group of people is referred to as “the communion of saints”.  They may attend a variety of types of Christian churches, but the Lord refers to them collectively as “the Church”.  This diverse group of people is also referred to as Christ’s mystical body, or “the body of Christ”.  

 

So our creed distinguishes our beliefs from non-Christian beliefs. 

 

Doctrine

Why bother with doctrine?

Our doctrine distinguishes our beliefs from those of other Christians.  It goes beyond the obvious truths of our creed.  It is more specific than the doctrinal summary found in our creed.  It describes how we apply the scriptures to our daily lives.  This is important:

 

1 Timothy 1:3
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
(Whole Chapter: 1 Timothy 1 In context: 1 Timothy 1:2-4)

 

1 Timothy 1:10
for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
(Whole Chapter: 1 Timothy 1 In context: 1 Timothy 1:9-11)

 

1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
(Whole Chapter: 1 Timothy 4 In context: 1 Timothy 4:15-17)

 

1 Timothy 6:3
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
(Whole Chapter: 1 Timothy 6 In context: 1 Timothy 6:2-4)

 

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Timothy 4 In context: 2 Timothy 4:2-4)

 

Titus 1:9
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
(Whole Chapter: Titus 1 In context: Titus 1:8-10)

 

Titus 2:1
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
(Whole Chapter: Titus 2 In context: Titus 2:1-2)

 

More advanced information on why doctrine is important.

 

 

Our doctrine

While our doctrine comes out in our articles, it is also summarized below.  This summary may be useful for the quick reference of a Christian who is looking for like-minded fellowship.  Here are some our distinguishing beliefs and teachings (distinctives):

 

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

 

  1. SOZO: Salvation, Healing and Deliverance:  That Christ’s virgin birth, perfect life, and substitutionary, propitiary, and redemptive death, burial, and resurrection (finished work) provides us today with:
    1. Salvation from Hell – Christ alones saving work in us and through us producing a Christ-like life. This website’s practical Bible teachings balance divine and human agency in salvation around Man’s response to God’s salvation across the (blood) covenants, presenting a harmonized Judeo-Christian God with a singular plan of salvation for man.
    2. Deliverance from Demons - and their influence (directly or through the world system) on our thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and behavior, and body.
    3. Healing - Divine Healing is provided for in the Atonement
  2. Laying the Foundation
    1. Hebrews 6:1 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[1] and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 
  3. Miracles: The Full Gospel
    1. That speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance is the Initial Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
    2. All miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are for all Believers – This is a rare teaching.

 

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. -- 1 Corinthians 15:2

 

 

 

Distinctives

 

Indicate how we understand the Bible contrasted with other Christian groups who also hold to the Apostle’s Creed and the divine inspiration and authority of the Christian Bible.  We are a Trinitarian, Pentecostal, Apostolic group.  An understanding of the following can be gained by fellowshipping with us:

 

Trinitarian:

 

  1. The one true and living God who eternally exists in three persons in unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Pentecostal:

 

  1. That salvation, healing, and deliverance were provided for all men through the finished work of Jesus Christ – and that this grace can be accessed by faith in Christ alone. 

 

    1. The justification and sanctification of believers through the finished work of Christ:  His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning passion and death, and triumphant resurrection.

 

    1. The necessity of repentance and regeneration by grace and through faith in Christ alone and the separation from God (in eternal torment) of the finally unrepentant.

 

    1. The security of the believer as he remains in Christ.

 

  1. The baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers - initially evidenced by speaking in tongues – but potentially initially demonstrated by supernatural signs; empowering the church for its mission.

 

Apostolic:

 

  1. The mission of the church is to make disciples of all nations in any and every context, with special attention toward frontier church-planting.

 

    1. The charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit operating according to the character gifts of the Spirit:  For the building up of the Church, and empowerment towards our mission.

 

    1. Christ’s leadership of the Church through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders and deacons, for unity, maturity and growth of the church towards being and making disciples.

 

  1. Baptism by immersion (as our Christian initiation rite) and the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

 

Guidelines

 

Our

 

  1. Speech, actions, dress, and entertainment choices do not cause others (or ourselves) to stumble or sin. 
  2. Exuberance in worship does not distract others from their worship of God.
  3. Lifestyle sets an example of temperance regarding
    1. Stewardship:

                                                               i.      Tithing and saving money for opportunities to show generosity to Missions and to the needy.

                                                             ii.      Avoiding unnecessary consumer debt.

    1. Controlled substances/drugs
  1. Attitude toward newcomers and those struggling in their efforts to uphold the above is characterized by confidentiality in ministry and guided by the forbearing mercy, loving concern, and empowering grace that God showed us in His finished work.

 

 

 

 

Return to thisGospel.com's home page.