What we believe
Christians need to be aware of what the church believes in. We all think that we know what we believe in and in general terms, we have no problem in expressing this to non-believers. However, from time to time there is a statement made, or teaching given, that challenges us; it causes us to re-evaluate whether we believe it or not.
There is no problem with this, it is quite normal for Christians to re-evaluate their beliefs. This is part of our personal growth in Christ. However, it would make this process very much easier if there was something set out stating what the church believes in so that we can see whether our thought processes are in line with the church or not. Having this written out would also help to raise issues if there are any areas where the church is not in unity with Christ.
The bible calls us to be completely in unity, both individually and corporately. This document is written to make it easy for everyone to see how we align ourselves to God's word in specific key areas.
The Inspired Scriptures
The One True God
The Divinity of the Father
The Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
Man’s creation, fall and salvation
The revelation of Christ and His church
As a church, it is our desire to 100% in unity with God's word. As ministers, we believe that there is nothing more important than bringing our personal lives into line with God.
The Inspired Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Scripture, the books of both the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and as such are the only source of norm or faith and are the final authority in the life of the church.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 …and from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this reason, we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the work of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2 Peter 1:21 …for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The One True God
We believe that there is only one true God, the eternal self-existing “I AM”, the creator of the universe, and the redeemer of mankind, and has shown Himself to us as a triune being, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.”
Isaiah 43:10-11 You are My witness, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before My there was no God formed, nor shall there be one after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me, there is no saviour.
Isaiah 48:16 Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that I was, I was there. And now the Lord God and His Spirit have sent Me.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
John 14:8-9 Phillip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me Phillip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father so how can you say ‘show us the Father.’”
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.
The Divinity of the Father
We believe that He is known as the creator and sustainer of the universe in the Old Testament, but is revealed through Jesus, as Father in the New Testament. He is a spirit being, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His person and holy, just and righteous in His character.
John 4:24 God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. He becomes Father to all who by faith receive Jesus Christ as Savior and experience a spiritual birth through the work of the Holy Spirit .
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I say to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
As Father, He can reveal Himself and be known; desiring fellowship with His children.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
1 John 1:3 ...and that which we have heard we declare to you, that you may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
His love is pure, impartial, and constant to each of His children.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.
John 17:23 I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He is merciful, gracious, and generous in His dealing with His children, affirming our sonship through correction.
2 Corinthians 1:2-3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
Hebrews 12:6-8 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But is you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
He lovingly anticipates and provides for His children’s every need.
Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore do not worry saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
He imparts life after His nature to His children.
2 Peter 1:4 by which having been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
He endears Himself to His family inviting them to freely share in His kingdom.
Matthew 6:9-13 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
He is seeking and searching for His lost children. This is expressed in Christ’s first and second coming.
Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
This is also expressed in the parables of lost things in Luke 15.
The Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that He is the deity, part of the trinity, the eternal Son of God from the beginning.
John 1:1-5, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Colossians 2:6-10 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Hebrews 1:1-13 He left the glory of heaven and made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel,
Matthew 1:23 Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son. And they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated “God with us.”
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you an the power of the Highest will over-shadow you; therefore, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient, to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He came to seek and save the lost.
Matthew 10:6 But o rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recover the sight of the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
He lived as a humble servant, empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform “signs and wonders.”
Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God ascending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recover the sight of the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Through His death, He made the only way for man to be reconciled to God and receive the free gift of salvation.
Romans 5:10-12, 18 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Therefore, just as through one man sin, entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned — Therefore, as through one man’s offence judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act, the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Colossians 1:14 ...in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He was bodily resurrected and He ascended to heaven and He is presently interceding for the saints.
Like 24:17 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures that things concerning Himself.
Acts 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will also come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 20 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I
preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that, He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then, last, of all, He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. — But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
He is coming for the church and will be involved in the judgment of this world with its works.
John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must be put to incorruption, and this mortal must be put to immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in the victory.” O Death, where is your sting? O Death, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Peter 3:7-15 He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and He regenerates every believer by affecting genuine repentance with saving faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour.
John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. DO not marvel that I say to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 12:3 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and all have been made to drink into one Spirit.
Every born again believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and thereby begins to walk in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:9-11 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
The Holy Spirit equips God’s people to go out among the Nations to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Jesus Christ has promised to baptize (empower, anoint, fill) every born again Christian with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit so that the Body of Christ on earth might be equipped to carry on the supernatural ministry of Jesus.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.
Luke 24:49 Behold I sent the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Acts 1:5-8 For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Therefore, when they had come together they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Romans 12:4-11 For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individual members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
We are living in a time of restoration in which Jesus Christ has given ministerial gifts to men, who will be lead by the Holy Spirit to bring us into the “unity of the faith” with the rest of the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Man’s creation, fall and salvation
We believe that man was created good and upright in the image and likeness of God. The first man Adam, fell out of God’s grace through disobedience and in this way sin entered the world, and through sin death. Adam’s trespass did not only bring physical death but also spiritual death. Through Adam’s sin and our personal choice we are all sinners and eternally separated from God.
Genesis 1:26-27 then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
Genesis 3:6-24 So when the woman say that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate, then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I knew that I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the word of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it.’ cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. Also for Adam and his wife, the Lord made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Then the Lord said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good a devil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever.” Therefore, the Lord sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out the man and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The only hope for mankind is to be redeemed and saved from the power of sin by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enmities we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
James 1:21 Therefore, we lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
God provides salvation as a free gift in Christ Jesus to all men, but only those who receive this gift of grace through faith are saved.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit, taking the word of God and applying it to the heart of man so that whoever confessed with his mouth Jesus as Lord and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead shall be born again.
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
The revelation of Christ and His church
We accept the following:
A visible manifestation of the unity of the Body of Christ worldwide, with the Lord Jesus Christ, the great and good shepherd that lay down His life for the sheep, forming “one flock with one shepherd.”
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd gives His life for His sheep.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 17:20-23 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
It is is necessary for every Christian to have a personal experience with Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord, in addition to having the scriptural knowledge of the doctrine of salvation.
John 3:3-6 Jesus answered and said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, “ How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 4:10-12 The Church is the Body of Christ, the dwelling place of God in the Holy Spirit, every believer born of the spirit is an integral part of the general assembly and Church of the first born who are all registered in heaven
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
The necessity of the Church being sent into the world on a mission to bear witness to the love of God through actions and speaking, through prophetic ministries, through sufferings, and through ministries to those less fortunate.
Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt looses its flavor; how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by en. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans 8:17 ...and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also glorified together.
1 Peter 2:21 For this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you, through His poverty might become rich.
Galatians 2:10 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Diving healing was foretold in the Old Testament and is tied to the gospel in the New Testament.
Psalm 103:1-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your mouth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken. Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for out transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Matthew 8:16-17 When the evening had come, they brought Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed the sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”
Acts 5:16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? 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. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The availability of a personal Pentecost for all Christians today, with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit for believers expressing itself by the original sign of speaking in tongues, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Together with the Baptism comes an indwelling of power of a life of service and witness. This experience differs and comes after the experience of rebirth.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 8:17 Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44 When Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Acts 19:5-6 ...when they heard this they were baptized in the name of the lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
The availability and operation of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in the New Testament and the necessity of all Christians to desire those gifts, exercising them with submission to the leadership of the fivefold gifts for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7-12 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members of that one body, so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:12 The Church as a functioning body with every member ministering with God given gifts and graces, and not an organization with membership most of whom are spectators desiring professionals to do the work.
Romans 12:1-13 The restoration of the five fold ministries for proper New Testament church leadership (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher), and for the equipping of the saints for service.
Ephesians 4:11-16 The foundation of the Church is laid by the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:20 Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
The Church as a corporate body through which humankind can worship God in spirit and truth
1 Corinthians 12:13-14 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves of free—and having all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.
John 4:23-24 The potential and necessity of the Church to become sanctified, holy, and set apart from the world, demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit and reflecting the image of Jesus Christ as the light in a darkened world.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you wee washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Ephesians 5:1-21 Be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornicators and all uncleanness or covertness let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for the saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covertness man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), finding our what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them
in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whoever makes manifest is light. Therefore he says: “Awake you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See that you walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing an making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:15-16 ...But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.”
The importance of Christ Jesus’ second coming at the close of the age as the Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh and the signs of the end are being fulfilled on every hand.
Acts 2:17-21 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on my menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heavens above and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!
Tithes and offerings, the first fruits are holy to the Lord, it is gathered for the building of God’s house and for the extension of His kingdom. The ministry leaders, lead by example in this area and the apostolic office oversees the distribution thereof.
Leviticus 27:30-32 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine
Malachi 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, in what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out on you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, says the Lord of hosts.
Hebrews 7:1-2 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also, Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also kin of Salem, meaning king of peace
Hebrews 7:5 And indeed, those who are the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;
1 Chronicles 29:6-9 Then the leaders of the father’s houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of the Lord five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talent of bronze, one hundred thousand talents of iron. And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the lord, into the hand of Jehiel, the Gershonite.
1 Chronicles 29:12-17 Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might, in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. But who am I , and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You. For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all your own. I know also, my God that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.
Acts 5:2-4 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and he brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was soled, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”