Statement_of

Our Statement of Faith

The Church Ministries, Inc.

WE BELIEVE that the only the sixty-six books of the Bible are inspired, and therefore inerrant, Word of God. It is the final authority for all we believe and how we live. Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.

WE BELIVE that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and with supernatural power directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper prospective in Christ Jesus to the glory of His name. Psalm 104; Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6.

WE BELIVE that Satan, was originally a beautiful and good angel, and he turned and rebelled against God, taking one third of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is now causing havoc all through the world. He is now a thief with nothing on his mind but to steal, kill and destroy anything in his way or path, He is out there like a lion looking for high quality Christians, doing work for the Lord, plus innocent others to tear down anything in his power possible to obliterate, wipe out, annihilate, demolish, or devastate the good in mankind. Plus he is not alone he works with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. We must remember that God is always in control. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. Matthew 12:25-29: 25:41; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10. John 10:10

WE BELIEVE that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. In end result of his disobedience, Adams off-spring are born subject to both implicate and inherent sin, and therefore by nature and choice the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, unholy unable to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance with God. Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a punishing, substitution sacrifice for all of Adam’s off-spring. By the blood, torment and torture, He went through hours of terrible, horrible suffering, as they whipped His body, His blood was everywhere, then they left Him to hang on the cross until dead, while they mocked Him, spit at Him, and yelled and laughed at Him, but He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and after a certain time period, He ascended to the right hand of the Father, to sit down, His great love for us He showed to the world is finished; now He is there with the Father to make intersession for the saints. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19 1Peter 2:21-25; 1John 2:1-2.

WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ceremony, formal procedure, sacrament, practice, ritual, occupation, effort, exertion, work, or in any activity, decree, order, or regulation on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively confirmed to the image of Christ. We also believe that faith has actions and if faith has actions it can be justified by works, saving faith is never alone, there is always a balance there is two sides to everything even in the highest degree of righteousness. John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3-4; 8:1-17, 31-39; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10: Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7, 9; James 2:1-25.

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. We also believe it is a second dwelling; it is a separate experience that comes after salvation. Some believe that the dwelling of the Holy Spirit comes when you receive conversion, sometimes it will act at the same time, but most of the time the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience that we get the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit that gives the Christian the power to be superior Christians to exist in this fallen world. Christianity is not a religion it is a living breathing organism that is alive. In purity an in sanctification we also are sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells and graciously equips the Christian for Godly living and service. Following to conversion the Spirit will desire to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness, We also believe that signs and wonders as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and our designed to testify to the presence of the Kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. We have come up with 20 gifts that we all can receive or have received. Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; Acts 2:1-36, 2:38-41; 4:29-30; 9:15-19; 10:44-48; 11:14-18; 19:1-7 Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 12-13, 27-30; 2Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:7-11; 5:18.

WE BELIEVE that water baptism and the Lords supper are two ordinances of the church to be more than just observed. Water baptism is an action taken for our spiritual development one to cleanse us from sin and two to make a statement that even though we have confessed that Jesus is our Lord and savior we move into this action to show our purity that we belong to Christ. Being we have been dropped totally into the water fully immersed to show that we are dead with Christ in the flesh, and when we are raised out of the water we also are raised with Christ as a new creature with a new life and spirit in Christ. The Lords supper has so many controversies but if you just read the bible and go through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John only in Luke Jesus says do this in the remembrance of me. But there are so many other areas like in 1 Corinthians 11, the importance of the Lords supper we have so many scriptures to go by. Even in Chapter 10 the thing is this church will gain a new power from sharing in the Lords supper, we gain new strength because Jesus was always symbolic even in the book of John He was yelling at the crows to eat his flesh and drink his blood after saying He was the bread of life. People found it hard to understand Him, but what He said was true in order to have life eternal, the next question that everyone would ask is it good to continue having the Lords supper? Well this church does and this church will have the supper anytime we meet together if possible, it brings the Spirit of Christ into our meeting or our prayer. Sharing the bread unleavened or leavened to us it does not matter, and most of any gathering we will use grape juice, during the old times wine was always mixed with water but still we cannot give children wine symbolic or not, anything from the fruit of the vine any type of grape juice or a non- alcohol grape drink or any such liquid from the fruit of the vine would we fine. It is the symbolism that is important it is the love of Christ and by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to all our spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace, that we all examine ourselves of our knowledge to recognize the Lord's body, we can also look at it as a building faith to feed upon Him. To recognize His death and His joyful return, plus be observant to obedience and repentance. Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:14-30; John 6:44-58; 13:21-30; 1Corinthians 5:8; 10:16; 11: 18-20, 23-26, 27-29, 2Corinthians 13:5 Acts 1:11; 1Thesssalonians 4:16; Romans 6:3-11; 1Peter 3:21.

WE BELIEVE that the Church is God’s primary instrument through which He is the fulfilling one. His is the redemptive purpose in the earth. He is the groom and the church the bride. We also need to equip all of the Saints for the work the true church and the ministry, God has given the church apostles. prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. We also confirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the Saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. However, final governmental authority in the church has ideally been entrusted to men. The Church Ministries finds no difference between men and women. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18, 42; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5.9-10.

WE BELIEVE that God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and train men to be Disciples of Christ so they can train others to be disciples and especially to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. We all should share what we have, that is the way it should be for everyone, and we all would share a better world. The Church Ministries is an expression of the heart and the true love of The Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom of God. Isaiah 58:6-12, 61:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:8. Acts 2:42-47.

WE BELIEVE in the accurate second coming of Christ at the end of the age when He will return to the earth personally and visibly to accomplish and complete His Kingdom. We also believe in and are praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and the appearance of a victorious church that we all will experience an extraordinary unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. Psalms 2:7-9; 22:27-28; John 14:12; 17:20-26; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-58; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 7:9-14.

WE BELIEVE that when the Christian dies he/she passes immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy a joyful loving fellowship with the Savior and we will inherit new bodies without pain or suffering until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation. The saved will then forever dwell in heavenly fellowship with their great Triune God. We intend to reach all the lost so we don’t have to see anyone suffer in hell. We also believe that when the unbeliever dies he/she is transmitted to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when he/she shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God. The Church Ministries is doing everything they can so this does not happen to anyone. Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15.

Revised Statement of the Faith written in 1902.

Of God.—We believe in the ever-living God, who is a Spirit and the Father of our spirits; infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being and perfections; the Lord Almighty, most just in all His ways, most glorious in holiness, unsearchable in wisdom and plenteous in mercy, full of love and compassion, and abundant in goodness and truth. We worship Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in one Godhead, one in substance and equal in power and glory.

Of Revelation.—We believe that God is revealed in nature, in history, and in the heart of man; that He has made gracious and clearer revelations of Himself to Men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit; and that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. We gratefully receive the Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration, to be the faithful record of God's gracious revelations and the sure witness to Christ, as the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life.

Of the Eternal Purpose.—We believe that the eternal, wise, holy, and loving purpose of God embraces all events, so that while the freedom of man is not taken away nor is God the author of sin, yet in His providence He makes all things work together in the fulfillment of His sovereign design and the manifestation of His glory; wherefore, humbly acknowledging the mystery of this truth, we trust in His protecting care and set our hearts to do His will.

Of the Creation.—We believe that God is the creator, upholder, and governor of all things; that He is above all His works and in them all; and that He made man in His own image, meet for fellowship with Him, free and able to choose between good and evil, and forever responsible to his Maker and Lord.

Of the Sin of Man.—We believe that our first parents, being tempted, chose evil, and so fell away from God and came under the power of sin, the penalty of which is eternal death; and we confess that, by reason of this disobedience, we and all men are born with a sinful nature, that we have broken God's law, and that no man can be saved but by His grace.

Of the Grace of God.—We believe that God, out of His great love for the world, has given His only begotten Son to be the Savior of sinners, and in the Gospel freely offers His all-sufficient salvation to all men. And we praise Him for the unspeakable grace wherein He has provided a way of eternal life for all mankind.

Of Election.—We believe that God from the beginning, in His own good pleasure, gave to His Son a people, an innumerable multitude, chosen in Christ unto holiness, service, and salvation; we believe that all who come to years of discretion can receive this salvation only through faith and repentance; and we believe that all who die in infancy, and all others given by the Father to the Son who are beyond the reach of the outward means of grace, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when and where and how He pleases.

Of our Lord Jesus Christ.—We believe in and confess the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and Man, who being the Eternal Son of God, for us men and for our salvation became truly man, being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary, without sin; unto us He has revealed the Father, by His Word and Spirit making known the perfect will of God; for us He fulfilled all righteousness and satisfied eternal justice, offering Himself a perfect sacrifice upon the cross to take away the sin of the world; for us He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where He ever intercedes for us; in our hearts, joined to Him by faith, He abides forever as the indwelling Christ; over us, and over all for us, He rules; wherefore, unto Him we render love, obedience, and adoration as our Prophet, Priest, and King forever.

Of Faith and Repentance.—We believe that God pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous solely on the ground of the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ received by faith alone; and that this saving faith is always accompanied by repentance, wherein we confess and forsake our sins with full purpose of, and Endeavour after, a new obedience to God.

Of the Holy Spirit.—We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who moves everywhere upon the hearts of men, to restrain them from evil and to incite them unto good, and whom the Father is ever willing to give unto all who ask Him. We believe that He has spoken by holy men of God in making known His truth to men for their salvation; that, through our exalted Savior, He was sent forth in power to convict the world of sin, to enlighten men's minds in the knowledge of Christ, and to persuade and enable them to obey the call of the Gospel; and that He abides with the Church, dwelling in every believer as the spirit of truth, of holiness, and of comfort.

Of the New Birth and the New Life.—We believe that the Holy Spirit only is the author and source of the new birth; we rejoice in the new life, wherein He is given unto us as the seal of son ship in Christ, and keeps loving fellowship with us, helps us in our infirmities, purges us from our faults, and ever continues His transforming work in us until we are perfected in the likeness of Christ, in the glory of the life to come.

Of the Resurrection and the Life to Come.—We believe that in the life to come the spirits of the just, at death made free from sin, enjoy immediate communion with God and the vision of His glory; and we confidently look for the general resurrection at the last day, when the bodies of those who sleep in Christ shall be fashioned in the likeness of the glorious body of their Lord, with whom they shall live and reign forever.

Of the Law of God.—We believe that the law of God, revealed in the Ten Commandments, and move clearly disclosed in the words of Christ, is forever established in truth and equity, so that no human work shall abide except it be built on this foundation. We believe that God requires of every man to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God; and that only through this harmony with the will of God shall be fulfilled that brotherhood of man wherein the kingdom of God is to be made manifest.

Of the Church —We believe in the Holy Christian Church of which Christ is the only Head. We believe that the Church Invisible consists of all the redeemed, and that the Church Visible embraces all who profess the true religion together with their children. We receive to our communion all who profess and obey Christ as their divine Lord and Savior, and we hold fellowship with all believers in Him. We receive a rite believed to be a means of or visible form of grace of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, alone divinely established and committed to the Church, together with the Word, as means of grace; made effectual only by the Holy Spirit, and always to be used by Christians with prayer and praise to God.

Of the Last Judgment.—We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again in glorious majesty to judge the world and to make a final separation between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked shall receive the eternal award of their sins, and the Lord will manifest the glory of His mercy in the salvation of His people and their entrance upon the full enjoyment of eternal life.

Of Christian Service and the Final Triumph.—We believe that it is our duty, as servants and friends of Christ, to do good unto all men, to maintain the public and private worship of God, to hallow the Lord's Day, to preserve the sanctity of the family, to uphold the just authority of the state, and so to live in all honesty, purity, and charity, that our lives shall testify of Christ. We joyfully receive the word of Christ, bidding His people go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, and declare unto them that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, and that He will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We confidently trust that by His power and grace, all His1 enemies and ours shall be finally overcome, and the kingdoms of this world be made the kingdom of our God and His Christ. In this faith we abide; in this service we labor; and in this hope we pray. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Abstract Of Principles

I. The Scriptures.

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.

II. God.

There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.

III. The Trinity.

God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.

IV. Providence.

God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.

V. Election.

Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life -- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ -- in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.

VI. The Fall of Man.

God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.

VII. The Mediator.

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.

VIII. Regeneration.

Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.

IX. Repentance.

Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things.

X. Faith.

Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.

XI. Justification.

Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.

XII. Sanctification.

Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.

XIII. Perseverance of the Saints.

Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

XIV. The Church.

The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all his true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to his commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these churches he hath given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which he hath appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons.

XV. Baptism.

Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.

XVI. The Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship.

XVII. The Lord's Day.

The Lord's Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.

XVIII. Liberty of Conscience.

God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

XIX. The Resurrection.

The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God -- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.

XX. The Judgment.

God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.