Statement of Faith

 

God:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, The Creator of heaven and earth,

I believe He dwells in unapproachable light, His sovereignty is supreme. He is in the Heavens and whatever he pleases He does. All creation is subject to Him. His desire is for all Creation

Jesus Christ:

He is God’s only Son, our Lord, Bridegroom, King, Judge, Prophet, and Great High Priest.

He was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

On third day He arose again from the dead.

His Blood is the atonement for the sins of all of those who choose to receive his gift of redemption though belief in Him.

I believe Jesus died to cleanse us in our depravity from sin so that he could reveal to us the greatness of His love. Redemption was for the purpose of our joining him in intimacy forever.

Jesus after resurrection ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
And One day He will come to judge the living and the dead.

The Holy Spirit:

I believe in the Holy Spirit, who is the evidence of salvation and the unsurpassing love of God. I believing the Holy Spirit dwells within the heart of every believer. Willing to make known the mysteries of God’s heart.

I believe the Holy Spirit’s primary role is to testify of the Son in His death, in His resurrection, and in His coming again to rule and reign on the Earth.

The Trinity

I believe in the holy trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons, dwelling as one God.

The Church:

I believe in one holy church. Though many congregations, only one body.

I believe in the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, (I Cor. 15)
and life everlasting.

I believe the corporate body of the church worldwide is many different churches yet one “bride”. One “bride” united under one faith in Christ, will be the “bride” presented to the “bridegroom” when Jesus arrives in his return.

Eschatology:

· I believe that Jesus is coming back in my lifetime.

· I believe the Saints will endure the tribulation at the end of the age until the final trumpet sounds. Then those in Christ will be caught up into the sky and join Jesus in his warring, yet joyful procession into Jerusalem.

· I             I believe many saints will fall away from the faith, and “the love of most will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12) during the last                 days. Those who persevere are those who are found in the Grace of Christ, without offense of His judgments.

· I believe there will be a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ (Millennium) after the tribulation to come, and before the final entering into eternity.

Eternal Punishment:

• I believe that there is an eternal lake of fire smoldering before the throne of God. All who choose not to love, and confess Christ Jesus as their Lord and savior are destined for that horror.
• I believe all men live eternally. Some in the lake of fire forever. Some in heaven with Christ in eternity. None perish forever. (to refute annihilationism)

Eternal Security:

· I believe it is possible for one to lose their salvation. Better said to reject it as an act of will. I believe that the saving grace of Christ sustains us, and even keep us. Yet some will still turn from the faith at the end of the age. (Matt. 24:12; Rev. 3:5)

· I believe sustaining ones salvation is never found in striving for righteousness,(Gal.2:21) or good works. Instead it’s in resting in the sustaining grace of God. It’s in trusting in Christ’s ability to keep you from stumbling. (Jude 24)

-This is what I believe but because of the scriptural evidence suggesting other wise, I leave it at this: Phil 2:12 “walk out your salvation with fear, and trembling.”

Divine Election:

· I believe that we are all divinely elected in Christ, because he was elected before the foundations of the Earth. (Is.42:1) By choosing Christ (believing) we are elected in Him. (Eph.1:4)

· However I believe that no one can choose the Son unless the Father compels him to. (John 6:44)

· I believe all humanity is totally depraved, but every human has the opportunity to choose Christ. (Rom. 1:19-20; Tit.2:11)

Sin

· I believe sin is the object of God’s wrath

· I believe sin is the primary hindrance to our loving and encountering the pleasures of God. To rid us this hindrance did Christ came, so that we may be with him forever. The blood not only cleanses us from sin but sustains us from sinning.

· I believe God’s grace and mercy is available to cover the sin of any believer. However the grace and mercy He gives is never a license to live anything but a life holy and pleasing to the Lord, least we frustrate the grace we’ve been given. We don’t sin because of love.

Gifts of the Spirit:

· I believe that the Gifts of the Spirit are alive and active in this hour.

· I believe in the praying of tongues, but strictly for personal edification. If an interpretation can be given, then it is to be shared publically.

· I believe in personal prophecy, however all personal prophecy must uphold and honor the Scripture, and is not a replacement or equal to scripture.

· I believe personal prophecy is for exhortation, edification, and comfort. Not for personal, daily direction. I believe prophecy can be for direction in the corporate sense of the Church as a whole. However all prophecies are merely partial pieces of revelation (I Cor. 13:9) we use to carry out the things the Word commands us. i.e. Matt 22:37-40 etc.

· If one exalts prophecy above scripture, or considers it equal to, they are endanger of the curse Paul spoke of in Gal.1:8.

· I believe that God is raising up Prophets in this hour of history to be forerunners like John the Baptist, and will prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus.

· I believe God speaks in dreams and visions. However these too are held up to the integrity of scripture.

· I believe that the word of God is living and active. Any dream, vision, angelic encounter, prophecy, sign or wonder, must speak or reflect the truth of scripture.

Theology in General:

· I Cor. 1:10-17 “lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of it’s power.”

· Rather than claim Evangelical, Armeanian, Calvinist, Baptist or Charismatic, I claim Christ. I follow no man’s doctrine but Christ’s. I’m under the leadership of Mike Bickle at the International House of Prayer, yet Mike did not die on the cross for me, but it was Christ.

· I believe having good doctrine is essential. Good theology is great, but I trust and follow Christ first and for most. All doctrines, all opinions, all theology is to be held to the integrity of Christ who is the living and active Word. “Let every man be found a liar, but his words remain true.”

· I believe that God is sovereign. Therefore that the Bible which we currently have is the sovereign word of God. Nothing should be added or taken away from it. Despite qualms people have with the Nicene fathers’ judgment.

Final Statement:

I claim in everything that I live and believe, to know nothing except Christ and him crucified. All things are found in Him, and in Him alone do I live. For his sake I’ve lost all things, that I may gain Christ.

I love Jesus, he took me, a man enslaved to sin and false pleasures, and freely gave me life when I didn’t deserve it. I cannot earn the love which He gives, nor will I try. I live to know this man whose gaze I have drawn. He’s incredible! I love Him.