Statement of Faith

Biblical Doctrine Scriptures:

We believe the Holy Bible to be the only inspired, trustworthy and true, without error, Word of God. We believe the 66-cannon books that are the final Holy Scriptures. The Apocrypha are known to have some historical meaning. (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Trinity:

We believe there is only one God who eternally exists in three persons:

The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:8, Genesis 3:22,

Genesis 11:7, I John 5:7; Matthew 28:19, Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29; John 14:9).

We believe Jesus Christ is God, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His death that paid for our sin through His bloodshed, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension/rising to the right hand of the Father and in his personal return in power and glory. (John 1:1; Matthew 1:18,25; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 9:15-22; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:27-28).

Divinity of Jesus Christ:

We believe acceptance of Jesus Christ and the corresponding renewal of the Holy Spirit are the only paths to salvation for lost/sinful men and women. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within and guides Christians, so they are enabled to live godly lives. (John 14: 15-26; John 16:5-16; Ephesians 1: 13-14).

We believe in eternal life, and that through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we spend eternity with the Lord i n Heaven. We believe that in rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive eternal suffering in hell. (Matthew 25:31-46; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that all believers are members of His body, the Church. (Phillipians 2:1-4)

Jesus Christ is GOD the Son:

JESUS is the Son of GOD. JESUS is God revealed to us in the flesh, as 100% man and 100% GOD (Matthew 4:4). JESUS CHRIST has been there since beginning of creation; by HIM all things were created with JESUS CHRIST the Father and the Holy Spirit (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). JESUS CHRIST revealed the invisible image of God (Colossians 1:15), which God the Father is Spirit (John 4:24). GOD the Holy Spirit is referred as the Helper or Comforter, He testifies of JESUS CHRIST. He intercedes for us in prayer and is sealed in all believers joint with their spirit. He convicts the world and brings the truth, which is JESUS CHRIST. The three persons are one GOD. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are one GOD. ( I Joh 5:7, Matthew 28:19, Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:8; Genesis 3:22; Deut 6:4, Mark 12:29, John 14:9, John 10:30; Philippians 2:5-6; John 17:21; John 1:18; Colossians 2:9-10; John 10:33; John 5:18; John1:1; John 1:14; Revelation 19:13;I John 5:7; Deut 6:4-5; I John 5:20; Romans 10:13; John 8: 57-58; John 8:22-24; John 13:18-19; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 1:17-18; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 2:1-2; Matthew 28:8-9; Acts 7:59-60; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 20:27-28; II Peter 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Titus 2:13).

Marriage and Order in Family:

We believe Jesus Christ is God, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His death that paid for our sin through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension/rising to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory. (John 1:1; Matthew 1:18,25; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 9:15-22; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:27-28).

We believe that acceptance of Jesus Christ and the corresponding renewal of the Holy are the only paths to salvation for lost/sinful men and women. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within and guides Christians, so they are enabled to live godly lives. (John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe in eternal life, and that through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we spend eternity with the Lord in Heaven. We believe that in rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive eternal suffering in hell. (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:-18).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that all believers are members of His body, the Church. (Philippians 2:1-4).

Garamond is a

We believe that acceptance of Jesus Christ and the corresponding renewal of the Holy Spirit are the only paths to salvation for lost/sinful men and women. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within and guides Christians, so they are enabled to live godly lives. (John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe in eternal life, and that through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we spend eternity with the Lord in Heaven. We believe that in rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive eternal suffering in hell. (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that all believers are members of His body, the Church. (Philippians 2:1-4).

Creator and Creation:

We believe that God created all human beings in His image. Therefore, we believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end; that we must honor the physical and spiritual needs of all people; following Christ’s example, we believe that every person should be treated with love, dignity, and respect. (Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10).

About God:

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

We believe that we can only be saved from eternal death/separation from God by the grace of God and through faith in Jesus Christ only. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has been offered as Lamb of God for the atoning of our sins. We believe in Jesus Christ as your savior that we shall be saved from our sins.

We believe if you confess out of your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. Believe Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, and then was buried and then was raised on the 3rd day as the scripture states. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Your salvation is accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and He will begin to produce the Fruit of The Holy Spirit.

We believe as a born-again saved believers and followers of Jesus Christ, are children of God. For those that are believers have been adopted into the family of God only through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. (Romans 2:29; Romans 5:9 ; Romans 6:22 ; Romans 8:9 ; Luke 13:3 ; Luke 24:49 ; John 1:12-13 ; John 3:3-7 ; John 13:35 ; Mark 8:34-36 ; 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; 1 Corinthians 11 ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ; Joel 2:28 ; Acts 2:4 ; Acts 10:44,46-48 ; Acts 11:15-17 ; Ephesians 1:13-14 ; 2 Timothy 1:7 ; James 2:26).

Salvation:

LORD’S DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION - “BAPTISM”::

Baptism is a public confirmation of your faith in Jesus Christ, you are confessing and proclaiming in public Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You are suffering a death, burial and resurrection in Christ and you shall live and be risen in Christ to eternal life. While publicly confessing your love for Christ and depending only on Grace for salvation (meaning there’s no merit besides faith in the sinless and spotless Lamb of GOD for your sins). Every believer should desire to confess Jesus Christ publicly in their baptism. Baptism is evidence of your faith in Christ. We encourage every believer to be baptized as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16;Matthew 28:19-20;Acts 2:41;Ephesians 4:4-6;1 Peter 3:21;Acts 2:38;Acts 22:16;Romans 6:3-4).

LORD’S SUPPER - “COMMUNION”::

Examine Yourself

"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:27-32, 23-26).

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes." (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:25;2 Corinthians 13:14;2 Corinthians 13:14;Matthew 26:26-28;John 6:53-58;1 Corinthians 10:16-17;John 6:33;John 6:35;Luke 22:19-20;John 6:48-51).

Sacraments; Baptism and Communion:

Matthew 22:36-40:

Fulfillment of the Law ?::

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Old Covenant (w/ Israel) at Mount Sinai:

New Covenant (w/ Church) at Calvary:

Gifts of the Spirit:

We believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are active today:

"Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You know that at one time you were unbelievers. You were somehow drawn away to worship statues of gods that couldn’t even speak. So I want you to know that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “May Jesus be cursed.” And without the help of the Holy Spirit no one can say, “Jesus is Lord.” There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways the Spirit works. But the same God is working in all these ways and in all people. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-12)

Offices and Ordained Positions in the Body of Christ (Church):

We believe the 5 fold ministry is still active today. We believe as scriptures writes that GOD:

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."(Ephesians 4:11-16).

Apostles

Men Apostles:

Apostles are well-seasoned men in faith who have been tested and maintained faithful to endure in the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Men who have been ordained in the wound and GOD have revealed and confirmed their appointed time to serve as being sent to missionary trips planting churches and bringing true revival in many of the areas that spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We do not believe this office is higher than anyone other position since all offices are for the equipping for the Body of Christ. Per scripture, GOD has appointed first the apostles to plant the churches in different cities. We do respect Apostles since it comes with sacrifice and great persecution for the Gospel.

"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." ( I Corinthians 12:28).

Ordained 5 Offices -Identification, Duties, and Qualification:

Women Apostles: Biblically not supportive

Prophets

Prophets examines, points and directs the church in the right direction and guides the church in kingdom matters.True prophets are not controlled; they are led by the Holy Spirit.

The Prophet reveals.

The prophet not only exercises the gift of prophecy but also occupies a place of leadership ministry along with the apostles and teachers.

Some of these include: Barnabas Silas, Judas, Agabus, Saul, Simeon, Manaen, etc. listed in (Acts 13:1).

They speak as the Lord’s agent. He/she speaks what the Lord allows them to speak. Often the content of the prophets message will be given spontaneously at the time of speaking. However, the message may be given beforehand during prayer.

Apostles, prophets and teachers are Christ provided to build and edify the church, which is still under construction and is still reaching the entire world. These specific callings are limited in giving to “some," and need to be discerned by their burden and ministry vision.

(Ephesians 2:20, 4:8, 11, 12-14, Mathew 24:14, 28:19).

The callings and Christ given differing gifts to the Church including the continuing apostles,beyond the original twelve, as well as prophets and teachers is scripturally attested. This continued giving including apostles is until Christ’s return and the church resurrection of the dead.

Men Prophets:

Woman Prophetess:

Their primary role was to make known the Word of God, and this often involved calling people back to obedience to God. They denounced injustice, idolatry, and empty rituals.

Miriam (Exodus 15:20)

Deborah (Judg 4:4)

Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14; 2 Chr 34:22)

Isaiah’s wife (Isa 8:3), and Noadiah (Neh 6:14);are all titled “prophetess”

Women are often called by God to ministry.

(Judges 4:4, Philippians 4:2-3, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:9, 18:26)

They are among those who received and still receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit for power and ministry.

The prophetess ministers to edify the church. (Acts 1:13, 14, 21:9, 1 Corinthians 14:26)

Pastor

Men Pastors:

A Pastor cares: (Acts 20:28; Ezekiel 34:2-10).

They are focused on people and serve as an Elder in the church..

There’s a spiritual intimacy between the pastor and the church.

His spiritual calling is attached to the church and the city.

They can lose the assignment to the church if they do not properly fulfill their assignment to their wife and kids.

As a Shepherd he fights for the sheep.

The pastor stays up at night sometimes thinking about the sheep.

Don't get mad at the pastor if he’s not at everything in the church or outside the church. His priority is his wife and kids.

His spiritual calling is attached to the church and the city.

Women Pastors: Biblically not supportive

Evangelists

Men and Women:

Everyone is called to preach the gospel, preachers are not only pastors but those who stand for the gospel and are not ashamed to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel and baptizing the new believers based on their confession of their faith and for their remission of their sins baptizing the new believers/followers of Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, The Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ.

This office is one that represents that the brethren have been called and take responsibility as an Evangelist for the ministry.

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2).

"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5).

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17).

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15).

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20).

"And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15).

Additional: (Romans 10:17;1 Corinthians 15:1-2;;2 Corinthians 5:20;2 Timothy 2:15;Matthew 9:37-38;Matthew 10:7-14;1 Corinthians 1:17;Luke 4:18;Romans 1:16;2 Thessalonians 2:14;Mark 8:35;Titus 2:1;Matthew 4:17;Acts 1:8)

Teach sound doctrine:

Men and Women in the Church:

Teachers

Men Teachers:

Men teachers are ordained to teach the entire congregation including men and women.

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness."(Titus 2:1).

Women Teachers:

Women teachers are ordained to teach both older and younger women.

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

(Titus 2:3-5).

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound[a] doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants[b] are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." (Titus 2:1-10).

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1 Timothy 2).

Ordained (3) Leadership Order
Identification, Duties, and Qualification:

Bishops (Epískopos)

Biblically qualified men who jointly shepherd and oversee a local body of believers.

***Bishop is a translation of the Greek word episkopos or in English as an Overseer/Episcopate a member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee one or more congregation(s) as a previous ordained both as an Elder and ordained Pastor; or in such churches instead of ordained Pastor referred to an ordained Priest or Presbyter.

A Bishop holds the fullness of ministerial oversight and given responsibility to teach and enforce sound doctrine and assist the church in reenforcing their clergies "Elders" and Deacons. Leaders and Five Fold ordained members assist the Bishop in pastoral duties in overnight.

"This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17).

1 Peter 5:1-4

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

1 Timothy 5:17

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Women Overseers: Biblically not available

Men Overseers:

Men Elders:

Elders (Presbýteros)

Biblically qualified men who jointly shepherd and oversee a local body of believers.

As seen in scriptures, Apostle Paul would fast and pray for the LORD to appoint Elders in every church plant. Elders are Sheppards/Leaders over the new ministry plant. They are responsible for leadership, and generally oversee a church.

"So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."(Acts 14:23).

"Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. "(1 Timothy 4:14)

1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Timothy 5:17

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Women Elders: Biblically not available

Deacons

A deacon is a servant/helps with leadership - who ministers to the physical needs of church members.

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:1-6)

"Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the [f]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not [g]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons" (Philippians 1:1).

"For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money"(Titus 1:7).

Women Deacons: Biblically not available