Christian Disciple
Jesus said, "He that believes in me, as the scriptures had said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water" John 7:38Building Strong Families, Churches, and Communities.
The
We believe...
• in the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
• in one God, who is the creator, keeper, and ruler of the universe. He reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with distinctly different personal attributes, but yet there is a oneness that exist in essence and nature (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-3; Ephesians 4:5; 1 John 5:7).
• that Jesus Christ is the Word Of God manifested in the flesh (Matthew 17:1-8; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-2).
• that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. He is the only Good Shepherd. The only Head and leader of the Church, and in His physical absence, left only the Holy Spirit in charge (Ezekiel chapter 34; John 10:1-30; 14:6, 16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Ephesians 5:23-24).
• that Jesus Christ was trusted with all power from God (Matthew 28:18; Revelations 5:1-9).
• that God created man in own image and likeness, with a free will of his own to choose between good
• and evil, right and wrong(Genesis 1:26; 2:16-17; 3:1-6; Joshua 24:14-15).
• in the virgin birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
• His suffering for all mankind (Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:46; John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 3:18).
• His atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension (Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:1-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 1:3; 10:12-23; 12:2).
• in salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; 1Thessalonians 5:9-10).
• that after a person becomes a Christian, it is his responsibility to mature in his new spiritual life by praying, fasting, reading the Bible, and witnessing (Matthew 13:3-23; Jude 1:20-25).
• in divine healing the redemptive work of Christ ( Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8: 16-17; James 5:13-15; 1 Peter 2:24).
• in water baptism by immersion ( Matthew 3:1-6; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:47-48).
• in the baptism of the Holy Ghost and that it is apart from salvation. God gives the Holy Ghost to those that ask Him. The Holy Spirit will greatly enhance our lives and our witness. We also believe that the criterion to receiving the Holy Ghost is to obey the new commandment Christ left us ( Luke 3:16; 11:11-13; John 14:15-17, 26; Acts 1:5,8; 19:1-8)
• that those who receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost will manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
• that those who are called Christians must demonstrate the likeness of Christ, and obey His commandments (Luke 6:46-49; John 8:31-32; 14:12; 15:14; 1 Corinthians 2: 16; 1Timothy 6:3-16; 1 John 3:23-24; 2 John 9).
• in the gifts of the Spirit ( Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 7:7; chapter 12; Ephesians 4:8-13).
• in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who enables a believer to live holy ( John 14:26; 15:3; 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
• that Jesus Christ is coming again (Matthew 24:29-31; John 14:1-3; Revelations 22:11-13).
• that there is a place called Heaven where those serve God will live eternally (John 14:1-3; Revelations chapter 21 & 22).
• that there is a devil called Satan, and there is a place called hell that was prepared for him and those who serve him ( Psalms 9:17; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10-15).
• that the true foundation of the Gospel is love. God is love, and He was motivated by love to redeem us and not destroy us. Thus, anyone who has God in his heart will love everybody regardless of race, origin, or social standing. Fellowship is born out of love (Leviticus 19:17-18; John 14:15-26; 13:34-35; 1 John 1:7; 2:8-11; 3:14-15; 4:7-8, 15- 21; 5:1-3). Fellowship is not merely going to church every Sunday, but a regular "getting together" with your brothers and sisters in Christ to build unity among the saints (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 13:1-2).
• that God has also called, empowered and equipped young people with the necessary tools and abilities they need to reach their generation. They should not be ignored, ridiculed, or taken lightly, but nurtured and encouraged. The Holy Spirit is capable of leading them without our interference (1 Samuel 3:1-21; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; 1 Timothy 4:11-16)