STATEMENT 1: INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE

 

We believe the Bible to be the only infallible, inerrant and immutable written Word of God.  The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man.  It is our only authoritative rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:21).

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STATEMENT 2: ONE GOD

 

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons, the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

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We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer and Savior of mankind, miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.

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We believe in the true deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe God is holy, righteous, just, loving and full of mercy.

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We believe in the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe in His ascension into Heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

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STATEMENT 3: SALVATION

 

We believe that salvation is by grace, through faith alone.  The salvation of sinners by grace, through faith is the all-sufficient work of Christ on our behalf upon the cross of Calvary.  (Ephesians 2:8; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:8-10)

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We believe that repentance, which is a sincere positive change of mind in regard to sin, is required of all sinners. (1 John 1:9)

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We believe that regeneration or the “new birth” is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love and obedience.  (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)

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STATEMENT 4:  THE GREAT COMMISSION

 

We believe the Lord commissioned His church – the body of believers -- to undertake the discipleship of the world. (Mark 16:15)

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STATEMENT 5: BAPTISM

 

We believe that water baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ; signifies rebirth; and is an outward expression of the believer’s inner conviction and faith.  (Matthew 28:19)

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We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit gives the believer power to be an effective witness for Christ and supernatural ability to fulfill his/her kingdom assignment live a Godly life. (Acts 1:5-8; 2:4; Luke 24:49)

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STATEMENT 6: HOLY COMMUNION

 

We believe the Lord’s Supper is a sacred act commemorating the personal sacrifice of Christ and a symbol of the body and blood of Christ. Believers participate in this sacrament showing obedience and reverence to Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

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STATEMENT 7: STEWARDSHIP

 

We believe that each believer is scripturally required to be responsible stewards of the resources which God places in his/her life --time, money and abilities. Each believer should faithfully support the work of expanding the Kingdom of God. We believe that a prosperous life, both spiritually and temporally, is an assurance to the obedient believer.

(Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 4:10-19; 3 John 1:2)

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STATEMENT 8: SANCTIFICATION

 

We believe in the sanctifying power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  We believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit enables one to live a Holy and separated life. (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2)

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STATEMENT 9: GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

 

We believe that the gifts of the Spirit are to be exercised and practiced in the Church. We believe that the Holy Spirit has given to each individual various gifts.  Each Christian has a personal obligation to understand accurately what his/her gifts are and to put them to work in the worship of God. (1 Corinthians 12:22-24; Ephesians 4:11-16)

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STATEMENT 10: FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

 

We believe that the believer shows evidence of a Spirit-filled life.  The believer’s lifestyle is testimony to his/her true beliefs and convictions. The believer should exhibit love, joy, peace, temperance, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:20-32)

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STATEMENT 11: DIVINE HEALING

 

We believe in divine healing through faith in the blood and name of Jesus Christ. We believe that the redemptive work of Christ provides healing for the human body and mind in answer to believing prayer.  (Isaiah 53:5; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24)

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STATEMENT 12: THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 

We believe that the Kingdom of God is the rule of God and His divine will through the hearts of men in the earth realm. We believe that the Kingdom of God will be in its fullest expression when Jesus Christ returns at the end of this age and establishes His earthly kingdom. (Luke 4:43; Romans 5:17)

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STATEMENT 13: FINAL JUDGEMENT

 

We believe in the eternal life of the believer and the eternal separation from God and punishment of the unbeliever. (Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; John 14:1-3; Revelation 7:15-17; Revelation 20:10, 15)

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STATEMENT 14: THE BLESSED HOPE

 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return in His power and glory to receive His Church – all believers. This is the hope of the believer. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Rev. 19:11)

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STATEMENT 15: EDUCATION

 

We believe that each believer should faithfully study the word of God in order to grow spiritually, do good works, and effectively minister to others. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17)

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We also believe that we honor God and His word when we inspire and help our children learn, plus strengthen and apply our own mental and intellectual faculties for personal and academic achievement. We believe that education enhances the quality of life for individuals, families and entire communities. The Bible says a number of things about learning:

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• Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 4:5

• Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

• He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding. Proverbs 15:32

• How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16

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STATEMENT 16: THE FAMILY

 

The family is an institution ordained and established by God as the foundational unit of our human society.

By Biblical precepts, we believe marriage has only one legitimate meaning:the uniting of one man and one woman (as determined at birth) in a single, exclusive covenant relationship with God.

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We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. The union of man and woman in marriage is modeled after Christ and His church in that Christ is the head of the Church and so is the man to be the head of his family. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and provide for, protect, and lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ.

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Children are a blessing from the Lord. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them by consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

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We believe that any form of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography, is sinful and offensive to God.

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(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18, 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

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STATEMENT 17: SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

 

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in its entire dimension, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)

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STATEMENT 18: FINAL AUTHORITY OF MATTERS OF BELIEF AND CONDUCT

 

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, and is the sole and final source of all that we believe. Regarding faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Senior Ecclesiastical Leader or his designee is PASSAGE Ministries final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

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Revised: 6-6-17