THE OFFICIAL MINISTRY DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF FAITH
FOR THE
HOUSE OF PRAYER EVANGELISM BIBLE MINISTRY
FOR THE
HOUSE OF PRAYER EVANGELISM BIBLE MINISTRY
1. THE INSPIRATION OF THE
BIBLE
The Bible from Genesis through Revelation, is the only verbally inspired written Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21), and is without error in its original autographs (Psalm 119:89), it is the full and complete revelation of God's will for the salvation of man, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17). It is God's objective propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and is verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16). The canon is closed and all who add or take away from it shall suffer the wrath of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19).
2. THE TRINITY OR TRIUNE GOD
There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and these are equal in every Divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7).
3. GOD THE FATHER
God the Father is an eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27), omniscient (Proverbs 8:12-31), omnipresent (Psalm 139:8), and omnipotent (Jeremiah 32:17) personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 4:23-24).
4. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16-18), God incarnate (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), led a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and performed miracles and teachings. His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25), and personal visible return to earth are biblically sure (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ is fully God, and fully man (John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:19-20, 2:9; Hebrews 2:14-18).
5. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11) and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. The one Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an act whereby Jesus Christ places the believer into the Church [the Body of Christ], that it takes place at the moment of salvation (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 1:1-3, 4:30).
6. MANKIND
Man was created and subsequently fell from innocence and grace, he was the direct creation of God; spirit, soul, and body, not in any sense the product of an animal ancestry, but made in the Divine image (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7); that by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature and the progenitor of a fallen race (Genesis 3:1-24), all of whom are universally sinful in both nature and practice, alienated from the life and family of God (Colossians 1:21); under the righteous judgment and wrath of God (Romans 3:19); and has within himself no possible means of recovery or salvation (Romans 3:10-20, 7:5-8).
7. SALVATION AND REGENERATION
All men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. All who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:18-21; Romans 3:23, 10:9-13).
8. THE CHRISTIAN WALK
A Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men, his conduct should be blameless before the world, he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17).
9. THE CHURCH
A. Body of Believers
The Church is a unique company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations. The autonomy of the local church is secure with biblically designated officers who serve under Christ as elders, also called bishops (overseers) and pastors (shepherds), and they lead and direct as servants of Christ, with the congregation submitting to such leadership (Ephesians 4:7-11; 1 Timothy 3:1-17; Titus 1:5-9) only in accordance with the Scriptures. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by edification, which involves building one another up in the faith, by instructing in the Word of God, and bringing every believer to maturity in Jesus Christ; by evangelism to advance and communicate the Gospel of Christ to the entire world(Acts 1:8) by discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20); by devoting mutual accountability of all believers to each other; by discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with biblical standards (Matthew 8:15-19); by fellowship (1 John 1:3); by prayer and by keeping the ordinances (Luke 1:11; 18:1; John 14:23).
B. Baptism
Water baptism (Acts 8:36-38) and the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) are two ordinances to be observed by the Church today. While neither adds to or in any way aids an individual in meriting salvation, both should be seen as a necessary expression of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water symbolizing the believer's death to sin with Christ, burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:1-4). The Lord's Table is a symbolic act testifying of Christ's saving work for the redeemed and expectant anticipation of Christ's second coming.
C. Spiritual Gifts
The complete list of Spiritual Gifts in Scripture is found in Romans 12:4-8. These ‘gifts’ (literally ‘endowments’) are given according to God’s Grace alone (Romans 12:3, 6) and are as follows: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Ruling (literally ‘to preside’), and Mercy. Every person that the Lord creates has a Spiritual Gift which defines his/her designed purpose in Christ Jesus. This ability is made manifest most completely through faith (Romans 12:3, 6) when one becomes a believer in Christ Jesus.
D. Administrations
The complete list of Administrations in Scripture is found in Ephesians 4:4-16. These ‘gifts’ (literally ‘presentations’ from Ephesians 4:8), unlike those listed in Romans 12:4-8, are presented only to those who are of the Church (that is – ‘in Christ’). These ‘presentations’ represent specific positions within the Church to which each believer is called “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12 & c.). These Administrations listed specifically in Ephesians 4:11 are as follows: Apostles (literally ‘sent ones’ – these are modern-day missionaries), Prophets (literally ‘one who speaks’ on behalf of God – one of great insight), Evangelists (specifically ‘preacher of the Gospel’), Pastors (literally ‘shepherd’), and Teachers (‘instructor’, ‘master’, or ‘doctor’ – thus master or instructor of doctrine).
E. Manifestations
Often mistaken as ‘Spiritual Gifts’, manifestations of the Holy Spirit through believers are found in 1 Corinthians 12:7-12. 1 Corinthians 12:1 tells us that the Apostle Paul is about to discuss the matter of ‘pneumatikos’ (literally ‘Spirituals’). He makes no mention of gifts in this passage (the word ‘gifts’ in verse 1 was added by the KJV translators). Instead, the proper word that describes the items Paul discusses in this passage is found in 1 Corinthians 12:7 where he speaks of the “manifestation of the Spirit” (literally the expression or endowment). This is not a ‘permanent’ condition; but, a manifestation at a time and place of the Lord’s choosing for His Purpose by the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. The manifestations of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 are as follows: Word of Wisdom (superior insight), Word of Knowledge (extensive factual knowledge beyond one’s own education and experience), Faith (belief, assurance, steadfastness, etc.), Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy (foretelling of future events), Discerning of Spirits (clarity in determining good or evil intent), Diversity of Tongues (literally – the ability to speak non-native or non-learned ‘languages’), and Interpretation of Tongues (literally – the ability to understand and interpret non-native or non-learned ‘languages’).
The manifestation of tongues and their interpretation, though limited in their use today, are still applied in the same manner and for the same purpose as in the beginning of the Church. That is tongues and interpretation of tongues are always with regard to known spoken languages (Acts 2:4-11), and are always for the express purpose of sharing the Gospel with others in their native language.
The manifestation of prophecy since the completion of the book of Revelation is now a matter of discernment; since, the last of the Scriptural prophecies have been sealed (Revelation 5:1-5) and can no longer be added to or taken away from under penalty of Eternal Damnation (Revelation 22:18-19).
The manifestations of healing and the working of ‘sign’ miracles have largely ceased to be necessary in the main ministry of the Church (1 Corinthians 13:8-13, 14:22), however, this does not preclude God from using believers as He deems necessary in these ministries today. Originally, these manifestations were intended to confirm the message and ministry of the apostles (Mark 16:17-20), and that because the Bible was completed at the end of the first century A.D., the primary purpose of these manifestations has been achieved (Hebrews 2:1-4). No one specifically possesses a ‘gift of healing’ for ‘healing’ is not a Spiritual Gift (see Section 9.C. Spiritual Gifts) – but a manifestation of the Spirit. However, we do believe God does hear and answer the prayer of faith on the part of every believer, and will answer in accordance with His own Perfect Will for the sick and afflicted (James 5:13-16).
10. ANGELS
A. Holy Angels
Angels are created beings, and therefore are not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve both God and man and to worship God alone (Hebrews 1:1-14; Revelation 22:8-9).
B. Fallen Angels
Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator, involving numerous angels in his fall (Ezekiel 28:13-19), and introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4), the prince of this world (John 14:30) who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
11. DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS
The Bible promises the personal, bodily and visible second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ prior to the millennial kingdom of Christ (Acts 1:9-11). Following the coming of Christ, He will establish a glorious and literal kingdom over the nations for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:1-20:6), fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-17).
The Bible promises a future life, bodily resurrection, and eternal judgment: that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8), where they abide in joyful fellowship with Him until His second coming, when their bodies shall be raised from the grave and changed into the likeness of His own glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21), at which time their works shall be brought before the judgment which may issue in the loss of rewards, but not the loss of the soul (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment (Luke 16:19-31), at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, and they themselves shall be judged according to their works, and cast into Gehenna – the Lake of Fire - the place of final and everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11-15).
12. ETERNAL SALVATION AND SECURITY
Upon regeneration, every believer is a full possessor of every spiritual blessing and is complete in Christ (John 5:24-25; Ephesians 1:3). Every justified person is absolutely secure in the permanency of his salvation, and will neither totally nor finally fall or be removed from his converted state (John 3:16-17,36; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:25). It is the privilege of all saints to be assured of their salvation from the very day of their true conversion provided it is declared exclusively on the testimony of God's Word (John 20:31; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 John 5:13).
The Bible from Genesis through Revelation, is the only verbally inspired written Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21), and is without error in its original autographs (Psalm 119:89), it is the full and complete revelation of God's will for the salvation of man, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17). It is God's objective propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and is verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16). The canon is closed and all who add or take away from it shall suffer the wrath of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19).
2. THE TRINITY OR TRIUNE GOD
There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and these are equal in every Divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7).
3. GOD THE FATHER
God the Father is an eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27), omniscient (Proverbs 8:12-31), omnipresent (Psalm 139:8), and omnipotent (Jeremiah 32:17) personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 4:23-24).
4. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16-18), God incarnate (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), led a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and performed miracles and teachings. His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25), and personal visible return to earth are biblically sure (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ is fully God, and fully man (John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:19-20, 2:9; Hebrews 2:14-18).
5. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11) and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. The one Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an act whereby Jesus Christ places the believer into the Church [the Body of Christ], that it takes place at the moment of salvation (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 1:1-3, 4:30).
6. MANKIND
Man was created and subsequently fell from innocence and grace, he was the direct creation of God; spirit, soul, and body, not in any sense the product of an animal ancestry, but made in the Divine image (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7); that by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature and the progenitor of a fallen race (Genesis 3:1-24), all of whom are universally sinful in both nature and practice, alienated from the life and family of God (Colossians 1:21); under the righteous judgment and wrath of God (Romans 3:19); and has within himself no possible means of recovery or salvation (Romans 3:10-20, 7:5-8).
7. SALVATION AND REGENERATION
All men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. All who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:18-21; Romans 3:23, 10:9-13).
8. THE CHRISTIAN WALK
A Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men, his conduct should be blameless before the world, he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17).
9. THE CHURCH
A. Body of Believers
The Church is a unique company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations. The autonomy of the local church is secure with biblically designated officers who serve under Christ as elders, also called bishops (overseers) and pastors (shepherds), and they lead and direct as servants of Christ, with the congregation submitting to such leadership (Ephesians 4:7-11; 1 Timothy 3:1-17; Titus 1:5-9) only in accordance with the Scriptures. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by edification, which involves building one another up in the faith, by instructing in the Word of God, and bringing every believer to maturity in Jesus Christ; by evangelism to advance and communicate the Gospel of Christ to the entire world(Acts 1:8) by discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20); by devoting mutual accountability of all believers to each other; by discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with biblical standards (Matthew 8:15-19); by fellowship (1 John 1:3); by prayer and by keeping the ordinances (Luke 1:11; 18:1; John 14:23).
B. Baptism
Water baptism (Acts 8:36-38) and the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) are two ordinances to be observed by the Church today. While neither adds to or in any way aids an individual in meriting salvation, both should be seen as a necessary expression of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water symbolizing the believer's death to sin with Christ, burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:1-4). The Lord's Table is a symbolic act testifying of Christ's saving work for the redeemed and expectant anticipation of Christ's second coming.
C. Spiritual Gifts
The complete list of Spiritual Gifts in Scripture is found in Romans 12:4-8. These ‘gifts’ (literally ‘endowments’) are given according to God’s Grace alone (Romans 12:3, 6) and are as follows: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Ruling (literally ‘to preside’), and Mercy. Every person that the Lord creates has a Spiritual Gift which defines his/her designed purpose in Christ Jesus. This ability is made manifest most completely through faith (Romans 12:3, 6) when one becomes a believer in Christ Jesus.
D. Administrations
The complete list of Administrations in Scripture is found in Ephesians 4:4-16. These ‘gifts’ (literally ‘presentations’ from Ephesians 4:8), unlike those listed in Romans 12:4-8, are presented only to those who are of the Church (that is – ‘in Christ’). These ‘presentations’ represent specific positions within the Church to which each believer is called “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12 & c.). These Administrations listed specifically in Ephesians 4:11 are as follows: Apostles (literally ‘sent ones’ – these are modern-day missionaries), Prophets (literally ‘one who speaks’ on behalf of God – one of great insight), Evangelists (specifically ‘preacher of the Gospel’), Pastors (literally ‘shepherd’), and Teachers (‘instructor’, ‘master’, or ‘doctor’ – thus master or instructor of doctrine).
E. Manifestations
Often mistaken as ‘Spiritual Gifts’, manifestations of the Holy Spirit through believers are found in 1 Corinthians 12:7-12. 1 Corinthians 12:1 tells us that the Apostle Paul is about to discuss the matter of ‘pneumatikos’ (literally ‘Spirituals’). He makes no mention of gifts in this passage (the word ‘gifts’ in verse 1 was added by the KJV translators). Instead, the proper word that describes the items Paul discusses in this passage is found in 1 Corinthians 12:7 where he speaks of the “manifestation of the Spirit” (literally the expression or endowment). This is not a ‘permanent’ condition; but, a manifestation at a time and place of the Lord’s choosing for His Purpose by the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. The manifestations of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 are as follows: Word of Wisdom (superior insight), Word of Knowledge (extensive factual knowledge beyond one’s own education and experience), Faith (belief, assurance, steadfastness, etc.), Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy (foretelling of future events), Discerning of Spirits (clarity in determining good or evil intent), Diversity of Tongues (literally – the ability to speak non-native or non-learned ‘languages’), and Interpretation of Tongues (literally – the ability to understand and interpret non-native or non-learned ‘languages’).
The manifestation of tongues and their interpretation, though limited in their use today, are still applied in the same manner and for the same purpose as in the beginning of the Church. That is tongues and interpretation of tongues are always with regard to known spoken languages (Acts 2:4-11), and are always for the express purpose of sharing the Gospel with others in their native language.
The manifestation of prophecy since the completion of the book of Revelation is now a matter of discernment; since, the last of the Scriptural prophecies have been sealed (Revelation 5:1-5) and can no longer be added to or taken away from under penalty of Eternal Damnation (Revelation 22:18-19).
The manifestations of healing and the working of ‘sign’ miracles have largely ceased to be necessary in the main ministry of the Church (1 Corinthians 13:8-13, 14:22), however, this does not preclude God from using believers as He deems necessary in these ministries today. Originally, these manifestations were intended to confirm the message and ministry of the apostles (Mark 16:17-20), and that because the Bible was completed at the end of the first century A.D., the primary purpose of these manifestations has been achieved (Hebrews 2:1-4). No one specifically possesses a ‘gift of healing’ for ‘healing’ is not a Spiritual Gift (see Section 9.C. Spiritual Gifts) – but a manifestation of the Spirit. However, we do believe God does hear and answer the prayer of faith on the part of every believer, and will answer in accordance with His own Perfect Will for the sick and afflicted (James 5:13-16).
10. ANGELS
A. Holy Angels
Angels are created beings, and therefore are not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve both God and man and to worship God alone (Hebrews 1:1-14; Revelation 22:8-9).
B. Fallen Angels
Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator, involving numerous angels in his fall (Ezekiel 28:13-19), and introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4), the prince of this world (John 14:30) who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
11. DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS
The Bible promises the personal, bodily and visible second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ prior to the millennial kingdom of Christ (Acts 1:9-11). Following the coming of Christ, He will establish a glorious and literal kingdom over the nations for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:1-20:6), fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-17).
The Bible promises a future life, bodily resurrection, and eternal judgment: that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8), where they abide in joyful fellowship with Him until His second coming, when their bodies shall be raised from the grave and changed into the likeness of His own glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21), at which time their works shall be brought before the judgment which may issue in the loss of rewards, but not the loss of the soul (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment (Luke 16:19-31), at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, and they themselves shall be judged according to their works, and cast into Gehenna – the Lake of Fire - the place of final and everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11-15).
12. ETERNAL SALVATION AND SECURITY
Upon regeneration, every believer is a full possessor of every spiritual blessing and is complete in Christ (John 5:24-25; Ephesians 1:3). Every justified person is absolutely secure in the permanency of his salvation, and will neither totally nor finally fall or be removed from his converted state (John 3:16-17,36; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:25). It is the privilege of all saints to be assured of their salvation from the very day of their true conversion provided it is declared exclusively on the testimony of God's Word (John 20:31; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 John 5:13).
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