CHRIST THE SHEPHERD CHURCH TRUST

STATEMENT OF FAITH
SEPTEMBER 2013






The doctrines of Christ the Shepherd Church Trust were formulated as the basis of Church's
Constitution in 2014 and were amplified in the Statement of Faith published by the Church in
2013. It is the purpose of this Statement to set out briefly and simply the substance of the
Church's faith.
1

Contents
MISSION ................................................................................................................................................ 3
VISION ................................................................................................................................................... 3
OUR GOALS ......................................................................................................................................... 3
1. PRAYER .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY TRAINING ......................................................................... 3
3. COMMUNITY ............................................................................................................................ 3
4. EVANGELISM ........................................................................................................................... 4
OUR VALUES ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1. PRAYER .................................................................................................................................... 4
2. GOD'S WORD .......................................................................................................................... 4
3. QUALITY OF MINISTRY ......................................................................................................... 4
4. EQUIPPING OF SAINTS ........................................................................................................ 5
5. MISSIONS ................................................................................................................................. 5
OUR BELIEFS ...................................................................................................................................... 5
1. The Holy Scriptures ................................................................................................................. 5
2. The Eternal Godhead .............................................................................................................. 5
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ ........................................................................................ 5
4. The Fall of Man ......................................................................................................................... 5
5. The Salvation of Man ............................................................................................................... 5
6. The Ordinances of the Church ............................................................................................... 5
7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit ................................................................................................ 6
8. Sanctification ............................................................................................................................. 6
9. The Church and its Mission .................................................................................................... 6
10. Divine Healing ....................................................................................................................... 6
11. The Second Coming of Christ ............................................................................................ 6
12. The Final Judgment ............................................................................................................. 6
TENETS OF FAITH ............................................................................................................................. 6
I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES .......................................................................................................... 6
II. THE ETERNAL GODHEAD ....................................................................................................... 7
A. God the Father ......................................................................................................................... 7
B. God the Son ............................................................................................................................. 7
C. God the Holy Spirit .................................................................................................................. 8
III. THE FALL OF MAN .................................................................................................................... 9
2

IV. THE PLAN OF SALVATION ..................................................................................................... 9
A. Regeneration ......................................................................................................................... 9
B. Repentance ......................................................................................................................... 10
C. Justification ...................................................................................................................... 10
D. Sanctification ................................................................................................................... 10
V. SALVATION THROUGH GRACE ........................................................................................... 10
VI. WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORDS SUPPER ................................................................ 11
VII. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ............................................................................... 12
VIII. THE CHURCH ........................................................................................................................ 12
IX. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS ............................................................................................ 13
X. STEWARDSHIP AND COOPERATION ................................................................................ 14
XI. TITHING AND OFFERINGS ................................................................................................... 15
XII. THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT........................................................................... 15
XIII. DIVINE HEALING .................................................................................................................. 16
XIV. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SOCIAL ORDER ................................................................. 16
XV. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ........................................................................................................... 17
XVI. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.................................................................................................... 18
XVII. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST .............................................................................. 19
XVIII. HEAVEN ............................................................................................................................... 19
XIX. HELL ........................................................................................................................................ 20
XX. JUDGEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 21











3

MISSION

Our mission is to worship God by:
1. Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
2. Demonstrating the love of Christ to all people and;
3. Making disciples of all nations through the regenerating work of the Holy
Spirit.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

VISION

We desire to be a family rooted in the Word of God and prayer. We strive to fulfill
the Great Commission by equipping men and women to become responsible,
victorious and productive Christians, committed to fulfill the great commission and
plant churches in our cities and countries all over the world.

OUR GOALS

1. PRAYER

Our belief is that prayer gives us the opportunity to relate to God and through prayer
we can show how our everyday life and activities are dependent on Him. In this way,
prayer has become the foundation of all our activities and undertakings in Gods
service as His faithful servants. Jesus Christ won this privilege for us and in effect
has made our relationship with God possible. We therefore aim to be a praying
community and with our member aided by intercessions. These intercessions
encompass our community needs, our worldwide church, our nation, and the entire
world. Our goal therefore is to make prayer devotion and work for it to be the center
of our daily activities in our corporate life both in smaller group and in larger group
meetings of our church.

2. LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY TRAINING

Our goal is to see the exaltation of Jesus and the declaration of his Lordship over
and above all life. This task is to be accomplished through biblical preaching. As a
community, we have made a commitment to grow and learn from the Word of God
on a regular basis since we have acknowledged our need to mature in faithfulness
and godliness so as to become transformed by His Spirit. Our aim therefore is to
apply in practical ways all have learned and acquired through Gods teachings in
order to become actively involved in the world that God has placed us in. This makes
us doers rather than listeners as we commit ourselves to teach children and young
people of our church family the Biblical knowledge.

3. COMMUNITY

It is our belief that the relationships which exist among Christian believers are
brought about by intimate relation with God. The only way for us to manifest the truth
which the gospel taught us is through our love, care, and concern for one another,
4

which we readily show in a world full of broken relationship and fractured
communities. We are a community that is full of love, and we strive to keep it so
through Gods grace. Here as Christians, we endeavor to provide spiritual strength to
our long-term members and members who travel through our city. We value all our
members no matter their age or situation in life, and we want everyone to feel this
value and use Gods gift as a way of building the body.

4. EVANGELISM

Our belief is anchored on the fact that every time there is a full and faithful
communication of the gospel, Gods name is glorified. Through the enlightenment of
the gospel, faith has become alive with Gods Spirit. We strive to be ready and fully
equipped in the active sharing and dissemination of the gospel messages to friends
and neighbors. For this, we pray to God for the good people of Hamilton to take the
gospel to other parts of New Zealand and beyond. We would give them all the
support they need both in prayer and in finance to accomplish this great task. In
recognition of the plan to reach the far ends of the world. We are on a mission of
church planting all over the world to spread our church-planting endeavors from
Hamilton to other parts of New Zealand and beyond.


OUR VALUES

1. PRAYER

Our belief recognizes God as the one who laid out the plan to begin and finish the
construction of His kingdom in the entire world. This makes it be of great importance
to relate to Him. We praise and glorify God in prayer, and we seek Him to guide and
direct our activities by invoking Him to always intervene on our behalf both naturally
and supernaturally and with full trust of confident results.

2. GOD'S WORD

We have a strong belief in the Bible providing us with the necessary intent and
strategy that motivate us to construct the kingdom God in the entire world. Thus we
propose a program of Outreach to be scripturally based. We make this commitment
to glorify and obey His Words and in the end produce disciples who will carry out the
great work and bring the knowledge of Jesus as Savior and Lord to everybody in all
walks of life.

3. QUALITY OF MINISTRY

We have the belief that God endowed His Church with abundant resources in
furtherance of His Great Commission and His Great Commandment and to see its
completion. We therefore aim to achieve this through the wise and effective use of
these resources and commit them to proper use in the work of the Lord through
integrity so that in the end we can sow excellence and proper accountability.



5

4. EQUIPPING OF SAINTS

We have the belief that God endowed every Christian with special and unique
qualities. These qualities can put to excellent use in building Gods kingdom. Our
goal is to assist church members to become matured Christians in order to
accomplish the tasks which they are assigned to perform. This will require the
participation of every ministry in the church to give their assistance where they are
best needed, as we equip and build Gods kingdom throughout the world.

5. MISSIONS

We have the belief that the best and effective way of having a strategic and effective
mission is to assist them. This assistance should ensure their physical, spiritual,
emotional and financial stability. We will strive out together to ensure that we offer
our support to enable them achieve this goal.

OUR BELIEFS

1. The Holy Scriptures
We believe that God inspired the words of the Scripture, both the Old and
New Testaments in which can be found His master plan for humanity [2
Timothy 3:15-17].

2. The Eternal Godhead
We believe that God is one and undivided, yet He manifest in the Trinity of
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19].

3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus has a divine nature, and as the Son of God, he is
truly man and truly God [Hebrews 7:26].

4. The Fall of Man
We believe that man was originally created good by God, but through his
own free will, he sinned and brought in death and evil into the physical and
spiritual world [Romans 5:12-19 ].

5. The Salvation of Man
We believe that every individual is instilled with the opportunity to reconcile
and relate to God and have a Restored Fellowship with Him through
Salvation. This can be achieved by trusting Christ, through faith and
genuine reconciliation as our personal Savior [John 3:16, Romans 5:8,
Ephesians 2:8].

6. The Ordinances of the Church
We believe and practice two major ordinances (1) Baptism with water
through total immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's
gift of salvation [Matthew 28:19,Romans 6:4], and (2) Holy Communion is
the celebration of the Lord Supper as a symbolic reminder of Christs
passion on the cross for our salvation [1 Corinthians 11:26].
6

7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a special experience
following Salvation. In it, believers are strengthened to witness and serve
[Acts 1:8, Acts 10:44-46].

8. Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification primarily takes place when man receives
Salvation. Sanctification therefore is not just a declaration of holiness on
the part of the Christian believer, but mans lifelong progress where he is
able to understand and discriminate what is evil, and he as a Christian
believer draws himself closer to God and strives to emulate Christs life
[Romans 12:1,2, Hebrews 12:14].

9. The Church and its Mission
We believe that the goal and mission of the Church is to search and find
those who have sinned and become separated from God and offer them
salvation. This is anchored in our belief in the Church as the Body of Christ
[Mark 16:15, 16, Ephesians 4:11-16].

10. Divine Healing
We believe that in Christs sacrifice and atonement for our sins, He
endowed us with Divine Healing and the Anointing of the sick as a special
gift to Christians [James 5:14-16 ].

11. The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the Blessed Hope during the time of Christs Second
Coming, at the time of Rapture, those believers who are already dead
would resurrect from the grave and rise to meet Christ in the air, while
those who are still living would be caught up with Christ to dwell with Him
in Eternity [1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52].

12. The Final Judgment
We believe that there will be a Final Judgment for those people who
refused to accept Christ. This judgment will be for their transgressions
against God and they would be thrown into a lake of fire for eternal
damnation [Revelation 20:11-15].

TENETS OF FAITH

I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

The Holy bible is a book where God revealed Himself to man. With God as the real
author, the Holy Bible was written without flaws by men of integrity who were divinely
inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is a horde of perfect guide with salvation as the
ultimate goal. We trust and believe in the truthfulness of the Scripture as it reveals
those principles by which man is judged, and which would remain till the end of time.
These concepts should be the central basis for Christian fellowship, and the absolute
standard by which religion, human conduct, creed, and opinions should be measured
since all Scriptures bear testimony to Christ as the main attraction of Divine
revelation.
7

Scripture References:

1. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass
away.
2. (Mt. 24:35) Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (Ps. 119:89)
3. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105)
4. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as
a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star
rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any
private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy
men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
5. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and
these are they which testify of me. (Jn.5:39)
6. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) ...let us walk
by the same rule; let us be of the same mind. (Phil. 3:16) (Also, 1 Jn.4:1;
Is.8:20; 1 Thess.5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn.4:6; Jude 3; Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:59,60;
Phil. 1:9-11).

II. THE ETERNAL GODHEAD

There exists only one Supreme, Intelligent and Eternal God who is our Creator,
Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler. He is infinite, perfect, and holy in all aspects of His
personality. God is omnipotent and omniscience with His knowledge encompassing
and surpassing all in the past present and future.He endowed His created beings
with freedom and for this He deserves our obedience, love, and respect. God is an
Eternal Being who manifests in the Eternal and undivided Trinity of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, each with a distinct personality.

A. God the Father

God the Father is the caring ruler who governs the universe and His creation with
Divine foresight as He has a purpose for mankind. God is almighty, omnipotent and
omniscience with abundant love and wisdom. He has become a great Father for all
those who chose to become His children through our strong belief in the doctrines of
His Son Jesus Christ.

B. God the Son

Jesus Christ is the son of God who became flesh and was conceived and delivered
by the Virgin Mary. This conception was made possible by the great power of the
Holy Spirit. Revelation came from Jesus Christ who perfectly relayed to man the
wishes and Commandments of God. Though Devine, He took upon Himself the
human nature with all its demands and obligations. Christ identified Himself as man
though without a single sin. While in the human body, Christ gave honor and glory by
honoring the divine laws through personal obedience and sacrifice on the cross for
mans salvation and in atonement for mans transgressions. He rose from the dead
8

and appeared to his disciples as the one who previously walked the earth with them
before crucifixion although the appearance was with a glorified body. Later He
ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of God in exaltation. He
has become for us the sole Mediator who accomplished reconciliation between God
and man. He will one day be at the Judgment seat in the accomplishment of His
redemptive mission. He is in the heart and mind of every Christian believer as an
ever present Lord God.

C. God the Holy Spirit

The Third Person in the Trinity is Gods Divine Spirit. It is through His inspiration that
righteous men in the Bible accomplished the great task of writing the Holy Scriptures.
He gives men the spiritual light to see and understand the truth. He accomplishes
Christs exaltation and brings mankind closer to God. For those who refuse to heed
His call, He convicts them of sin and renders judgment. He brings man to the Savior
and hastens his renewal. At the moment this renewal is accomplished, He baptizes
man in Christ as a way of ushering him into the one body of Christ. He is the Grower
who nurtures the Christian character, Comforter of Christian believers, and Bestower
of spirituality to humanity. All these qualities man uses to serve the Almighty through
the church. The Holy Spirit protects the Christian believer from all dangers until the
end. He is present in Christs church and He is mankinds guarantor that he will one
day come to dwell with him forever in fullness of the promise made by Christ. He
illuminates and strengthens the Christian believer in church worship, spreading of
the Gospel message, and rendering of service.

Scripture References:

1. ...Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. (Is.
43:10) Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not
one. (Is. 44:8)
2. ...You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live. (Ex. 33:20) 2.
3. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (Jn.
3:16)
4. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through
Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (Jn. 1:1-3) (Also Job
38:4-7)
5. Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His
name Immanuel... (Mt. 1:23)
6. I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior. (Is. 43:11) For
there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all... (1 Tim.:2:5, 6a) For through Him
we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Eph. 2:18)
7. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and
the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. (1 Jn. 5:7)
8. But when the Helper comes whom I shall send to you from the Father, the
Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (Jn. 15:26)
(Also, 2 Cor. 13:14; Mt. 28:19; Rom. 8:11; Jn. 16:7-14)
9

III. THE FALL OF MAN

Only human is made different from all other creatures of God. Man is special for he
is the only creation made in Gods image. To be a man or woman is a good thing
that emanates from God as part of His creation. In the very beginning, man was
without sin making God to entrust him with freedom of choice. Out of his own free
choice man transgressed against God and brought sin into the world. The devil
tempted man, and he succumbed to the temptation and disobeyed God. This made
him to fall out of favor with God and out of grace from the privileges he used to
enjoy. It is this transgression that put all men in a situation where they become
sinners and under condemnation as soon as they reach the age of reason. However,
man is given the opportunity to win back Gods favor and regain his rightful position
in the original plan of God. Man is sacred in the eyes of God, and this sacredness is
based on the fact that he is the only creation that God made in His own image. It is
because of this that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice of dying for mankind. This has
made every individual, regardless of race to posses the dignity of being cared for in
respect and in Christian love.

Scripture References:

1. So God created man in His own image. (Gn. 1:27)
2. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through
sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom. 5:12) ...by
one mans disobedience many were made sinners... (Rom. 5:19) Also,
Jn.3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19;8:7)
3. We have turned, every one, to his own way; (Is. 53:6) (Also, Gen. 6:12; 3:9-
19)
4. Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children
of wrath, just as the others. (Eph. 2:3) (See Rom. 1:18,32; 2:1-16; Mt. 20:15;
Gal. 3:10; Ez.18:19,20)
5. ...so that they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:20) ...that every mouth may be
stopped, and the all world may become guilty before God. (Rom. 3:19) (Also,
Gal. 3:22)

IV. THE PLAN OF SALVATION

The Saving grace of God known as Salvation is part of the complete restoration of
man to his previous state of grace. Salvation is freely received by believers in Christ
the Lord, Savior and Son of God who purchased our salvation and eternal
redemption with the shedding of His blood on the cross. Through salvation, man is
redeemed, regenerated, justified, sanctified, and glorified. Mankind can never obtain
salvation except through the personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Regeneration is a new birth in Christ which is accomplished through Gods
grace. It is brought about with a change of heart worked out by the Holy Spirit
after convicting an individual of his sin, and the sinner repenting and turning to
God in faith for forgiveness. To obtain grace, faith and repentance must be
present and working together.

10

B. Repentance is a genuine rejection of sin and turning to God. Faith is the
acceptance of Christ as Love and Savior and making a true commitment to
Him.

C. Justification is the act of Gods grace through His righteousness of forgiving
and acquitting sinners who have repented of their transgressions. Through
justification, man is again restored to be in relationship and fellowship with
God.

D. Sanctification is the experience of an individual as he is set apart for the sole
purpose of Gods work. This experience begins with regeneration and
continues as the individual grows andmatures morally and spiritually with the
power of the Holy Spirit within him. This growth and maturity is a continuous
process throughout the regeneration period.

Scripture References:

1. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes
we are healed. (Is. 53:5)
2. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed
and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus
2:14)
3. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let
him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For
He will abundantly pardon. (Is. 55:7)
4. For this is the will of God, your sanctification... (1 Thess. 4:3) Now may the
God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit,
soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. (1 Thess. 5:23)
5.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for
it is written:
Be holy, because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)

V. SALVATION THROUGH GRACE

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly through grace that we have no
righteousness or goodness of our own where we need to seek divine favor, and must
come, therefore, throwing ourselves upon the unfailing mercy and love of Him who
bought us and washed us in His own blood. Those who have been accepted by God
through the intercession of Christ and imbued with the Holy Spirit will never fall from
Grace but would rather be persevere to the end of time. Sometime, believers fall and
sin. This grieves the Holy Spirit. This brings disappointment on the person of Christ
and brings temporal judgment on those believers who have fallen. Despite this, God
sustains them by his power and through faith; they may still repent and attain
salvation.

Therefore, we believe that upon sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and a
whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be
justified by faith, through His precious blood and that in place of condemnation they
may have the most blessed peace, assurance and favor with God; that with open
11

arms of mercy and pardon the Savior waits to receive who will open the door of his
heart and accept Him as Lord and King.

Scripture References:

1.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
2. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn. 1:9)
3. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this
grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom.
5:1,2)
4. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1)
5. To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high
has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of
death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. (Lk. 1:77-79)
6. ...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (Jn. 6:37)

VI. WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORDS SUPPER

The ceremony of becoming a Baptized Christian is performed by immersing the
believer in water. The following words are then said by the Minister conducting the
Baptism, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an
activity that calls for obedience to the teachings of the Lord. The believer expresses
faith in the crucifixion of the Savior, his death, burial, and resurrection from death
which symbolize his own death to sin, the burying of his old life, and a resurrection to
new life in the Savior Jesus Christ. This is a testimony that confirms that the believer
has faith in the resurrection of the dead which will take place on the last day. This
statement is Churchs law which is a prior condition of enjoying the privilege of
joining the church as a member or privilege to join in the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a ceremony where the members of the church through the
symbolic act of sharing bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of
the Savior and anxiously wait for His second coming.

Scripture References:

1. 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. (Mt. 28:19) (Also,
Acts 2:37,38; Gal. 3:27,28)
2. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:4) (Also, Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20,21;
Acts 22:16)
3. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about
three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:41) (Also, Mt. 28:19,20)
12

4. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords
death till He comes. (1 Cor. 11:26) But let a man examine himself, and so let
him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Cor. 11:28)
5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. (2
Cor. 13:5)

VII. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the incoming of the promised
Comforter in mighty and glorious fullness to endue the believer with power from on
high; to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus; to give inspired utterance in witnessing of
Him; to foster the spirit of prayer, holiness, sobriety; to equip the individual and the
Church for practical, efficient, joyous, Spirit-filled soul-winning in the fields of life.
Thus, we believe that Speaking in Tongues is the first physical evidence of the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit similar to those that the apostles experienced on the Day
of Pentecost and others mentioned and written in the Acts of the Apostles and books
of the Epistles.

Scripture References:

1. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may
abide with you foreverthe Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells
with you and will be in you. (Jn.14:16,17)
2. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy
Spirit not many days from now. But you shall receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:5,8)
3. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
4. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17)
5. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those
who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with
tongues and magnify God. (Acts 10:44-46)
6. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and
they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:6) Do you not know that
you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor.
3:16)

VIII. THE CHURCH

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament comprises of believers
who are baptized in Christ. It is a local congregation that retained its autonomy. The
members are bound by a common covenant of trust in the Lord and companionship
in adherence to the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. The local congregation exercises
the rights, privileges, and gifts which it receives through His Word, and then attempts
to spread the good news of the Lord to all the corners of the earth. This congregation
operates in the spirit of democracy as each members responsibility and
13

accountability is reported to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the
Bible, we are presented with the teaching that the church is the Body of Christ. This
includes everyone who has received redemption. These are people who come from
all ages (past to the present) and come from the different tribes of the world, people
who speak different languages and people from every nation.

Scripture References:

1. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out
of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you
are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 )
2. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright
and in the congregation. (Ps. 111:1)
3. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching. (Heb. 10:24,25)
4. ...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts
2:47) So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in
number daily. (Acts. 16:5)
5. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens
with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief
cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become
a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to
become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

IX. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

All followers of Christ and of all churches of Jesus Christ have the duty and privilege
of making disciples of all nations. When man attains salvation, he becomes a new
being with the Holy Spirit within and thus bringing into his life a new birth. This
makes him to develop love for others. The teachings which Christ gave us have that
missionary zeal which anchors on the spiritual importance of the regenerative life.
Christ challenged every Christian to take the gospel to every nation all over the
world. It is therefore the obligation of all Christians to win back lost souls to Christ
through the preaching of the gospel, by living exemplary life worthy of a true
Christian, and through other means that are in accordance with the methods taught
by Christ in the gospel.

Scripture References:

1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge
the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word!
Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:1,2)living and the dead at His appearing
and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:1,2)
14

2. ...And he who wins souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30) 3.
3. Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a
soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
4. Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore
hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to
the wicked, You shall surely die, and you give him no warning, nor speak to
warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man
shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. (Ezekiel
3:17,18)
5. ...lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for
harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life,
that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the
saying is true, One sows and another reaps. (Jn. 4:35-37)
6. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
(Mt. 9:38)
7. ...Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mk. 16:15)

X. STEWARDSHIP AND COOPERATION

All blessings of man, temporal or spiritual, are gifts from God, so we must give Him
thanks for all that we posses. All Christians owe it to the world to be the spiritual
guardian of the gospel and be the mandatory administrator of their possessions.
Christians therefore have the obligation to serve the lord with their talents, time,
wealth, and other possessions. They must recognize that all they possess are just
given to them in trust by the Lord and therefore should use them to serve others. The
Bible teaches that Christians should contribute within their means willingly,
cheerfully, and always. All these contributions should be done proportionately and
systematically for the propagation of the Saviors mission on earth.

Christian unity as found in the New Testament is spiritual unity and working together
voluntarily by several groups to reach a common goal. Cooperation is very much
needed among different Christian denominations when there is a common justifiable
goal. This can happen if there are no violations of individuals conscience and there
is no concession to be made regarding the loyalty one has for Christ and His Word
as the New Testament revealed.

Scripture References:

1. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of
God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10 )
2. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians
3:23 )
3. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs
16:3 )
4. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm
133:1)
5. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you
agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that
you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
15

6. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in
love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of
peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope
when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father
of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)

XI. TITHING AND OFFERINGS

We believe that the method ordained of God to sustain His ministry and the spread
of the gospel after His command is Tithing, not only as Gods method to take care
of the material and financial needs of His Church, but to raise the spiritual morale of
His people to the extent that God must bless them. We are commanded in Malachi
3:10, Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this, Says the LORD of hosts, If I will not open for you the
windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room
enough to receive it. In the matter of giving and free will offerings, they are
ordered of the Lord and practiced in all churches as part of Gods plan for the
churchs material needs and the spirituality of His people. We are admonished in
Luke 6:38, Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure
that you use, it will be measured back to you. Being joint heirs with Him we know
that giving unto His kingdom which is also ours is an enjoyable thing, it being more
blessed to give than to receive, for we are commanded in II Corinthians 9:7,So let
each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God
loves a cheerful giver.

XII. THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit has the following gifts to bestow upon the believing
church of the Lord Jesus Christ: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles,
prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation; that according to the degree of grace
and faith possessed by the recipient, these gifts are divided to every man severally,
as He, the Holy Spirit, wills; that they are to be most earnestly desired and coveted,
in the order and proportion wherein they prove most edifying and beneficial to the
church; and that the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, should be put forth, cultivated, and
diligently guarded as the resultant adornment, the constant, eloquent, and irrefutable
evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

Scripture References:

1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be
ignorant...But earnestly desire the best gifts... (1 Cor. 12:1,31) But one and
the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as
He wills. (1 Cor. 12:11)
2. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the
edification of the church that you seek to excel. (1 Cor. 14:12) For the gifts
and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Rom. 11:29)
3. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us
use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let
16

us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in
exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who
shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom. 12:6-8)
4. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my
disciples. (Jn. 15:8)
5. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree
which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Lk. 3:9)

XIII. DIVINE HEALING

We believe that divine healing is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to heal the sick
and the afflicted in answer to believing prayer; that He who is the same yesterday,
today and forever has never changed but is still an all-sufficient help in the time of
trouble, able to meet the needs of, and quicken the body into newness of life, as well
as the soul and spirit in answer to the faith of them who ever pray with submission to
His divine and sovereign will.

Scripture References:

1. He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses. (Mt. 8:17)
2. For which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise and
walk? (Mt. 9:5)
3. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out
demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if
they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands
on the sick, and they will recover. (Mk. 16:17,18)
4. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all
boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and
that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus. (Acts 4:29,30)
5. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the
prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another,
and pray for one another, that you may be healed... (James 5:14-16)

XIV. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SOCIAL ORDER

It is an obligatory act for all Christians to search and set the will of Christ as their
highest priority in their lives and the community. Our wealth, possessions and those
items that sustain our daily lives can be long lasting if we they are channeled
towards the improvement of the individual through the saving grace of Christ our
Savior and Lord. All Christians must speak out against racism and oppose all form of
it. They should abstain from selfishness and all kinds of vices. They should keep
their bodies pure by shunning all forms of sexual immorality such as adultery,
homosexuality, and pornography. Our work should include those that are intended to
offer help to orphans, the needy, the abused and the downtrodden in our
communities, the aged, and those who are weighed down by illness and have
become helpless. We should be the advocates for the unborn and stand for the
sanctity of human life which begins at the time of conception to the time of natural
17

death. All Christians should endeavor to see to it that industries, government and
society in general come under the influence of Gods principles and thus promote
truth and righteousness as well as love of our fellow human beings. Christians must
at all times be ready to work together to promote good will and good cause yet
being careful not to compromise principles and loyalties toward Christ while
promoting these concepts.

Scripture References:

1. ...We ought to obey God rather than men.. (Acts 5:29) ...do not fear those
who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Mt. 10:28) (Also Dan. 3:15-18;6:7-
10;Acts 4:18-20)
2. ...One is your Teacher, the Christ... (Mt. 23:10)
3. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16) (Also, Ps. 72:11, Rom. 14:9-13)
4. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed,
and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers is not a terror to good
conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?
Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's
servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the
sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's
wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to
avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...( Rom. 13:1-7)

XV. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

It is only God who knows what is in a mans conscience, and He has given men the
freedom to act and develop their own principles and doctrines even if such
contravene the very principles set by God in His laws and Commandments. There
should always be separation between the church and the state. It is the duty of the
state to protect the church and provide it with the freedom to worship freely as it
chooses. In this freedom, the state should never favor any religious grouping over
another. The civil government is actually sanctioned by God. All Christians must lend
their loyal support and obedience to the government in authority as long as such
support and obedience do not contravene Gods principles. The church should never
abdicate its duties to the civil authority nor should it seek the powers of such civil
authority in the performance of its duties because the gospel advocates the use of
spirituality in the accomplishment of Gods work. The state cannot penalize an
individual for expressing his religious opinion, nor can it levy taxes in support of any
faith. The concept of a free church is one which is in a free state where the rights of
Christians in the pursuit of religious freedom, praying and worshipping freely, freely
express their religious opinion, and practicing their faith without fear are unhindered
by the civil authorities. This is the ideal desire of every Christian.




18

XVI. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

The family is a sacred institution of human society comprising of individuals related
by marriage, blood, or adoption and established by God. In marriage, a man and
woman come together to make a lifetime covenant of commitment. Through
marriage, God revealed the union of Christ and His church and provided the
husband and his wife the structure for their close relationship and companionship.
Marriage is the only avenues for any sexual relationship and procreation of the
human race according to Biblical standard.

The husband and wife are coequal in the eyes of God since the two are made in His
image. The wife and husband relationship in marriage mirrors Gods relationship with
His people. A husband should love his wife just as Christ demonstrated in His love
for His Church. God has given the husband the talent and ability to be the provider,
caretaker, protector, and leader of his family. The wife on her part should be in the
role of servant leadership in the family, supporting her husbands leadership as the
Church submits to the leadership of Christ. She is coequal to the husband as both
are made in the image of God, thus should give respect and be a helper to her
husband and fulfill that task of managing the household and be responsible for
bringing up their children who will become the future generation.

Every child, from the very moment of conception, is deemed a blessing and a
heritage given by God. It is incumbent on parents to impart and demonstrate to their
children Gods design for marriage. Parents teaching of moral values to their
children should come in a way of showing good example themselves through healthy
lifestyle, discipline, and making important choices anchored on Biblical truth.
Children on the part must obey and respect their parents.

Scripture References:

1. Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them
male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and
mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So
they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let
man not separate." (Matthew 19:4-6)
2. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head
of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the
Savior. (Ephesians 5:22-23)
3. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love
your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:18-1)
4. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God
will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from
the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:4-5)
5. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father
and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go
well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of
the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a
sincere heart, as you would Christ, ... (Ephesians 6:1-24)
19

XVII. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that He will
descend from Heaven in the clouds of glory with the voice of the archangel and with
the trump of God; and that at this hour, which no man know beforehand, the dead in
Christ shall rise, then the redeemed that are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and that so shall they
ever be with the Lord; that also seeing that a thousand years is as a day with the
Lord, and that no man know the hour of His appearance, which we believe to be
near at hand.

Scripture References:

1. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the
Lord. (1 Thess. 4:16,17)
2. ...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:12,13)
3. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but
My Father only. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is
coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour
you do not expect. (Mt. 24:36,42,44)
4. ...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Heb.
9:28)
5. Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like
men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that
when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are
those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.
Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat,
and will come and serve them. (Lk. 12:35-37)

XVIII. HEAVEN

We believe that Heaven is the indescribably glorious habitation of the living God; and
the Lord has gone to prepare a place for His children; the earnest believers who
have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and have overcome by the word of
their testimony will be carried; that the Lord Jesus Christ will present them to the
Father without spot or wrinkle; and that there is unutterable joy when they will ever
behold His wonderful face, in an everlasting kingdom where unto comes no darkness
nor night, neither sorrow, tears, pain, nor death.

Scripture References:

1. ...as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart
of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor. 2:9)
20

2. In My Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you. (Jn. 14:2)
3. There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the
Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)
4. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away. (Rev. 21:4)
5. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His
temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither
hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them
to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
(Rev. 7:15-17)

XIX. HELL

We believe that hell is a place of outer darkness and deepest sorrow, where the
worm die not and the fire is not quenched; a place prepared for the devil and his
angels, where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, a place of
grief and eternal regret on the part of them who have rejected the mercy, love and
tenderness of the crucified Savior, choosing death rather than life; and that there into
a lake that burns with fire and brimstone shall be cast the unbelieving, the
abominable, the murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, and they who have rejected
and spurned the love and sacrifice of a bleeding Redeemer, passing the cross to
their doom, in spite of every entreaty and warning of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References:

1. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will
cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(Mt. 13:41,42)
2. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day
and night forever and ever. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life
was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:10,15)
3. he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured
out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire
and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the
Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever... (Rev.
14:10,11)
4. Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed,
into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Mt. 25:41) If
your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life
maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall
never be quenched where Their worm does not die, And the fire is not
quenched. (Mk. 9:43,44)
5. ... As I live, says the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your
evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)
21

XX. JUDGEMENT

We believe that the dead both small and great shall be raised up and stand with the
living before the judgment seat of God; and that then a solemn and awful separation
shall take place wherein the wicked shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and
the righteous to life eternal; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of
men in heaven or in hell on principles of righteousness as set forth in His holy Word.

Scripture References:

1. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
2. The son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will
cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Mt. 13:41-43)