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Doctrinal Statement
Faith Gospel is a non-denominational church that focuses on the essentials of Christianity and salvation. We believe that the Bible is God's inspired word without error. We believe the only way a sinner can be reconciled back to the Holy Father is through His Son Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus was perfectly man while at the same time perfectly God in the flesh. We believe that no man or woman can earn their salvation. We believe salvation of our soul can only take place when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe that three different things must happen in order to accept Christ, namely: Admit you're a sinner, Believe Christ is the Son of God who died for your sin, and Confess Him openly as your Lord and Savior. The following is a more detailed statement regarding our faith and doctrine...
Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly, and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We also engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
I.OF THE SCRIPTURES:
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
II.OF THE TRUE GOD:
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III.OF THE FALL OF MAN:
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from the holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
IV.OF THE WAY OF SALVATION:
We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, was born of the virgin Mary, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
V.OF JUSTIFICATION:
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification included the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
VI.OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION:
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
VII.OF GRACE IN REGENERATION:
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
VIII.OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH:
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying upon Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
IX.OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE:
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effect in all who truly believe in the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
X.OF SANCTIFICATION:
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer, and the Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially, the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
XI.OF THE PRESERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS:
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial profession; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII.OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL:
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin: to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
XIII.OF A GOSPEL CHURCH:
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by a covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops, pastors, deacons, and elders, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus.
XIV.OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and juice, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by self-examination. No work, including baptism or communion can save your soul.
XV.OF TONGUES:
We believe that speaking in unknown tongues was a sign gift for the first century church until the Word of God could be completed. We believe that the church today gains absolutely no profit from tongue speaking. We believe unknown tongues cause confusion, and therefore will not be tolerated.
XVI.OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT:
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
XVII.OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED:
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men, both in and after death.
XVIII.OF THE WORLD TO COME:
We believe in a bodily resurrection of all the sainted dead, and the translation (rapture) of all living saints at the appearance of Christ. We believe 7 years of tribulation will proceed this event as clearly taught in Daniel and Revelation. We believe that at the end of the tribulation period Christ will return in bodily form to defeat the Anti-Christ and establish a 1000-year reign on earth. After this time period Satan, along with all the rejecters of God will be cast into an eternal lake of fire to be punished forever, while all believers will go on to spend eternity with God. (In other words, we are pre-tribulational and pre-millennial)
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