Statement of Faith
Nearly all Protestant denominations and movements agree on the basics
of what they believe -
the really critical issues. By the same token, two denominations invariably
have minor issues on
which they may not agree, such as whether women should be pastors.
For this reason the Christian church sometimes comes under fire from critics,
who argue that since Christians can't even agree on what they believe,
they must not have found truth. Rather than finding truth, critics argue,
Christians are bound up in legalistic red tape.
In fact, just the opposite is true.
Most denominations agree there are two types of issues,
those which are essential, and those which are considered non-essential.
Essential issues -
such as the belief that Jesus died and rose from the dead - are not in contention.
When it comes to non-essential issues - such as women's' role in ministry
-
Christians have the freedom to embrace a variety of positions.
As the Foursquare Gospel Church puts it, "In Essentials - Unity;
In Non-essentials - Liberty; In All Things - Charity (love)."
The following paragraphs describe our position on 22 issues, along
with Biblical references that support those positions.
1 The Holy Scriptures - We believe the Bible is God-inspired (2 Timothy
3:16,17).
2 The Eternal Godhead - We believe God is Triune: Father, Son and Holy
Ghost (2 Corinthians 13:14).
3 The Fall of Man - We believe that man was created in the image of
God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection (Romans
5:12).
4 The Plan of Salvation - We believe that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us, signing the pardon of all who believe on Him (John 3:16;
Romans 5:8).
5 Salvation Through Grace - We believe that we have no righteousness
and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
6 Repentance and Acceptance - We believe that upon sincere repentance,
and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God (1
John 1:9).
7 The New Birth - We believe that the change which takes place in the
heart and life at conversion is a very real one (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians
2:20).
8 Daily Christian Life - We believe that it is the will of God that
we be sanctified daily, growing constantly in the faith (Hebrews 6:1)
.
9 Baptism and the Lord's Supper - We believe that baptism by immersion
is an outward sign of an inward work (Matthew 28:19). We believe in the
commemoration of the Lord's Supper by the symbolical use of the bread and
juice of the vine (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25).
10 Baptism of the Holy Spirit - We believe that the baptism of the Holy
Spirit is to endue the believer with power; and that His incoming is after
the same manner as in Bible days (Acts 2:4).
11 The Spirit-Filled Life - We believe that it is the will of God that
we walk in the Spirit daily (Ephesians 4:30-32).
12 The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit - We believe that the Holy Spirit
has gifts to bestow upon the Christian, and that we should show spiritual
fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians
5:22).
13 Moderation - We believe that the experience and daily walk of the
believer should never lead him into extremes of fanaticisms (Philippians
4:5).
14 Divine Healing - We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ
to heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith (James 5:14-16).
15 The Second Coming of Christ - We believe that the second coming of
Christ is personal and imminent (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
16 Church Relationship - We believe it is our sacred duty to identify
ourselves with the visible church of Christ (Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:25).
17 Civil Government - We believe that rulers should be upheld at all
times except in things opposed to the will of God (Romans 13:1-5).
18 The Final Judgement - We believe that all shall stand some day before
the judgement seat of God, and there receive eternal life or death (2 Corinthians
5:10).
19 Heaven - We believe that heaven is the glorious eternal home of born-again
believers (John 14:1-3; Revelation 7:15-17).
20 Hell - We believe that hell is the place of eternal torment for all
who reject Christ as the Savior (Revelation 20:10, 15).
21 Evangelism - We believe that soul winning is the most important responsibility
of the Church (James 5:20).
22 Tithes and Offerings - We believe that the method ordained of God
for the support and spread of His cause is by giving of tithes and free-will
offerings (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
.
CALLED TO THE HARVEST
(Thanks Giving)
he Harvest is Ripe at last.
The ground was fresh -
Plowed
In The Spring.
The furrows went
Deep.
The Seed was freely
Sown.
The Harvest is Ripe;
The Standing Fields
of grain
Are laid low by
The Shining Scythe.
I labor long over Thy
Task,
And though Weary,
My Heart like that of
a Soaring Bird
Is Blithe.
I come Singing to Thee.
The warm, waving
Fields of Golden Grain
At last are Thine.
I bow low at Thy
Feet,
giving Trustingly into
Thy Precious Care
All that is Mine.
Helen Pearson Garrett
1905-1995
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