We can state up front that we support all the foundational
tenets
of what is called Christian Orthodoxy. We believe in the divine
inspiration
of the scriptures. We believe in a triune God. We believe in the
virgin
birth of Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is only by faith in
Jesus
Christ and the appropriation of the work of redemption He did on the
cross.
We also place a high level of priority on the
person and the work of the
Holy Spirit today. We believe that a relationship with the Holy Spirit
is a
prerequisite to even understanding the word. Jesus in His last
instructions to His disciples prioritized above all else their coming relationship
with the Holy Spirit. (ACTS 1) Their entire effectivity as witnesses was
going to be contingent on an encounter with the Holy Spirit (ACTS 1:8) We
believe that the great Hope and Promise that Jesus left us was not "the
word" but the Person of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). We believe that the
"letter kills" (2 Cor. 3:6) "but the Spirit gives life". Meaning that
unless the Holy Spirit illuminates to us that which is written that it will actually
produce 'death', therefore the disputes, divisions and 10,000 denominations
that exist - all based "on the word". We place great value on
John 16:13, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide
you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." We actively and
intentionally seek Him for these "things to come" and do not
consider that extra-biblical, seeing as it is biblically espoused. We believe that
the Holy Spirit wishes to walk closely with us as Helper and Teacher. We
believe that
He wishes to lead us in day to day activities such as
where we work, who we marry, where we attend church and who are
friends are to be. We believe these are areas that the Bible is silent
in specifics and therefore we must live daily in relationship with the Holy Spirit. We believe
that the Holy Spirit will lead us along guidelines that do not violate
established principles of the Bible.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8) By this we mean that His power and gifts are for today
also and at no time did His power to heal ,cease to be available. We do not
believe this as theology only but have seen Jesus' healing power in
action
today.
We believe we are called to be "salt" and
"light" in this world. We
believe we are called to care, love and intercede for whatever city
the Lord has placed us in and for our country also.(Jer.29:7) We believe we are
to bless and pray for all our civic leaders and to provide a protection
for them from the 'enemy'. We believe that the Lord will "heal our
land" if WE humble ourselves and pray.(2 Chronicles 7:14)
