Statement of Beliefs
God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, calls and leads whom He chooses to become His Eternal Children, through belief in His Son Jesus Christ, as our eternal Savior and Lord of our lives. Those individuals who accept their calling by faith, abide in Jesus Christ and remain in the doctrines of the apostles, become members of the Body of Christ. God the Father has made known to the Body of Christ His will and purpose for His people, which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and made known to His elect, who are called before the foundation of the world, through the power of His Holy Spirit. We do therefore establish this Constitution so that we might publically declare our beliefs and fulfill His will.
ARTICLE 1 - MISSION STATEMENT
Grace and Truth Ministries is a non-denominational Christian organization committed to declaring reconciliation to the Heavenly Father, by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a message of Good News composed of two inseparable themes - which are: Jesus as King of the Kingdom of God and the Savior of humanity. We believe that as the King of the Kingdom or Reign of God, Jesus will soon return and take reign, rule and dominion over the nations and governments of this world, including Satan's kingdom of darkness. We also believe that the Gospel includes the message of salvation and reconciliation to God, through faith in the shed blood, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as declared by the apostle Paul in Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 5:10.
This ministry in Christ is also vested with the responsibility of preparing the members of the assembly to do the work of the ministry and to edify the Body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith, as directed in Ephesians 4:11-13.
The duties of this ministry also includes obeying the two-fold commission given by Jesus Christ to Go and make disciples of Christ in all the nations - and to love, feed, nurture, oversee and protect the sheep that Christ places under this ministry's care, just as Christ directed the apostle Peter in John 21:15-17.
ARTICLE 2 - FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
2.0 The following are statements regarding the fundamental beliefs of Grace and Truth Ministries. We are continuously growing in the grace and knowledge of God, and reserve the right to amend our Statement of Beliefs to include any greater light of understanding and/or deeper revelations of God's Word, as revealed by His Holy Spirit.
2.1 WHO AND WHAT IS GOD: The Father and the Son comprise the "Godhead." There is one God (1 Corinthians 8:4 and Deuteronomy 6:4). Scripture shows that God is a divine Family which began with two, God the Father and the Word (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 2:19; 3:15; Hebrews 2:10-11)
2.2 GOD IS SPIRIT AND ETERNAL:
The Father is the Supreme Being in the Godhead. Jesus Christ said that He was sent to reveal the Father (Matthew 11:27; John 1:18; 17:24-26) and acknowledged that His Father was greater than He (John 10:29; 14:28).
The Son, Jesus Christ, is the "Word" (Greek logos), through whom the Father created all things (John 1:1-3), the "only begotten Son" of the Father (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18). That Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of all mankind (1 John 4:14). He died for our sins and was resurrected that we might be saved from eternal death (Acts 4:10-12). He now sits at the Father's right hand and acts as our High Priest and as the Living Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 4:14-16).
2.3 THE HOLY SPIRIT
God is Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the very essence, the mind, life and power of God. It is not a Being. The Spirit is inherent in the Father and the Son, and emanates from Them throughout the entire universe (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:24). It was through the Spirit that God created all things (Genesis 1:1-2; Revelation 4:11). It is the power by which Christ maintains the universe (Hebrews 1:2-3). It is given to all who repent of their sins and are baptized (Acts 2:38-39) and is the power (Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:6-7) by which all believers may be "overcomers" (Romans 8:37, KJV; Revelation 2:26-27) and will be led to eternal life.
2.4 THE BIBLE: We believe that the Holy Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, is God's revelation to humanity. Scripture is the inspired written word of God, infallible in their original writings, and is the supreme and final authority in faith and in life, and is the foundation of all truth (2 Timothy 3:16).
2.5 SALVATION: We believe that Salvation is God's gift by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, all He is, did for mankind as the Messiah and Savior of humanity. (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Romans 5:10).
2.6 FAITH IN CHRIST: We believe that the first important step toward salvation is coming to complete faith in God and in Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 6:1; 11:6). Peter said, "be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:36-38).
2.7 REPENTENCE: We believe that the first step toward obtaining eternal salvation is repentance of sin. The Biblical definition of the word "repentance" means to have a "change of mind or heart" and to "turn back" - to turn back to God. The first thing a new convert must repent of is accepting anything or anyone as their only means of their salvation, other than Jesus Christ.
Secondly, the new convert must repent of practicing a lifestyle of transgressing God's laws and commandments and be willing to obey His Makers, by means of Christ living within them
(1 John 3:4) (Galatians 2:20).
2.8 BAPTISM BY IMMERSION: After God calls us and grants us the gift of repentance, and we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, the next vital step to salvation is water baptism. One should be baptized (Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 9:1-18) unto Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, in the name and Person of the Father, the name and Person of Jesus Christ and Their Holy Spirit.
2.9 RECEIVING GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT: When we repent, accept Jesus and are baptized, God forgives and cleanses us from all sins (Acts 2:38; cf. Psalm 103:3, 10-13) by the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ, in order that He may filled His new Child with His Holy Spirit. According to New Testament teaching, the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of Christ's Apostles, or elders (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6).
2.10 We believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God with the sole purpose of becoming members of the God Family, as the eternal Children of God, partakers of God's divine nature and inheriting His eternal life.
2.11 We believe that Satan is a spirit being, formerly a "covering cherub" - who is the adversary of God and the children of God. And, that according to the Word of God, Satan and his host of demons has deceived the whole world and blinded the majority of humanity from understanding God's truths, as revealed in His Holy Scriptures. That demons are rebellious fallen angels or spirit beings, who follow Satan (Revelation 12:9).
2.12 We believe that Adam and Eve yielded to Satan's subtle temptations in the Garden of Eden and disobeyed God. As a result, sin entered the world, and that death now reigns over all humanity, because all humanity has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Genesis 1:26 – 3:6; Romans 5:12).
2.13 We believe that sin is the transgression of God's laws of Love (1 John 3:4), which are enumerated in God's moral laws, which are known as the Ten Commandments. We believe that God's commandments are spiritual, perfect, holy, just and good, as stated in the Scriptures. They are based upon the two great principles of love toward God and love toward neighbor, and are immutable and binding.
The Ten Commandments are the ten points of God's liberating laws of love. Breaking any point of the law, is in actuality, committing unloving acts against our God - who is Love - and/or our fellowman. For the apostle Paul tells us that love fulfills all the requirements of God's Laws, therefore, it can only be unloving acts that transgress God's commandments of Love. And, it is these unloving acts that brings upon a person the wages of their sin, which is death. This is the reason we need God's grace
2.14 We believe that the Ten Commandments were not "nailed to the cross" and abolished at Christ's death, but rather the sacrificial, ceremonial and temple laws of Moses, which are identified in the New Testament as "ordinances." These ordinances were part of the Old Covenant laws of Moses and applied only to the physical nation of ancient Israel.
In Romans 4:15 and 5:13, the apostle Paul states that "for where no law is, there is no transgression." Therefore, if God's Moral Laws were abolished by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, then no one can be counted guilty of sinning, called a sinner, nor called to repentance. This fact alone is Biblical evidence that God's Commandments still apply to all New Testament Believers.
2.15 We believe that God loves humanity so much that He gave His only Begotten Son to die for the sins of the world, so that the world would not have to pay the ultimate penalty for its own sins. Jesus, though tempted in all points as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh. Because all life was created through Christ, His life is of greater value than the sum total of all human life. God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead after Jesus' body lay three days and three nights in the grave, thus making immortality possible for mortal man. He thereafter ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father as our Savior, Lord, High Priest and Holy Advocate. (John 3:16-17; Matthew 12:40; Hebrews 2:9-18, 4:14-15; 1 John 2:1-2).
2.16 We believe that all who truly repent of their sins and accept by faith, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, accept His shed blood, torn body and death for the remission of their sins, His life of perfect obedience to the law as their righteousness, His Lordship over their lives and His resurrection as their guarantee of eternal life, have received eternal life as a gift by the divine grace of God. As an outward show of their faith, the repentant sinner should be baptized, have hands laid on them to receive the Holy Spirit and live according to the commandments of God, as outlined in the Holy Scriptures. For God's Word tells us that He only gives His Spirit to them that are willing to obey Him.
Inwardly, Believers and Followers of Christ will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and will reflect this change by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Salvation is the entire process of repentance and forgiveness of sins, the imputation of righteousness, the gift of eternal life, and walking in the newness of an obedient life. Acts 2:36-38; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2).
2.17 We believe that the process for humanity entering into eternal life as spirit-composed-beings comes through a resurrection from the dead or an instantaneous transformation. Believers who are resurrected or transformed at Christ's second coming will become a kingdom of priests ruling with Christ in the Kingdom of God on earth, which will be fully established after His return (Luke 20:27-36; 1 Corinthians 15:12-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelations 5:9-10).
2.18 We believe that God is not trying to save all humanity, during man's present reign on earth. In fact, God has even specifically blinded most people from understanding His Word, in order that He might have mercy upon those created in His image. Therefore, after Jesus Christ, along with the resurrected spirit-composed saints, have ruled on this earth for 1,000 years, there will be a resurrection to physical life of the vast majority of all people who have ever lived. This will be their first chance at salvation. If they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they too will receive eternal life. We also believe that those who reject God's offer of salvation will reap eternal death --- also known as the second death (Romans 11; Revelations 20:4-15).
2.19 We believe that the Old Covenant has been abolished and that the New Covenant is now in effect. The Old Covenant was made with the physical descendants of Abraham, as counted through Isaac and Jacob -physical Israelites. The New Covenant was made with the spiritual descendants of Abraham, as counted by faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we do not believe that one has to become a "spiritual Jew" in order to be saved. However, all true Believers do become Spiritual Israelites and Abraham's seed according to the promise and members of Spiritual Israel, which is the Israel Above (Romans 9:1-9; Galatians 3:26 - 4:31; Hebrews 8).
2.20 We believe that God is revealed in the Bible through many names for the purpose of expressing different aspects of God's being and character, and for the purpose of expressing different relationships with creation. Therefore, we believe that individuals may write or speak any of the names of God as long as it is done in reverence and the use of any particular name of God does not become mandatory, or a salvation issue. Listed below are some of the Hebrew and Greek names of God, along with their approximate English equivalents and meanings.
|
Hebrew or Greek Name |
English Equivalent |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
Elohim |
God; gods |
Plurality in Unity; the oneness of God (Gen 1:26-27) |
|
JHVH; YHWH |
Jehovah; Yahweh |
LORD Self-Existent or Eternal (Gen 2:4; Ex 6:1-3) |
|
Adonai |
Lord |
Master (Gen 15:2) |
|
El Shaddai |
God Almighty |
The one who pours out abundant blessings (Gen 17:1-2; 28:3-4; 35:11-12) |
|
Hayah |
To exist |
I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14) |
|
Iesous |
Jesus; Joshua |
Savior [the Heb. = Yehowshu'a] (Acts 13:23; Josh 1:1-13; Heb 4:1-11) |
|
Christos |
Christ |
Anointed [the Heb. = Messiah] (Dan 9:25-26; John 1:41; Luke 4:18) |
2.21 We believe that the 7th day Sabbath and the 7 annual Feast Days/Holy Days reveal God's perfect 7 thousand year plan of salvation for all humanity.
2.22 GOD'S SABBATH: The Word of God reveals that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord" (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14). God actually put Himself into this day by resting from His works and blessing and hallowing the 7th day . The Sabbath was created the day after God created Adam and was made for mankind, not just for Jews or Israelites. For Jesus said the He was the Lord of the Sabbath. It is to be observed from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. It is God's "sign" between Him and His faithful people that God is our Creator and the One who sanctifies us.
The seventh day Sabbath also pictures the Millennium—the coming 1,000-year "rest" when Christ returns as King of kings (Hebrews 4:1-4; Revelation 20:4-6). Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the early Church always observed God's commanded seventh day Sabbath, (Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2), and it will be observed by "all flesh" during Christ's coming millennial rule over the earth (Isaiah 66:23).
2.23 ANNUAL FESTIVALS PICTURE GOD'S MASTER PLAN OF SALVATION: God's annual Festivals are listed in Leviticus 23 and in Deuteronomy 16. The Apostolic Church observed the annual Sabbaths (Acts 2; 12:3-4; 18:21; 20:6, 16; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 16:8). These Sabbaths will continue to be observed during Christ's millennial rule (Zechariah 14:1, 9, 16-19). For God's annual Festivals picture the salvation works of Jesus Christ.
|
Feast Days (Leviticus 23) |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Passover |
Jesus, the true sacrificial Lamb of God, shed His blood and died, in order to pay the penalty of humanity's sins. |
|
Days of Unleavened Bread |
Jesus is the sinless Bread of Life, who has unleavened us and cleansed us from our sins, through His sacrificial offering as the Lamb of God. (1 Cor. 5:1-8; Jn. 6:48-58) |
|
Pentecost / Feast of Firstfruits |
The giving of the Holy Spirit, which is now offered to all who repent, accept Jesus as their only means of salvation and follow His ways, instructions and commandments. (1 Cor. 15:20; Rev. 14:1-5; 19:6-9) |
|
Feast of Trumpets |
Jesus Christ returns to resurrect the firstfruits, remove Satan and his demons from their earthly thrones and takes dominion over the earth. (Rev. 8:1-2; 11:15-18) |
|
Day of Atonement or Day of Reconciliation |
Christ binds Satan and frees mankind from the devil's bondage, so that humanity can truly have an opportunity to be Reconciled to and made At-One with God. (Lev. 16:8-23; Rev. 20:1-3; Lev. 25:8-14; Lk. 4:16-21) |
|
Tabernacles / Feast of Ingathering |
Jesus establishes the Reign of God on the Earth (Rev. 20:4-10; Zech. 14:16-19) |
|
Last Great Day |
The Prince of Peace offers salvation to all humanity (Rev. 20:5, 11-15; John 7:37 – 10:18 |
2.24 HEALTH LAW CONCERNING CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS: Genesis 7:1-2, Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 give God's instructions concerning what He created "clean" (edible) and "unclean" (inedible). Long after the crucifixion, Peter still recognized this law as binding (Acts 10:14). Moreover, after his vision of unclean animals brought down on a sheet, Peter exclaimed: "God has shown me that I should call no man common or unclean" (v. 28). In this vision, God was not proclaiming that His food laws had changed, but that Peter no longer to discriminate against anyone because of their race or nationality and that salvation was now offered to all humanity.
2.25 MARRIAGE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY:
a. Marriage – We believe that marriage is a biblical institution established by God as clearly described in the scriptures. This Church recognizes that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. Accordingly, this Church, its pastors, staff and members will not participate in same sex unions or same sex marriages, nor shall its property or resources be used for such purposes.
b. Human Sexuality – We believe the Bible teaches that legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, this Church opposes all forms of sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, homosexuality and lesbianism.
2.26 GOD'S FORM OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP:
The Father is supreme in authority, and His Son Jesus Christ is under Him in rank and authority (John 14:28). The "head [leader] of Christ is God [the Father]" (1 Corinthians 11:3), and "Christ is the Head of the Church" (Ephesians 5:23). God governs with love, and continues this pattern throughout His Church. Under the Father and under His Son, Jesus Christ, God has set in the church those who are to be leaders and overseers, such as: "[1] apostles, [2] prophets, [3] evangelists, [4] pastors and [5] teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). God has set these roles of leadership in the Body of Christ for the purpose of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, forming new assemblies, pastoring and overseeing the assembly, which includes feeding Christ's sheep with God's Word, baptizing new members, refuting false doctrines, protecting the Lord's sheep from false prophets, preparing the saints for the work of the ministry, loving, nurturing, counseling and edifying those, who God has placed under the pastor's care and supervision.
Jesus taught "Servant Leadership" by His Word and example (Matthew 20:25-28). He said, "You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (KJV).
2.27 Tithing and Offerings:
We believe that paying a tithe or tenth of your income or increase is still valid and mandatory under the New Covenant. We also believe that God's Children are still obligated to bring an offering on His Annual Festivals and should give thanks and freewill offerings as they are able and led by the Holy Spirit.
2.27 Jesus Was Made A Sin Offering:
We believe that 11 Corinthians 5:21 as found in the King James Version of the Bible is a mistranslation of the original texts. The King James version say that "Jesus was made to be sin for us" – however – we believe the original and correct text inspired by God's Holy Spirit, said that "Jesus was made to be a "sin-offering" for us. We believe and teach that there is a world of difference between Jesus being made a sin offering and Jesus being made sin. The guilt and sins of ancient Israel were only placed on the Azazel goat, which represented Satan the devil, and not on the sin-offering goat, which represented Jesus the Christ. Therefore, we believe Jesus never was, nor will ever be, contaminated with the foul and heinous sins of mankind. That Jesus was pure, Holy and sinless from the history of eternity, during His carnation on earth, during His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection and remains pure, holy and sinless today and forever.
