The Statement of Faith from the Well Versed By-Laws
TENETS OF FAITH AND DOCTRINE
The Corporation accepts the Scriptures of the Holy Bible as the revealed Will of God, the all sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these fundamental Tenets of Faith and Doctrine. The Board of Directors shall be the final decision maker on religious policies and the body to promulgate, interpret and enforce the Corporation’s religious policies.
Section 1. The Scriptures Inspired.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living, infallible, and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. (II Timothy. 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)
Section 2. The One True Godhead.
The triune Godhead is comprised of three separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and The Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-5, 10-14; Matthew 28:18-20)
Section 3. Man, His Fall and Redemption.
Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness". But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7: Romans 5:12-21)
Section 4. The Salvation of Man.
(a) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:24; John 3:3) On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalm 103:3), being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)
(b) The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16; I John 3:18-19, 24) The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. "You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16-20)
(c) Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 2:16; II Corinthians. 5:10)
Section 5. Baptism in Water.
The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have truly repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 10:47-48)
Section 6. The Lord's Supper.
"And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (I Corinthians 11:24-25, 28)
Section 7. The Promise of the Father.
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Fullness or the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38) With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16)
Section 8. The Evidence of the Fullness of the Holy Spirit.
The Fullness of the Holy Spirit is evidenced in the life of the believer by holy living, the sanctified life, power to witness, and by the evidenced gifts of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Hebrews 12:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 1:8; 10:44-46; Romans 12:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 12:8-11; Galatians 5:16:26)
Section 9. The Church.
The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and Church of the first born, whose names are written in Heaven. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)
Section 10. God’s Provision.
(a) Spiritual. III John 2; II Corinthians 5:17-21.
(b) Mental. II Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.
(c) Physical. Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24.
(d) Financial. Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-15;
Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
(e) Social. Proverbs 3:4; Luke 2:52; Esther 2:15.
Section 11. Blessed Hope.
Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to ever be with Him (I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians. 4:16-17)
Section 12. Heaven and Hell.
It is God’s desire for all persons to be saved and to live with Him for eternity in heaven. Just as access to heaven is made possible by the provision of Jesus Christ, there is a hell for those who reject God’s offer of salvation. God never intended for anyone to go to hell. Tragically, however, those who refuse God’s redemptive work will experience hell. It is our desire to help all who will to receive the provision of the atonement of sins and thus avoid eternal separation from God. (John 3:16; 14:2-4; Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:4; 22:3-7)
Section 13. The Millennial Reign of Jesus.
The Scriptures promise the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6) After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21)
Section 14. Marriage and Sexual Relations.
The Corporation shall only sanction or conduct marriages between a man and a woman. God instituted marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. (Genesis 2:24) God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged other than in the context of marriage between a man and a woman. (Genesis 19:5, 26:8-11; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29: 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4) God has wonderfully and immutably created each person as fully male or female from conception, consistent with their biological sex. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
Section 15. Israel and the Bible
Israel and the Jewish people have an eternal covenant in God’s plan. “Zionism” means that Israel has the right to exist, to defend herself, and to regather the Jewish people to their homeland from the nations of the world. As Christians, we stand against anti-Semitism and Replacement Theology, and support Israel’s right to exist and defend herself. To be pro-Israel is not to be against any other people group or ethnicity as God loves all persons. (Genesis 12:3; Ezekiel 39:27-28; Deuteronomy 30:3-4; Jeremiah 31:10)
Section 16. God, the Bible and Government
Although the Bible speaks clearly about personal lifestyle, family life and church life, it also speaks with clarity regarding community and national life. To the extent that elected officials follow the principles of Scriptural governance, to that same extent human suffering, pain and poverty will be reduced. To the extent that governments violate God’s pattern for national life, to that extent suffering and poverty increases. Almost all of the 66 books of the Bible speak about, speak to or reference government leaders and principles for healthy national life. Just as the priests spoke to and advised the kings of old, so should Christian leaders and pastors speak truth to power today. (Psalms 33:12; Isaiah 9:16; Psalms 22:28; Acts 17:26; Deuteronomy 32:8; Genesis 22:18; 2 Kings 6; 2 Samuel 7:1-13; Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 8:1-6; 13:23-27; 2 Chronicles 24:1-2, 15-19; Isaiah 37)
The Corporation accepts the Scriptures of the Holy Bible as the revealed Will of God, the all sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these fundamental Tenets of Faith and Doctrine. The Board of Directors shall be the final decision maker on religious policies and the body to promulgate, interpret and enforce the Corporation’s religious policies.
Section 1. The Scriptures Inspired.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living, infallible, and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. (II Timothy. 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)
Section 2. The One True Godhead.
The triune Godhead is comprised of three separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and The Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-5, 10-14; Matthew 28:18-20)
Section 3. Man, His Fall and Redemption.
Man was created good and upright, for God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness". But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7: Romans 5:12-21)
Section 4. The Salvation of Man.
(a) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:24; John 3:3) On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalm 103:3), being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)
(b) The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16; I John 3:18-19, 24) The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. "You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16-20)
(c) Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 2:16; II Corinthians. 5:10)
Section 5. Baptism in Water.
The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have truly repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 10:47-48)
Section 6. The Lord's Supper.
"And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (I Corinthians 11:24-25, 28)
Section 7. The Promise of the Father.
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Fullness or the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38) With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16)
Section 8. The Evidence of the Fullness of the Holy Spirit.
The Fullness of the Holy Spirit is evidenced in the life of the believer by holy living, the sanctified life, power to witness, and by the evidenced gifts of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Hebrews 12:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 1:8; 10:44-46; Romans 12:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 12:8-11; Galatians 5:16:26)
Section 9. The Church.
The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and Church of the first born, whose names are written in Heaven. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)
Section 10. God’s Provision.
(a) Spiritual. III John 2; II Corinthians 5:17-21.
(b) Mental. II Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.
(c) Physical. Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24.
(d) Financial. Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-15;
Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
(e) Social. Proverbs 3:4; Luke 2:52; Esther 2:15.
Section 11. Blessed Hope.
Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to ever be with Him (I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians. 4:16-17)
Section 12. Heaven and Hell.
It is God’s desire for all persons to be saved and to live with Him for eternity in heaven. Just as access to heaven is made possible by the provision of Jesus Christ, there is a hell for those who reject God’s offer of salvation. God never intended for anyone to go to hell. Tragically, however, those who refuse God’s redemptive work will experience hell. It is our desire to help all who will to receive the provision of the atonement of sins and thus avoid eternal separation from God. (John 3:16; 14:2-4; Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:4; 22:3-7)
Section 13. The Millennial Reign of Jesus.
The Scriptures promise the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6) After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21)
Section 14. Marriage and Sexual Relations.
The Corporation shall only sanction or conduct marriages between a man and a woman. God instituted marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family, the basic structure of human society. (Genesis 2:24) God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged other than in the context of marriage between a man and a woman. (Genesis 19:5, 26:8-11; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29: 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4) God has wonderfully and immutably created each person as fully male or female from conception, consistent with their biological sex. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
Section 15. Israel and the Bible
Israel and the Jewish people have an eternal covenant in God’s plan. “Zionism” means that Israel has the right to exist, to defend herself, and to regather the Jewish people to their homeland from the nations of the world. As Christians, we stand against anti-Semitism and Replacement Theology, and support Israel’s right to exist and defend herself. To be pro-Israel is not to be against any other people group or ethnicity as God loves all persons. (Genesis 12:3; Ezekiel 39:27-28; Deuteronomy 30:3-4; Jeremiah 31:10)
Section 16. God, the Bible and Government
Although the Bible speaks clearly about personal lifestyle, family life and church life, it also speaks with clarity regarding community and national life. To the extent that elected officials follow the principles of Scriptural governance, to that same extent human suffering, pain and poverty will be reduced. To the extent that governments violate God’s pattern for national life, to that extent suffering and poverty increases. Almost all of the 66 books of the Bible speak about, speak to or reference government leaders and principles for healthy national life. Just as the priests spoke to and advised the kings of old, so should Christian leaders and pastors speak truth to power today. (Psalms 33:12; Isaiah 9:16; Psalms 22:28; Acts 17:26; Deuteronomy 32:8; Genesis 22:18; 2 Kings 6; 2 Samuel 7:1-13; Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 8:1-6; 13:23-27; 2 Chronicles 24:1-2, 15-19; Isaiah 37)