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Bethel Charismatique Ministries Inc. Biblical Beliefs & Statements of Faith. STATEMENTS OF FAITH.
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Bethel Charismatique Ministries Inc Biblical Beliefs & Statements of Faith
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • BCM accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining unity in the Body of Christ. This Ministries believes that: • The Bible is inspired The Scriptures of the entire Bible are inspired of God: the Scriptures are God’s revelation of himself to mankind, they are infallible, and they are the divinely authoritative guide for our faith, beliefs, and manner of living (2 Timothy 3: 15-17; I Thessalonians 2: 13, 2 Peter 1:21) • One True God There is only one true God who has revealed Himself as having existed by Himself; as who He is before the beginning of time, no-one brought Him into being or existed before or after Him (Isaiah 43: 10). He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1: 1) and the One who redeems saves, or delivers mankind from sin and its painful consequences (Isaiah 43: 11). God has further revealed himself as one being (Deuteronomy 6: 4) who consists of three interrelated persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28: 19; Luke 3:22). The One God in three persons, also known as the Trinity.
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and also God, has always existed. He is without beginning or end (Revelation 1: 8). In order to complete His earthly sacrificial mission, He became human by being born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 23; Luke 1: 31, 35). He lived a perfect sinless life (Hebrew 7: 26, 1 Peter 2: 22). While on earth, he worked many miracles through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 22; 10: 38). In order to restore fallen mankind, He died on the cross as a substitute for the sins of all mankind (1 Corinthians 15: 3; 2 Corinthians 5: 21). He was raised from the dead by the supernatural power of God (Matthew 28: 6; Luke 24: 39; 1 Corinthians 6: 14, 15: 4). Since His resurrection, He has been exalted (honored), and is seated at the right had of God (Acts 1: 9, 11, 2: 33; Philippians 2: 9-11; Hebrews 1: 3). After His resurrection and ascension He gave spiritual gifts to men and His Holy Spirit to build His Church (His Bride).
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • The Fall of Mankind Mankind was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, mankind by his own will and choice, ignored and disobeyed God’s instructions …choosing evil over good. Consequently, mankind fell from innocence and goodness and become vulnerable to both physical and spiritual death (separation from God) - Genesis 1: 26-27, 2: 17, 3: 6; Romans 5: 12-19 • The Salvation of Mankind Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin. God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free gift of forgiveness. Mankind’s only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son – blood that was shed as Jesus died on the cross. Crucifixion of Jesus Christ- Matthew: 27, Mark: 15, Luke: 23, and John: 19.
STATEMENTS OF FAITH Salvation of Mankind • Section 1:The experience of salvation - Salvation is received when an individual repents from his sins and sinful inclinations before God; and believes that the death and resurrection (supernatural restoration to life) of Jesus Christ removes and brings forgiveness for his sins. In response to placing faith in God’s love and freely given salvation, one experiences the washing or regeneration (or spiritual rebirth), the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and is declared righteous (right with God). During salvation, the individual becomes heir to God’s promised hope of eternal life (Luke 24: 47; John 3: 3; Romans 10: 13-15; Ephesians 2: 8; Titus 2: 11, 3: 5-7). • Section 2:The evidence of Salvation: The evidence of salvation is the direct and inner witness within one’s heart of assurance of and acceptance with God. (Romans 8: 16).
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • Salvation of Mankind (Section 2 Contd.) The outward evidence, visible to others, is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4: 24; Titus 2: 12) - a committed life that is pleasing to God. • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit The baptism of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the initial physical evidence of speaking in unlearned languages – other tongues (Acts 2:4, I Corin 12: 4-10, 28). Holy Spirit Baptism was a normal experience of believers in the early Christian Church and this provides the believer with spiritual gifts for effective ministry and the power for victorious living and productive service for the Lord. • Sanctification As “born again” Christians or believers, the act of separating oneself from evil and identifying with that which is good, upright and morally pure on a daily basis is the process of sanctification.
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • Sanctification (Contd.) This process is possible when one devotes oneself to God so one can live a holy life by the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1, Romans 2:1, I Thess 5: 23, Heb 13:12). • The Church/Body of Jesus Christ The church, which is the Body of Christ, consists of all peoples from all nations who have professed faith in Jesus Christ as the propitiation for their sins. Christ is the Head of the church and all Christians form members of that Body. God’s purpose concerning mankind is to seek and save all who are lost in sin (Luke 19:10); to be worshipped (Revelation 19:10, Rev. 22:9) and to build a unified body of believers mature in faith and knowledge like His Son Jesus (Ephe. 4:12). • The church has the responsibility to evangelize the world (Acts 1:18, Matt 28: 19-20, Mark 16:15-16); to be a unified body where God is worshipped (I Corin. 12:13) and to perfect the believers to the image of Jesus Christ (Ephe. 4:11-16, I Corin 12:28, 14:12).
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • Divine Healing Divine healing is part of the salvation package for all believers. Deliverance from sickness is provided in Christ’s atonement of suffering and death. Healing is a privilege all believers must benefit from (Isaiah 53: 4-5; Matt 8:16-17; James 5: 14-16). • Christ’s Return and Believers’ Eternal Life All Christians who have died physically shall rise from the grave one day at the sound of the trump of the Lord. They shall meet with the Lord Jesus in the air and all Christians who are yet alive shall be caught up (the rapture) with them to live with God eternally. There is the hope of seeing all who died in the Lord that day (Romans 8:23, I Corin 15; 51-52; I Thess 4:16-17; Titus 2:13).
STATEMENTS OF FAITH • The Reign of Christ The rapture of all Christians and return of the Lord Jesus, there will be His physical reign on earth for a thousand (1000) years. This will bring universal peace (Zech 14:5, Matt 24:27, 30; Rev. 1:7, 19:11-14, Psalm 72:3-8, Isa. 11:6-9, Micah 4: 3-4). • The Final Judgment There will be a final judgment of Satan, his demons and unbelievers who died without the free gift of salvation; i.e. accepting the Lord Jesus as personal Savior (Matt. 25: 46; Mark 9: 43-48; Rev. 19:20, 20: 11-15, 21:8). • The New Heavens & Earth There will be a new earth and a new heaven where righteousness will reign eternally (2 Peter 3:13, Rev. 21:22)