ARTICLES
OF FAITH OF LIFEBOAT RESCUING CHURCH OF CHRIST
( LRCC )
WE believe the Bible to be
inspired of God, the infallible Word of God. “All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man
possesses; therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the
church must be based upon, and harmonize with, the Bible. It is to be read and
studied by all men everywhere, and can only be clearly understood by those who
are anointed by the Holy Spirit (I John 2:27).
“No prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:20-21).
This
written document is a declaration of our beliefs and understanding of the Holy
Scripture, as to our doctrinal beliefs, form of church government, organizational structure, and purposes as a body. It is vitally important for a
church, if it is to glorify God and accomplish His purposes, that its people be
in agreement with regard to the vision, purpose, aims, objectives, doctrine,
and organizational structure. This is thus designed to be a statement of
these things that it might promote a oneness of mind within our own ranks, and
that those interested in becoming a part of this ministry might have a clear
concept of our beliefs and objectives. This document is not a higher
authority than the Word of God. It must be remembered that the local church
itself is a living, growing, and flexible body subject ultimately to the
authority of Jesus Christ alone as it is declared in the Word of God (Ephesians
1:22; 4:12-16). As we grow in the Word, this document is therefore subject to
amendment
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE:
1.1). The basic and fundamental doctrine of this
organization shall be the Bible standard.
1.2) We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit
until we all come into the unity
of the faith, at the same time admonishing all
brethren that they shall not contend for
their different views to the disunity of the body.
2. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: We
believe the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and
New Testaments, to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God, His only
special revelation to man, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in
the original writings, infallible and God-breathed (John 16:12-13; 2 Timothy
3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18).
3.THE TRUE GOD: THE
TRINITY: We believe there is one and only one living and true God, eternally
existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), co-eternal in being,
co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, co-equal in every divine
perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of
redemption. Among the attributes of the Triune God: He is infinite, immutable,
all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and inexpressibly glorious in
holiness. He is worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love (Genesis
1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21-22; 48:16; 64:8; Psalm 90:2;
2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Romans 11:33-36; Malachi 3:6;
James 1:17; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20; Psalm
139:7-10; Psalm 29:2; Deuteronomy 6:5; Revelation 4:11).
3.1). GOD THE
FATHER. We believe in God the Father, an infinite Spirit, the Supreme Ruler of
heaven and earth, and the Recipient of all our prayers (John 1:18; Colossians
1:15; 1 Corinthians 2:11-12; Matthew 6:6-13; Philippians 4:6).
3.2). GOD THE
SON.
a)
We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having
been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that
He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (John 1:1-2,14; Luke 1:26-35).
b)
We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ accomplished our eternal redemption through the shedding of His blood in
death on the cross as our representative, vicarious, sub-stitutionary sacrifice,
and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection
from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1
Corinthians 15:3-4).
c)
We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where,
as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor,
and advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).
3.3). GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT:
a)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a
divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same
nature, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He is
the supernatural Agent in the regeneration Who baptizes all believers into the
body of Christ and indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption (John
16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians
1:13-14).
b)
We believe that He is the divine
Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and that it is the privilege and
duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (John 16:13; 1 John 2:20,27;
Ephesians 5:18).
4. THE SATAN (THE DEVIL):
We believe in the reality and
personality of Satan (the Devil), who is the author of sin, and the cause of
the fall; that he was created by God as an angel, but through pride and
rebellion became the declared enemy of his Creator and man, the accuser of the
brethren, the unholy god of this age, the ruler of all the powers of darkness;
that he is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire
(Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4;
Revelation 12:7-12; 20:10).
5. THE NAME:
God used different titles, such as “God Elohim,” “God
Almighty,” “El Shaddai,”
“Jehovah,” and especially “Jehovah Lord,” the
redemptive name in the Old
Testament.
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . .
. and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of
Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was
fulfilled when the Son of God was
named. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call His name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts
4:12).
6. CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL:
In the beginning, God created man innocent, pure, and
holy; but through the sin
of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the human
race, fell from their holy state,
and God banished them from Eden. Hence by one man’s
disobedience, sin entered
into the world (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23, 5:12).
7. REPENTANCE:
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine
repentance, a confessing
and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed
it, and the apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 2:38, 11:18,
17:30).
The word repentance means a change of views and purpose, change of heart,
change of mind, change of life, transformation, etc.
Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish” (Luke 13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, “And that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached
in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
8. WATER BAPTISM:
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion and is
only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love
of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the
gospel, in obedience to the Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles 2:38,8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus
obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
9. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, “He shall
baptize you with the Holy
Ghost, and with fire.” Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, “Ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, “They were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit
gave them utterance.”
The terms “baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire,”
“filled with the Holy Spirit,”
and the “gift of the Holy Ghost” are synonymous terms
used interchangeably in the
Bible.
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift,
filling, or baptism of the Holy
Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of
speaking with other tongues.
The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts
2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and
the gift of tongues, as explained in I Corinthians,
chapters 12 and 14, are the same in
essence, but different in use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, “I will pour
out my spirit upon all
flesh” (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said,
“Having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he [Jesus] hath
shed forth this, which ye now
see and hear” (Acts 2:33).
Further, “the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar
off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call”
(Acts 2:39).
9. DIVINE HEALING:
The first covenant that the Lord (Jehovah) made with
the children of Israel after
they were brought out of Egypt was a covenant of
healing. The Lord said, “If thou
wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD [Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that
healeth] thy God, and wilt do that which is right in
his sight, and wilt give ear to his
Commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee,
which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the
LORD that healeth thee”
(Exodus 15:26).
Our Lord Jesus Christ went about Galilee, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom
and healing all manner of sickness and disease among
the people (Matthew 4:23-24).
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”
(Hebrews 13:8).
The vicarious suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ paid
not only for the salvation of
our souls but also for the healing of our bodies.
“With his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah
53:5). Matthew 8:17 reads, “Himself took our infirmities,
and bare our sicknesses.”
(See also I Peter 2:24.) We see from this that divine
healing for the body is in the
atonement.
Jesus said of believers, “They shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover.”
Later, James wrote in his epistle to all the churches:
“Is any sick among you? let him
call for the elders of the church; and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in
the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall
save the sick, and the Lord shall
raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they
shall be forgiven him. Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”
(James 5:14-16).
10. SACRAMENT OR COMMUNION:
On the night of our Lord’s betrayal, He ate the
Passover supper with His apostles, after which He instituted the sacrament.
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying,
This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise
also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20).
Paul instructed the church how to observe it (I
Corinthians 11:23-34).
Thus was instituted the use of literal bread and the
fruit of the vine, which are partaken of literally, as emblems of His broken
body and shed blood. There is also a spiritual significance and blessing in
partaking of the sacrament.
11. FOOTWASHING:
When the Passover supper was ended, we read in John
13:4-5, “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel,
and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash
the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”
Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given
you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15).
This first example was given by our Lord, and it is a
divine institution. It is well to follow His example and wash one another’s
feet; thus manifesting the spirit of humility.
12. ANOINTING PEOPLE AND MATERIALS WITH OIL:
a)
We believe that the Anointing Oil is a medium for
Holy Ghost impartation and healing. James 5:14-15, Mark 6:13. Oil was a symbol
of the Divine grace; to anoint with it, of the Holy Spirit. Its use implied
that God was the healer. It is as a symbol of divine healing and not used as a
medicine or as a substitute to medical treatment. We also affirm that it should
be used for orders important occasions such as ministerial ordinations and
dedications. Leviticus 8:10 -12.
b)
We also believe in the use of anointed materials
like handkerchief as a medium for divine impartation and intervention. Matthew
9:20-21, Matthew 14:36, Mark 6:56, Luke 8: 43-44, Acts 19:12, 2Kings 4:29; Acts 5:15-16.
13. HOLINESS:
a)
Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the
Lord, and we should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word
of God. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). “For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously” (I Peter 2:21-23).
“Follow
peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”
(Hebrews 12:14).
“But as he which hath called you
is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be
ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning
here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot” (I Peter 1:15-19).
b)
We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any
activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and godly living.
c)
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach non-conformity to the
world for every believer; that born-again people should be separated from the
world unto Christ; that it is clearly commanded by God that all believers should
live separated from all religious apostasy, worldly and sinful practices; and
should be holy as He is holy (John 17:9-20; Romans 6-8; 1 Corinthians
6:11,19-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 6:14-17; 7:1; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians
5:25-27; Colossians 1:13; 3:1-4; Titus 2:11-12,14; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter
1:14-16).
d)
We believe that the Bible teaches that God established marriage as
only between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4,5), and that all
sexual conduct outside the bonds of marriage is sin (1 Corinthians 6:9,10) with
fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality and bestiality all being described
by God as abominations (Leviticus 18:6-30).
e)
We further believe that the physical condition in which a person
is born, including their gender, is established by God (Exodus 4:11; John 9:3),
therefore claims of innate sexual confusion are false and transvestism and its
related perversions including sex change operations are abominations before God
(Deuteronomy 22:5). We further believe that declaring Gods word and warning
people of the temporal and eternal consequences of their sins, including sexual
perversions, is an act of loving concern. God’s Word remains true and His
prohibitions, including those on sexual perversions and immoralities, cannot be
satisfied or amended by any human government authority.
14. THE GRACE OF GOD:
a) We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man
by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose
precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. Once a
person is saved, he is a new creation in Christ Jesus: This new birth is
instantaneous and not a process (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1
Peter 1:18-19).
b) We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby
He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness
of Christ, and that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of
righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's
shed blood (Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1,9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9).
c) We believe that sanctification is the divine setting-apart
of the believer unto God, accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal
act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a
position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing
process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life;
and, third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return
(Hebrews 10:10-14; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30;
Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23-24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24-25).
d) We believe that every saved person possesses two natures,
with provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through
the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that all claims to the eradication
of the old nature in this life are unscriptural (Romans 6:13; 8:12-13;
Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John
3:5-9).
e) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by
God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-29;
Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5).
f) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice
in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word;
however, Scripture clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion
to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
15. THE CHURCH:
a)
We believe that the Church, which is
the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up
entirely of born-again people of this present age. The Lord Jesus Christ, Who
is glorified in Heaven, is its Head, and the Holy Spirit on earth is the active
agent of the God-Head, Who seeks to bring about within the church obedience to
the Word of God and the Will of God. This one body unites believers to each
other, and all to Christ, and its chief purpose of existence is to glorify God
through the evangelization of the world and the building up of its members into
maturity and Christ-likeness (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Acts 2; 15:14; Romans 1:16;
1 Corinthians 12:12-18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23,27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew
28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16).
b)
We believe that the establishment
and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New
Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17,28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
c)
We believe in the
autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control (Acts
13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter
5:1-4).
16. RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS:
We understand the Scripture to teach the “restitution
of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets
since the world began” (Acts 3:21).
But we cannot find where the devil, his angels, and
all sinners are included. (See
Revelation 20:10).
17. CIVIL GOVERNMENT:
a)
We recognize the institution of human government as being of
divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our
Government.
b)
However, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms
or the taking of human life.
c)
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we
believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct
as follows: “That ye resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39); “Follow peace with all
men” (Hebrews 12:14). (See also Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19; James 5:6;
Revelation 13:10.) These
we believe and interpret to mean
Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.
d)
Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal
citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant
service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting
in, or the actual destruction of human life.
e)
Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union,
boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong
to any organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive
any mark, without our right to affirm or reject same.
f)
However, we regret the false impression created by some groups of
so-called
conscientious objectors that to obey the Bible is to
have a contempt for law or
magistrates, to be disloyal to
our Government and in sympathy with our enemies, or to be unwilling to
sacrifice for the preservation of our commonwealth.
g)
This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot.
The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that
first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country.
h)
We, therefore, exhort our members to freely and willingly respond
to the call of our Government except in the matter of bearing arms. When we say
service, we mean service—no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has
no more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all, however, let us
earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept out of war.
i)
We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in
certain noncombatant capacities, but not
in the bearing of arms.
j)
We further believe that our military personnel must live in a
manner consistent
with the Articles of Faith.
18. SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC,:
According to the Word of God, we firmly believe and
hold that the people of God
should have no connection whatever with secret
societies or any other organization
or body wherein there is a fellowship with
unbelievers, bound by an oath (James
5:12; II Corinthians 6:14-18).
19. TRANSLATION OF SAINTS:
We believe that the time is drawing near when our Lord
shall appear; then the
dead in Christ shall arise, and we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up with
them to meet our Lord in the air (I Thessalonians
4:13-17; I Corinthians 15:51-54;
Philippians 3:20-21).
20. MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE:
a)
Single people (i.e. unmarried, single mothers/fathers, divorced
and widow(er) should seek proper counsel before embarking on a courtship
relationship. If and when such decide to marry, proper notification must be
given to the Church, regardless of where the marriage is taking place, LCC or
elsewhere.
b)
Married people are expected to maintain their marriage vows to
each other, divorce is not an option.
c)
As workers of The Lord Jesus Christ, it is expected that you will
first live out the Christian life in your home as well as in the Church!
d)
Our desire being to raise a higher standard for the ministry, we
recommend that ministers do not marry again. Judgment begins at the house of
God.
21. ISRAEL:
a)
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God's eternal
covenant people,
b)
that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and
rejection of Christ,
c)
that she will be re-gathered in the Holy Land and, after the
completion of the church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of
Christ (Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37).
22. TITHING:
a)
We believe tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His
work, and has been
b)
since the days of Abraham.
c)
Tithing came with faith under Abraham; Moses’ law enjoined it, and
Israel practiced it when she was right with God;
d)
Jesus endorsed it(Matthew 23:23); and Paul said to lay by in store
as God has prospered you.
e)
We do not rob God of His portion, viz., tithes and offerings.
(Read Malachi 3.)
23. SECOND COMING OF JESUS:
That Jesus is coming again the second time in person,
just as He went away, is
clearly set forth by the Lord Jesus Himself, and was
preached and taught in the early
Christian church by the apostles; hence, the children
of God today are earnestly,
hopefully, looking forward to the glorious event
(Matthew 24; Acts 1:11, 3:19-21;
I Corinthians 11:26; Philippians 3:20-21; I
Thessalonians 4:14-17; Titus 2:13-14).
24. THE MILLENNIUM:
We believe that the distress upon the earth is the
“beginning of sorrows” and will
become more intense until there “shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since
there was a nation even to that same time” (Daniel
12:1). (See also Matthew 24:3-8.)
and that period of “tribulation” will be followed by
the dawn of a better day on earth
and that for a thousand years there shall be “peace on
earth and good will toward
men.” (See Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew
5:5; Daniel 7:27; Micah
4:1-2; Hebrews 2:14; Romans 11:25-27.)
25. FINAL JUDGMENT:
When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a
resurrection of all the
dead, who will be summoned before the great white
throne for their final judgment,
and all whose names are not found written in the Book
of Life shall be cast into the
lake of fire, burning with brimstone, which God hath
prepared for the devil and his
angels, Satan himself being cast in first (Matthew
25:41; Revelation 20:7, 15; 21:8).
26. PUBLIC SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
a)
We disapprove of school students attending shows, dances, dancing
classes, theaters, engaging in school activities against their religious
scruples, and wearing gymnasium clothes which immodestly expose the body.
b)
We disapprove of school students being forced to take
coeducational classes which involve boys and girls being mixed together in
swimming, calisthenics, baseball, and other mixed athletics while
clothed in ungodly attire which immodestly exposes the body.
c)
We disapprove of school students being forced to take any classes
in which, under the guise of health classes, sex education is taught
co-educationally or films or lectures are given that promote amoral or unnatural
behavior.
d)
We disapprove of school students being forced to be taught by or
listen to those who promote or advocate sexual activity of any kind other than
that within the bonds of the marriage relationship of husband and wife.
27. RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS:
a)
The annual conference is declared to be an international religious
holiday for all members, and all members are urged to attend.
b)
Furthermore, since the founding of the church occurred on the Day
of Pentecost, Pentecost Sunday is also a recognized religious holiday.
28. MINISTRY
AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
a)
We believe members of the church should meet regularly for
worship, exhortation, and fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).
b)
We believe that the desire to give one's time and material wealth
to Christ is an attitude prompted by the Word and the Holy Spirit. One's giving
should be an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to God. It is an external
expression of an internal spiritual condition.
c)
Our giving should be personal, proportional as God has prospered,
not grudgingly or of necessity.
d)
A Spirit-led believer will exhibit generosity, regularity, and
cheerfulness in his giving, and in giving he will neither seek nor desire the
acclaim of men or self. Examples of such Spirit-led giving include Abraham, who
gave 10%, and the widow who gave all she had. Those who give sacrificially are
commended by God (Genesis 14:18-20; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 21:1-4; Romans
12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 9:7; Hebrews 7:1-2; 1 John
3:11-17).
e)
We believe that we should carry out the great commission of the
Lord in spreading the Gospel message and making disciples of the Lord to
"the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20).
f)
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of His gifts
and that, today, evangelists, Pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the
equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, to the building up the body
of Christ; that speaking in tongues and the working of sign-miracles gradually
ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority
became established (I Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians
4:7-12).
g)
We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer offered in
faith, in accord with His own will for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1
John 5:14-15; James 5:13-16).
