Tenets of Faith – Disciples Fellowship Ministry

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Tenents of Faith

The Inspiration of the Scriptures

The scriptures, both the old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to human beings, the infallible rule of faith and conduct (II Tim. 3:15-17; I Thess. 2:13; II Peter 1:20,21).

The One True God

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10-11; Matt. 28:19; Lk. 3:22).

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Lk. 1:31-35), His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; I Pet. 2:22), His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38), His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21), His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Lk. 24:39; I Cor. 15:4), and His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).

The Fall of Humanity

Humans were created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, humans by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12-19).

The Salvation of Humanity

Human beings’ only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, humans become heirs of God, and witness the hope of eternal life. (Lk. 24:47; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7). The outward evidence is a life of godly conduct evidenced by spiritual growth. (Rom. 12:6-7; Gal. 5:22-23).

The Ordinances of the Church

Water Baptism

Those who have repented of their sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation shall be baptized by immersion in water. The person baptized thereby indicates that he/she has died with Christ and that he/she also has been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48).

The Lord’s Supper

Consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, the Lord’s Supper is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Pet. 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His Second Coming (I Cor. 11:26). As the scriptures teach, the Lord’s Supper shall be celebrated regularly until He comes again. (Lk. 22:19-20)

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

All believers are entitled to and should expect and receive the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit comes such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39; Acts 4:8); a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Heb. 12:28), an intensified consecration to God, a dedication to His work (Acts 2:42); and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mk. 16:20).

Sanctification

The Scriptures teach a life of holiness, without which no person shall see the Lord. By the power and help of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command, “Be holy for I am Holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (Heb. 12:14; I Pet.1: 15-16; I Thess. 5:23-24; I Jn. 2:6; Rom. 8:3-4).

The Church and Its Mission

The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit with divine appointments for the fulfilment of its great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of “the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” (Eph.1: 22; 2:19-22; Heb.12: 23).

Divine Healing

Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers, (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).

The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope of the church, (I Thess. 4:16-17; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Cor. 15:51-52).

The Millennial Reign of Jesus

The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world’s hope, (II Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:25-27; Rev. 20:1-7).

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the book of life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, (Matt. 25:46; Mk. 9:43-48; Rev. 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

The New Heavens and the New Earth

“But according to His promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (II Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:22)

The Ministry

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the purpose of leading the church in: (1) Glorifying God (Eph.1: 12); (2) Discipling persons in Christian belief and practice (Matt. 28:18-20); (3) Calling persons to salvation through repentance, forgiveness, and faith in Christ (Lk. 24:47); (4) Meeting human needs as resources are available (Matt.25: 31-46).