Ministers of Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer
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Ministers of Jesus Christ Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith Atlanta, Georgia - USA Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer |
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We Believe....... table of contents |
We Believe.......
Revised and edited by Apostle Dennis G. Smith
Simple statements of Faith of the Ministers of Jesus Christ
Table of Contents - click on the underlined topics below to read the explanation.
Our Basic Definitions .............of Fellowship, Faith, Belief, and Doctrine
1. We believe.....that the just shall live by Faith
2. We believe.....that there are different Measures of Faith.
3. We believe.....in Divine Inspiration of the scriptures
4. We believe.....in One God, the Father
5. We believe.....in the Son of God
6. We believe.....in Gospel of Jesus Christ
7. We believe.....in the Holy Ghost
8. We believe.....in One Universal Church
9. We believe.....in the free gift of salvation
10. We believe.....in the one and only apostolic Plan of Salvation
11. We believe.....in Sanctification; living a life of holiness
12. We believe.....in practicing genuine Christianity
13. We believe.....in the First Resurrection and Translation of the Saints
14. We believe.....in the White Throne Judgment
15. We believe.....in the Biblical Order of the Church
16. We believe.....in keeping THE LORD’S SUPPER
17. We believe.....in Feet Washing
18. We believe.....in Divine Healing
19. We believe.....that there is no DIVORCE or Polygamous Marriage between believing Christians
20. We believe.....in paying Tithes and Offerings
21. We believe.....in “Modest Apparel” in clothing
22. We believe.....that the Truth should be told about Christian festivals
23. We believe.....in seven dispensations
24. We believe.....in Civil Government.
25. We believe.....in overcoming evil in Maltreatment.
26. We believe.....in using Musical Instruments during worship service.
27. We believe.....that there is no sinful judgment in Meat, Drink, Sabbath Day or any particular Holy or Celebrated Day.
28. We believe.....in the individual choice of CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
29. We believe.....that the Eternal Security of the Believer is conditional.
30. We believe.....in responding to the Devil by resistance and rebuke.
Fellowship: Fellowship means friendly and righteous association with others, to share or have in common. Let Brotherly love continue, love thy neighbor as thyself, live peaceably with all men. (Hebrews 13:1, Mark 12:31, Hebrews 12:14, Acts 2:42-47, Philippians 2:1-11.)
We welcome all to attend our services who believe and obey the word of God and are striving to live a life overcoming all sin and it is our desire and prayers that you continue with us until you come to the unity of the faith and that God may open your understanding of his word. We walk continuously in the Spirit of love, grace and live by the commandments of God and let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 5:3-12, Romans 14:5, I John 1:5-7
Faith -
what we trust with confidence.
Faith means the things or
principles we believe in and trust with complete loyalty and confidence. It
is the substance, basis, foundation or main principle of our hope for
eternal life with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God almighty.
In simplicity faith is what we believe, act on, and trust in. Hebrews
11:1-40, Jude 1:3
Belief - what we hold
to be true.
Belief or to
believe refers to the teachings and principles that we accept and hold to be
true, the guiding principles of our faith.
Doctrine – what we
teach.
Doctrine means the
things or principles we teach, obey and practice in our worship of the Lord
Jesus Christ and in our daily lives. In simplicity doctrine is what we
teach and live by. Acts 2:42, I Timothy 1:3, II Timothy 3:10
Explanations of what we believe!!!
1.
We believe.....that
the just shall live by
Faith which is living by what we hold to
be true, act on, teach and trust in with complete loyalty.
(Hebrews 10:38; 11:1-40, Jude 1:3; Habakkuk 2:4)
2. We believe.....that there is different Measures of Faith. This has always been the Church’s Policy. “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:1-5, 23, Roman 12:3, 6, Hebrews 10:38, 11:6)
Divine Inspiration of the scriptures
3. We believe.....in Divine Inspiration of the scriptures, that the Holy Bible is the Word of God which holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, it is the absolute truth, the supreme standard by which all human conduct, doctrine, creed, and opinions will be tried, the rule of faith and practice and the final authority for truth and salvation. (2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16)
4. We
believe.....in One
God, the Father
who is Jesus
Christ the Almighty, eternal living God; the maker of all creation; the
all knowing, all powerful, everywhere present, one eternal spirit; the
source of all goodness, truth and love; who is Father in creating all
things; who was manifested in the Son for the purpose of redemption,
and is now manifested as the Holy Ghost for the purpose of indwelling
his Church and will return in his resurrected and glorified spiritual body.
Commonly called the Jesus only or oneness doctrine of the Godhead.
Deuteronomy 4:39, 6:4; 2Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17, 3:16; 6:13-16)
The Father
– is the title of God in parental relationship, as creator of all things,
and the character of the gloried resurrected and ascended spiritual body,
and the one invisible everywhere present eternal spirit.
The Son of God – is the title of God when he took on a natural human
flesh and blood body from the Virgin Mary through the house of David which
ended on the cross. It is the way the bodily presence of God is known or
presently remembered according to the redemptive role of the Son. It never
refers to the character or makeup of the resurrected, glorified, and
ascended spiritual body or preincarnate theophanies or deity alone. The
glorified resurrected body is now the spiritual body of the everlasting
Father, the permanent union of the divine and human nature which is not
temporary but continues for eternity.
The Holy Spirit –
is the title of God in activity, the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost which is
the present manifestation of God in the Church today who is the Father.
Manifestation
– refers to the way God who is an invisible spirit visualizes himself or
reveals him self in various forms for various purposes so that he can be
seen or heard, identified and known. God creates, reveals himself, moves and
indwells men.
5. We believe.....in the Son of God, commonly called the incarnation or epiphany, which is the manifestation of God in a natural body of flesh and blood, the dual nature of God, who is both human and divine, God and man; that the Sonship of God was only in the natural flesh and blood life; that the one true invisible God manifested himself in a natural flesh and blood human body as a man which began as a baby in the womb of the Virgin Mary and ended on the cross in the death of the natural life of Jesus Christ by the shedding of his blood as a sacrifice for sin. He died a natural body and was buried and arose again the third day as a glorified spiritual body and walked on the earth 40 days revealing the spiritual body. The end of the Son of God was in the death of his natural body on the cross for he declared, it is finished… A change had taken place in that the blood that gave natural life and sonship to the body was gone and God had changed the body into a spiritual body after the order of Melchisedec having no genealogy or descent and no beginning of days or end of life which he had before the world was which Abraham saw and was glad. This is the type of bodily form or manifestation that he used before his natural birth in Mary the image and likeness in which man was created. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted as the everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords and continues to indwell and redeem man presently as the Holy Ghost. (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; John 19:28-30; John 16 and 17 chapters; Hebrews 7:1-3; Acts 1: 1-12; Acts 10:40; Luke 24:46-49;1Timothy 6:13-16; John 8:58; Revelations 17:14; Revelations 19:11-16)
6. We believe and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was God manifested in the flesh, his sinless virgin birth and sinless life sometimes referred to as (impeccability), his crucifixion and death as payment for sins sometimes referred to as (propitiation), his burial and preaching to spirits in prison sometimes referred to as (descent into Hell or Hades), his glorified bodily resurrection from the dead, his glorified bodily ascension into Heaven and exaltation having all power in heaven and in earth, referred to by the figurative, anthropomorphic statement as (the right hand of God). Jesus Christ is not the Son of God now, as it pertains to a natural body. He is the everlasting Father, the eternal spirit, the Holy Ghost, the resurrected glorified spiritual body, the permanent union of the divine and human nature continuing eternally!! Any scripture that calls him the Son of God after his resurrection is speaking according to the way he is known or his identity through the linage of David, his Messianic or redemptive role and his future reign on Earth during the Millennial Kingdom, not according to the character of his glorified bodily presence the way he ascended into heaven or according to the way he is now dealing with the Church as the Holy Ghost calling things that be not as though they were so that all men may see and believe. (Ephesians 3:9-11; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; Galatians 4:4; John 3:13; John 6:38; Acts1:9-11; Acts2:25-33; Acts10:38-40; Romans3:25; Romans 4:17; Mark13:32; John 21:17; Hebrews7:3; 1Corinthians 15:1-5; 1Corinthians 15:42-44;1stPeter 3:18-22;1st Peter 4:5-6; Revelations 17:14, 19:11-16)
7. We believe.....in the Holy Ghost; the holy spirit of Jesus Christ who is God almighty, the everlasting Father who continues to comfort, move, indwell, seal, sanctify, regenerate and redeem man and is the present manifestation of God in the Church today. (John 14:26; John 16:8; Acts 2:4; Romans 8: 9; 2 Peter 1:21)
8. We believe.....in One Body which is the One Universal Church, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, established by our Lord as a unique and special fellowship for all who believe. It is the spiritual community ordained for worship, stewardship, and service to God and people, of which every believer must become a part, for it is the body of Christ in the world today, displaying the same miraculous power and spiritual gifts experienced by the early church. It consists of multiple local assemblies and gatherings of the believing and obedient Saints. (I Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:4-16)
9. We believe.....in the free gift of salvation that is available to all and is received by each individual’s faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the Word of God, will of God and commands of God. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18). He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16) This is commonly called unlimited atonement.
10. We believe.....in the one and only Apostolic Plan of Salvation proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost the birthday of the New Testament Church. Therefore it is essential that men have faith in Jesus Christ, repent and be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38 and they must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gives them utterance according to Acts 2:4. This is the fundamental doctrine of the Dispensation of Grace, in obedience to the Great commission of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:47)
11. We believe.....in Sanctification living a life of holiness, both inwardly and outwardly, as a result of the progressive working of God's grace in us, for the Word of the Lord declares that all who name the name of Jesus Christ should depart from sin and separate themselves from the evil practices of this present age. (Ephesians 4:21-24; Timothy 2: 19; Hebrews 12:14)
12. We
believe.....in practicing
genuine Christianity , through love of God
and love of people, prayer and obedience to the Word of God, heartfelt worship and
expressive praise, sharing our faith, commitment to our marriage companions and
families, availability to help one another in the time of need, honesty and
diligence in our employment, honor and respect for our government as it submits
to the divine plan for human society, and the dedication of our time, talent,
and treasure to advance of the kingdom of God on earth.
(Romans 12th and 13th Chapters; Colossians
3rd and 4th Chapters)
13. We believe.....in the Blessed Hope, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the First Resurrection, the Translation of the Saints, commonly called the Rapture, that glorious appearing when our Lord shall come with the sound of a trumpet, when those who have died in Christ will receive a conscious glorified bodily state and those who now live in Christ will be changed to an immortal glorified bodily state to meet Him in the air to be with Him forever. Christ having come for his saints in the translation, 1St Thessalonians 4:17, shall after the tribulation period, return with them and reign on the earth for a thousand years. (John14:3, I Corinthians 15:51-55; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13-14)
14. We believe.....in the Second Resurrection and the White Throne Judgment; there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, who shall 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 is the second death that God hath prepared for the devil and his angels and all the wicked who serve him. (Revelation 19:20, 20:7-15, 21:8; Matthews 25:41-46; Romans 14:10-12; Thessalonians 1:6-10; John 5:28-29; Luke 4:14; Acts 24:14)
15. We believe.....in the Bible Order of the Church, the family and society, in which men are called, sent, or chosen by God , or ordained according to biblical qualifications and never acts independently of the bible. And women are never ordained, appointed, called, or sent as it pertain to women preachers as Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Preachers, or Evangelist as having clerical oversight of men. That the head of the woman is the man and the woman was created for the man. (1st Corinthians 11:1-16). That the male role of father and the woman role of mother are not interchangeable and not equal as it pertains to oversight, (Genesis 2: 21-25, 3:16-22) yet both have equal rights as it pertain to human relationship, salvation, liberty, individual choice and justice. That the woman should never usurp or seize authority over the man or take the role of father but continue in her role as mother, guide and helper defending her faith and covering her head when she pray in the presence of men. Women should prophesy, teach, pray and worship according to the role given to women as Mothers, sisters, ladies, administrative, or civil governmental titles. That civil government, magistrates or rulers are ordained of God for the welfare of all people and the punishment of evil doers. (Romans 13: 1-7,1Timothy 2:8-15; 1Corinthians 14:33-37; Titus 2:3-5; Galatians 3:26-29)
16. We believe.....in keeping The Lord's Supper as commanded by Jesus Christ himself consisting of unleavened bread and wine. Gen. 14:18. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he comes. Matt. 26:29; I Cor. 11:23-32.
17. We believe....in Feet Washing, that it is essential to have because Jesus said, “We ought to wash one another’s feet.” We hold that feet washing is an example given by the Lord to the church and it should be observed as often as communion is taken. John 13:6-14.
18. We believe.....that Divine Healing by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is available for every believer. God is
the ultimate source of all healing with or without medical assistance. Ex. 15:26; Psa. 103:2-3. The Lord made our
bodies. Should it be thought an incredible thing that He can heal us? With his stripes we are healed. Isa. 53:4-5;
Matt. 8:14-17; John 14:12; Mark 16:18; James 5:14; I Peter 2:24.
No one is compelled to abstain from medical treatments, medicine or receiving hospital care. It is left entirely to the individual to choose what they wish to do, according to their Faith. (Matthew 9:27-29) This has always been the Church’s policy.
Divorce or Polygamous MARRIAGE
19.
We believe.....
that there is no Divorce or REMARRIAGE
between two baptized and Holy Ghost filled obedient Christian believers while
the first companion still lives…This includes all sinful forms of polygamy. Whosoever
putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery, and whosoever
marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” Luke 16:18;
Rom. 7-1-3; Mark 10:11-12 Matthew 5:28, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:1-12.
Cases of justice and judgment for abandonment, betrayal, and
unfaithfulness are handled according to Matthew 23:23; Matthew16:19; Matthew
18:15-18; John 20:23; 1Corinthians 7:10-16.
20. We believe.....in paying Tithes and Offerings; the Apostolic principle and custom of financing the church by the method of tithes and offerings. A tithe is a tenth part of one’s wages or income; and offering is what is given of free will in honor and sacrifice to God in addition to one’s tithes. Offerings may be received by ministers and workers in the field, wherever and whenever given without begging. Malachi 3:8-10; Matthews 23:23; Hebrews 7:5-10.
21.
We believe.....in
“ Modest Apparel” in clothing and outward adorning.
The Apostolic Standard Guidance and rules of the Church is not a legalistic code
but are examples of items to be cautious with and some are best avoided as we
are taught not to conform to the world. Romans 12:1-2 The Apostle Peter said,
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing gold or the putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the
heart, in that which is not corruptible.” I Peter 3:3-4. The Apostle Paul says
in I Timothy 2:9, ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly array; but which becometh women professing godliness with
good works.”
Isaiah 3:16-26
speaks of God’s punishment because of the proud, lustful spirit. Proverbs 16:18;
Proverb 6:16-19 warn of God’s hatred of pride.
Christian Festivals
22.
We believe.....in
commemorating and preaching the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
without any false spirits and lying
according to the word of God.
We therefore tell
the truth about Christmas, Easter and all Christian festivals that there is no
judgement in holy days.
(Colossians 2:16-17) Many celebrations are joyous memorial occassions
when celebrated without lying. Be not deceived and
carried away by the customs of this world, for the people's customs are vain.
"Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain."
(JEREMIAH 10:1-9)
Jesus Christ wants us to be baptized in His name and to receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives utterance according to Acts 2:4, and Acts 2:38. He
wants us to be holy and serve Him, not only on certain days and seasons of the
year, but to live holy every day of our lives, and
be willing to
give at all times expecting nothing in return.
(Read Luke 1:73-75).
23. We believe..... in seven dispensations that the Scriptures divide the entire time period from the creation of Adam to the "new heaven and a new earth" of Rev. 21: 1) into seven unequal overlapping periods, usually called dispensations (Eph. 3:2), these periods are also called ages (Eph. 2:7) and days, as in "day of the Lord." The seven dispensations are as following:
1.
Innocence - Genesis 1chapter- Genesis 3 chapter.
2. Conscience - Genesis 3 chapter – Genesis 7 chapter.
3. Human Government – Genesis 7 chapter- Genesis 12 chapter.
4. Promise or Patriarchal–Genesis 12 chapter – Exodus 1chapter.
5. Law –Exodus 1chapter – Acts 2 chapter
6. Grace –Acts 2 chapter – Revelations 19 chapter
7. Millennium Reign - Revelations 19 chapter – Revelations 22 chapter.
Eternity - Revelations 21 chapter - Revelations 22 chapter.
24. We believe.....in Civil Government that all civil magistrates are ordained of God for peace, safety and the welfare of all people and the punishment of evil doers. Romans 13:1-10. Therefore it is our duty to be in obedience to all requirements of the laws that are not contrary to the word of God. It is our duty to honor them, pay tribute or such taxation as may be required without murmuring (Matt. 17:24-27; 22:17-21.) and show respect to them in all lawful requirements of the civil government. (1 Peter 2:13-15)
25. We believe.....in overcoming the evil of Maltreatment. In time of persecution or ill treatment at the hands of enemies and criminals we should protect ourselves and family according to the laws of the Civil Government that do not violate the word of God for they are ordained of God for this very purpose. (Romans 13:6) We should remember that law is for the lawless. (1Timothy 1:8-10) We should not seek revenge in avenging ourselves but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19; Deut. 32:35; John 18:36; 15:18-19; 1Peter 4:12-19) We should rather suffer wrong than to do wrong and overcome evil with good.
26. We believe.....in using Musical Instruments during worship service; praising the Lord upon instruments and with our breath. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 150:3-6). Church members and musical artist singing praise during Church conventions; or during Church services in proper service order; lifting up praises and testimonies and giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ is proper biblical worship. (Ephesians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:15-17; Revelations 22:6-9)
Having programs to entertain folks with Choirs and quartettes and charging a fee at the door to enter God’s house is not in God’s plan. God’s House or worship services should never be used for the purpose of entertaining people. Entertainment is a commercial business whose variety may wholesome and good or unwholesome, and completely sinful.
27. We believe.....that there is no sinful judgment in Meat, Drink, Sabbath Day, or any particular Holy or Celebrated Day. Neither Jesus nor the apostles preached that the Sabbath day was to be kept today as a particular worship day and that there is nothing that enters the belly that can defile a man. Rest and worship days; bodily health in meat and drink are still true principles that are carried on each day of our lives according to our faith, temperance, virtue, and health, love of God and love of our neighbors. (Colossians 2:16-17; Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 7:15-23, Romans 14:1-23; 2 Peter 1:1-12)
28. We believe.....in the individual choice of Conscientious Objection to participation in combat and non-combat service in any form. We encourage all men and women to be loyal to the sovereign national state to which they have residence and work to resolving their differences with peaceful means. We believe that there is an eternal law which supersedes any law of a given society, this being the Holy Scriptures. We look for a better land and a better day when there will be no more wars or personal conflict. (Isaiah 2:2-6) If possible, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18; Romans13:4-5; Hebrews 12:14) Soldiers should not incite violence, make false accusations or take advantage of people for Money but should work for the peace and safety of all men. (Luke 3:14)
Eternal Security of the Believer
29.
We believe.....that the Eternal Security of the
Believer is
conditional or depends on his continual belief and faith in Jesus Christ and
obedience to the Word of God.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John
3:16)
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his
word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in
him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked.
(1John 2:4-6) For it had been better for them not to have known the way
of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:21) Read 2 Peter 2:1-22. You
cannot continue in a sinful lifestyle and be saved!!!!
30. We believe.....in responding to the Devil by steadfast resistance and rebuke; having no fellowship with him or affection for him because the Devil is eternally lost and cannot be saved. He is seeking whom he may devour or destroy. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. (Matthew 25:41; Genesis 3:14-15; John 14:30; 1Corithians 10:20; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-11; Jude 9; Ephesians 4:27; 6:11-13)
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