Statement of Fundamental Truths
Kingdom Of Christ Church Ministries embraces the following statements concerning the truth. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.
These Articles Of Faith and Statement Of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, I Corinthians 1:10, Acts 2:42).
No claim is made that it contains all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need to these fundamental doctrines.
A. That the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments were written By holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit and are God’s revealed word to man. They are sufficient infallible rule of faith and conduct and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service. They are superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (Hebrews 4:12, I Peter 1:23-2; II Peter 1:20-21; Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13).
B. That Scripture teaches that there is one and only true and living God, who is self-existent, and the eternal “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. That He has chosen to reveal Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence, though distinct in personality (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
C. Creation and the Fall of Man
1. Of the World
That God spoke into existence the world and all things that it contains, for His own pleasure, and the enjoyment of His creatures (Revelations 4:11; I Timothy 6:17).
2. Of Man
We believe 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; 3:17; Romans 5:12-21.)
3. Repentance
We believe that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ produces the work of justification in the believer. Through faith in the substitutionary shed blood of Christ, he is brought onto the grounds of the new covenant made in Christ and therefore saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Luke 22:20; Romans 5:1, 9; Hebrews 13:20; Ephesians 2:5-8).
4. Water Baptism
We believe water baptism is commanded of every believer, and a necessary requisite for going on to spiritual maturity. When done in faith, it is the means whereby those who have been justified by faith in the blood of Jesus receive a circumcision of heart, are made participants in the death and resurrection of Christ, and thus are delivered from the dominion and rule of sin. Water baptism is the taking on of a great responsibility, because in it a person makes an everlasting commitment to God. Because of this, water baptism is to be ministered only to those who have reached an age of accountability. The ordinance of water baptism is to be performed by immersion. It is a baptism into Christ rather than into a denomination or a dogma (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Colossians 3:17; I Peter 3:20; I John 5:5-8; Romans 6).
5. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a necessary and vital experience for every believer. This experience is not dependant upon a believer’s own worthiness, but is a free gift of God. We believe the physical phenomenon of speaking with other tongues accompanies the baptism (initial infilling) of the Holy Spirit. The receiving of the Holy Spirit is the seal of redemption. Repentance, water baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit constitute a three-fold witness to the new birth of the believer (Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:6; Ephesians 1:13; I John 5:8-12).
6. Salvation
We believe the word “salvation” is an inclusive word which Gathers into itself all the redemption acts and processes, i.e... Justification, redemption, deliverance, imputation, sanctification, glorification, etc. The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the idea of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is in three tenses: (1) the believer has been save from guilt and penalty of sin-justification (Luke 7:50; I Corinthians 1:18; II Corinthians 2:15; Ephesians 2:5-8; II Timothy 1:9). (2) The believer is being saved – Sanctification (II Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:19, 20; Philippians 2:12, 13; II Thessalonians 2:13). (3) The believer will be saved – full redemption and glorification (Romans 13:11; Hebrews 10:35; I Peter 1:5; I John 3:2). Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without human works (Romans 3:27, 28: 4:1-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). The divine order is: first salvation, then good works resulting from spiritual regeneration (Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; Colossians 3:15).
7. We believe it is essential that each believer lay a foundation of Biblical truth and experience upon which he builds his life. These foundations are: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment, all of which are prerequisites to going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) (Hebrews 6:1,2).
8. We believe we are one body being members one of another and the basis of our fellowship is in Christ, in the power of the Spirit (Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; Colossians 3:15).
9. We believe in the five-fold ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers given to the church at the ascension of Jesus Christ, and that they continue to be needed and should be expected today. Working with these ministries will be elders, deacons, and the gifted men and women of the church (Romans 12; I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 3:2-12; Titus 1:5-9).
10. We believe God has set elders in the church to watch over the souls of the believers and to offer discipline when necessary to keep the unity of the church. We believe discipline in the church is to be carried out by the elders in accordance with the following Scriptures: Matthews 18: 16-20; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:17, 18; I Corinthians 5:5; II Corinthians 2:6; II Thessalonians 3:11, 12; Hebrews 13:17.
11. We believe each Christian is called and chosen in God to be a Priest unto God to offer up the sacrifices of praise (the fruit of His lips), to give of his time, strength, and material possessions in the service of the Lord. All believers have been purchased with the blood of Jesus and are no longer their own, but belong the God the Father to be used for His glory; and as possessions of the Lord, must give themselves to serving Him, finding their place in the church, His Body, and making themselves available by being present when church comes together, that they may be able to minister their gifts and talents for the building up of the body of Christ (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4:5; I Corinthians 6:20; I Corinthians 12:18; Hebrews 13:15; I Peter 2:5, 9).
12. We believe the tithe (10%) of our earnings is holy unto God, and is the offering up by faith of the first fruits of our increase. Tithing along with the giving of a free-willed offering are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord (Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:26; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Romans 12:8; I Corinthians 9:7-14; 16:1-3; Hebrews 7:4-10).
13. We believe that each believer should speak in tongues for his own edification, and then desire to prophesy so that he might edify the whole church. Prophecy in the church is the sign of the end-time visitation of God for the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” Joel 2; Acts 2; I Corinthians 14:1-5; revelations 19:10; Acts 10:44-47; 19:6).
14. We believe in the nine gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12) should be and must be operative in the church to enjoy the fullness of God. Also, that these gifts are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or are operated by this one and self-same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:11).
15. We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for: (1) The confirmation and/or ordination of ministers by the laying on of hands by the presbytery (Acts 13:1-3). (2) The impartation of spiritual gifts when accompanied by prophecy and the laying on of hands by the presbytery (I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6). (3) The impartation of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17, 18). (4) The ministry of healing to the sick (Mark 16:18). (5) The confirmation of believers in the faith (Acts 14:22). (6) The blessing and dedication of children (Mark 10:16).
16. We believe in the imminent, personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead, the restitution of all things spoken by the mouth of all the prophets of God since the world began (Matthew 23:39; 25:31; 24:42-44; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:14-18).
17. We believe the devil and his angels, the beast and the false Prophet and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelations 19:20; 20:10-15).
18. We believe there shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; II Peter 3:13; Revelations 21:1).
19. We believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom is God’s absolute answer to man’s total need NOW-spiritually and morally, physically, socially and economically (Mat. 4:23; Luke 12:22-32).