These are the beliefs of Mainline Christian Ministries. In other words, we believe these are the key biblical doctrines to developing faith.
CORE BELIEFS
The Bible is all-sufficient as a guide for faith and practice.
1. Authority of Scripture
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God, and are the revelation of God to man, and it is infallible and authoritative in rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:21)
2. God the Father
We believe in God the Father, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. (Ephesians 3:14; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4)
3. Jesus Christ the Son of God
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ the only Son of God (John 3:16), eternally begotten of the Father. Through him all things were made. (John 1:3). For us and for our salvation he came to earth from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-38), and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures. (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22)
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Philippians 2:8-9; Hebrews 12:2) He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 24:30-31; Acts 1:11), and his kingdom will have no end. (Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:33; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 3:21) Through Jesus we are redeemed (Romans 10:9-10) to repentance and holy living (1 John 1:5-10); and we believe in his fleshly death and bodily resurrection. (1 John 4:1-3) Jesus is the only name by which mankind may be saved. (Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12)
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from theFather and the Son. Together with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets, guides men into truth,convicts men of sin, regenerates, sanctifies, indwells, seals, baptizes, in-fills, empowers, leads, and administers spiritual gifts. (John 16:7-15; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28; Ephesians 4:11)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Given at Pentecost, we believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father available to all Christians. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus after his Ascension to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth. In scripture the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by speaking in tongues. (Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4; John 14:15-17)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit requires obedience and humility. Too often, tongues are used as a source of pride.
5. The Trinity
We believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and The Holy Spirit are equal, that they coexist and eternally reign and rule together. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14: 16,17)
6. The Church
We believe in one holy church made up of many people who exist in groups, organizations and denominations commonly and corporately called the Body of Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
Ordinances of the church:
a) baptism in water to follow our Lord’s command (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38),
b) and in communion whereby we remember Christ’s suffering (Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
c) his death and bodily resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-28)
d) We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
(e) Infants and small children may be dedicated to the Lord in the church upon the request of the parents or guardians. (Mark 10:13-16; Luke18:15, 16)
(f) The ministration of laying on of hands accompanied with the anointing with oil, for the healing of the sick, shall be granted as a request is made and the need may require. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14)
7. The Fall of Mankind and the renewal
a) Man was created good and upright, and made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26,27) However, man voluntarily transgressed and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God. (Genesis 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)
b) The evidence of salvation is both inward and outward. The direct witness of the Spirit to our lives (Romans 8:16) and the outward evidence to all men as we live a life of righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12)
8. Sanctification is available to all
Sanctification is a separation from that which is known to be evil, and therefore, a dedication towards God. (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:14; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:15,16)
Christians are called to live holy lives because without holiness it is impossible to see God. (Hebrews 12:14)
There is no exclusive gender or race for preaching the gospel. We believe in true equality of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:28) Salvation is available to all and so are the gifts.
We work to building the kingdom of God. Any work undertaken must be with the end in mind and not for temporary gains and honors that would leave us weakened. (Matthew 6:33; John 18:36; Luke 17:20,21; John 3:3; Romans 14:17; 1Corinthians 4:20; Ephesians 5:5)
9. Redemption
God is ever our redeemer. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth”. (Job 19:25; Isaiah 53; John 1)
10. Healing
Healing is available to all, but God knows what he is doing. Healing or the lack of it is not a thing that men can judge another over. Ministries of compassion require being comforting and supportive regardless of what we encounter.
11. Holiness
Holiness is only through our relationship to the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17,23)
Keep the Faith in accordance with Scripture, not to justify our lives with our interpretations, but to put Scriptural context into our lives and interpret Scripture based on Scriptural context. (Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14)
12. Marriage
Marriage is a holy and sacred covenant between God, the wife (woman) and the husband (man). All members will observe the sanctity of marriage and the protection it affords to families as designed by God. (Genesis 2:22-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:18-19; Hebrews 13:4-7)
13. Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
The just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 10:38)
Faith is such an important part of salvation and in our walk with God, therefore faith must be mentioned.
14. Love
The first commandment is Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
We cannot be saints if we do not have love. (1 John 4:7-21)
