The Word of Faith Fellowship is a Protestant, Non-Denominational church
with a Christian school (as defined in classical Christianity).

 
Our beliefs include traditional, evangelical doctrines such as:

1. The Bible

The Bible is the divinely inspired, infallible Word of God. It is the sole and final authority for all matters of faith and conduct for the church in general and the Christian in particular. “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration)…” (II Timothy 3:16) See Also: (I Corinthians 2:13; II Peter 1:21; Hebrews 4:12; John 1:1).

 
2. Creation

The Creation, the test and fall of man and his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness is recorded in Genesis (Genesis 1:26-31) See Also: (Romans 6:12-18; Romans 3:9-12).

 
3. God is a Trinity

God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Godhead reveals Himself as one God existing in Three Persons—distinguishable, but indivisible. “…Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26). (Colossians 2:9-10; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14) God the Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the incarnate Son of God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14; John 20:28; Matthew 26:63,64). Jesus Christ is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28; John 5:27). The Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:14-18; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). God in Jesus Christ lived as a flesh and blood man, for the purpose of redemption and salvation for mankind (Philippians 2:5-8; II Corinthians 5:19; John 1:14; John 5:30). Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and His blood purchased our redemption (I Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25; Revelation 1:5,6; Hebrews 10:18-22). Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, is coexistent, coequal and coeternal with God the Father (John 1:14). God the Holy Spirit convicts (reproves) the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:7-8). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth who will lead and guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

4. The Sovereignty of God

God is a Sovereign God, the God of truth, who is Truth, the living God, the everlasting King (Jeremiah 10:10). God is the King of eternity (I Timothy 1:17), King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). God is a God of love, mercy, grace, truth, holiness, and righteousness (John 3:16; I John 4:19-21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2; Luke 1:50; Ephesians 2:4; Psalm 25:10; I John 3:1). Whom the Lord loves He corrects and correction is by the Spirit of God and not by the opinions of man (Proverbs 3:12). God loves us with an everlasting love (Isaiah 54:8; Jeremiah 31:3). The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us (Romans 5:5). God proved His love in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39). God is a God of wrath and judgment. We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:10-12). It is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28). He that does not believe on the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36). God will bring every work into judgment, every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Revelation 20:11-15). Judgment must begin first at the house of God (I Peter 4:17).

5. Ordinances of the Church

The laying on of hands, repentance, communion, water baptism and the government of God are basic ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ.

• Laying on of hands—(Hebrews 6:1-2, Mark 16:18, Acts 13:2-3, I Timothy 4:14).
• Repentance—(Hebrews 6:1-2, Luke 3:8, Acts 3:19, II Corinthians 7:9-10, Revelation 3:19).
• Communion—(Luke 22:19-20, I Corinthians 11:23-34).
• Water Baptism—(Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, 8:38, 9:17-18, 10:47-48, 16:32-33).
• The Government of God—(Romans 13:1-5, Hebrews 13:7,17).

6. Salvation, New Birth, Repentance

BORN AGAIN

BELIEVE – to trust, to put trust in, to have faith with respect to a person, (Strong’s Concordance – The Original
Greek) Adhere to, rely upon, trust in.

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born?
3:5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
3:6 What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7 Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).
3:8 The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (Drawing power of God to submit to Him.)

John 6:44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.
6:65 And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father. (Spirit of God draws you to this place.)

John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],
3:15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
3:18 He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation – he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God],
11:20 That they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

John 16:7 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
16:8 And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:
16:9 About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me];
16:10 About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer;
16:11 About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.
16:12 I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or take them upon you or to grasp them now.

 

At the New Birth, the Holy Spirit comes into your life to reveal Jesus to you

John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
16:14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
16:15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. (At New Birth, Holy Spirit comes in you to reveal Jesus to you)

Galatians 1:11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard].
1:12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
1:15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased
1:16 To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].

John 7:37 Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!
7:38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
7:39 But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him were afterward to receive. For the [Holy] Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor). (Holy Spirit came in Acts 2)

Acts 1:4 And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.
1:5 For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit. (New Birth)
1:8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (The only way you can be a witness of Jesus is through Jesus living in you, by His Spirit revealing Himself to you. John 16:14)

Time of the New Birth for the Disciples

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,
2:2 When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.
2:3 And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.
2:4 And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]. (Disciples Born Again)
2:38 And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (New Birth.)
2:39 For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself. (II Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)

 

Through the reading or preaching of God’s word faith comes

Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets testify (bear witness) that everyone who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him, giving himself up to Him] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.
10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised [the Jews] who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because the free gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles.
10:46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and extolling and magnifying God. Then Peter asked,
10:47 Can anyone forbid or refuse water for baptizing these people, seeing that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? (Through the entrance of God’s word hearts are changed)

Acts 16:30 (Philippian Jailer) brought them out [of the dungeon] and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved?
16:31 And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.
16:32 And they declared the Word of the Lord [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] to him and to all who were in his house.

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus and about Him.
8:36 And as they continued along, on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch exclaimed, See, [here is] water! What is to hinder my being baptized?
8:37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Believing from the heart)

I Peter 1:23 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.

John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name –

 

Jesus prayed for us to be born again before He went to the cross.

John 17:19 And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth. (God’s word is truth)
17:20 Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
17:21 That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
17:22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
17:23 I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. (Jesus prayed for us to become one with Him and the Father – New Birth)

SAVED – to deliver, to protect, to heal, to preserve, to make whole (Strong’s Concordance – The Original Greek)

Grace – God’s divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. (Strong’s Concordance – The Original Greek)  When the Spirit of God comes in a man, He imparts God’s grace to influence him to live holy.

Matthew 1:21 She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from falling and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].

I Corinthians 15:21 For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].
15:22 For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive.
(Sin came through Adam to all men but through Jesus we can live holy)

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man came to save [from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost. (Because of man’s sin he was cut off from walking with God – that was what was lost. Through Jesus living in us making us holy we can walk with God.)

I Timothy 4:10 With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).

I Timothy 1:15 The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. (Paul said this)

I Timothy 2:4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

Luke  1:69 And He has raised up a Horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Helper, the Author of Salvation] for us in the house of David His servant –
1:70 This is as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times [in the memory of man] –
1:71 That we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred;
1:72 To make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness [promised] to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant [to bless, which is all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself],
1:73 That covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham:
1:74 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly (Our enemy is the devil – I Peter 5:8, John 10:10)
1:75 In holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness [in accordance with the everlasting principles of right] within His presence all the days of our lives.

Ephesians 2:1 And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins
2:2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince (devil) of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].
2:3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our craving dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.
2:4 But God – so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
2:5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
2:6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2:7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
2:9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (God’s power working in us to save us by believing in, trusting in and relying upon Jesus.)

Titus  3:3 For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another.
3:4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared,
3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (Holy Spirit influences us to submit to Jesus to live godly and holy)
3:6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
3:7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.

Romans 3:23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
3:24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
3:25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.
3:26 It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
5:9 Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). (By submitting to Jesus)
2:13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
2:14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
2:15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world.

Matthew 24:13 But he who endured to the end will be saved.

 

Salvation begins when God draws us by His Spirit and puts His desire in our hearts to come to Jesus.

John  6:44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

6:65 And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.

3:8 The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

By God’s grace He brings us to a place in Him of total surrender. Where we truly want God to be our God and Jesus to become our Lord and Savior—the New Birth takes place in our lives.

 

A MAN NOT BORN AGAIN THAT LIVES UNDER THE LAW. (ROMANS 7:14-23)

Romans 7 is referring to a man who is religious, trying to live right without being born again (without the Holy Spirit living in him). God’s people could not live holy under the law, apart from Jesus and they cannot now. That is the reason God sent Jesus to be our Savior, to live in us by His Spirit, so we can live godly and not be like the man in Romans 7.

When a person is truly born again the Holy Spirit dwells in them to convict them of sin, to teach them true repentance (to remove the sin) and teach them how to let Jesus live through them which is a godly, holy lifestyle. That is the reason we need Jesus as our Lord and Savior. True Christians are Christ like. His character and nature should be seen in them at all times. Therefore, through Jesus and the work of the cross, the power of the sin nature in man has been broken. We can live free from sin through being saved by Jesus. You can see this according to the scriptures.

Romans 7:14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin.
7:15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].
7:16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.
7:17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.
7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] (Only through Jesus living in us can the power of sin be broken.)
7:19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.
7:20 Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].
7:21 So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.
7:22 For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].
7:23 But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].
7:24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?
7:25 O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

FLESH – Human nature (sin nature) with its frailties, passions; carnal minded (Strong’s Concordance – The Original Greek). Man without God.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilt of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit
(According to I John 3:19-21 our own hearts condemn us when sin is in our lives. Also in Ephesians 4:30 it tells that there is a grieving in us because the Holy Spirit is grieved when sin is in our lives. Therefore we need to repent of the sin so it can be removed.)
8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus (Holy Spirit living in a person) [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
8:3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],
8:4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].
8:5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. (Yielding your will to pursue after the dictates of the flesh brings forth sin in your life)

James  1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. (the devil tempts and tests us to give to sin)
1:14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
1:15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. (It is your will to set your mind to pursue sin)

The devil puts thoughts in our mind to sin. But in a born again person, the Holy Spirit (from the heart of man) teaches us how to drive those thoughts out and yield to godly thoughts. (II Corinthians 10:3-5)

II Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
10:5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 8:6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death (the wages of sin is death – Romans 6:23) [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
8:7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. (A person trying to live by the law is on his way to hell. No man can keep the law apart from Jesus living in him)
8:8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.
8:9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]. (He is not born again)
8:10 But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you].
8:11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.
8:12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh.
8:13 For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. (By yielding to the Holy Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the flesh. The Holy Spirit teaches us how.)
8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
8:15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!
8:16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

I Corinthians 3:16 Do you not discern and understand that [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?
3:17 If anyone does hurt to God’s temple or corrupts it [with false doctrines] or destroys it, God will do hurt to him and bring him to the corruption of death and destroy him. For the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him) and that [temple] you [the believing church and its individual believers] are.

 

Through Jesus living in us we can live Holy and free from sin

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.
2:12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discrete (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,

Grace – God’s divine influence and His reflection on your life
Sin Nature – Satan’s influence on you and his reflection on you

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
5:25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

I John  5:18 We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].

I John  3:2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.
3:3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
3:4 Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect – being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will). (Being unrestrained and unregulated by His command and His will) (This is the definition of sin.)
3:5 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever].
3:6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him – deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].
3:7 Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous.
3:8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. (We need to let Jesus manifest in our life)
3:9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.
3:10 By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ).

James  4:4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.
4:5 Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?
4:6 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).
4:7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
4:8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
4:9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over you disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heart felt shame [for your sins].
4:10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

I Peter  5:6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,
5:7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
5:8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of  yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
5:9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset – rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
5:10 And after you have suffered (being tempted, tested and tried by the devil) a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
2:21 [Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.]

Romans 6:1 What shall we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow?
6:2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
6:3 Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (New Birth)
6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.
6:5 For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].
6:6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.
6:7 For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men].
6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
6:9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.
6:10 For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relations to it] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].
6:11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
6:12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.
6:13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
6:14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].
6:15 What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God’s favor and mercy? Certainly not!
6:16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
6:17 But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which we were committed.
6:18 And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).
6:19 I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and faculties] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification.
6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
6:21 But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death.
6:22 But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. (Being saved)
6:23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (It is your will)

John  8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
8:32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
8:36 So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. (Free from sin to live Holy)
(Hearing Jesus speaking to you moment by moment and obeying is how you live godly)

James  1:21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word that God speaks (to you) is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

John  15:3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
15:4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can go nothing.
15:6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
15:8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach,
10:9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10:10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. (Every word coming out of our mouth should be what Jesus is saying through us)
10:13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. (We either speak by the power of Satan or by the power of the Holy Spirit. Satan brings death. Jesus gives life.)

Matthew 12:34 You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.
12:35 The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.
12:36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.
12:37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

John 5:30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord – but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

John  14:30 I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.] (Satan has power over you if you let him.)
14:31 But [Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know (be convinced) that I love the Father and that I do only what the Father has instructed me to do. [I act in full agreement with His orders.] Rise, let us go away from here.
(Submission and obedience)

Galatians 4:6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!

 

Jesus set the example, crying out to God

Hebrews 5:7 In the days of His flesh (human) [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death (sin), and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father].
5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered (being tempted, tested and tried by the devil)
5:9 And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped] (through submission and obedience to the voice of God), He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him,

Hebrews 2:17 So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins.
2:18 For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

 

REPENTANCE

Without repentance, there is no salvation.

Acts 2:21 And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord – Christ] shall be saved.

Psalm  139:23 Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
139:24 And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Let Jesus show us what sin is in our lives so we can give our will to let Him remove it)

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

I Corinthians 4:4 I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me.
4:5 So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God. (Only Jesus can show us our sin so repentance can come)

Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]-then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm  38:18 For I do confess my guilt and iniquity; I am filled with sorrow for my sin.

II Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
2:25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],
2:26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.

II Corinthians 7:8 For even though I did grieve you with my letter, I do not regret [it now], though I did regret it; for I see that that letter did pain you, though only for a little while;
7:9 Yet I am glad now, not because you were pained, but because you were pained into repentance [that turned you to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that in nothing you might suffer loss through us or harm for what we did.
7:10 For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly [breeding and ending in death].

When sin is in your life the Holy Spirit is grieved and your own heart condemns you. A person who is born again feels miserable or he feels agitated until he finds a place of repentance. You feel miserable because God is dealing with you to repent of your sin.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

Lamentations 1:20 Behold, O Lord, how distressed I am! My vital parts (emotions) are in tumult and are deeply disturbed; my heart cannot rest and is violently agitated within me, for I have grievously rebelled. Outside the house the sword bereaves, at home there is [famine, pestilence] death!

I John 3:19 By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,
3:20 Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God’s hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].
3:21 And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God.

Psalm 119:2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.
119:3 Yes, they do no unrighteousness [no willful wandering from His precepts]; they walk in His ways.
119:9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].
119:10 With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; O let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments.
119:11 Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry.
34:16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.
34:18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.
34:19 Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

I John 1:6 [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].
1:7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].
1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
1:10 If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts]. (Referring to verse 6 – walking in darkness)

I John 2:1 My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (one Who will intercede for us) with the Father-[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action].
2:2 And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
2:3 And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).
2:4 Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.
2:5 But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:
2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

 

Open your heart to Jesus so He can teach you how to live in Him, hearing His voice, submitting and obeying.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. (Open up your heart to Jesus to let Him deliver you)

John 10:3 The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
10:14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me –
10:16 And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.
10:26 But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine].
10:27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.

Deuteronomy 28:1 If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
28:2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.
28:15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you:

Deuteronomy 30:10 If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being.
30:11 For this commandment which I command you this day is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.
30:20 And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing I did command them: Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you, that it may be well with you.

Jeremiah 11:4 Which I commanded your fathers at the time that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to My voice and do according to all that I command you. So will you be My people, and I will be your God,

John  14:15 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

John 15:10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
4:8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

Hebrews 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice,
3:8 Do not harden your hearts, as [happened] in the rebellion [of Israel] and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness,
3:9 Where your fathers tried [My patience] and tested [My forbearance] and found I stood their test, and they saw My works for forty years.
3:10 And so I was provoked (displeased and sorely grieved) with that generation, and said, They always err and are led astray in their hearts, and they have not perceived or recognized My ways and become progressively better and more experimentally and intimately acquainted with them.
3:11 Accordingly, I swore in My wrath and indignation, They shall not enter into My rest.
3:12 [Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God.
3:13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him].
3:15 Then while it is [still] called Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion [in the desert, when the people provoked and irritated and embittered God against them].
3:16 For who were they who heard and yet were rebellious and provoked [Him]? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?
3:17 And with whom was He irritated and provoked and grieved for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose dismembered bodies were strewn and left in the desert?
3:18 And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who disobeyed [who had not listened to His word and who refused to be compliant or be persuaded]?
3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out].

Psalm 40:6 Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.

 

LOSE SALVATION

II Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition).
2:9 The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels – [all of them] lying wonders –
2:10 And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.
2:11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,
2:12 In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward].
10:27 [There is nothing left for us then] but a kind of awful and fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment and the fury of burning wrath and indignation which will consume those who put themselves in opposition [to God].
10:29 How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)?

Hebrews 6:3 If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].
6:4 For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
6:5 And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,
6:6 If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance – [it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
6:7 For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God.
6:8 But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

II Peter 2:19 They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity and defilement – for by whatever anyone is made inferior or worse or is overcome, to that [person or thing] he is enslaved.
2:20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through [the full, personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again become entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition is worse [for them] than the first.
2:21 For never to have obtained a [full, personal] knowledge of the way of righteousness would have been better for them than, having obtained [such knowledge], to turn back from the holy commandment which was [verbally] delivered to them.

Hebrews 12:16 That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
12:17 For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears.

Mark 3:29 But whoever speaks abusively against or maliciously misrepresents the Holy Spirit can never get forgiveness, but is guilty of and is in the grasp of an everlasting trespass.

Ezekiel 33:12 And you, son of man, say to your people, The uprightness and justice of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; and as for the wicked lawlessness of the wicked lawless, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness, neither shall the rigidly upright and just be able to live because of his past righteousness in the day that he sins and misses the mark [in keeping in harmony and right standing with God].
33:13 When I shall say to the [uncompromisingly] righteous that he shall surely live, and he trusts to his own righteousness [to save him] and commits iniquity (heinous sin), all his righteous deeds shall not be [seriously] remembered; but for his perversity and iniquity that he has committed he shall die.
33:14 Again, when I have said to the wicked, You shall surely die, if he turns from his sin and does that which is lawful and right –
33:15 If the wicked restores [what he took in] pledge, gives back what he had taken in robbery, walks in the statutes of life [right relationship with God], without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
33:18 When the righteous turns back from his [uncompromising] righteousness and commits perverseness and iniquity, he shall even die in and because of it.
33:19 But if the wicked turns back from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it.

Ezekiel 3:20 Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness (right doing and right standing with God) and some gift or providence which I lay before him he perverts into an occasion to sin and he commits iniquity, he shall die; because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood will I require at your hand.

Revelation 2:5 (To the church at Ephesus) Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

 

7. Healing and Deliverance

Healing of the body and deliverance from demon spirits by Divine power in their varied aspects is a vital part of the work of the cross and His salvation as practiced in the early church (Acts 4:30; Romans 8:11; James 5:14; Matthew 10:7-8). [God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him] (Acts 10:38; I Peter 2:24; Luke 11:20; Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:1-3; Isaiah 53:5). We believe that God can, and does use whatever instrument He chooses to bring about the promised healing of our bodies that He created. For example, He uses doctors, nurses, hospitals and medicine to bring forth healing, but God alone is the Healer! At The Word of Faith Fellowship we have several doctors, nurses, nurse practioners and medical technicians who believe that God and God alone is the Healer and that they are called of God to be ministers who practice medicine.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me … to preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18-19). Deliverance is the children’s bread (Mark 7:26-30). “Ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16). They, which are of faith, the same, are the children of Abraham, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:7-14).

Some examples of different kinds of demonic spirits: Another spirit (II Corinthians 11:4), Broken spirit (Proverbs 18:14), God has not given us a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7, Spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3), Bondage (II Peter 2:18-22), Spirit of bondage unto fear (Romans 8:14,15), Do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1; Galatians 2:4), Spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11), Spirit of jealousy (Numbers 5:14), Perverse spirit (Isaiah 19:14), Spirit of divination (Acts 16:16), Familiar spirit (I Samuel 28:7,8), Spirit of whoredoms (Hosea 4:12), Haughty spirit (Proverbs 16:18,19), Lying spirit (II Chronicles 18:22), Spirit of anti-Christ (I John 2:18, 4:3), Unclean spirit (Matthew 12:43-45), Deaf and Dumb spirit (Mark 9:14-29), Seducing spirits (I Timothy 4:1), Spirit of error (I John 4:6), Spirit of the world (I Corinthians 2:12), Legion (Luke 8:26-36), Daughter vexed with a devil (Matthew 15:21-28). You know not what manner of spirit you are of (Luke 9:55). No man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:16). Light has no fellowship with darkness (II Corinthians 6:14,15). We are the temple of the living God (II Corinthians 6:15-18). Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).

8. The Great Commission and Prayer

Jesus gave us the Great Commission, the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature in Matthew 28:18-20. See also: II Timothy 4:1-5. The principles of the doctrine of Christ and going on unto perfection, the foundation of repentance of dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are found in Hebrews 6:1-6. The Holy Spirit flows through His people as they are yielded to God in diverse kinds of prayer, praying always in the spirit by the Spirit of God, whether with our own understanding, or whether it is in tongues, which includes weeping, groaning and travail, cries or crying out to God with strong cries, or soft cries. There are many cries God talks about in His Word (Psalm 17:1); Psalm 22:5; Psalm 88:1-2; Isaiah 42:13; Romans 8:15; Hebrews 5:7; Luke 18:7).

Prayers of supplication: (I Timothy 2:1; Hebrews 5:7; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Acts 1:14; Psalm 119:170; Psalm 6:9).

Strong Prayer: Romans 15:30-31; Ephesians 6:10-18; I Timothy 2:1-2,8 (intercession for leaders); James 5:16 “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]…”

BLAST: Acts 2:2; Exodus 15:8; II Samuel 22:16; Psalm 18:15
Acts 2:2 “…a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast…” refers to the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defines “Blast” as vital breath, divine inspiration, soul, spirit. We, the members of the Word of Faith Fellowship, use the Biblical terminology “Blast” in reference to any strong demonstration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2) such as in preaching, praising, singing, praying in all kinds of prayer, praying in the Spirit, supplication, travail, diverse tongues, weeping, groaning, and crying out to God, including shrill cries for Christ to be formed in us and others (Galatians 4:19, Romans 8:29), and to come against the temptations of the devil (John 10:10; I Peter 5:8-9; I Timothy 6:12; Daniel 10:11-14,20-21, 12:1; Revelations 12:11; I Corinthians 10:3-7; Luke 4:1-14; Hebrews 2:18; Ephesians 6:12).

Praying in the Spirit: I Corinthians 14:14-15; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20.

Diverse tongues: Acts 2:4; I Corinthians 13:1; I Corinthians 14:2,18; Isaiah 28:11.

Travail: Galatians 4:19; John 16:20-21; Isaiah 21:3; Isaiah 42:14; Isaiah 66:7-9; Isaiah 53:11.

Weepings: Hebrews 5:7; Luke 19:41; John 11:35; John 16:20-21; James 5:1; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 6:6-9; Psalm 126:5-6; Jeremiah 9:1,17-19.

Groanings/Sighings: Romans 8:26; Mark 7:34; John 11:33,38; Acts 7:34; Exodus 2:23-24; Exodus 6:5; Psalm 5:1-2; Psalm 6:6-9; Psalm 79:11; Psalm 102:20; Ezekiel 9:4.

Cry (to mar, to split the ears with sound) and Roar: Psalm 17:1; Psalm 22:5; Psalm 55:17; Psalm 61:1-2; Psalm 88:1-2; Psalm 107:6,13,19,28; Psalm 119:169; Psalm 142:6; Isaiah 42:13; Amos 1:2; Joel 3:16; Luke 18:7; John 1:15,23; Romans 8:15; James 5:4.

 

9. Water Baptism

Water baptism is by immersion in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to John the Baptist in Matthew 3:15 that it (baptism) was “the fitting way [for both of us] to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 “Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Apostle Peter said “And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). “We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). “[Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

 

10. Communion
Communion or the Lord’s Supper for believers is one of the foundational doctrines of the New Testament Church.

“For I received from the Lord Himself that which I passed on to you [it was given to me personally], that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up and while His betrayal was in progress took bread, And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again]. So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of [profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only when he has done] so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body, eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself. That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death. For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined and chastened, so that we may not [finally] be condemned [to eternal punishment along] with the world” (I Corinthians 11:23-32).

“And when the hour came, [Jesus] reclined at table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; For I say to you, I shall eat it no more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He said, Take this and divide and distribute it among yourselves; For I say to you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine at all until the kingdom of God comes. Then He took a loaf [of bread], and when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and gave it to them saying, This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. And in like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament or covenant [ratified] in My blood, which is shed (poured out) for you” (Luke 22:14-20).

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, praising God, gave thanks and asked Him to bless it to their use, and when He had broken it, He gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I say to you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new and of superior quality in My Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:26-30).

 
11. The Sanctity of Life

Life is initiated by God and ends with God only (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139; Job 33:4; Acts 17:22-31). We are opposed to abortion; it is murder. Children are God’s blessing to mankind, and they should be treated as such. We are opposed to euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and murder. God is the one who controls death as well as life. Suicide is murder and the commandment of God says, “Thou shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

12. Heaven and Hell

We believe in heaven (John 14:1-4; Revelation 21; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 6:9,10; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 25:30,45,46; I Peter 3:22; Acts 7:55,56; Psalm 11:4; Psalm 14:2; Psalm 73:25; Psalm 139:8). We believe in hell (Revelation 1:8; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:11-15; Numbers 16:30; Deuteronomy 32:21-23; Matthew 16:18; 23:33; Matthew 25:31-34,45,46; Luke 16:19-31; Psalm 16:10; Psalm 139:8; Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 27:20). We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation, and personal, literal and bodily coming again the second time for His church (John 14:2,3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

13. Church Membership

In regard to church membership, we believe that first of all you must be born again to be in the family of God. I Corinthians 12:18 tells us that God has set each member in the body, a local church fellowship, as it pleases Him. Each individual must hear from God what local body God has set them in, and we also believe that each pastor must know by the Spirit of God that God has sent the person to them to pastor, because they have an accountability before God to pastor them (John 10:1-18; Hebrews 13:7; I Corinthians 4:15; I Thessalonians 2:7,8). Our doors are open to anyone whom God sends to visit, those who need help, or those who want to become part of the church.

14. Government of God

We believe in the government of God in the church, Jesus being the head. We believe that every born again person has been given by God the capacity to hear God’s voice and obey (Psalm 40:6). True godly authority, according to John 5:30, is doing nothing apart from hearing the voice of God. According to Galatians 2:20, it is no longer we that live but Christ that lives in us. Living under God’s government is hearing from God individually and by God’s grace submitting and obeying. We believe if you are a Christian, your lifestyle will be a life of holiness, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).

We believe that civil authorities are ordained of God for our good. We believe in obedience to the laws of the land. To resist the powers and the ordinances of civil authority is to resist the ordinances of God. We are subject not only for wrath’s sake but for conscience’ sake, rendering to all their dues, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. We declare our loyalty to our government and its leaders and will assist as Christian citizens in every way possible consistent with our faith in the Scriptures (Romans 13).

We believe in church discipline (I Corinthians 5). If a person persistently gives himself to sin after knowing the truth, Titus 3:10-11 teaches us how this situation should be handled. Romans 16:17 teaches us how to handle those who sow seeds of strife and division among the weak. In I Corinthians 5, the whole chapter also teaches us what to do when a person will not allow God to deal with their sin. When that person has a change of heart, II Corinthians 2:6-9 teaches us how to reinstate them. II Corinthians 7:9-11; Revelation 3:19; Mark 1:4; Acts 5:31; Acts 3:19; Psalm 51; II Peter 3:9 teach us what a true work of repentance is.

15. Marriage

Marriage (the union of a man and a woman) is one of the earliest institutions in God’s plan for man. In Genesis 2:18, God saw that it was “…not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.” In verse 24 it reads, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” In Malachi 2:11-16, God rejected the sacrifices offered at His altar by the priests because they had “dealt treacherously…and were faithless” toward the wife of their youth. He said in verse 14 that He was a witness to the covenant made at their marriage. Marriage is a covenant made between a man and a woman before (in the presence of) God by the exchanging of vows to commit to the terms of the marriage covenant. In dealing “treacherously” and “faithlessly,” the priests had violated that covenant. As a result, God’s judgment was upon them. A godly marriage is one in which God has brought the two together for the purpose of making them “one flesh.” He said in Malachi 2:15, “And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union].” As they walk together in God, there is agreement, peace, harmony, love, and joy. God is very strong in His statement regarding divorce and marital separation in Malachi 2:16: “…I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment (his wife) with violence…” In Ephesians 2:21-33, God speaks through the Apostle Paul to further address the subject of the marriage covenant. He commands the husband and wife to be mutually submitted to one another “out of reverence for Christ.” Then he goes on to explain how that submission works to bring about the “oneness” that God intended in the marriage relationship. He compares the marriage relationship between a man and a woman to that of Christ and the church, “because we are members (parts) of His body.” The husband is commanded to love his wife as his very own self and that the wife must respect and reverence her husband.

16. Tithes and Offerings

God said in Malachi 3:10, “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house…says the Lord of hosts…” Tithing did not begin with the law of Moses, although it was included in the ordinances of the Law. Tithing began with Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), priest of the most high God, came out to bless him after he fought with Chedorlaomer and the kings with him. After receiving the blessing of the Lord from Melchizedek, Abram (Abraham) gave to him a tenth of all the spoil taken in battle. In Leviticus 27:30-34, the people of God were commanded to give a tithe of the land and of the animals to the Lord (“it is holy to the Lord”) under the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Pharisees of the New Testament paid tithes of their smallest of herbs (mint, anise, cumin) (Matthew 23:23). In Proverbs 3:9, we are instructed to: “Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income.” We are to bring the tithe (tenth) (firstfruit) of all our income to the LORD. In Hebrews 7:4, we are told it should always be a tenth of …”[the topmost or the pick of the heap]” as Abraham did, not the “gleanings” (leftovers). Offerings are gifts given to the Lord over and above the tithe as prescribed in II Corinthians 9:7: “Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion…” To withhold offerings from the Lord when He has directed it is under the same curse as withholding the tithe (Malachi 3:8-9). Both belong to the Lord.

17. Pagan Holidays

We do not believe in nor practice the celebration of pagan holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Valentine’s day, etc. After researching the history of each of these, we found that these all originated from the worship of demons and other gods, truly pagan worship. Their origin came from demon and devil worship, not from God. Since they do not have their origin in God, God did not ordain them. In Romans 14:23, God makes it very clear that “whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].”

18. Alcoholic Beverages

We do not believe in nor practice (in public or in private) the consumption of alcoholic beverages of any sort (including wine). The scriptures are very clear and relevant to our generation that alcohol is a wicked substance that no truly born again believer should partake of. In the book of Proverbs there are no less than nine references that forbid this practice. In Proverbs 20:1 it reads: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.” In Proverbs 23:29-35 God speaks further of it by saying: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness and dimness of eyes? Those who tarry long at the wine, those who go to seek and try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the wineglass, when it goes down smoothly.  At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. [Under the influence of wine] your eyes will behold strange things [and loose women] and your mind will utter things turned the wrong way [untrue, incorrect, and petulant]. Yes, you will be [as unsteady] as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, and [as open to disaster] as he who lies upon the top of a mast. You will say, They struck me, but I was not hurt! They beat me [as with a hammer], but I did not feel it! When shall I awake? I will crave and seek more wine again [and escape reality].” That last phrase speaks of the addictive nature that alcohol has upon its victims. In the book of Isaiah, there are at least seven references to strong drink. (Isaiah 5:11-12,22; 22:13; 28:1,3,7; 56:12) In Habakkuk 2 God says: “Woe to him who gives his neighbors drink, who pours out your bottle to them and adds to it your poisonous and blighting wrath and also makes them drunk, that you may look on their stripped condition and pour out foul shame [on their glory]! You [yourself] will be filled with shame and contempt instead of glory. Drink also and be like an uncircumcised [heathen]! The cup [of wrath] in the Lord’s right hand will come around to you [O destroyer], and foul shame shall be upon your own glory!” (Habakkuk 2:15-16)

In the New Testament, there are many references to “drunkenness”. (Luke 12:45; Romans 13:13; 14:21; I Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; 11:21; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18; I Timothy 3:3,8) Furthermore, the scriptures teach us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God (I Corinthians 6:19-20). In I Corinthians 3:16-17 God says: “Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? If anyone does hurt to God’s temple or corrupts it [with false doctrines] or destroys it, God will do hurt to him and bring him to the corruption of death and destroy him. For the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him and that [temple] you [the believing church and its individual believers] are.” In John2:1-10, Jesus turned water into wine, but the wine was clearly the “best wine” according to the manager of the feast (verses 9-10). In Matthew 9:17 Jesus spoke of putting “new wine” into fresh wineskins and both are preserved, indicating that this was unfermented wine. The “old wine” is obviously aged (fermented) wine, the “new wine” being unfermented (the best wine).

19. The Jews are God’s Chosen People

We believe that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6; Isaiah 44:1-2). We believe that they (the Jewish people) have the God given right to their ancient homeland Israel. The Scriptures mandate that this is the home of the Jewish people. The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), to speak out for Zion’s sake (Isaiah 62:1), to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6) and to bless the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3). We will pray and not keep silent and do whatever God leads us to do to stand with Israel and support our Jewish brothers and sisters.