GOSPEL OF DELIVERANCE EVANGELISTIC CHURCH

What We Believe

 

We Believe that:

In keeping with the gospel as ministered at the Gospel of Deliverance Evangelistic Church, we seek to fulfill the Scriptures as found in Ephesians 4:11-16, “And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the affectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. And fulfilling the work of God, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15.

 

Using Christ as our example, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and Man,” Luke 2:42. To contribute to the spiritual growth of the saints, that they may spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially develop and grow in faith for the express purpose of promulgating the gospel of Jesus Christ. To train those who aspire to a higher calling of service to the pulpit and other church ministries. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD,” I Corinthians 10:31.

 

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word, the source and rule of all our faith and practice. They are designed to lead us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. They are fully inspired y God and therefore serve as an authoritative guide for Christian understanding, life and ministry. The Scriptures according in all that they affirm are without error, in the whole and in part, and therefore are completely trustworthy. The Scriptures are not to be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition or supposed revelation. Every doctrinal formulation whether creed, confession, or theology must be put to the test of the full counsel of God in Holy Scripture. All redemptive understanding of the Scriptures depends upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit; therefore, the most accurate factual knowledge attained through exegesis, exposition, and interpretation does not bring out conversion or spiritual comprehension without the Holy Spirit creating understanding through the Word and applying its message to the heart.

 

God is Triune

There is but one God infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth and love.  In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet each is truly Deity. On God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the foundation of Christian faith and life.

 

God the Father is the creator of Heaven and Earth. By His Word all things were made, and through the same Word He daily sustains all His creatures. He is faithful to every promise, works all things together for good to those who love Him, and in His unfathomable grace He gave His Son Jesus Christ for mankind’s redemption. He made man for fellowship with Himself, and intended that all creation should live to the praise of His glory.

 

Man

Male and female were created in the image and likeness of God. Through the original sin of man-Adam and Eve, mankind has fallen from God, become corrupt in his whole nature, and is totally incapable by himself of returning to God. Fallen, sinful men, whatever their character or attainments, are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ.

       

Jesus Christ the Son

He is fully God and fully man; the only Savior for the sins of the world. He was the Word made flesh, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and was perfect in nature, teaching and obedience . He died on the cross as the vicarious sacrifice for all mankind, rose from the dead in his own glorified body, ascended into heaven, and will return in glory. He is the head of His body the Church, Victor over all the powers of darkness, and now reigns at the right hand of the Father.

 

Salvation

The gift of God is provided solely by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Turning from sin in repentance, looking to Christ and His vicarious death, man is born anew into eternal life by the Holy Spirit. There is no other name except Jesus Christ by which we may be saved. Through His great redemptive act there is forgiveness of sin, liberation from bondage to the world, and freedom in His Spirit. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just go forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Christ must be received personally into the heart by faith, if the experience of New Birth is to be yours.

 

Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord”. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy”. Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith recognizing daily upon the fact that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

       

The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, unites man to Jesus Christ in faith, brings about new birth, dwells within the regenerate, producing in them the fruit of the Spirit and enables them to row in sanctification. The Holy Spirit inspired prophets, judges, and kings in ancient times, anointed Jesus Christ for His ministry, filled the Church with Pentecostal power, and will transform the mortal body of believers into one like His own immortal body in the resurrection.

 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.  This promise of the Father that the Holy Spirit would be sent in power was not only made to early disciples but continues through generations to come. This gracious and supernatural gift of power, evidenced by overflowing joy, praise and accompanied by a new language (speaking in tongues, enables the believer to exercise the powers of age to come in ministry and mission). God delights to give His Holy Spirit to those who ask and obey, but since this is gift, there is nothing man can do to merit it. Likewise all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues are earnestly to be desired and expected.  They are God’s sovereign action for edifying the Body of Christ. The present transdenominational spiritual renewal is a manifestation of the will of God for the Church in these last days.

        

The Church, which is the body of and bride of Christ, is dedicated to the worship and service of God, the observance of the sacraments of ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the practices of good works. The primary task of the Church in all ages is to teach all nations and to make disciples, bringing the Gospel to bear on every aspect of life and thought. The ultimate mission of the Church is the redemption of souls. When God transforms human nature, this then becomes the chief means of society’s transformation.

 

The Ordinances of the Church

Baptism in Water- The ordinances of baptisms by immersion is commended in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life.

 

Holy Communion- The Lord’s Supper consisting of elements of bread and the fruit of the vine is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial of His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming and is enjoined on all believers “Till He Come!”

     

Divine Healing for Believers

Divine healing is a part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in atonement, and is a privilege of all believers.

       

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of all believers.

 

Millennial Reign of Christ

The Second Coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years.

 

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death.

 

The Heavens and New Earth

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. All who have been redeemed by Christ from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light will be in the presence of God forever giving Him unending praise and glory.