Statement of Beliefs
Draft – Learning in Progress
Wayne Hinton, Minister, Elder
October 15, 1999
Updated Draft by Steve Seachord with Wayne Hinton
June 2016
1. God
2. Bible
3. Jesus
4. Holy Spirit
5. Angels
6. Satan / Demons
7. Salvation
8. Faith
9. Ten Commandments / God’s Law
10. Sabbath
11. Holy Bays
12. Sin
13. Repentance
14. Baptism
15. The Church of God / Christians
16. The Second Coming of Christ
17. The Resurrection (s)
18. Judgment
19. Tithing
20. Healing
21. Kingdom of God
22. Mankind
23. Born Again
24. Prophecy
25. Individual Responsibility
1. God
God, the Father, is the ultimate Creator of all things He is one being and is composed of Spirit. Any human attempt to describe God is limited by our vocabulary and by our minds.
Where the Bible uses the plural word for God, it is a family like name (such as Smith or Jones) and includes His Son – the one Spirit Being who became Jesus Christ, our Messiah. Jesus is the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Hebrew words translated ‘God’ in the KJV-OT include: El- (410) – the Almighty- also used of other ‘gods’ (first used in Genesis 14 18-19); Elahh – (426) – God; elohiym – (430) – plural of433 (most of Genesis uses this word); elowahh – (433) – a deity or the Deity; Beyth-El- (1008) – house ofGod; YHWH- (3068) – the tetragrammaton – the Eternal – Jewish national name for God (first translated in Genesis 6 5 as God; Genesis 2 3 – LORD as mostly translated throughout); (3069) – a derivative of3068 (Genesis 15 2,8 – mostly used in Ezekiel); Tsuwr- (6697) – rock; Greek words translated ‘God’ in th·e KJV-NT: theos -(2316) – the supreme Divinity (most common); kudos – (2962) – supreme in authority
Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 19:1; 50:6-7; Isaiah 44:6; John 1:1-14; 3:16; 4:24; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 1:1-2; Revelation 21
2. Bible
The Bible is the divinely inspired written word by which God has revealed Himself and His will to man. The Bible is not subject to individual interpretation; however, no one human individual has been granted the ability to determine the Bible’s truth completely God has chosen to withhold complete knowledge until He chooses to reveal it.
Each currently available translation of the Bible has flaws and merits; a careful study of each translation can be beneficial to a more complete understanding of the original intent of the material.
Deuteronomy 8:3; 29:29; Proverbs 25:2; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Daniel 12:4; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; John 14:26; 16:13; 17:17, 20; Romans 3:1-4; 11:33; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 4:3-5; 2 Peter 1:20; Revelation 22:18-19
3. Jesus
Jesus is our Redeemer and the Messiah spoken of and is the Word in the Old Testament; He is the one through whom God worked to perform the creation of all things; He was the “I Am” who revealed Himself to Moses; He was the Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; He is the judge and revealer of the Book of Revelation;
Jesus is the firstborn among all those who will be resurrected to everlasting life; He is our example for living; He was born as a human being to the virgin, Mary; He was crucified, was dead and was buried; after 72 hours in the grave, He was resurrected from the grave;
He ascended into Heaven and sets on a throne at the right hand of the Father and is presently working to prepare for His 1000 years rule on the earth and to create the New Jerusalem; He is our current High Priest and Elder Brother through whom we petition God.
John 1:1-14; I Corinthians 10:1-4; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Nehemiah 9:6; Matthew 12:38-40; John 14:1-11; Acts 2:32-33; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians I: 15-18; Hebrews 1:1-4; 4.14-15; Revelation 1:13-18; 22.13; Exodus 3:6, 14; 6:3; John 8:58
4. Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the essence, power and or spiritual extension of God, the Father. God gives us the proof of His promise of our resurrection to eternal life after death. The Holy Spirit has the power to keep events from happening, and it can force events to happen
The Father sends to us the Holy Spirit of truth. The Comforter and the Holy Spirit lives or dwells in us, our body is now considered the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gifts are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Genesis 1:2; Exodus 31:3-5; Psalm 51:10-13; Ezekiel 3:12,14; 36:26-27; Luke 11:13; John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26-27, Acts 1:8; 2:17-18, 38; 8:12-17; Romans 8:9,14, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:7-16; 1 Corinthians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 6:19
5. Angels
Angels are spirit beings created by God to act as His agents and messengers; they are very powerful and can manifest themselves in many ways The most powerful were the archangels -Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer It is also possible for God to utilize human beings as His ‘messengers’ Angels can protect people from or warn them of impending dangers, or they can provide assistance in many variant ways After the resurrection, the angels will serve the Saints
Genesis 18:1-19:11; Deuteronomy 33:2; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 91:11-12; Matthew 4:11; 18:10; Acts 7:52-53; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 1:7,13-14; 2:2, 7-9; 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 1:20; 2-3; 5:11; 7:1-2; 8:3-5
6. Satan / Demons
Satan is the a name given to Lucifer after he rebelled against God; many angels (possibly 1/3 of them) followed him and roam the earth today as demons and can manifest themselves as angels. Satan is the influence that deceives everyone in the world in various ways. He knows the Bible extremely well and uses that knowledge to pervert the truth about God and His way. Satan and his demons are fully capable of performing “miracles”. Until the second coming of Christ, God is allowing Satan to have influential power over the earth. Upon Christ’s return, Satan and his demons will lead the world in battle against Him. After the end times, Satan and his demons will be devoid of power and will be tormented forever.
Job 1:6-12; Isaiah 14:12-20; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 9:1; 10:17-18; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; James 2:19; 3:13-18; 4:7; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 6-7; Revelation 12:7-9; 16:14; 20:1-10
7. Salvation
Salvation is the method by which God, through His grace, grants human beings entrance into His kingdom. Salvation occurs after the final overthrow of Satan and his demons. Salvation is a freely given gift from God and cannot be earned by any works, although certain rewards will be determined by one’s works. It is God’s desire for everyone to be in His kingdom.
Jeremiah 31; Matthew 16:27; 19:16-30; John 3:16-21; 5:22; 6:44; Romans 6:23; 9:14-16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 7:14; 12:9-10; 20:12-15
8. Faith
Faith is the “realization of the things hoped for; the confidence of things not seen“. Faith is delivered to persons through their study and understanding of the Bible. It is the sure knowledge that God exists and will accomplish those things He has promised. Faith is a fruit of His Spirit; supernatural, undoubting faith is a gift from God. Faith is the only means by which a person is justified; good works represent the external manifestation of one’s faith.
Habakkuk 2:4; Matthew 8:8-10; 17:20; 23:23; Romans 1:17; 3:28; 4; 5:1-5; 10:17; 14:23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-9; 13:1-13; 15:14; Galatians 2:16; 5:22; Hebrews 11; 12:1-2; James 2:17-26; 1 Peter 1:3-9
9. The Ten Commandments; God’s Law
The Ten Commandments are the perfect expression of God’s love. They are the foundation of all Biblical teaching, showing man how to express love toward God and fellowman. They are the focal point of Christian life. Sin is the transgression of God’s law. Although the Law was codified through Moses, there is evidence that the same laws existed from the beginning of time and through and beyond the Millennium. “It’s not what you have to do to be a Christian; it’s what you want to do if you are a Christian”.
Genesis 4:1-15; Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5; 6:4-9; Psalm 119:10-12, 137-144; Matthew 5:17-19; 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23; John 14:15,21; 15:9-14; Romans 7:7-12; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 7:19; James 2:8-10; 1 John 2:1-11; 3:4, 22-24; 5:2-3; Revelation 12:17; 22:14; Genesis 3:3-6; 1 Timothy 2:14
10. Sabbath
The Seventh-day Sabbath is a perpetual sign between God and His people. The Sabbath was set apart at Creation and reaffirmed at the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses. No scripture substantiates any change to the observance of the seventh-day. God intended the Sabbath for man’s benefit, giving him a rest from the daily aspects of life – a special day to concentrate on God’s word and its meaning for us. Our Lord Jesus and the Apostles observed and taught by His and their examples the Sabbath is to be observed now and through the Millennium.
Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 16; 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Leviticus 23; Isaiah 58:13-14; Jeremiah 17:19-27; Ezekiel 20:1-26; Mark 1:21; 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; 23:56; Acts 13:42-45; 15:21; 17:1-2; 18:1-4; Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 4:1-10
11. God’s Holy Feast Days
Seven Holy Days (also known as High Sabbaths) were set apart by God to be observed in three separate seasons of each year. They are Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Day of Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. Each has historical meaning, future implications and Messianic revelations. Our Lord Jesus and the Apostles observed and taught by His and their examples the Holy Days are to be observed now and through the Millennium.
Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16; Zechariah 14:16-19; Matthew 5:17-20; Luke 22:1-13; 24:44-49; John 6: 7.8-10; Acts 2:1; 16; 18:21; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 15; 16:8; Hebrews 8, 9, 10
12. Sin
Sin is the transgression of God’s laws – the falling short or failure to live up to the example of character exhibited by Jesus Christ. Everyone has sinned. The penalty for all sin was paid by Christ’s crucifixion for all who accept Him as their Savior and repent of their sins.
Exodus 32:21; Psalm 4:4; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 2:12-14; 4:13-15; 6:23; 7:7-12; Ephesians 4:26, 32; Colossians 1:13-14; James 1:22; 2:10-11; 4:17; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 3:4,6-9,18
13. Repentance
Repentance is the act of acknowledging one’s sins and resolving to fully obey God. Repentance means “to think differently” and to turn away from what you were doing. True repentance is the first of three steps toward reconciliation with God and ultimate salvation.
Job 42:6; Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 13:1-5; 15:7; Acts 2:38; 3:19-21; 8:22; 17:30; Romans 2:4; 11; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 3:4; Revelation 3:19
14. Baptism
Baptism is a ceremony of total immersion in water. It is symbolic of the death and resurrection of the Messiah and of the death and future resurrection of the saints. This rite is also symbolic of the burial of one’s old life and change to a new person, and to the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea as they escaped from Egypt. Baptism is the second of three steps toward reconciliation with God and ultimate salvation. (The third step is the receiving of the Holy Spirit)
Matthew 3:1-17; 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 12:50; John 4:1-2; Acts 2:38-42; 16:25-33; 18:8; 19:1-5; 22:1-16; Romans 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 12:13-14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:11-15; Hebrews 6:1-6
15. The Church of God / His Body
The church is called the Church of God and is the Spiritual Body of Christ and consists of all persons who have been called by God, have been baptized and have the Laying on of Hands to received God’s Holy Spirit and we become the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 9:38-41; Acts 2:37-47; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 5:12-14; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Peter 5:1-11
16. The Second Coming of Jesus, the Messiah
Following His resurrection, the Messiah ascended into the sky and ultimately into Heaven. He currently sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on our behalf as our current High Priest. He will come again in the same manner as He ascended, and His coming will be visible to everyone on earth.
Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; 16:19; Luke 21:25-28; 24:50-51; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14; 9:24-28; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Revelation 1:7; 21:1-22.5
17. The Resurrection
The hope of all mankind and the promise of God to each Christian is the resurrection from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection made Him the firstborn from the dead. All persons, after death, remain dead until the resurrection. To this date, only Christ has been resurrected to eternal life. At His second coming, Christians will be resurrected, in spirit form, to everlasting life; those Christians still alive at His coming will be changed to spirit form immediately; non-Christians will be resurrected to judgment; the incorrigible will be resurrected to be consumed by the second, and final, death.
John 5:24-29; Acts 2:30-34; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Hebrews 11:13; Revelation 20:4-6; 13-14
18. Judgment
Three judgments are indicated in the Bible. A Christian’s life, including words, thoughts, deeds and failures, is being constantly judged by God according to the standards set forth in the Bible. This first judgment determines our eligibility to enter the Kingdom of God. The second judgment, Bema Judgment, after the resurrections, will be to determine each persons rewards and position of responsibility in the Kingdom. Then White Throne Judgment.
Matthew 13:36-42; 47-50; 25:14-30; 25:34; Luke 19:12-27; 1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8
19. Tithing / Offering
Each individual has responsibility to “honor the Lord with his substance.” Tithing is the giving of the first ten percent of one’s gains. In the Old Testament tithes were given for the Temple use who, in tum, gave ten percent to the priests and Levites. Currently, there is no Temple or priesthood except that of our Messiah. We are told to lay something aside, so we are to give as we have purposes in our heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for we know God loves a cheerful giver. We know a church needs funds for the body. The distribution of one’s offering is a personal decision.
Genesis 14:18-20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 3:8; 18:3; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 26:11-13; Nehemiah 10:35-39; Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 20:3 5; 1 Corinthians 15:20; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 7:1-10; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7
20. Healing
Divine healing is a miracle that may be extended by God in His mercy. The illness and the subsequent divine healing of a person may have no direct relationship to their faith or their spiritual status. The healings of the Messiah are examples of the power of God. The rite of anointing is symbolic of one’s faith and, of itself, has no healing powers. Physicians, as experts in the inner workings of the body, can be instruments of God’s healing process.
Genesis 20:17; 50:1-2; Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 6:2; 103:2-3; 107:17-20; Isaiah 58:6-9; Matthew 4:23-24; 9:1-7; 10:5-8; Mark 5:25-26; Luke 8:43-48; Acts 9:32-34; 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-9; Colossians 4:14; James 5:14-16
21. Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is a future world-ruling government to be set up on this earth by Christ, as King, following His second coming. The initial phase of the Kingdom will last for 1000 years and will be completely fulfilled when the New Jerusalem and God, the Father, come down from Heaven to dwell on the New Earth.
Matthew 5:3-12; 6:9-13; 7:21-23; 13; 22:1-14; 25; Mark 4; Luke 1:33; 13; Hebrews 10:12-13; Revelation 5:10; 20:4; 21:1-3; 7; 10
22. Mankind
Humans are physical beings, created in the image of God, with no inherent immortality. The ‘soul’ refers to the entire physical being and can be used of animals as well as people. The ‘spirit’ of man is what differentiates him from animals. Humans have the potential to become spirit beings – immortal children of God.
Genesis 1:26-27; Job 32:8; 34:14-15; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Romans 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 John 5:11-13
23. Born Again
In order for physical human beings to become spiritual beings, the molecular composition of their bodies must be changed to spirit form. This process is very similar to the physical birth process. The infusion of the Holy Spirit into a person is the insemination necessary to begin the process. The ‘birth’ in its full sense refers to the actual change from a physical body and being to a spiritual body and being. This will occur at the time of the resurrection to eternal life.
Job 14.13-17; John 3.1-8; 1 Corinthians 15.35-58; 2 Corinthians 3.18
24. Prophecy
True prophecy is a gift of God; it is His way of using human beings to warn their colleagues of impending dangers and event yet to occur. Prophecies can fail – that is to say, that the dangers predicted can be avoided if human beings heed the warnings from God. We must study prophecies so that we can recognize predicted events when they occur. However, we must be aware that our understanding of prophecies is incomplete until they actually come to pass and God’s interpretation is made clear.
Deuteronomy 8:15-22; Jeremiah 14:13-16; Amos 3:7; Jonah; Matthew 24:4-8; 24:22-25; 36; 44; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; James 4:13-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21