Statement
of
Faith
1 Deuteronomy
4:39; 6:4
2 Psalm 90:2
3 Psalm 89:26
4 1 Chronicles 29:11
5 John 1:3
6 Genesis 2:7
7 Genesis 2:16, 17
8 Genesis 3:6
9 Genesis 3:17-19
10 Romans 5:12
11 Psalm 99:9,
Revelation 4:6
12 Romans 3:23
13 Romans 6:23
14 Psalm 53:1-3
15 Romans
3:10, 11, 22-25
16 Colossians 1:20-22
17 Acts 4:12
18 Romans 3:24
19 Ephesians 2:8
20 Romans 6:9,10
21 Matthew 8:29; 14:33; 27:43, 54;
Luke 22:70
22 John 20:28, 29; Hebrews 1:3, 8
23 Matthew 1:18-25
24 1 John 3:5
25 Luke 24:1-8
26 Acts 1: 9-11
27 Luke 22:67-69;
Acts 7:55;
Ephesians 1:20;
Hebrews 1:3
28 1 John 3:2;
Matthew 26:64
29 Philippians 2:9-11
30 John 14:6
31 Ephesians 2:8
32 Romans 4:5
33 Psalm 67:3-5
34 Psalm 146:2
35 Psalm 149:3
36 2 Chronicles 7:14
37 Isaiah 53:5;
1 Peter2:24, 25
38 John 14.12
39 Malachi 3:6;
James 1:17
40 Luke 22:19
41 1 Corinthians
10:16, 17
42 1 Corinthians
11:23-26
43 Acts 2:41
44 Acts 22:16
45 Romans 6:3, 4
46 Acts 19:2
47 Acts 2:1-4; 19:6;
48 Acts 19:2
49 Acts 19:4-6
50 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
51 John 5:28;
Acts 24:15;
Revelation 20:13
52 Galatians 2:16
53 John 5:29
54 Matthew 25:41
55 Acts 4:12
56 Matthew 25:41
Redeeming Life Fellowship Statement of Faith
Preamble
This Statement of Faith presents what we as a local assembly of Jesus Christ believe are essential truths concerning the person, work, and provision of God in and toward the world of His creation; i.e., His nature, His provision of salvation, and His workings among us.
Beyond these essentials we recognize there are differences of understanding concerning other aspects of truth revealed in the Bible. Our unity as believers in Jesus Christ is not dependent upon doctrinal uniformity.
There are truths which are essential in and for our salvation; others which are not. In these non-essentials we grant each other liberty in practicing our faith in Jesus Christ. God Himself establishes our unity as believers through the work of His Holy Spirit who lives in all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. God calls us to preserve this unity in the bond of peace.
Yet we recognize the need to test all things and hold to that which is good. The only authoritative measure by which we are able to evaluate our lives and teachings is the Bible--Old and New Testaments. Therefore, we do not accept those lifestyles, spiritual experiences, revelations, visions, dreams, prophecies, and/ or discernments which do not pass the testings of the Scriptures.
God and Man
There is only one God1 who is eternal2 and manifests Himself as the Father3, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is sovereign and absolute in authority and power4. He is the Creator of all things5. God created man6 without sin or the knowledge of good and evil7. The first man, Adam, transgressed the command of God8 and as God had warned, the process of death entered him9 and all of his descendants because of that transgression10. God is perfect and holy11 and His standard is perfection. By this standard, all have sinned12 and are worthy of the sentence of death13. Because of our unrighteousness14, we are unable to approach a holy God, except through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus15. It is through His sacrifice we are declared just by God16. There is no other way to reconcile with God or escape eternal judgment, except through the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus17. Justification is a free gift of God18. We are saved by grace through faith19 and works are excluded except as the outcome of salvation20.
Incarnation - Reconciliation
Jesus Christ is the Son of God21. He Himself is in essence God22. He was born of a virgin23 and led a sinless life24. Because of this, He was able to redeem a people for God the Father and in His perfection pay for our sins. He resurrected after 3 days25, ascended26, and is at the right hand of God the Father27. At some future time, He will return in power and glory28 for His Bride (the Church). At that time every knee will bow and all will confess that He is Lord29.
Trusting in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice is the only way to have fellowship with God.30 The Word of God (Bible) and the leading of the Holy Spirit make this trusting relationship effective. It must include repentance, a changed life, and belief in the atoning and cleaning power of the blood of Jesus.
Fellowship
Fellowship means an on-going relationship with God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and with those who follow Him.
We believe that faith, salvation, and grace are free gifts of the Godhead31. We are declared righteous by faith in Jesus and His atonement32, and given grace (favor) as part of our salvation destiny.
Worship
Worship, praise,33 and adoration include singing34, dancing35, praising, moments of quiet reflection upon Him, and leading a life of holiness to demonstrate our sincere belief in Him.
Healing
It is God’s will to heal and deliver His people.36 It is by the stripes of Jesus we are healed, delivered, and made whole37. We have authority over sickness, disease, demons, curses, and every circumstance in life.38 God does not change;39 His Covenant with us has not changed; therefore, He continues to give favor in healing and deliverance through His grace. These things and more are part of our inheritance as children of God.
The Bible
We believe in the Divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Bible. We are committed to esteeming Scripture as the very Word of God, inerrant in its original form. We do not accept any doctrine which contradicts Scripture.
Communion
Communion is a sacred ordinance by which we are directed to bring Him to remembrance40 and proclaim His atoning sacrifice. Our unity is proclaimed as we participate41, as we receive the Bread of Life and the Blood of the New Covenant. This ordinance was given for those who believe in the effective power of His broken body and shed blood.42 Therefore, it should not be made available to those yet to receive redemption. One of the reasons is that in the case of those not yet saved, communion will become a meaningless ritual further deadening hearts to a powerful spiritual observance.
Baptism in Water
We believe water baptism should be by immersion and accomplished immediately after commitment to the Lordship of Jesus43 and His atoning sacrifice for our sin44. This ordinance is a personal and public statement of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on our behalf, and is a commitment to lay down our lives to be one with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection.45
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an additional impartation which may be subsequent to regeneration.46 This baptism is usually accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit.47
We believe this baptism is available to all who believe, but is not essential for salvation or regeneration.48 Just as Paul made it a priority to instruct believers and pray for them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to doing the same.49
Return of Jesus Christ
We believe in the literal, physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take authority and reign on earth. Believers who are alive and remain until the return of our Lord will be changed and caught up to be with Him in the air. Those who have died in the faith will be resurrected and precede those who are alive.50
We believe in the literal, physical resurrection of both the just and the unjust for the Day of Judgment.51 For those of us who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ52 and His sacrifice on our behalf, this resurrection is unto eternal life in fellowship with God53. Those who are not justified by faith in Jesus are resurrected unto an eternal judgment. God has prepared an eternally burning lake of fire as judgment for Satan and his angels.54 God has also made provision by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so that all men may be reconciled and spared judgment.55 Many in their selfishness refuse to believe in Jesus and be reconciled so that by their own choosing remain under the sentence of death and eternal judgment. This judgment will be executed by casting unbelievers into the lake of fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels.56
Our Purpose
It is our response to the tenets presented above, that we will endeavor to bring as many as possible to the light of God’s grace and eternal fellowship with our God.