OUR BELIEFS

The following statement of faith is used as a constant between FS Churches so that we can all speak on the same basic concepts. We do not claim that it contains all biblical teachings, but only references to some of the fundamental doctrines of Christian faith.

The principles articulated below are the basis of the doctrine of our ministry. They are founded on the rules that organize the composition, structure, objectives, and rationale of our churches, therefore being inalienable truths, absolute, and essential in our lives and our preachings.

  1. We believe that the Bible is the Inspired Word of God: The Old Testament, as well as the New Testament are divinely inspired by God ,they are the revelation of God for mankind and exist as the only infallible rule of faith and conduct. This Word is superior to all conscience or reason, without being contrary to these. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1: 21)
     
  2. We believe there exists only One God: Creator of the universe, the heavens, the earth, and man; and He is infinitely perfect as the Triune God in three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22, 1 Timothy 1: 15-17).
     
  3. We Believe the Doctrine of the Trinity:  A profound mystery that human minds cannot grasp or comprehend. This term is not specifically found in the Bible, but the concept is clearly revealed throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (Bible). We may define the Trinity as there being only One true God, but the unity found in Him manifests itself in three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and are coexistent and equally God; equal in essence. Each Person reveals God to humanity differently throughout human history, but remain at all times omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. (1John 5:7), (Genesis 1:1), ( Genesis 1:26-27), (Matthew 28:18-20), (John 14:26), (Daniel 7:13-14), (Matthew 3:16-17),( 2 Corinthians 13:14), (1 Peter 1:2).  
     
  4. We believe Jesus Christ is God: He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He took the form of a servant in a human body prepared for Him, was crucified, shed His blood, was buried, and then was risen from the dead, defeating death and is the hope of life for all mankind alienated from God without hope in sin. (Matthew 1:18-25), (Luke 1:31,35), (John 1:1,14), (Philippians 2: 7-8).
     
  5. We believe the Holy Spirit is God: He makes His abode in the believer and gives spiritual gifts to the Church, including manifesting the gift of speaking in tongues, prophesy, healings and miracles (Acts:1:4), 1 Corinthians 12:1-10, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17, 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:22).
     
  6. We believe Man was created in the Image of God, with the purpose of fellowship and for communion with God, but man rebelled and disobeyed. Sin entered and man fell away, now finding himself in need of reconciliation with God. The only hope for reconciliation is through Jesus Christ as His blood cleanses us of all sin and the Spirit gives us testimony and witnesses to us of our salvation. (Genesis 1:26-27), (1 John:1:7), (Romans 8:16).
     
  7. We believe mankind entered a fallen state, is in sin, and will be judged: God created man and on seeing the finished work proclaimed it as good. The perfect law of life given to man was conditional and required his obedience, with the penalty of death foretold before man chose to disobey. Satan used the deceptive serpent to entice Eve to sin and she succumbed, seducing Adam to sin. He was given the commandment directly from God but chose to violate the law God had explicitly given him when created, eating the forbidden fruit. Nevertheless God, in His infinite wisdom and for His glory permitted this sin, ultimately to use it for His own glory. (Genesis 2:16-17, Gen. 3:12-13; 2 Corinthians 11:3). We believe sin separates us from communion with God. Man deliberately rebelled against his Creator and this act corrupted us, precipitating the necessity of divine judgment. (Genesis 3).
     
  8. We believe all who confess Jesus as Lord should live a Holy Life, separate from worldly behavior, and dedicated to God by the Helper, who is the Holy Spirit, thereby presenting the external evidence of this salvation to the world. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 1:15-16).
     
  9. We believe in obeying every Ordinance Revealed to the Church by Christ:

    Immersion in the waters of Baptism:     This is a public confession of Jesus as Lord of the life of the believer as we identify with His life, death, and resurrection. Baptism is a New Testament ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ demonstrating the communion we now have with him through his death and resurrection, understanding we now abide in Christ, and our sin has been paid for in him. We proclaim through Jesus Christ the life we now lead is a new  life. (Rom. 6:3-5; Col;2:12, Gal, 3:2, Mark 1:4, Acts 22:16. Romans 6:4).

    Only those who have truly repented to God and obediently professed faith in Jesus Christ are eligible for baptism. The believer is completely immersed in water, and is baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Full immersion of the believer is required for the correct administration of the ordinance. (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37-41, 8:12-13, Matthew 28:18-20, Matt. 3:11, Acts 8:36-38).

    The Lord’s Supper: Consists in breaking bread and drinking the fruit of the vine. These elements are symbolic of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We partake in remembrance of his death and the imminent prophetic fulfillment of his second coming      (Matt. 28:19, Luke 22:19-20, Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The Lord’s Supper was an ordinance given to believers on the very night Jesus was given up and betrayed, so that we may celebrate it unto the end of this age; being a perpetual reminder and the manifest symbol of his own sacrifice; confirming our faith and the benefits given to us through his death, realizing we mature and grow in Him only. This ordinance compels us to diligently commit ourselves to the work commended by him, and serves as an impetus to appreciate the communion we have with Him, and He with us. (1 Corinthians. 11: 23-26, Matt: 26:20-26; Mark 14:17-22; Luke 22:19-23, Acts 2:41-42).
     
  10.  We believe every believer should fervently seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, and thus be equipped with the anointing empowering the believer to meet the challenge of the Ministry of Christ. This same baptism can manifest itself in the outward physical evidence of speaking in other tongues and the “pouring” out of diverse spiritual gifts, which the Holy Spirit imparts to individual believers as he sees fit. (Luke 24:49, Acts:1:8, 2:4,42, 1 Corinthians 12)
     
  11. We believe Jesus Christ Saves, Heals, and Delivers: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever and the victory he won on the Cross of Calvary is applicable to all those that may believe, for eternity. It can then be concluded he heals our physical body, provides emotional and inner healing of the soul, and delivers from demonic oppression and possession. These conditions impede man from enjoying abundant life. Jesus has delegated His authority to believers, as he had before given this power to the twelve apostles. (Luke 4:18-20, Isaiah 61;1-4, Matt. 8:16-17, Hebrews 13:8, Mark 16:17-20, Acts 16:16-18, Acts 19:10-20, James 5:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24.)
     
  12. We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, and composed of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers and all of the redeemed, collectively worshiping God, testifying of their faith to all, and in the process build and perfect the saints unto the image and stature of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no preference of race, color, culture, gender, age, or social status. (John 4:23-24, Mark 16: 15-20, Ephesians 4:11-16).
     
  13. We believe we have an obligation to honor the Lord with our material possessions: All belongs to our God and the responsibility of being good stewards has been assigned to man. As a result, believers should honor God with good will offerings and a tithe of all the material blessings afforded them by God. In so obeying the believer is sowing a seed, that shall in due time yield fruit from the treasures stored in heavenly places. Every member of a local congregation should assume the responsibility of financial support for the church where they are nourished spiritually, enabling the continued propagation of the Gospel message over the face of the earth. (Prov. 3:9-10, Genesis 14:18-20, Acts 7:4, Matt. 23:23, 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, Malachi 3:8-11)
     
  14. We believe in the blessed hope of the “Rapture” of the Church, at which time the dead in Christ shall rise first, and those believers still alive at this time shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet them; escaping from the wrath to come in the Great Tribulation. (1 Thess. 4:16-17, Rom. 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Revelations 3:10).
     
  15. We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ: He will return once again to earth and appear as the One who knew no sin, together with the redeemed of God, placing His feet on the Mount of Olives to reign on earth as King for a thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5, Matt. 24:27-30, Revelations 1:7, 19:11-14, 20: 1-6).
     
  16. We believe in the Final Judgment Day, in which those who have passed on without Christ shall be resurrected and judged according to their works; not having their names written in the Book of Life there awaits a fearful judgment of eternal suffering as they are then cast into the Lake that burns with unquenchable fire for all time and eternity . They join the devil and his fallen angels, the “beast”, and the “false prophet” in this place of torment reserved for them.
     
  17. We Believe Hell is an actual place of unfathomable torment, and a place prepared for Satan and his demons, but tragically all of whom rejected the plan of Salvation freely offered by God for humanity through his Son Jesus Christ, will have chosen this place. After the millennial era they will stand before the Great White Throne where all their evil works shall be judged and then cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity. (Matt. 25:41, Mark 9: 45-48, Luke 16:25-28, Revelations 20:10-15).
     
  18. We believe our God will create New Heavens and a New Earth, where the redeemed will enjoy perfect peace and righteousness, and communion between  God and man in His continual presence will be perpetual and uninterrupted, eternally and forever and ever. Amen. ( 2 Peter 3:13, Revelations 21:1-4).