Statement of Faith
As you read through my Statement of Faith, it may challenge you. Which is why I will encourage you to search Scripture for yourself. Be willing to seek God & His guidance – be willing to say, ‘Lord, show me Truth. Do not let me wander from Your commandments either through ignorance or willful disobedience. I want to know Truth – even if it is something I have never been taught’.
I always challenge believers with this question, “Why do you believe what you believe?” Is it because your parents told you, your pastor, your denomination OR did you do (as Scripture says) in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good."
Many of today's believers will identify with one of two words: evangelical or charismatic and each are generally associated with a particular "denomination" - but, I challenge the status quo - it's NOT one or the other - it is both.
Spirit and Truth. Word and Wonder. Don't take my word for it. Study the Bible. But I challenge you - if you are going to use commentaries be diverse - in other words - don't look for the one that supports the errors you may hold. But study several and then LISTEN to the leading of the Holy Spirit for He IS the Spirit of Truth and either you believe that or you don't. One thing I am VERY confident of is this: God [Father, Son & Holy Spirit] wants every single one of us who call ourselves "followers" to genuinely walk in TRUTH and unless you want the REAL Truth -the enemy will continue to deceive. Let me ask you a final question:
Have you personally and experientially walked in relationship [not religion] with Father? Son? Holy Spirit? Do you know His voice?
I always challenge believers with this question, “Why do you believe what you believe?” Is it because your parents told you, your pastor, your denomination OR did you do (as Scripture says) in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good."
Many of today's believers will identify with one of two words: evangelical or charismatic and each are generally associated with a particular "denomination" - but, I challenge the status quo - it's NOT one or the other - it is both.
Spirit and Truth. Word and Wonder. Don't take my word for it. Study the Bible. But I challenge you - if you are going to use commentaries be diverse - in other words - don't look for the one that supports the errors you may hold. But study several and then LISTEN to the leading of the Holy Spirit for He IS the Spirit of Truth and either you believe that or you don't. One thing I am VERY confident of is this: God [Father, Son & Holy Spirit] wants every single one of us who call ourselves "followers" to genuinely walk in TRUTH and unless you want the REAL Truth -the enemy will continue to deceive. Let me ask you a final question:
Have you personally and experientially walked in relationship [not religion] with Father? Son? Holy Spirit? Do you know His voice?
evangelical | ē″văn-jĕl′ĭ-kəl, ĕv″ən-
charismatic | char·is·mat·ic | \ ˌker-əz-ˈma-tik 1: a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms (such as glossolalia or healing)
"also known as Spirit-filled Christianity by its supporters) is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and modern-day miracles as an everyday part of a believer's life."
- Of, relating to, or in accordance with the Christian gospel, especially one of the four gospel books of the New Testament.
- Of, relating to, or being a Christian church believing in the Bible as the sole source of religious authority, in salvation only through conversion and spiritual regeneration, and in the necessity of public witness to faith.
charismatic | char·is·mat·ic | \ ˌker-əz-ˈma-tik 1: a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms (such as glossolalia or healing)
"also known as Spirit-filled Christianity by its supporters) is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and modern-day miracles as an everyday part of a believer's life."
The Bible says...
SIN
Words used for sin include but are not limited to:
Impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, false worship, cussing, violating the Sabbath, dishonoring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, lying/libel, coveting, transgression, uncleanliness, guilt, evil, faults, disobedience, iniquity, wrongdoing, depravity, wickedness, lawlessness, unrighteousness, rebellion.
Scriptural Support: Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Galatians 5:19-21,1 Corinthians 6:9-10
- Sin entered the world through Eve & Adam. [Genesis 3:6]
- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [Romans 3:23]
- Sin have very real consequences. [Romans 6:23]
- The Bible teaches of sins against man and sins against God.
- The Hebrew word for sin is: 2403. chatta’ah.
- The Greek word for sin is: 266. Hamartia. It is defined as sinning, whether by omission, commission, in thought, feeling, speech and action.
Words used for sin include but are not limited to:
Impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, false worship, cussing, violating the Sabbath, dishonoring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, lying/libel, coveting, transgression, uncleanliness, guilt, evil, faults, disobedience, iniquity, wrongdoing, depravity, wickedness, lawlessness, unrighteousness, rebellion.
Scriptural Support: Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Galatians 5:19-21,1 Corinthians 6:9-10
SALVATION
- Salvation is the word sótéria and it is defined as rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety. To “be saved” is sózó and it is God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety).
- Salvation requires true repentance. [2 Corinthians 7:10]
- Salvation requires being born again of water and of Spirit [John 3:5]
- Jesus is the source of salvation to those who obey Him. [Hebrews 5:9]
- Salvation comes to those who endure to the end. [Matthew 24:13]
- We must be on guard to that we are not deceived, and we must grow into the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 3:17-18]
- We must continue to work OUT our salvation with fear and trembling. [Philippians 3:12]
- Salvation is not a one and done decision but rather continual ongoing process. We have been saved. [Romans 8:24] We are being saved. [1 Corinthians 15:2] We will be saved. [Romans 10:9]
LORDSHIP
LORD, 2962. Kurios, properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights; lord (Lord). It denotes an owner (master) exercising full rights.]
Scriptural Support:
Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Matthew 7:21-23, Colossians 3:1-25
LORD, 2962. Kurios, properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights; lord (Lord). It denotes an owner (master) exercising full rights.]
- The Lordship of Jesus Christ over me life means that He bought me for a price.
- It is no longer I that lives but Christ lives in me.
- I am now His bond-servant.
- I am also now the temple of the Holy Spirit and I am to glorify God in my body.
- There will be a day in which I will cry out, ‘Lord, Lord’ and it means that-- having done the will of the Father (obedience)- that Jesus will know me.
- The key to the Lordship of Jesus in our life is to know, understand and live out His commandments. Which also means, that we must know what Christ commanded to be obedient.
Scriptural Support:
Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Matthew 7:21-23, Colossians 3:1-25
OBEDIENCE
Obedience, 5218. Hupakoé, obedience, submissiveness, compliance. Literally, "submission to what is heard", i.e. obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord's voice
Scriptural Support:
John 14:21, Luke 6:46, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 1:13-15, Ephesians 4:22-24, James 2, Colossians 3:1-25
Obedience, 5218. Hupakoé, obedience, submissiveness, compliance. Literally, "submission to what is heard", i.e. obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord's voice
- The Lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives is proven in our obedience to His commands and our obedience is what proves our love of Jesus.
- My obedience [demonstrating love] means that I will also be loved by the Father.
- I cannot call Jesus’ “Lord” if I do not do what He says.
- Obedience is presenting my body as a living and holy sacrifice.
- Obedience is living as obedient children and not conforming to this world or who we used to be and putting off our old self.
- It is in the transformation and the renewal of the mind-a continual renewal in the spirit.
- Obedience is destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and taking every thought captive.
- Obedience leads to transformation.
- Transformation is proven with evidence and the evidence of our faith is proven in our works.
Scriptural Support:
John 14:21, Luke 6:46, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 1:13-15, Ephesians 4:22-24, James 2, Colossians 3:1-25
REPENTANCE
9 yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account. 10 For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.
Scripture Documentation: John 17:3, 1 John 1:6, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 3:6, 1 John 3:9, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Revelation 2:5, 2:16 3:3, Mark 6, Matthew 10, Luke 9, Acts 2:37, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20, Acts 17:30, 2 Timothy 2:24-26
- G3341 Metanoia [ma tah noi yah ].
- It is recognizing that you have sinned against a holy and righteous God. It is a change of your inner self, your old way of thinking, it is regretting past sins and living your life in a way that proves repentance – it is seeking God’s purpose for your life.
- It is NOT saying a sinner’s prayer and asking Jesus into your heart.
- Repentance is being saved from our sins, not “in” our sins and it is not about being saved from hell (sin of course leads to hell).
- We cannot walk in sin and in fellowship with God at the same time.
- No one who abides in Him practices sin.
- You cannot deliberately, knowingly, and habitually practice sin and be known by God.
- If we do not habitually keep His commandments, we are a liar, and the truth is not in us.
- If you have God’s seed, you will naturally long to please Him.
- Jesus continually preached “Repent!”
- The apostles preached repentance and it is throughout the New Testament.
- Repentance and turning to God go hand in hand.
- God commands all people everywhere to repent
- Repentance IS necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of God.
- Repentance is receiving a new heart.
- We MUST preach repentance.
9 yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account. 10 For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.
Scripture Documentation: John 17:3, 1 John 1:6, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 3:6, 1 John 3:9, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Revelation 2:5, 2:16 3:3, Mark 6, Matthew 10, Luke 9, Acts 2:37, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20, Acts 17:30, 2 Timothy 2:24-26
BAPTISM
- Jesus modeled full immersion water baptism.
- Jesus commanded baptism. He said, “He who has believed in Me AND has been baptized will be saved.” It is confirmed by Peter.
- Baptism is significant not symbolic. It is continually stated that “all of us who have been baptized”
- We are baptized into Christ.
- Baptism is where we are physically buried with Christ into death, it is also where we are raised with Christ in new birth as a new creation.
- Baptism was not a “requirement” or “command” until after His ascension. That is why the thief on the cross would be with Christ in paradise.
- It is God’s grace that salvation is available, accepting His offer requires faith – there is nothing we can do to earn it but – Baptism was not a works of the flesh but rather a command to be obeyed.
- It is those who act wickedly, disregarding Jesus’s commands, that will cry “Lord, Lord” and He will respond with “I never knew you”.
- Throughout the historical documentation in the book of Acts, water baptism is clearly documented numerous times & in nearly all cases was immediate upon repentance and belief.
- Being baptized brings new life which is also referred to as being “born again”- it is spiritual transformation; it’s being renewed and set apart.
HOLY SPIRIT
Note: I highly caution anyone reading past this point to understand what it means to blaspheme and just know that to disregard what the Word of God says about Him is paramount to blaspheme.
- The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead and is in Tri-Unity and equally divine to the Father and to the Son and has always existed.
- The Holy Spirit is not an “it” or a “mist” but a He.
- He has a mind, a will, emotions, He comforts and speaks quite clearly. He teaches, feels sorrow, can be insulted, can be resisted, and can be lied to.
- He has over 30 names throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
- The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus after His ascension into heaven.
- It is documented in all four Gospels that when the Messiah came, He would baptize those who truly repent with the Holy Spirit.
- It is also documented in all four gospels that Jesus was not only full immersion water baptized, but that He was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.
- It was not until after this receiving of the Holy Spirit and being fully empowered that Jesus began His ministry-all four gospels have countless documentations of Jesus ‘s life demonstrating to us what it looks like to walk in the Holy Spirit.
- There are two documentations in Luke and Mark that Jesus has been documented with making a very strong statement regarding the Holy Spirit, he said, “the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”
Note: I highly caution anyone reading past this point to understand what it means to blaspheme and just know that to disregard what the Word of God says about Him is paramount to blaspheme.
- Jesus promised that we who believed would do even greater things than what He had done.
- Jesus also said that He would ask the Father to give us a Helper, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit but those that are of the world would not receive Him because they didn’t see Him and didn’t know Him. But those that know Him, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remain with us and would be in us.
- There are three unique ways in which the Holy Spirit operates within a person’s life.
- The first two Jesus spoke of in John 14:17 He said He would be “with” and” in “.
- The Greek word for “with” is para which means that He will remain with you, alongside you, near you.
- The Greek word for “in” is en which means that He will dwell in you.
- Before conversion, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, helps us recognition it, and leads us to repentance against the Father, He reveals Jesus Christ as the one and only way to have our sins forgiven, He is the one that shows us our need for a Lord and Savior.
- Dwelling in me, He empowers me to be like Jesus which is inner transformation.
- Scripture says that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within us.
- In Acts 1:4–5 Jesus told the believers to “wait for what the Father had promised “(which is a direct confirmation of Joel 2:28-29). and then in verse 5 Jesus confirmed what John the Baptist had said then said “you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit not long from now.“. These are the same believers that in John 20:22 that he breathed on and they receive the Holy Spirit, “en” (emphusaó-root words en and physaō).
- He then followed with these words in Acts 1:8, “but you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses…”
- Upon is the epi relationship with the Holy Spirit (also known as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit). It is Scripturally separate and different from repentance, believing in Jesus and water baptism.
- The Greek word for “upon” is epi and it means over, upon, etc. it’s an overflow or filling.
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an outward showing of the Spirit -it is His Dunamis power or power through God ‘s ability specifically for witnessing.
- In Acts 2:4 those who waited (120 men & women) were filled with the Holy Spirit.
- The 3000, in Acts 2:37-43 were obedient.
- Five years later, Acts 8:4-24, those in Samaria were obedient.
- In Acts 9:1-19, Saul/Paul after recovering his sight but before water baptism was filled.
- 10 years after the first documentation, Cornelius and his family (the first non-Jewish believers) received Him.
- 25 years later, the 12 Paul encountered in Ephesus, were obedient.
- Ephesians 5:18 Paul urged believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly guided by Him.
- The when and how that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred throughout the book of Acts depended on the circumstances - in other words what God wanted to do He did.
- The evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was most commonly tongues and prophesying but also included a visible authority and power.
- There are four kinds of tongues, two are for public use and two are for personal use-each one having a specific purpose and intent in the kingdom of God.
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit are directly related to the empowering or the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- In Acts 2:39, The Word says that the promise of the Holy Spirit was for as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself and He has not stopped calling people to Himself!
- Prophecy, tongues and knowledge will not pass away until Jesus the perfect returns and at that time there will no longer be a need for any of those.
- The Bible says, “do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues”.
- To teach that the Holy Spirit is not active in a believer’s life or that the gifts are no longer necessary is in direct violation to what Jesus said not to do against the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is how God intended for His people to be strengthened, edified, and built up in the body.
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Scripture Documentation:1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Romans 12:6-13, Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Matthew 12:22-32, Mark 3:22-30, Luke 12:8-12
MINISTRIES & SERVICES FROM THE SPIRIT
WAYS OF THE SPIRIT
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT
- A gift of the Spirit is different from a natural talent and ability. Both natural and spiritual gifts come from God. Natural through our natural birth and spiritual after our spiritual birth.
- A gift of Spirit does not need to be cultivated or developed; it automatically operates in the believer; however, how a believer operates in it/them does need to be cultivated.
- There are distinctive varieties of spiritual gifts that are given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit to operate in believers.
- Every manifestation of said gifts, ministries and services are given by the Holy Spirit for the common good.
- Gifts include: a message of wisdom, words of knowledge & understanding, faith, gift(s) of healing, working in miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, service, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, contributing to the needs, hospitality.
- Gifts in and of themselves do not have the character to carry people and without character (fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) a gift can destroy a person. There is a clear reason why Paul wrote what we call the “love” chapter sandwiched between explaining the use of gifts and instruction to the church.
- We are told to pursue love and yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts.
- We are told not to quench (subdue, be unresponsive to the working and guidance of) the Holy Spirit.
- We are told that we are not to scorn or reject (ignore with contempt of disdain) gifts of prophecy or prophecies.
- We are told to TEST all things carefully and hold firmly to what is good.
- We are told that in the last days people will hold to a form of outward godliness (religion) but that they have denied its power. And we know from Jesus that power comes to a believer ONLY by the Holy Spirit coming UPON/epi (see explanation in previous SOF regarding the Holy Spirit) a believer. We are also told to avoid such people and keep away from them.
- We know that the Antichrist will come with great power: counterfeit miracles and deceptive signs and false wonders – if you do not KNOW God’s true gifts, ministries and services, a believer will not be able to discern what is from the enemy.
- We are told that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. We are also told that whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit attributing miracles done by Jesus (& later His followers) to Satan will not be forgiven either in this age or the age to come.
Scripture Documentation:1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Romans 12:6-13, Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Matthew 12:22-32, Mark 3:22-30, Luke 12:8-12
MINISTRIES & SERVICES FROM THE SPIRIT
- There are distinctive varieties of ministries and services given by God through the Holy Spirit for the Church.
- God has appointed and placed in the church for His own use apostles, prophets, teachers, those who work miracles, those with gifts of healings, helpers, administrators and speakers of various kinds of tongues, evangelists, pastors/shepherds.
- The purpose of the ministries and services is to fully equip and perfect believers for works of service and to build up the body of Christ.
WAYS OF THE SPIRIT
- There are distinctive ways upon which these gifts, ministries, and services work with the purpose of inspiring, energizing and empowering the how it operates in a believer’s life.
- All are for the purpose of: being devoted to one another, giving preference to one another, serving the Lord, constantly rejoicing in hope, being steadfast and patient in distress and devoted to prayer.
- As good stewards of God’s grace we are to faithfully use the diverse and varied gifts and abilities that we are granted by employing our gift(s) in serving one another.
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT
- The Biblical definition of manifestation is the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit – it is the outward and perceptible indication or materialization of it.
- There are countless documentations throughout the New Testament of Spirit filled believers that pray it, speak it, write it, live it and do it.
- The purpose of the manifestation within a believer is to: grow, transform, mature, and empower the believer to go out and witness.
- The purpose of the manifestation for a non-believer is to ultimately point them to the Kingdom of God, His Glory and the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ leading to repentance, and it does so by changing them mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND GOD’S WORD
Scripture Documentation: Psalm 63:1-8, Psalm 119:10, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Luke 8:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, John 15, Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 3:15-19, 1 John 1:3
- Spiritual Hunger, although not word’s specifically in the Bible, there are countless words that identify what it means to “be” spiritually hungry.
- It is to deeply long for, thirst, sigh and seek God in His Tri-unity.
- Spiritual hunger is a choice to never be satisfied with where you are in spiritual maturity but to always seek and choose to grow.
- Spiritual hunger will be challenged – sometimes by God (to see your commitment) and sometimes by Satan (to stop you) & each person is responsible to decide what they will push through to find God.
- It involves meditating and focusing on God.
- It is seeking with all your heart and desiring to never wander from Him or His commandments.
- It is requiring Him as a vital necessity.
- It is continually having a teachable heart.
- Spiritual hunger comes from the Holy Spirit, which means that we don’t quench Him and His leading and direction.
- It comes from remaining [in] Him.
- It is understanding that He is our strength and that our weapons are divinely powered.
- Spiritual hunger comes with the renewing of our mind.
- Spiritual hunger leads to knowing God and knowing His Word which in turn leads to a life of obedience.
- Spiritual hunger leads to interceding in prayer for others.
Scripture Documentation: Psalm 63:1-8, Psalm 119:10, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Luke 8:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, John 15, Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 3:15-19, 1 John 1:3