read our church christian doctrine
read our church christian doctrine
read our church christian doctrine

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Study our Christian doctrine.

"WHAT WE BELIEVE!"

Shield of Faith Christian Center of Pomona 's
Official Doctrine

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT ITSELF? - We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible and unalterable Word of God, written by holy men of old as there were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(II Peter 1:21)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GOD? - We believe in One God who is infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purposes, omniscient and omnipresent. We believe that He was revealed to us as Father in creation, Son in redemption and as the Holy Spirit in His comforting grace that never leaves those who trust in Him. (Deut. 6:4, Psalm 62:11, Psalm 139:7, St. Matthew 28:18, Isaiah 40:13-17)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT JESUS? - We believe that in Jesus Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, for it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell."
(Colossians 2:9, I Timothy 3:16, II Corinthians 5:19)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT JESUS' BIRTH? - We believe in the virgin birth, that Jesus was both human and divine - the very God manifested in human flesh. (John 1:10 &14, Matt. 1:18 -24)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT JESUS' DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION? - We believe in the literal death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus. We believe that He ascended on high and has sent His Spirit, the same Holy Spirit which was poured out at Jerusalem over 1900 years ago and is still filling the hearts of those who diligently seek Him today. (Acts 10:39 -40, 13:26 -39)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WATER BAPTISM? - We believe in water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This constitutes the "new birth." (Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16 , Romans 6:4, St. John 3:5)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT A HOLY LIFE? - We believe in a holy, sanctified life, as well as other scriptural essentials such as divine healing, the Lord's Supper, footwashing, and the glorious catching away of the saints when Jesus returns in the clouds of glory to take his people to heaven. (I Peter 15-16, St. Matthew 5:48, II Corinthians 6:17)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF MAN? - We believe that man's chief aim is to glorify our Savior, who is Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

What is an " Apostolic Church?"

Apostolic Doctrine with Regards to Salvation -

One of the most important issues in life is the question of how one may receive eternal life through the salvation that Jesus Christ offers. Nicodemus asked that question of Jesus in St. John 3:1-8. As Apostolic believers (as opposed to Baptists, Methodists and many other denominations), we are blessed to have a clear, biblically sound understanding of what is required for salvation according to the New Testament. A church is only truly "apostolic" (that is following in the true footsteps of the Apostles) when they teach what the early church taught concerning salvation.

Consider the following important truths concerning steps to salvation -

Step One - is the proclamation of God's Word (consider Romans 10:17 )
Step Two - is faith in the declared Word (John 3:16 )
Step Three - is genuine repentance from sin and "dead works" (Luke 13:3, 5)
Step Four - is receiving water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins (Acts 2:38 , I Peter 3:21 , Acts 4:12 )
Step Five - is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, with evidence of speaking in other tongues (I Corinthians 12:13 , Acts 10:44 )

Other scriptures for reference include - St. John 3:1-8, Acts 2:38 , Titus 3:5, Acts 8:16, 19:5, Acts 10:46, Col. 2:9-10)

UNLESS A CHURCH TEACHES ABOUT


1.) REPENTANCE
2.) WATER BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS (not the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost), and
3.) THE HOLY GHOST INFILLING WITH THE EVIDENCE OF TONGUES - THEY ARE NOT AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH, AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!

WHY IS THE NAME OF "JESUS "
THE RIGHT NAME FOR WATER BAPTISM?

Some people who have not studied their bibles carefully say that we as Apostolics are wrong for baptizing in the name of Jesus. This is clearly FALSE because of the following scriptures -

  • Because Jesus' name is the only name that brings salvation (Acts 4:12 )
  • Because Jesus' name is the only name that will remit sins (Acts 2:38 )
  • Because in scripture God showed his approval when water baptism in Jesus' name preceded Holy Ghost infilling at Samaria (Acts 8:14 -17)
  • Because the scriptures tells us to preach repentance and remission of sins of the name of Jesus (St. Luke 24:47)
  • Because 3,000 souls were baptized in Jesus' name on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38 )
  • Because people who had been wrongly baptized in another name were re-baptized properly, in the name of Jesus (Act 19:1-8)
  • Because baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was the "apostles doctrine" (Acts 2:42 )
  • Because the great apostle Paul was baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:18 )
  • Because Simon Peter, the apostle who had the keys to the Kingdom baptized people in Jesus' name (Acts 2:38 and 10:47 )
  • Because the Lord speaking from heaven told St. Paul that his name was Jesus (Acts 9:5)
  • Because the converts at Corinth were baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 18:8, I Cor. 1:14 )
  • Because Paul implied in his teaching that a person should be baptized in the name of the one who died for them (I Corinthians 1:13 -15)
  • Because the Philippian jailer and his family were baptized in the name of Jesus that they might be saved (Acts 16:30 -34)
  • Because Jesus' name is the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, John 10:30, 1st John 5:7,8, John 14:8-11)
  • Because Jesus said that he came in his Father's name, and therefore the name of the Father must in fact be "Jesus" (John 5:43 with Matthew 28:19)
  • Because Jesus is clearly and unarguably the name of the Son (Matthew 2:21 with Matt. 28:19)
  • Because Jesus is the only given name of the Holy Ghost (John 14:26 with Matthew 28:19)
  • Because Paul baptized the first convert in Europe in Jesus' name (Acts 16:14 -15)
  • Because Ananias told Paul to wash away his sins "calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16 )
  • Because Stephen, while dying, called God's name "Jesus" (Acts 7:59 )
  • Because Jesus said He IS the Father (John 14:7-9, John 10:30 )
  • Because Jesus is
    • The only Door by which we can enter and be saved ( St. John 10:9)
    • The Truth and the Life (John 14:6)
    • The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25 )
    • The Almighty (Revelation 1:3)
    • The Creator (Colossians 1:16 )
    • The Word made Flesh (John 1:14 )
    • The Lord which was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 1:8)
    • The Lord, God Almighty (Revelation 4:8)
    • The AlphaandOmega (Revelation 1:8)
    • The fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9)
    • The King of Israel (John 1:19 )
    • The First and the Last (Revelation 21:8)

EVERYONE SHOULD HONOR THE NAME OF JESUS AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS WAS CEARLY THE DOCTRINE OF THE APOSTLES!



© 2005 Shield of Faith Christian Center Pomona.