What We Believe...
The programs and activities governing the form of worship of Beracah Faith Ministries International, shall be based upon and at all times be consistent with the following creed and beliefs:
A. THE SCRIPTURES. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21)
B. THE GODHEAD. Our God is One, but manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, being coequal. (Philippians 2:6) God the Father is greater than all; the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter. (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14)
The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14)
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal. (John 15:26)
C. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION. Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adams transgression and fall, sin came into the world. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10; I John 3:8)
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8)
D. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH. Mans first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men and when fulfilled, produces eternal life. (II Corinthians 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5)
E. WATER BAPTISM. Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christians identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39)
The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted, to wit: On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And all that we do in word or in deed, we do in the name of Jesus. Amen.
F. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit, Himself, gives utterance. (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4)
G. SANCTIFICATION. The Bible teaches that without Holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of Salvation. (Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30)
H. DIVINE HEALING. Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)
I. RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD. The angels said, This same Jesus shall so come in like manner. His coming is imminent. When He comes, The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17)Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth, as King of Kings, and the Lord of lords and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
J. HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION. The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms eternal and everlasting used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20)
K. RELIGIOUS PURPOSE. This church shall be organized and operate exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or any superseding section in order to:
1. Minister the Word of God;
2. Conduct a regular religious worship service through various forms of ministries;
3. Promote and encourage, through the ministries of the organization, cooperation with other organizations ministering within the community, state, country and world.
4. Spread the Word of the Gospel by ministering to the faithful through seminars, radio, television, and other forms of mass media.
5. To conduct a local and international church by the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit in accordance with all the provisions as set forth in the Holy Bible;
6. To maintain local and missionary church facilities;
7. To conduct a school for the training of ministers and lay people in the church;
8. To license and ordain qualified individuals including graduates of the ministerial school (Zoe Bible Institute) and
9. To provide Sunday School or any other type of school for the religious and educational instruction of the young, as well as for adults under the direction of the Church.
This church is not organized, nor shall it operate, for pecuniary gain or profit, and it does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to its members and is organized solely for nonprofit purposes. The property, assets, profits and net income of this church is irrevocably dedicated to charitable, educational and religious purposes and no part of the profits on net income of this church shall ever inure to the benefit of any profit shareholder or individual.
Reprinted from the Articles of Beracah Faith Ministries International
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