What We Believe
WE BELIEVE IN CHANGE
As a Bible-based Christian church, Bryte Church holds to the teachings found in the Bible. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word and the greatest authority in our lives. We believe in one eternal God, who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God’s son, Jesus, was born of a virgin, fully God and man, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and rose from the dead. We believe He is now seated at the right hand of God until He returns to make everything new. We believe that because of Jesus, we can be forgiven for everything we’ve done wrong and be given the gift of eternal life. To do this, a person must believe that Jesus is God’s son, confess him as Lord of your life, and be baptized. Then, a person is given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who actively works to allow believers to live a Godly life.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Doctrinal Teaching
We believe, that the old testament scriptures, – specifically: the 5 books of Moses, the book of Joshua, the book of Judges, the book of Judges, the book of Ruth, the two books of Samuel, the two books of Kings, the two books of Chronicles, the book of Ezra, the book of Nehemiah, the book of Esther, the book of Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon, the books of the prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and the books of the prophets: Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
Also the books of the new testament – specifically; the gospels: of Matthew, of Mark, of Luke, of John, Acts, Romans, the letters: 1st and 2nd letters to the Corinthians, the letter to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, to the Philippians, to the Colossians, the 1st and 2nd letters to the Thessalonians, the 1st and 2nd letters to Timothy, the letter to Titus, the letter to the Hebrews, to James, the 1st and 2nd letters of Peter, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd letters from John, the letter from Jude and the book of Revelation given to John – to be truly inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit led the apostles and prophets when they wrote down God’s revelation, the Bible. (2 Tim. 3:16; Exod. 19:9; 2 Sam. 23:2; Isa. 1:2; Jer. 1:9; John 10:35; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Heb. 1:1-2; Luke 10:16; Matt. 10:20; 1 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 1:11-12; 1 Cor. 2:12); all of these books put together constitute the only true revelation of God to the human race and should be the the only source of the knowledge of God, and also the only ruling and measure of our faith and conduct. The Bible in its original is the inerrant and infallible Word of God, God-breathed (inspired of God) in all its parts. (2 Pet. 1:19; Ps. 119:105; Luke 16:29-31; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; John 9:30; Acts 17:11; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor 14:37; Gal. 1:8; Rom. 16:25,25; 3:21; Rev. 22:18) Translations do not reduce the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture to the extent that the translation is faithful to the original.
We believe that there is only one living, true, and eternal God (Deut 6:4; 1 Corin. 8:4,6; 1 Tim. 2:5): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; Gen. 1:26; 3:22; Isa. 61:1; Matt. 3:16,17; John 14:26; 2 Corin. 13:13; 1 John 5:7), who in their nature and attributes are perfect, eternally equal, and inseparable (1 John 2:23; John 10:30; 1 John 1-4:7-10; John 16:13,14), so that the Father is true, eternal God (Eph. 4:6; Matt. 6:9), the Son — true, eternal God (Rom. 9:5-8; John 1:1-14; John 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Heb. 1:3-10; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 23:5-6; John 5:23; 8:58-59) and the Holy Spirit — true, eternal God (1 Corin. 2:11; Matt. 12:32; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corin. 3:17-18; Gen. 1:2; Ps. 33:6; Acts 20:28; 1 Corin. 3:16,17; 12:11; Eph. 4:30; 1 Peter 4:14); however, we believe not in three gods, but in only one, eternal (Ps. 89:3; Ex. 5:14; 1 Tim. 1:17), almighty (Rev. 4:8; Gen. 17:1), holy (Josh. 24:19; Lev. 11:44; Isa. 40:25; John 17:11), all-wise (Rom. 14:26; Rom. 11:33,34; Isa. 40:28), omniscient (Acts 15:18; Heb. 4:13; Ps. 138:2-4), omnipresent (Jer. 23:24; Ps. 138:7-10), unchangeable (James 1:17; Ps. 101:26-28; Mal. 2:6; Heb. 1:12), merciful (Isa. 55:7; Luke 1:50; James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3), righteous and just God (Neh. 9:33; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 16:5).
To the knowledge of this God, one can come only through divine revelation of the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit (1 Corin. 1:21; 1 Corin. 2:14; John 14:26; Matt. 11:25-27; Rom. 10:17).
God the Father
God the Father is the first person of the Divine Trinity, governing all events according to His will and grace (Ps. 144:8-9; 1 Corin. 8:6). He is the creator of all that is visible and invisible, movable and immovable (Gen. 1:1-31; Eph. 3:9), being the sole absolute ruler of the universe. He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Ps. 102:19; Rom. 11:36).
His fatherhood is defined by His position in the Trinity and His relationship to humanity. He is the Creator of all mankind, and He is also the spiritual Father to believers (Rom. 8:14; 2 Corin. 6:18; Eph. 4:6). He has ordained everything that happens for His glory (Eph. 1:11). He continuously governs all beings and events (1 Chron. 29:11).
As sovereign in creation, God is, at the same time, not the author or creator of evil and sin. He hates sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47). He also does not remove responsibility for sin from all thinking beings (1 Peter 1:17). God the Father, in His mercy, foreknew and chose His children before the creation of the world, who are His possession for eternal salvation (Eph. 1:4-6). He forgives the sins of all who come to Him through Jesus Christ and is the Father of forgiven sinners (John 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Heb. 12:5-9).
God the Son
Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Divine Trinity. He possesses all the characteristics of God, equal to God the Father in significance and eternity (John 10:30; 14:9). We believe that God the Father created everything by His will through Jesus Christ, His Son, by whom everything exists and operates (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-16; Heb. 1:2).
In the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity became fully human and became the God-man, but did not lose His Divine essence in any degree or measure (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9). We believe that Jesus Christ in inseparable unity combines qualities inherent to man and God (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; Col. 2:9). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35); He was God in flesh (John 1:1, 14); the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God to people, to liberate man from the bondage of sin and to restore the kingdom of God on earth (Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 9:6; John 1:29; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation through the shedding of His sacrificial blood by dying on the cross, did so voluntarily, becoming a substitutionary and redemptive sacrifice (John 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25, 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).
Based on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the sinner who has believed in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is freed from the punishment and power of sin, and in the future from the very presence of sin, is declared righteous and enters the family of God (Rom. 3:25, 5:8-9; 2 Corin. 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18).
We believe that our justification is accomplished by His resurrection from the dead and that He is now at the right hand of the Father, being our Advocate, Intercessor, and High Priest (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Rom. 4:25, 8:34; Heb. 7:25, 9:14; 1 John 2:1).
We believe in the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ according to Scripture (1 Corin. 15:4). The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead confirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ by God the Father. The fact of the resurrection also proved that God the Father accepted the redemptive work of His Son on the cross. Furthermore, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a guarantee of future life through resurrection for all believers (John 5:26-29, 14:19; Rom. 1:4, 4:25, 6:5-10; 1 Corin.. 15:20, 23).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Divine Trinity, possessing all the attributes of God including intellect (1 Corin. 2:10-13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), and will (1 Corin. 12:11). He is infinite (Heb. 9:14), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10), omniscient (Isa. 40:13-14), omnipotent (Rom. 15:13) and true (John 16:13). In all divine attributes, the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4, 28:25-26; 1 Corin. 12:4-6; 2 Corin. 13:14; Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 10:15-17).
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is primarily expressed in the revelation of God’s will to all humanity. The Holy Spirit was active in creation (Gen. 1:2), in the incarnation (Matt. 1:18), in the formation of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21), and in the work of salvation (John 3:5-7). We believe that on the day of Pentecost began the special ministry of the Holy Spirit – the building of the church. On that day the Holy Spirit descended to earth from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17, 15:26), to begin and subsequently complete the arrangement of the Body of Jesus Christ, i.e., His church (1 Corin. 12:13). The ministry of the Holy Spirit includes: convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ, and transforming believers into the image of Jesus Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5, 2:4; Rom. 8:29; 2 Corin. 3:18; Eph. 2:22).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural performer of the miraculous act of regeneration and baptism (immersion) of every believer into the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer from the time of salvation (Eph. 1:13-14). From the moment of conversion, the Holy Spirit resides in believers, as well as sanctifies, instructs, empowers for service, and seals for the day of redemption (Rom. 8:9; 2 Corin. 3:6; Eph. 1:13). Every born-again individual is called to be filled with the Holy Spirit, i.e., to submit all areas of their life to His presence and guidance (John 16:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27).
We believe that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts in the Church. Spiritual gifts serve for the glorification of Jesus Christ, the redemption of the perishing, and the building up and strengthening of believers in faith, truth, the sanctification of the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the Body of Christ (John 16:13, 14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corin. 12:4-11; 2 Corin. 3:18; Eph. 4:7-12).
We believe that man was directly created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free from sin, endowed with intellect, free will, self-determination, and moral responsibility before God (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:7; James 3:9; Gen. 2:16-17; Josh. 24:15; Jer. 21:8; Deut. 30:19).
Man is created tripartite, consisting of spirit, soul, and body (Gen. 2:7; 1 Thess. 5:23).
God gave man wisdom and power to have dominion over the surrounding world (Gen. 1:28; Gen. 2:15; Ps. 8:7).
We believe that God’s purpose and aim in creating man was to glorify God, enjoy fellowship with God, and have dominion over God’s creation (Gen. 1:26-28; Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
We believe that man sinned through the deceit of Satan (Gen. 3:13; Rev. 20:2; John 8:44), and as a result, fell from God and lost the image of his Creator, immediately falling into a state of death both soul and body (Gen. 2:17; Matt. 8:22; Eph. 2:1; Rom. 8:6; Rom. 6:23; Col. 2:13).
As all people are descended from the seed of Adam, they too have become partakers of the same fallen and completely corrupted nature (John 3:6; Rom. 5:12-18; Gen. 6:3), so that they are conceived and born in sins (Ps. 51:5; Ps. 58:3), and are children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), incapable of all good, but prone and inclined to all evil (Rom. 8:7; Gen. 8:21; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-22; Luke 24:25; Mark 16:14; Rom. 3:10-18).
We believe that from eternity there has been a free, self-determined will, directed by nothing outside itself (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:34), and God’s sovereign decree — to save sinners (John 3:16). Salvation originates from God by grace, upon the foundation of the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ, through His shed blood; it cannot be attained by man alone nor merited by his works (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7, 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Redemption and Justification
We believe that God could redeem mankind from the consequences of his fall only through the full satisfaction of His holy justice (Heb. 9:22; Heb. 10:5-7); therefore, He eternally predestined His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice of propitiation (1 Peter 1:20). Thus Christ, the Son of the Living God (Gal. 4:4; Matt. 16:16; Matt. 3:17), appeared on earth in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3) at the divinely appointed time for the redemption of the human race. He rendered perfect obedience, fulfilling for us the entire Divine law (Matt. 5:17; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 10:4; Rom. 5:19; Ps. 39:8,9; Matt. 20:28; Isa. 41:21), offering His body and soul as a sacrifice for us (Isa. 53:4; Heb. 5:8; Phil. 2:8; Luke 22:19; Ps. 21:15-16; Isa. 53:11; Matt. 26:38; Luke 22:44; Heb. 9:28; Heb. 9:14,26; 10:12,14). He became a curse for us (Gal. 3:13), bearing God’s wrath and the punishment for our sins (Zech. 13:7; Matt. 27:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:5-6).
We believe that this eternal and complete redemption (Heb. 9:12; Isa. 45:17), accomplished by the Son of God, is the sole cause of our salvation (Heb. 5:9; Isa. 53:5), and that through Him we have forgiveness of all our sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 John 1:7; Matt. 26:28; Acts 20:28), justification (Rom. 3:24; Rom. 5:1), righteousness (Isa. 61:10; Jer. 23:6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Dan. 9:24), deliverance from death, the devil, and hell (1 Cor. 15:26,54,55; John 6:40; Gen. 3:15; Col. 1:13; Col. 2:15; 1 John 3:8; Heb. 2:14,15; Eph. 4:8; 1 Thess. 1:10), eternal life (1 John 5:11,12; John 11:25-26; John 3:36; 10:28; 2 Tim. 1:10), and also that through this redemption we receive the power to hate sin, to die unto it (Titus 2:14; Rom. 6:14; 1 John 3:3; Acts 15:9), to desire what is good and to fulfill it (Phil. 4:13; Phil. 2:13; Rom. 7:21-22).
We believe that justification before God is His action (Rom. 8:33), whereby He declares righteous those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Isa. 55:6-7), acknowledge Him as their personal Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11). Christ’s righteousness is not found in any human virtue or works (Rom. 3:20, 4:6), but consists in the fact that Christ took our sins upon Himself and gave His righteousness to the one who believes in Him (Col. 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24). The one born from above is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21).
Repentance and Conversion
We believe that God grants repentance only through His mercy and goodness (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:37-38, 11:18, Rom. 2:4). Repentance and conversion include: sorrow for sin, acknowledgment of sin before God, forsaking sin, and accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior (Prov. 28:13, 2 Cor. 7:10, Acts 26:20).
Repentance is a change in the mind, feelings, and especially in the will of a person (Acts 2:37-38, 9:6, 20; Luke 15:20; Matt. 21:21).
The sign of true repentance is deeds worthy of repentance (Acts 26:20, Luke 19:8-9).
Regeneration (Being Born Again)
We believe that being born again is a supernatural event, accomplished through the action of the Holy Spirit, whereby a person is given life and a new divine nature (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). This occurs instantaneously by the power of the Holy Spirit through hearing the Word of God (John 5:24), when a repentant sinner, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, accepts Jesus Christ by faith as his Lord and Savior.
True regeneration is confirmed by corresponding fruits of repentance: a biblical attitude toward life and practical deeds. Good works, performed by a person born again in obedience to God, are the confirmation and fruit of being born again (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:10). They will take place depending on how the believer submits to the direction of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:17-21; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).
Obedience to God’s Word leads the believer to a constant process of growth in faith, in truth, and in conformity to Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).
Sanctification
We believe that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15; 1 Thess. 4:3,7; Eph. 1:4). Holiness is the consequence of the justification of a sinner through faith in Jesus Christ and is inseparably linked with justification (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 6:2; John 15:2; James 2:17; Matt. 7:17; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:10).
We believe that every person born again has an inner need to grow in holiness, being transformed into the image of Christ (John 17:17; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 6:1-22; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 5:23). A person born again is involved in a constant conflict and struggle between their new regenerated nature and the old sinful essence of fallen humanity. However, their victory is ensured by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This struggle continues throughout earthly life. Any claims of the absolute eradication of sin in earthly life are unbiblical. Victory over sin is possible only with the help of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3:12; Col. 3:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
We believe that God, in Jesus Christ, accomplished man’s salvation, brought him to new life, justified and adopted him, accepting him into the family of God (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). Moreover, God has provided for our sanctification because it is His will (1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Pet. 1:16). Sanctification means separation from sin, dedication to God, and transformation into the image of Christ (1 Thess. 4:7; Phil. 2:15; Col. 3:5-8; 2 Cor. 6:17-18).
Growth in Sanctification
Initial sanctification is received on the day of belief, and by position, one becomes holy in Christ, having communion with the Holy God (1 Cor. 1:2, 6:11; Rom. 1:7; Heb. 10:10). Growth in sanctification begins from the day of repentance and continues throughout life as a process of practical liberation from the power and dominion of sin, and conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ, His life, and character (2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11-15, 5:27; Phil. 3:10-15; 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 22:11). For this, God has given means of grace:
Studying the Holy Scriptures (John 5:39) and prayer, through which the believer communicates with God, praises and honors Him, confesses in deeds, reveals desires before Him, always and for everything gives thanks, and intercedes for repentance and salvation of other people (Matt. 26:41; John 4:23-24, 16:23; 1 John 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-4).
Complete submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 3:16), directs the believer through life so that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28); constant abiding in faith in Christ, like a branch on a vine or a member of Christ’s body (John 15:2,5,8; 1 Cor. 12:27).
Complete or Full Sanctification
Complete or full sanctification will come at the rapture of the church, when the resurrection of those dead in the Lord occurs, and the transformation of God’s children who live on earth, receiving resurrected bodies without the presence of sin, akin to the glorious body of the Lord (1 Thess. 3:13, 4:17, 5:23, 1 John 3:2). The saved will share Christ’s glory forever and ever (John 17:22, 1 Peter 5:10, Heb. 2:10, 2 Tim. 2:10), and thus, “strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
Prayer and Fasting
Prayer is the means of communication between man and God (John 16:23; Phil. 4:6; Jer. 33:3; Luke 18:1; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6; Matt. 26:41). In prayer, people reveal their desires to God, Who is mighty to fulfill their petitions, for He has promised to answer the prayers of those who call upon Him (Ps. 49:15; Zech. 13:9; Matt. 26:4; Phil. 4:6).
God’s child is called to give thanks always and for everything to the Lord, for all His intentions serve for the good of the believer (Jer. 29:11), and “to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose, all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Eph. 5:20).
We believe that God hears prayers offered according to His will and fulfills them (John 5:14; John 16:23; Mark 11:24-25; John 14:13-14; 15:7; Matt. 21:22; 2 Cor. 12:8-9).
Prayers may be accompanied by fasting (Mark 2:20; Matt. 17:21). Prayer with fasting occurs during trials and sorrows (Judges 20:26; 2 Sam. 1:12; Eph. 4:3; Dan. 10:2-3; Ps. 34:13; 68:11), at the appointment of church ministers (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23), and in other circumstances (Mark 9:29; 2 Cor. 6:4-5).
Jesus Christ taught that during fasting, people should not be somber like hypocrites (Matt. 6:16-18). Fasting consists not only of abstaining from food, not only of remaining in prayer, but also in virtue, in loosening the bonds of wickedness, and in bringing one’s relationships with people into proper condition (Isa. 58:3-12; Zech. 7:3-10; Matt. 5:23-24).
We believe that all who have believed in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body – the Church (1 Cor. 12:13), which is the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8), and Christ is the head of the Church (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18).
We believe that the Church represents a unique spiritual organism, created by Jesus Christ, consisting of born-again believers in the present age (Eph. 2:11; 3:6). It was formed on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be built upon the earth until the moment of its rapture by Jesus Christ. It will then abide with Christ eternally (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
Admission to Christ’s Church on earth is carried out by the command of Jesus Christ and His apostles (John 17:22; 1 Pet. 2:5; 2 Cor. 6:16,17) through baptism (1 Cor. 12:13), which the Lord has established for us as a means of grace (Eph. 4:15,16; Heb. 10:24,25; Rom. 12:5; Acts 4:32; Acts 1:14; 2:1,41,46,47; 4:24).
The duty of every convert to the Lord is that he must not remain alone but must unite with other disciples of the Lord, as members of one body (1 Cor. 12:12-27), as living stones of one house of God (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5), for mutual edification, comfort, and assistance on the path of salvation (1 Thess. 5:11,14; Col. 2:18,19; Jude 20), to abide in the apostles’ doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, in prayer (Acts 2:42). Such a union of true disciples of Christ, organized according to the Word of God, is the Christian Church (John 10:27; John 8:31). The unchanging rule and guidance of the Church is the Word of God – the Bible (Eph. 2:20, 2 Tim. 3:16).
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that the primary purpose of the church is to confess and glorify God (Eph. 3:21), to mutually build up and strengthen one another in faith (Eph. 4:12-16), according to the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17). Additionally, the church exists for the fellowship of Christians with each other (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), the fulfillment of biblical commandments and ordinances (Luke 22:19, Acts 2:38-42). One of the most important tasks of the church and every Christian is to spread the Gospel throughout the world (Matt. 28:19, Acts 1:8, 2:42).
We believe that for the building up of the church, serving one another, and glorifying God, every born-again Christian has specific spiritual gifts from God (Rom. 12:5-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). These gifts are distributed to each Christian by the Holy Spirit according to His will (1 Cor. 12:11). All spiritual gifts that are active today have as their purpose the edification and strengthening of the church (1 Cor. 14:12; Rom. 12:6-8). One of the main tasks of church ministers is to prepare believers for the work of service by helping them correctly realize their spiritual gifts for the general building up of the church (Eph. 4:11). Spiritual gifts are an integral part of the ministry of the church.
Local Church
We believe that God has established the local church as a reflection of the Universal Church. The local Church does not have any external, state power for supervision and control. A council of elected ministers and the general assembly of the church have the necessary authority to resolve any issues related to the life and service of the church (Acts 15:22). The intervention of any outside ministers or organizations in church affairs is permissible only as consultations provided at the request of the church. At the same time, communication for mutual assistance and joint projects in spreading the Gospel and strengthening churches should be maintained between various churches that correspond to each other according to biblical standards. Each local church, through its ministers, determines the degree and form of interaction with other churches (Acts 15:19-31, 20:28; 1 Cor. 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
Church Ministers
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). The order of church governance, ministry, and church discipline is established by Christ Himself, as set forth in Scripture. The church is governed in its affairs by elected and ordained ministers, whose spiritual and moral condition meets the requirements set forth in 1 Tim. 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11, 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5). The ordination of ministers (pastors, elders, preachers, and deacons) is performed by experienced pastors of the local church or ministers invited from other churches after being elected by the church and undergoing proper examination (1 Tim. 3:10). All ministers in the church are primarily accountable to Christ, to each other, to the council of ministers, and to the whole church. Church members, in turn, are subject to the ministers (Heb. 13:17).
We believe that God established the institution of earthly authority to prevent fallen humanity from ultimate decay (Rom. 13:1). Earthly government has authority from God to protect the good and to punish the evil (Rom. 13:4).
We consider that Christians are obliged to offer unconditional obedience to the civil laws of the country in which they live, provided that such laws do not contradict the principles of Holy Scripture (Rom. 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:13,14,17). Christians are also obliged by God’s command to pray for the government, so that it, by His will and under His merciful protection, may use its entrusted power to maintain peace and justice (Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2).
We believe that the government, which according to Scripture does not bear the sword in vain, has the right and obligation under God’s law to punish those who do evil and to use the sword in defense of its citizens. At the same time, we recognize that ultimately, evil is never overcome by evil (Rom. 12:21; 13:4). In this regard, we consider the issue of military service to be a matter of each Christian’s conscience. No one can judge those who are in military service, nor can anyone coerce into military service those who, out of deep convictions of conscience, request to be exempted from bearing arms.
We believe that marriage, instituted by God, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Heb. 13:4; Eph. 5:5,22-23) for mutual support between husband and wife (Gen. 2:18); for the propagation of the human race (Gen. 1:27,28) and to avoid fornication (1 Corin. 7:2; 1 Corin. 7:9); we also believe that a man should have only one wife, and a woman only one husband as long as both live (Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Corin. 6:16).
We acknowledge that Christians should marry only in the Lord, with a believer (1 Corin. 7:39; 1 Corin. 9:5,6; Gen. 6:1-3; Josh. 23:12,13; 2 Sam. 11:1-8; Ezra 9, 10; Neh. 13:23-28).
Marriage, being a divine and civil institution, should receive dual confirmation. The first is obtained through the Word of God and prayer in the Lord’s Church (community) (Matt. 1:18; Matt. 25:1-10; John 2:1-2; Matt. 22:1-12); the latter is enacted according to the laws of the country (Col. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:3-5).
We recognize that divorce, carried out for reasons not in accordance with the Word of God, and the remarriage of the divorced, are not permissible (Matt. 19:6-8; 1 Corin. 7:10,11). However, in cases of adultery (Matt. 19:9) and willful desertion by an unbelieving party (1 Corin. 7:12,13,15), we believe that divorce and remarriage of the innocent party can occur in accordance with the Word of God. In divorce, as well as in remarriage, the provisions of civil law must be observed (1 Peter 2:13).
Holy Angels
We believe that angels were created by God and are not objects of worship and saving faith, although in a certain sense they are more perfect than humans. They were created by God to serve and worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Heb. 1:6-14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).
Fallen Angels
We believe that Satan (the devil) is a created angel. He is the author of sin. He awaits just divine judgment due to his rebellion against his Creator (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19), as a result of which he dragged a vast number of other angels down with him during his fall (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:1-14), and led all humanity into sin through the temptation of Eve (Gen. 3:1-15).
We believe that Satan is an open enemy of God and man (Isa. 14:13-14; Matt. 4:1-11; Rev. 12:9-10), the prince of this world, who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 16:20). Satan and his angels (demons) will inherit eternal punishment in torments in the lake of fire (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
Death
We believe that physical death is the moment when a person’s soul separates from their body (Rev. 20:13). The human soul is immortal. The souls of the deceased exist in full consciousness (Rev. 6:9-11). The souls of the saved are in the presence of Jesus Christ (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Corin. 5:8), and the souls of the unbelievers await the great judgment and punishment (Rev. 20:13). For the saved, this separation will continue until the rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-17), when our soul and body will be reunited and glorified through our Lord (Phil. 3:21; 1 Corin. 15:35-44, 50-54).
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all, both believers and unbelievers. Believers will be raised for eternal life with Christ (John 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corin. 4:14), while unbelievers will be raised for judgment and eternal punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Rev. 20:13-15).
We believe that salvation is possible only during a person’s earthly life. After death, there is no possibility for a person to change their eternal destiny (Luke 16:26). The souls of the unsaved, after death, are under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Rev. 20:13-15), when the soul and body will be reunited at the resurrection (John 5:28-29), after which they will stand before the Great White Throne for judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), and then they will be cast into the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41-46), where they will remain in torment, forever cut off from life with God (Daniel 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
On the Second Coming of Our Lord, the Resurrection of the Dead, the Final Judgment, and Eternity
We believe that one day, the Church of Jesus Christ will be raptured from the earth. At that time, the bodies of the believers who remain alive will be transformed, while those believers who have passed into eternity before that day will receive new bodies and join with Christ and the surviving brothers and sisters in the Lord, to always be with Him. We believe in the literal, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth in power and glory to judge the wicked and establish the Kingdom of God forever (1 Corin. 15:24).
We believe that all who have not received salvation will be literally and physically resurrected for judgment before the Great White Throne. Those not found written in the book of life will be condemned by God according to the deeds they performed on earth and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment (Rev. 20:12; 20:15).
We believe that after the 1,000-year reign, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of the unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:7-15), the earth and everything on it will be consumed by fire (2 Peter 3:10), and God will create a new heaven and a new earth for the dwelling of the righteous (Eph. 5:5; Rev. 20:15, 21-22). The new earth and the new heaven will have the Heavenly City descending from heaven (Rev. 21:2), which will be the dwelling place for the saints, where they will constantly abide in joy and fellowship with each other and with God eternally (John 17:3; Rev. 21-22). After this, Jesus Christ will hand over the kingdom to the Heavenly Father, thereby completing the mission of saving mankind (1 Corin. 15:24-28), in which God will dwell eternally (1 Corin. 15:28).