ELIM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Doctrinal Statement
ELIM accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts these statements of fundamental truths as doctrine.
The Scriptures Inspired – 2 Timothy 3:15-17
We believe the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired word of God, revealing the will of God to humanity. It is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct for our journey through life. God's word is for the perfecting of the saints, "and it is principal for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
The One True God – Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1John 5:7
We believe the one true God has revealed Himself as the eternal self-existent, self-revealing "I am," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. God has further revealed Himself in three persons "The Trinity", embodying the principles of the relationship and associations as – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 7:26, Matthew 28:6, Hebrews 1:3
We believe Jesus, is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare He took upon Himself the form of man, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and gave His life on the cross as a supreme sacrifice for our sins. He purchased our redemption with His blood, was raised from the dead on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection, in both His Divine and human nature, have reconciled us back to God. Jesus' life on earth reflected the perfect human being and the way in which we should live as we relate to the world.
The Holy Spirit - John 16:13, Ephesians 1:13
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.Jesus promised that He would send the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit."Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come." Having believed, we've been sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit indwells us, convicts us of sin, teaches us, regenerates us, comforts us, and confirms in our hearts that we are children of God.
The Salvation of Man
Humanity's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Salvation is the gift of God to humankind, separate from the law, and is made operative by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conditions of Salvation – Romans 12:12-15, Ephesians 2:8
In being renewed, salvation is received through repentance and faith. In being justified by grace through faith, humankind becomes heirs �of God according to the hope of eternal life.
The Evidence of Salvation– Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16) and the outward evidence is a life of righteousness and true Holiness.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not human works; however, our works will determine our reward in eternity.
Spiritual Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
We believe in the Spiritual Gift endowed to us from God for the building of His kingdom (the body of believers) and the edifying of His people.Each believer has a specific function/gift that is necessary to the body as a whole.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of languages and to still another the interpretation of languages. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.We believe that all spiritual gifts are in operation today and will continue to operate in earth until Christ's triumphant return.
The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism by Immersion – Matthew 28:19
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures and is for believers only. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they also have been raised with Him in the newness of life.
The Lords Supper (Holy Communion) – 2 Peter 1:4
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements – bread and fruit of the vine, is a symbol for expression and sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord instituted it and we are to observe it till He comes again. The bread and fruit of the vine are symbols of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ and is a memorial of His suffering, death and prophecy of His second coming.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit- John 3:5
The promise of the Father - All believers are entitled to and should expect the promise of the Father at the point of salvation. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the endowment of power for a life of service along with:
The bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of ministry (Acts 8:12-17)
Experiences (John 7:37-39)
A deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43)
An intensified consecration to God and dedication for His work (Acts 2:42)
A more active love for Christ, His word and His people (Mark 16:20)
Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (I Thessalonians 5:23). The believer attains sanctification by recognizing his/her identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, by the trusting daily upon the fact of that union; and by the offering of every ability and talent continually to the domination of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20).
Divine Healing - James 5:14-16; Luke 4:18; Matthew 10:5-10
Divine Healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Christ came to set us free from the law of the sin and death, and purchase our physical healing through atonement.Jesus words before He ascended into heaven were, "they shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover. The practice, therefore, of laying of hands for healing is an active witness to our Lord's power to heal. All believers have been given this privilege.
Tithing - Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42
We believe and teach the giving of ten percent of one's income as an integral part of the Christians walk with the Lord. The New Testament affirms the paying of tithes and God's blessings of prosperity to those who tithe.
Evangelism - Matthew 28:19
As Jesus' disciples we have been commissioned to go into the world and make disciples. The scripture declares, "When the Holy Spirit come upon you, you shall receive power and you shall be my witnesses." As Jesus' disciples our personal testimony is the most effective and direct way to evangelism.
Eschatology - The End Times
The Rapture
The Great Tribulation Period
The Second Coming of Christ
The First Resurrection
The Millennial
The Second Resurrection
The Final Judgment
Christ Eternal Reign as the King of Kings & Lord of Lord
The Rapture of the Church precedes both the Great Tribulation period and the second coming of Christ.
The Rapture and the Second Coming are two separate events.
The Rapture is imminent; no one knows the hour or day. The Rapture will be unseen by the world;
The Great Tribulation is a period of seven years of total chaos and destruction, annihilation on the earth.
The Millennial is a thousand year period when Satan will be bound in chains.
The First Resurrection involves the righteous dead which precede the Millennial.
The Second Resurrection involves the wicked dead which precede the Millennial.
Scriptural References:
Matthew 16:27 - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 24:30 - And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Hebrew 9:28 - So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:31-32 - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
Romans 14:11-12 - For it are written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
II Peter 3 - New heaven and new earth
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 - …For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven…
II Thessalonians 2:2 - That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from as, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
I Timothy 4:8 - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
I Peter 1:3-5 - revealed in the last time
I Peter 5:4 - And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Acts 1:9-11 …this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven