A. THE SCRIPTURES. The
Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of
old who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Bible we accept
as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:16;
1 Thess 2:13
B. THE GODHEAD. Our God is One
living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and
goodness, the maker and preserver of all things. And in unity of this
Godhead, there are three persons (or personalities) of one substance,
power and eternity – The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6;
Matthew 3:15-17
C. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION.
Man is a created being, made in the image and likeness of God. Through
Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ,
The Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the Devil. He gave
His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God.
Romans 5:12;
Romans 3:2;
Romans 3: 9-10;
1 John 3:8;
Galatians 3:13-14
D. 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
E. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH.
Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance.
New birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal
life.
2 Corinthians 7:10;
1 John 5:12;
John 3:3-5
F. WATER BAPTISM. Baptism in water
is a direct command of our Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance
is an outward and visible symbol of an inward and invisible work. Water
baptism symbolizes the Christian’s identification with Christ in His
death, burial and resurrection.
Matthew 28:19;
Romans 6:4;
Colossians 2:12;
Acts 8:36-39
G. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. The
baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord
Jesus Christ to those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8;
Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:5
H. 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;
1 Thessalonians 5:23;
2 Peter 3:18;
2 Corinthians 3:18;
Philippians 3:12-14
I. DIVINE HEALING. Healing is for
the physical and emotional ills of the body and is wrought by the power
of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands and
anointing with oil. It is the privilege of every member of the Church
today.
Mark 16:18;
James 5:14-20;
1 Peter 2:24;
Matthew 8:17;
Isaiah 53:4-6
J. 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 to meet
Him, then those believers who are physically still alive shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Acts 1:11;
1 Thessalonians 4:1-17
He shall return to the Earth as King of Kings and
Lord of Lords and together with His saints, He shall reign a thousand
years.
Revelation 20:6
K. 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 punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same
thought and meaning of endless existence as used in describing the
duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God.
Hebrews 9:27;
Revelation 19:20;
Hebrews 6:1-2
L. COMMUNION — THE LORD’S SUPPER.
We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death until He comes.
The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body and the cup symbolizes the
new covenant in His blood which provides us with forgiveness and
relationship with God. We judge ourselves before we receive it for we
know if we receive it unworthily (without giving it honor as the symbol
of our salvation and considering our brothers), we are guilty of the
body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:23-31
M. LAYING ON OF HANDS. In obedience
to the example and words in the Bible, we believe in laying on of hands
for blessing, for healing of the sick, to confer office, to receive the
Holy Spirit, to receive anointing and for ordination to consecrate and
receive the necessary ministry tools.
Mark 10:13-16;
Mark 5:22-23;
Acts 8:16-17;
1 Timothy 4:14
N. The Missionary Church International believes that
the practice of homosexuality, as well as every other sexual
perversion, is sinful (Leviticus 18:22), offensive to God and destructive to society (Genesis 13:13; Romans 1:27).
We
believe that homosexuality is a choice, perverting the soul, and
disqualifying the practicing homosexual from the Kingdom of God (1Corinthians 6:9).
As such, TMCI believes that dynamic ministry must be offered to
homosexuals in the hope of conviction, repentance and restoration,
setting the soul free from the bondage of homosexuality. The Missionary
Church International will not issue credentials to a person who
practices a homosexual lifestyle.
O. MARRIAGE:
Marriage has been
established by God. This church defines “marriage” as the exclusive
covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such union is a
lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be
recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent
that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in these
Articles.
P. HUMAN SEXUALITY:
Legitimate
sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual
activities outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as
“porneia”– πορνεια) including but not limited to, adultery, premarital
sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings
of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender
behavior, and the creation and/or distribution and/or viewing of
pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness.
The church is a transdenominational fellowship and it is understood that all the ministers may not agree on all points of doctrine. All ministers will endeavor to keep the unity of the faith, believing that in the essentials, as enumerated in this section, we must have unity, in nonessentials liberty, and in all things love.