Statement of Faith

To Index | To Mission Statement
Verical Ministries

Statement of Faith

1. Triune God

We believe that there is one God [1] who is the Creator of all things [2], infinitely holy [3], existing eternally and manifest in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit [4].

2. Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Triune God and is fully God and fully man [5]. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary [6]. He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sin [7]. He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, acting as our High Priest [8], and Advocate. He will return to this earth to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace [9].

3. Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Triune God. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict the individual of sin [10], to regenerate, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for acts of godly living and service [11].

4. Scripture

We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were verbally inspired by God; that they are inerrant as originally given; that they are the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of mankind; and that they are the divine and final authority for Christian faith and practice [12].

5. Mankind and Sin

We believe that mankind was originally created in the image and likeness of God [13], but fell into sin through disobedience and incurred the penalty of physical and spiritual death. All members of the human race, therefore, are born with a sinful nature and are separated from God [14].

6. Salvation

We believe that salvation has been made possible by the grace of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ [15] and His resurrection from the dead. Salvation is a free gift and those who repent of their sin and put their faith in Jesus Christ are regenerated (born again), justified, sanctified and given eternal life with God as His adopted children [16].

7. Sanctification

We believe that it is the will of God that the believer should be sanctified (made holy) [17] and grow in faith, love and grace. This is accomplished by the filling (controlling) of the Holy Spirit and that it is both a distinct event at salvation, and a progressive experience in the life of a believer [18].

8. The Church

We believe that the true Church is composed of all individuals who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, are commissioned to spread the gospel throughout all the world and are united under the headship of Jesus Christ [19]. The local church is a visible expression of the true Church and is a body of believers who are joined together to worship God, to observe the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to be edified through the Word of God, to fellowship, to encourage others and to serve each other and the Lord through the use of spiritual gifts given to each believer [20]. These activities are evidences of salvation and not to be regarded as a means of salvation.

9. The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ is imminent and will be visible and personal; that He will rapture His church, first the dead and then those that are alive [21]; and that He will later return to judge the earth and to set up His literal millennial reign on earth. This is the believers’ Blessed Hope and it is an incentive for holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ’s commission [22].

10. Resurrection, Judgment and Destiny

We believe that all individuals will be bodily resurrected; for the believer, a resurrection unto eternal life in the presence of God [23]; and for the unbeliever, a resurrection unto judgment and eternal conscious punishment [24].

Agreed Statement of Belief

Recognizing that the Church of God is composed of believers who may differ on some points of non-essential doctrine, we believe that the following brief statements are sufficient and essential to all believers. We believe:

In One God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.

That the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and
Christian living.

That man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.

That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

[1] Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:5-6

[2] Genesis 1

[3] Matthew 5:48; Deuteronomy 32:4

[4] Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19

[5] Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; Colossians 2:9

[6] Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35

[7] 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 1 John 2:2; Acts 13:39

[8] Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:24-28

[9] Matthew 25:31-34; Acts 1:11

[10] John 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12

[11] John 14:16-17

[12] 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

[13] Genesis 1:27

[14] Romans 8:8

[15] 1 John 2:2

[16] Titus 3:5-7; Acts 2:38; John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 6:11

[17] 1 Thessalonians 5:23

[18] Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-25

[19] Ephesians 3:6-12; Ephesians 1:22-23

[20] Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 11:19-30; Acts 15

[21] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

[22] 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:14-15; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20

[23] 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

[24] 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Matthew 25:41-46

"Vertical Ministries is grateful to Gospel Communications Network for this wonderful service."

The Bible Gateway(TM) is a service of Gospel Communications Network (Gospelcom)

Other Languages:
GERMAN
SWEDISH
LATIN
FRENCH
SPANISH
PORTUGUESE
ITALIAN
TAGALOG
NORWEGIAN
.
SEARCHING INSTRUCTIONS