Sep 24 2007
Beliefs
A. What we believe
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-18)
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because the Bible is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119:105, 160)
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2)
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
7. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If one has been genuinely saved, he cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
8. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3: 16; 1 John 5:11-13; Roman 6:23)
THE BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realise what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:15)
Since God’s word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. Our first question when faced with a decision is”What does the Bible say?” We strongly encourage the practice of daily personal Bible reading and study, and taking an an active part in a small “Bible, Prayer and Care” group.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
“Christ is the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the body’s life.” (Colossians 1:18)
Christ is the true head of the church, not any person, group, religious leader or organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we also believe every local church should passionately strive to be self-governing and self-sufficient at that level, and not be a burden to others.
In relating to other churches, we encourage our own congregations (meeting as the expressions of Philadelphia Church ) to take an active role in prayerfully determining our own local strategies, structures and styles under the guidance of our own denomination and particularly the Brethern denomination, with which we are officially associated.
PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God.” (Revelation 1:6)
“You are the king’s priests. . .God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” (1 Peter 2:9)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that “Every Member is a Minister” by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading and has no need of any other person hearing or deciding God’s direction in his/her life.
GIVING (TITHING)
“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord, it is holy to the Lord.” (Leviticus 26:30)
At Philadelphia Church, we strongly encourage the practice of regular, generous giving (or tithing) for the support of Christ’s Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that striving to give at least 10% of our income is a Biblical standard of giving that is pleasing to God. We strongly encourage the use of our anonymous, weekly envelopes for this purpose.
BAPTISM
“For when you were baptised, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” (Colossians 2:12)
We encourage baptism as an obedient, symbolic response that expresses a desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that this act in itself does not earn salvation. Salvation can only be by faith alone in Christ who died and was raised as the only acceptable payment for our rebellion.
SPIRIT-LED LIVING
(Jesus said) “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
(Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God entrusts to us. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting relatives, friends and strangers to church activities.
- ….Some look for happiness by acquiring possessions.
- ….Some look for happiness by experiencing pleasure.
- ….Some look for happiness by gaining prestige and power.
But real happiness comes from understanding my ‘Purpose in Life’.
I. WHY AM I HERE?
1. GOD MADE ME TO LOVE ME!
“God says I have loved you with an everlasting love!” (Jeremiah 3 1:3)
“Even before the world was made God had already chosen us to be His through our union with Christ… because of His love, God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children - this was God’s pleasure and purpose.” (Ephesians 1: 4-5)
2. WE WERE CREATED TO ENJOY A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND TO ENJOY ALL OF THE REST OF GOD’S CREATION! THIS MAKES US SPECIAL!
“So God created human beings, making them in His image. He blessed them, and said, …live all over the earth and bring it under control. I am putting you in charge.” (Genesis 1: 27-30)
“God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy. 6:17)
Jesus said, “I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.” ( John 10:10)
3. WHEN WE KNOW AND LOVE GOD, AND LIVE IN HARMONY WITH HIS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES, IT PRODUCES TREMENDOUS BENEFITS IN OUR LIFE:
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Clear Conscience |
Life & Peace |
Help with Weakness |
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Romans 8:1 |
Romans 8:6 |
Romans 8:26 |
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____________________ |
____________________ |
____________________ |
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Purpose |
Confidence |
Security |
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Romans 8:28 |
Romans 8:31 |
Romans 8:39 |
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____________________ |
____________________ |
____________________ |
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Power & Strength |
Fulfilment |
Freedom |
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Philippians 4:13 |
Philippians 4:19 |
John 8:32,36 |
II. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Man has a natural desire to BE THE BOSS and to ignore God’s principles for living.
- “Look out for #1. Do your own thing.”
- “If it feels good, do it - regardless of what God says about it.
- “It’s my life, and I’ll do what I want.”
THE BIBLE CALLS THIS ATTITUDE SIN
“All of us, like sheep have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)
“If we say that we never sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refuse to accept the truth.” (1 John 1:8)
Sin breaks our close relationship with God. It causes us to fear God and try to live our lives outside of His will.
“The trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God.” (Isaiah 59:2)
“All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious ideal.” (Romans 3:23)
When our relationship to God is not right, it causes problems in every area of our lives: marriage, career, relationships, finances etc.
WHEN PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS, THEY OFTEN TRY MANY DIFFERENT WAYS OF COPING BEFORE TURNING TO GOD.
“There are ways that seem right to man, but they only end in death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
Even when we know that our deepest need is God, we often try wrong ways of getting to know Him:
- “My grandmother was a Christian so….”
- “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just be sincere.”
- “I’ll give up all my bad habits.”
- “I’ll work real hard and earn it.”
- “I’ll be religious and go to church.”III. WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?Jesus Christ said, “I AM THE WAY, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except THROUGH ME!” (John 14:6)God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself. If any other way would have worked, Jesus Christ would not have had to come. The Way is a Person!
JESUS HAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF YOUR SIN PROBLEM!
SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO JESUS?
