DOCTRINE
The doctrine found in the Bible is the foundation of the church. These truths guide every aspect of the Maranatha Christian Church.
1. The Bible
We believe all 66 books of the Bible are the revealed Word of God and that its original manuscripts were fully inspired by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is a book that be completely trusted and is the only standard of faith and living for the church. It is the only canon of the Church, its doctrines are to be believed, obeyed and lived. Moreover, we believe that the same Holy Spirit that inspired the Bible also helps us understand it.
2. The Trinity
There is only one God that exists in three persons, with equal glory and power; The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Father :
God, the Father, is perfect and has created all things. We believe all things, including mankind, was created to worship Him.
The Son :
To save those who are lost, the God, the Son became a perfect man and lived among us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lead a sinless life and died on the cross to redeem us from our sins and give us eternal life. He then ascended to heaven where He continually intercedes for the church before the Father. Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. Hence why we pray to God in His name. He will one day return to take His faithful church to heaven.
The Holy Spirit :
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to guide mankind to the truth and to attain salvation. The Holy Spirit continues to work in the church and in each believer until the project of salvation is complete.
3. Mankind’s sinful nature
”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Romans 6:23
Although mankind was created in the image of God, due to sin, have become subject to eternal condemnation. They may be saved only by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus as the only and sufficient Savior.
4. Salvation
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Romans 5:1
The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus for the salvation of all those who believe is the summary and the essence of the Gospel. The believer is elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
５. Sanctification
"elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."
I Peter 1:2
The way we show our faith in Jesus and our love for Him is by living a life of obedience and good works. We work hard to live in fellowship with Jesus, walk in the Spirit and live by faith.
6. The Church
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
I Corinthians 12:13
The church is a community of those who are saved by Christ and wish to live in Him. Jesus Christ is the head of the church while its members, His body, have as mission to fulfil His work on Earth following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
7. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
" ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams."
Acts 2:17
We believe the Holy Spirit baptizes those who believe with the purpose to strengthen the body of Christ, leading the believers to the truth.
8. Spiritual Gifts
”Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.“
I Corinthians 14:1
We believe that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit seen by the Primitive Church in the Pentecost is still present in the midst of the Church today. Jesus is alive and wants to speak to His faithful church. We believe The Spiritual Gifts are given freely to those who believe and have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.
9. Jesus' Return
”For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.“
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
We believe the Lord Jesus will return and is preparing a faithful church comprised of all believers along history who trusted only in the blood of Jesus for their salvation to ascend with Him to heaven. We do not know when this will happen hence why we need to always be vigilant and living a life of sanctification.