Charis Ministry's Statement of Faith and Beliefs
The Scriptures:
We believe that all of Scripture (i.e. both the Old and New Testament) is verbally inspired by God, and is our final authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
God:
We believe in only one true God; One in essence, nature, and attributes, but existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7).
Jesus Christ:
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, of His shed blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, of His bodily resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand. We do not believe that He is a way to the Father, but rather the only way through which we can receive righteousness, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. He is, in fact, our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
Holy Spirit:
We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit, expressed with speaking in tongues according to Acts 1:8; 2:4; 9:17; 10:44-46; 11:15-16; and 19:6. We believe this experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the new birth, and can be received by faith (Galatians 3:2).
Salvation:
We believe that all who, in repentance and faith, receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord are born again (Acts 20:20-21; Romans 10:9-13).
Healing:
We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross has provided healing for the human body (Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4; 1 Peter 2:24).
The Resurrection:
We believe in the resurrection of the just and the unjust; one to everlasting life and one to everlasting damnation (Matthew 25:46).
The Second Coming:
We believe in a literal, physical second return of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17).
The Church:
We believe that the universal church is comprised of all true believers who have received salvation through Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). We also believe in and encourage fellowship with a local church (Hebrews 10:25).
Gifts of the Spirit:
We believe that spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are for the common good and building up of others today (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Sanctity of Life:
God’s Word has a lot to say about the sanctity of life. In Exodus 20-21, God gave us His standard of morality and value on life (even the life of the unborn). He says,
You must not murder [deliberate, premeditated killing]. Exodus 20:13 (New Living Translation, brackets mine)
If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. [23] But if there is serious injury [i.e., the death of the baby or mother], you are to take life for life.
Exodus 21:22-23
Abortion is about the sanctity of life (which scientists define as a “living organism…as specifically distinguished by the capacity to grow, metabolize, respond (to stimuli), adapt, and reproduce”).
God is intimately involved in the process of life. At the moment of our conception, God made a plan for us and began shaping us into His image (Psalm 139:14-16). We are unique and valuable to Him—from conception. Even science agrees that at conception, all forty-six human chromosomes (little DNA packages that are the building blocks of life) are found in a unique configuration that has never before existed!4
Life is precious and children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm. 127:3) that we are called to defend (Isa. 1:17 and Psalm 82:3).
We believe that all of Scripture (i.e. both the Old and New Testament) is verbally inspired by God, and is our final authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
God:
We believe in only one true God; One in essence, nature, and attributes, but existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7).
Jesus Christ:
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, of His shed blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, of His bodily resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand. We do not believe that He is a way to the Father, but rather the only way through which we can receive righteousness, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. He is, in fact, our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
Holy Spirit:
We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit, expressed with speaking in tongues according to Acts 1:8; 2:4; 9:17; 10:44-46; 11:15-16; and 19:6. We believe this experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the new birth, and can be received by faith (Galatians 3:2).
Salvation:
We believe that all who, in repentance and faith, receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord are born again (Acts 20:20-21; Romans 10:9-13).
Healing:
We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross has provided healing for the human body (Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4; 1 Peter 2:24).
The Resurrection:
We believe in the resurrection of the just and the unjust; one to everlasting life and one to everlasting damnation (Matthew 25:46).
The Second Coming:
We believe in a literal, physical second return of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17).
The Church:
We believe that the universal church is comprised of all true believers who have received salvation through Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). We also believe in and encourage fellowship with a local church (Hebrews 10:25).
Gifts of the Spirit:
We believe that spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are for the common good and building up of others today (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Sanctity of Life:
God’s Word has a lot to say about the sanctity of life. In Exodus 20-21, God gave us His standard of morality and value on life (even the life of the unborn). He says,
You must not murder [deliberate, premeditated killing]. Exodus 20:13 (New Living Translation, brackets mine)
If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. [23] But if there is serious injury [i.e., the death of the baby or mother], you are to take life for life.
Exodus 21:22-23
Abortion is about the sanctity of life (which scientists define as a “living organism…as specifically distinguished by the capacity to grow, metabolize, respond (to stimuli), adapt, and reproduce”).
God is intimately involved in the process of life. At the moment of our conception, God made a plan for us and began shaping us into His image (Psalm 139:14-16). We are unique and valuable to Him—from conception. Even science agrees that at conception, all forty-six human chromosomes (little DNA packages that are the building blocks of life) are found in a unique configuration that has never before existed!4
Life is precious and children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm. 127:3) that we are called to defend (Isa. 1:17 and Psalm 82:3).
