statement of faith

No statement of faith is exhaustive or encompasses the whole of Scripture. Restoration in Christ Ministries is committed to the final authority of the Hebrew-Christian Scripture as contained in the original text. We also believe that extant manuscripts are a close approximation of the original text.

The following is not intended to be a complete statement of everything we believe, but a basic reference that is generally agreed upon by Christians. We understand that on some points there are differences of opinion, and our ministry desires to respect and work with Christians who have sincerely held differences on non-essential issues.

We enjoy knowing and working with those who know and love God through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, from many different branches of Christianity. We are happy to answer specific questions about our specific doctrinal position but find that we are able to connect with the heart of a broad range of individuals and groups. With the Word of God as our foundation, we are careful to not force our beliefs on anyone, but rather to work together to set the captives free from spiritual bondage resulting from a wide range of abuse issues.

WE BELIEVE that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant in its original manuscripts.  The Bible is our supreme and final authority in faith and life  (II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21).

WE BELIEVE in one God eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:1, 26, Matt. 28:19, John 1:1-3,10; Mark 1:10,11).

WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ, of his own volition came into the world in order that whoever believes in His sacrificial death might have eternal life (John 3:16-18). He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13,14).

WE BELIEVE that man was created in the image of God to act as a steward of the world, God's creation.  Man was also responsible for spiritual guardianship of this earth.  After Adam and Eve sinned God gave them and all other humans a limited life span physically. When Adam and Eve sinned they also became spiritually dead, and thus all their descendents are also born spiritually dead, separated from God (Genesis 1:26-30; 3: 1-24; Romans 3:23-25; 5:12-19; I John 1:8).

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood.  The blood of Jesus Christ is the sole covering and payment for our sins.  Since the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, all forms of sacrificial killing are abhorrent to God and considered murder (Isaiah 53: Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 3:24; 5:1; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:20-23; I John 2:2).

WE BELIEVE in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ; first for his saints and then with his saints to rule and reign over planet earth (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Revelation 19-20).

WE BELIEVE that all who come by grace through faith to the Lord Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, made alive spiritually, and thereby become adopted children of God. It is God's intention that all who are so born from above are to yield themselves to complete obedience to His Lordship  (John 1:12-14; 3:3,5; James 1:18, I Peter 1:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; Colossians 2:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of the just and the unjust.  The just will live with God, the Adamic curse removed of both physical and spiritual death while the unjust will reap eternal punishment (John 5:28,29; II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15).

WE BELIEVE in the priesthood of each believer.  God has given spiritual gifts to all who receive him by faith. Using the spiritual gifts are an essential part of all ministry for each believer. Though each of us is being sanctified as we yield more of ourselves to Christ, God desires to use every believer to minister His love and truth to the world, no matter their title or position in life (Hebrews 8, I Corinthians 12, 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4).