STATEMENT OF BELIEFS, TEACHINGS, AND DOCTRINES
The Living Hope GTC Beliefs, Teachings, and Doctrines as stated in The Scriptures are:
The Bible
We believe the Holy Bible consists of 66 books and is divided in two, the Old and New Testaments; the OT consists of 39 books, Genesis- Malachi and the NT consists of 27 books, Matthew – Revelation. The Bible is the inspired Word of God revealed from God to man. I2 Timothy 3:15-16; 1 Peter 2:2.
The One True God
The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed, the I AM, The Trinity or Tri-unity of the Godhead, i.e. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; co-equal and co-eternal existing in three persons as One God. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10-11; Matt. 28:19.
Salvation Plan
The unmerited favour (Grace) of God brings Salvation. All men now have the opportunity, through the preaching of the Gospel, to hear the Word of God, repent of their sins and receive pardon. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, save man. Titus 2:11; 3: 5-7; Romans 8: 16; 10: 13-15; St. Luke 1: 75; 24: 47; 1 Thess. 4:7; Heb.12: 14.
Sanctification
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to obey the command, ‘Be ye holy, for I am holy’. Sanctification is separation unto holiness and is a process each believer goes through; Heb. 12:14; 1 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6.
Justification
A change of man’s relationship and standing before God and his fellowmen. Here the believer is declared or caused to appear innocent or righteous. The repentant sinner receives pardon and regains full rights. Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:24; Heb. 9:22
Holiness
Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. In the new birth, man begins to live a life separated from sin. Dealing frankly with every known evil and works of darkness. To live this holy life, we must have the nature of God; Heb. 12:14; Ezra 9:15; Eph. 5:26.
Regeneration
This is the impartation of a new and divine life; a new creation, the production of a new thing. By nature, man is now dead to sin. The new birth now imparts him a new life- the life of God, so that he is as those who are alive from the dead; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:1.
Water Baptism
The ordinance of baptism is a sign of being buried with Christ and should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have really repented of their sins and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Saviour and Lord. Baptism is done by emersion. Baptism is an outward sign of the inward work done through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:19; Mark 1:9-10; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:36, 38.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every member of the church or the Body of Christ is urged to partake of this supper. This is a memorial of His suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 2 Peter 1:4.
Washing The Saints’ Feet
This is a service of deep Christian fellowship, showing humility, love and an unending bond. The model given by our Lord Himself; John 13:4-17; 1 Tim. 5: 9-10
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
This is the promise of the Father to all who fervently desire this gift. This was a normal experience of all the early Christian believers. With this comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11: 14-16.
The Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The initial physical sign of speaking in tongues witnesses the Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit gives them utterance. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift of power upon the sanctified life. When we receive Him, we have similar evidence as the disciples had on the Day of Pentecost, speaking in new tongues. The speaking in tongues in this instance is similar essence as the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28 but different in purpose and use; Acts 2,3,4; 10:44-46; 19:1-7; John 15:26; Heb.1:5.
Spiritual Gifts
Various gifts are given to a believer how is set apart for the Lord’s work. These gifts are given, but not given away and must be used to benefit the Body of Christ and not for individuals’ glory and profit. 1 Cor. 12:1, 7, 10, 28, 31; 1 Cor. 14:1
Signs Accompanying the Believer
It is imperative that believers live that the world can clearly identify them. Believers should constantly demonstrate the power, love, compassion and nature of God. Mark 16:17-20; Romans 15:18-19; Hebrews 2:4.
The Ministry and Evangelism
Our Lord has provided a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry for a two-fold purpose: (a) to evangelize the world and (b) to edify the believers. In doing so, the believer must bear the fruits of the Spirit. Romans 6L: 22; Gal. 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11.
Divine Healing
This wonderful blessing is provided for in the Atonement. It is a high privilege of all believers. The believer must believe in the healing power of God to perform this act. For it is only God that can truly heal. Isa. 53:5, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Ex. 15:14; Jeremiah 12:17; Psalm 103:3.
Tithes and Giving
This is a noble act of worship. Saints are urged to worship God in this very personal and sacrificial way. The tithes should represent one-tenth of the believer’s income. The offering can represent any amount as the Lord prospers the believer. Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42; 1 Cor. 9:6-9; 16:2; Heb. 7:1-21.
Restitution Where Possible
If at all possible, when a soul has surrendered to Christ, such believer should prayerfully and wisely consider making restitution where possible; Matt. 3:8; Luke 19:8, 9.
The Blessed Hope of His Return
Christ bore constant testimony to His coming again; John 14:3; Matt. 24 & 25; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 2:22.
The angels who bore such faithful testimony to Christ’s first advent, bear testimony to Christ second coming; Acts 1:11; Heb. 2:2, for the faithfulness of their testimony.
The Apostles faithfully proclaimed this truth; Acts 3:19, 20; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Heb. 9:28; Jude 14, 15.
The Church is exhorted to look forward to the second coming of Christ as its Great Hope; Titus 2:13.
The pre-millennial. The second coming of Jesus is on this wise; First, to resurrect the dead saints and to change both living saints and resurrected saints and snatch them away to be with Him in glory; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 2 Thess. 2:1. Second, to reign on earth a thousand years; Zechariah 14\;4; 1 Thess. 4:14; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14,15; Revelation 5:10; 19:11-21; 20:2-6.
The Resurrection
There will be a literal resurrection of the bodies of all individuals – a universal resurrection; John 5:22; Rev. 20:12; 2 Cor. 5:10. It is clearly shown here that it is necessary to raise the body in order that judgment may take place according to the things done in the body; Job 19:25-27; Psalm 16:9.
Eternal Life for the Righteous
The believer’s present body is called the body of humiliation; Phil. 3:21. It is not yet fitted for entrance into the Kingdom; 1 Cor. 15:20. Paul’s hope is not for deliverance from the body, but for the redemption of it; 2 Cor. 5:4. The resurrected body of the believer will be like the glorified body of Christ, ready to inherit eternal life.
Eternal Punishment for the Wicked
No liberation or annihilation. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophets and whoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the Lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone; Rev. 19:20.
