DECLARATION OF FAITH AND PREAMBLE
We, The members of Supernatural Healing & Inspiration Ministries,
Inc hold the Holy Scriptures as contained in the Old and New Testaments
of our Bible as our rule of Faith and Practice. We claim our heritage
and natural right to worship God according to the dictates of our own
conscience. We believe that Governments are God-given institutions for
the benefit of mankind. We admonish and exhort our members to pray for
magistrates and civil authorities and to respect and obey civil laws,
in as much as they honor the principles set forth in the scriptures.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
These statements of truth are set forth in an effort to express those principles that are essential to a full-gospel ministry.
Inspired Scriptures. All Scripture (Old and New Testaments) is
divinely inspired of God; and is the only authority of faith and Godly
conduct. 1 Tim. 3:15-17.
God. There is one true and living God, the Creator of all
things; All Knowing, Eternal Love, the Redeemer of mankind, He has
revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, St. John 1:1-14.
The Trinity. We may scripturally speak of the God of heaven as a
trinity, though He is One Lord. God as revealed Himself in three
distinct personal attributes and yet absolutely unified into One, St.
John 1:1-14.
Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God explicitly declares:
His virgin birth – Matt.1: 23
His sinless life – Heb. 7:26
His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross – 1 Cor. 15:3
His bodily resurrection from the dead – Matt. 28:6; 1 Cor. 15:4
His place at the right hand of God – Acts 2:33
The fall of Man. God has created man good and free of any evil.
However, man of his own choice transgressed the will and command of
God; thereby inheriting the nature of sin which results in physical
death as well as spiritual death (separation from God).
The Salvation of Man. Man can now only be redeemed through the
shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. This salvation is received
through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, being
justified by grace through faith, Rom. 10:9-15. The inward witness of
the Spirit and the outward witness of a holy and righteous life are the
evidence of salvation, Romans 8:16; Eph. 4:24.
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Water Baptism. Baptism of water by immersion is commanded in the
Scriptures. Baptism symbolizes that the “born again” person
has died with Christ and has been raised with Him in newness of life,
Matt. 28:19: Romans 6:4.
The Lord’s Supper. Consisting of bread and the fruit of
the vine, expresses our sharing the divine nature of the Lord, 11 Pet.
1:14. All believers are to share in this memorial until the return of
our Lord. As we partake in Holy Communion we remember His suffering and
Death, 1 Cor. 11:26
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost. This being the normal experience
of all in the early Christian Church should be experienced by all in
the body of Christ today. With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes a
deeper reverence of God, an overflowing of the Spirit, endowment of
power for life and service, a greater love for the mighty things of
God, 1 Cor.12:1-31; Acts 2:43: Acts 8:12-17; Acts 2:42; John 7:37-39.
Sanctification. Sanctification is the act of separating from
evil, sin and the lusts of the world. In identifying with Christ and
exercising faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection the
believer’s sanctification becomes a reality to him, Heb. 12:14;
Gal. 2:20.
The Church of the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ is the head of the
Church, His body, and is its source of authority and power. Each person
who has been born of the Spirit is an important part of the church of
God. The church has as it’s divine mission the command of the
Lord Jesus Christ to take the Gospel to all the world, and to make
disciples of all nations, Eph. 1:22: Heb. 12:23; Matt. 28:19-20. The
church is established to Evangelize the world, worship God, and edify
the body of saints, Eph. 1:11-16; John 4:23-24: Mark 16:15-20.
Divine Healing. Perfect health is provided for in the atonement
and is the privilege of all believers. Divine healing is a part of the
gospel of Jesus Christ, Matt.8:16-17; James 5:14-16.
The Resurrection. The dead in Christ will rise first and then
those of us who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is the precious hope
of the church, 1 Thess. 4:16,17.
The Millennial. This is the time that Christ will visibly return
with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. There
will be universal peace at this time, Zech. 14:5; Rev. 20:1-6; Isa.
11:6-9.
The Judgment. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life
shall go to everlasting punishment and torment; while the righteous
shall enter into everlasting life and peace, Rev. 19:20.
Do you have a form of worship?
YES
Worship, sing, reading the Bible, testimonies form the attendance.
Do you have a formal code of doctrine and discipline?
YES
CODE OF DOCTRINE & DISCIPLINE
The members of the congregation of Supernatural Healing &
Inspiration Ministries, Inc shall give consent to its form of
government, together with the past policies, and to the policy of
fundamental unity and agreement, alike in doctrine, conduct and action,
and shall conform to the Scriptural injunctions that there be no
division in the body. 1 Corinthians 1:10 They shall be subject to
Elders as the word of God plainly teaches, that the principle of
Christian fellowship may be kept inviolate and perpetuated, recognizing
its fundamental importance.
(a) Members are expected to operate in accordance with the principle of
Christian love (John 13:34-35) and genuine concern for other believers
(Philippians 2:3). When a member becomes aware of an offense of such
magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go
alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother (Matthew:
15-20). Before he goes, he should first examine himself (2 Corinthians
10: 12). When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility (Romans
14: 1 0 - Philippians 2:5) and have the goal of restoration (Galatians
6-1-5).
(b) If reconciliation is not reached, one or two members, one of whom
shall be an Elder of the Church, is to accompany the one seeking to
resolve the matter (Matthew 18:16). This second step should also be
preceded by self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5), and exercised in a
spirit of humility with the goal of restoration (Galatians 6:2).
(c) If the matter is still unresolved - after the steps outlined in
subsections A and B above have been taken - the Discipline Ministry, as
the Church's representatives biblically responsible for putting down
murmuring (1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14) and strife (I Timothy
6:4; James 4: 1), shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved
during the hearing before the Discipline Ministry, the Ministry shall
recommend to the members of the Church that they, after careful
self-examination and if so led by the Lord, make an effort personally
to go to the offending member and seek that member's restoration (2
Corinthians 2:5-1 0; James 5:20).
(d) If the matter is still unresolved - after the steps outlined in
subsections A, B and C above have been taken - such members who refuse
to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the
Church upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full body of Elders at a
meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action
(Romans 16:17). The member's disfellowship shall be made public when
the church body is assembled together in accordance with 1 Corinthians
5:2-5, 12-13.
(e)
No matter may be heard by the body of Elders unless the steps outlined
in subsections A and B above have been taken, except in the case of a
public offense (as defined by the Elders).
(f) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the Church
membership, all intentional contact with him or her from that point
forward, with the exception of family members, must be solely for the
sake of restoration (1 Corinthians 5:9-1 1).
Member's Code of Discipline.
Cooperative Action. The members of the congregation of the Church shall
give consent to its form of government (Hebrews 13:17) and to its
policy of fundamental unity (Ephesians 4:3-6) and agreement, alike in
doctrine (1 Corinthians 1:10), conduct and action (Ephesians 5:3), and
shall conform to the Scriptural injunctions that there be no division
in the body (1 Corinthians 1: 13). They shall be subject to the Elders
of the Church, the Board of Directors and the Word of God concerning
matters of Christian fellowship (1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians
5:11-13).
Attitude Toward Strife. Inasmuch as no Christian institution can comply
with the plain teaching of Scripture unless unity and harmony
predominate within its circle, no member of the congregation may use
any means to incite or engender strife (Proverbs 6:16, 19; 2
Thessalonians 3.-11; 1 Timothy 5:13), but shall work in harmony with
the other members of the congregation (Psalm 133:1, 3- Ephesians 4:3)
and the Board of Directors (Acts 2:42). If there is cause for
dissatisfaction, it shall be called to the attention of the Overseeing
Pastor or an Elder (Acts 6: 1; 1 Corinthians 1: 11, 5: 1). At their
discretion, necessary adjustments shall be made (Acts 6:1-7; Matthew
18: 15-18).
Discipline. The responsibility of administering discipline in the
Church is that of the Overseeing Pastor and the Elders of the Church (1
Corinthians 5: 12). The following are grounds for exercising
discipline; suspension, or expulsion from membership.
Unscriptural conduct. Failure to maintain membership requirements or
doctrinal departure from the Statement of Faith shall be considered
sufficient grounds for rescinding membership. Such discipline shall be
prayerfully administered by the Elders of the Church according to
Scriptures (Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 5: 9-13; 2
Thessalonians 3:6).
The Elders shall be empowered to place on the inactive list those who
have disqualified themselves for membership as provided for in these
By-laws. The Elders shall also have the authority to restore to active
membership those who in the opinion of the Elders are not at fault and
those who, although at fault; have through repentance requalified for
membership in the Church (2 Corinthians 2:6-7).
The Body of Elders shall recognize its duty to interview and encourage
a proper attitude on the part of those who have been placed on the
inactive list (Romans 13:8, 10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13). It shall
proceed carefully to press for final decision in each case. The
decision of the Body of Elders shall be final and is not subject to
appeal by the affected member.
Do you have a distinct religious history?
YES
Brief history of the development and reasons for its formation.
To establish a place of worship on a regular basis in order to worship
and preach the word of Jesus Christ.
In accordance with Iona Irving's desire to have a church
patterned after the church set forth in the New Testament, particularly
Acts, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, and Titus. The General
program of the church shall be evangelistic and shall provide, but not limited to,
an opportune time in the weekly worship services for the observation of
the Lord’s supper, for prayer, for preaching and teaching of the
Holy scriptures, for instrumental music, for singing of hymns and
Christian songs, and for the giving of offerings. Also, the pastor may
perform but not limited to, the following Sacerdotal Functions: the
conduct of regular services, teaching & administration duties,
spiritual guidance, Baptisms, Communion, Weddings, Prayer for the sick,
Funerals, Dedications, and Christenings.
Describe the organization’s religious hierarchy or
ecclesiastical government; this refers to people or institutions that
exercise significant influence or authority over you.
The organization is Independent and a non-denominational church.
