Statements of faith

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The Holy Spirit gives divine understanding to all Scripture. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine written revelation of God to man (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; I Peter 1:23-25; Romans 16:25-26; I Corinthians 2:10-16; II Corinthians 3:14-16; John 6:63).

We believe in One God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each coeternal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfection (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10-26; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8, 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11; Ephesians 4:6; Acts 5:3-4).

We believe that God the Father is the Creator, Architect, Builder, and Maker of all things. As the Source of the eternal plan and purpose, all things originated in the Father’s heart for Himself. As a result, The Father has designated the Son to be central and supreme, having first place in all things in the eternal plan and purpose. The Son was given by the Father to ultimately reveal and manifest the Father Himself. The Father has sent the Son to be the Agent by whom this purpose was fulfilled. According to this eternal plan and purpose, the Father has consequently commissioned the Holy Spirit to be the Activator, Energizer, and Source of power to carry into existence the eternal plan and purpose. The ultimate ministry of the Holy Spirit under this plan is to make manifest and reveal the Son as having the preeminence in all things (John 16:12-15; Hebrews 3:4, 11:10; Colossians 1:15-19; Ephesians 1:19-23).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became a man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; II Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His sinless life and death on a cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24, 3-5; Ephesians 1:7).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted and seated at the right hand of God. As our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. He is the Supernatural Agent of redemption and teaches us all things (Luke 12:12; John 14:26, 16:8-11; Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe that all believers should seek and expect the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of the early church. With the baptism comes power, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of ministry. This experience is distinct from the experience of the new birth and could and should occur at salvation, but does not always happen that way (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 2:38, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9).

We believe the work of the Holy Spirit in every believer’s life is manifold. The Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is to be one of changing us into the likeness of Christ by His indwelling, sealing presence in our hearts. The Holy Spirit comes also to empower us by grace to accomplish all spiritual ministries and gifts given to us by God’s own choosing. We also believe that Scripture clearly states that speaking with other tongues accompanied the baptism in the Holy Spirit in most of the detailed accounts in Acts (Acts 1:8, 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:2-6).

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. Fallen man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. This sin causes a separation from God and, therefore, a need for a Savior. God by His great love provided this Savior in His Son, Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on a cross and the shedding of innocent blood, we may enter into fellowship with the Father. Through this redemption we have a restored relationship with God as was intended from creation (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:25, 5:12, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:17-19; Isaiah 59:2; I John 1:7-9; Hebrews 9:14, 13:12).

We believe that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. God has always required a sacrifice for man’s sin, and in His love and desire to make a more perfect way, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life. His blood that was shed on the cross is the only sacrifice sufficient to cleanse us from our sins. When we appropriate this blood sacrifice through faith expressed in Christ Jesus and repent of our sins that have separated us from a Holy God, we are freed from the penalty of eternal punishment (John 1:29; Romans 3:10-12, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 4:15, 7:27, 9:22; I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9).

We believe that repentance is the act of willfully turning away from sin in every area of our lives to follow Christ Jesus. Through repentance we individually receive forgiveness of sins and salvation (Luke 24:27; II Peter 3:9; II Corinthians 7:10).

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18, Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Acts 4:10-12).

We believe that sanctification is the ongoing process of being set apart for God. This is characterized by our yielding to God, so that He may continue to complete the process of Christlikeness in us. A lifestyle of developing righteousness and holiness is the evidence to all men that Christ’s Spirit abides within us (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. Separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God (Romans 12:1-2, 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Timothy 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).

We believe marriage is a sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman. From creation, God designed male and female for covenant union, and Jesus affirmed this design as God’s intention for marriage. Our standard is not shaped by culture, preference, or changing social norms, but by the Word of God. We believe His design is good, His boundaries are loving, and obedience to Him leads to life. Therefore, Firelands Church recognizes and affirms marriage exclusively as the covenant union of one biological man and one biological woman (Genesis 1:27–28, Genesis 2:18–24, Matthew 19:4–6, Ephesians 5:31–32).

We believe that Jesus Christ Himself established and builds the church universal, composed of all born-again believers in every time and place, of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. The universal church is His body and espoused bride, a new and holy nation and people, through which God has purposed to glorify Himself in the world (Matthew 16:18, 21:42-43; Revelation 5:9-10; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:13-22, 3:20-21, 4:4-6, 5:25-32; I Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 21:1-4).

We believe that Christ also ordained the local church as an expression of His universal church in a particular place (Matthew 18:15-18).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27, 20:17, 27-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external human authority or control (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31; Romans 16:1,4; I Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4-7, 13; I Peter 5:1-4).

We believe denominationalism is divisive and carnal. Each local church has the privilege and sober responsibility to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit’s leading for the planted group of believers in that particular time and place in the economy of God’s spiritual civilization on earth.

We believe that upon Christ’s ascension He gave five ministries to the Church for her instruction and total equipping for the service and ministry of Christ’s gospel. There are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. All of these ministries are the direct outworking of who Christ was in His ministry upon the Earth and, therefore, Firelands Church welcomes and acknowledges these ministries in their fullness and authority (Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:10-12; I Corinthians 3:10, 12:28).

We believe that once the senior leaders of Firelands Church have pioneered and established the foundation, they will then lay hands on a of team of elders who will become the primary spiritual leaders of the congregation and are also called overseers or pastors in the New Testament. Their responsibilities will include:

1. Ruling the flock of God (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24; I Timothy 3:4-5, 5:17; Romans 12:8; I Thessalonians 5:12-14; I Peter 5:2-3).
2. Teaching the flock of God (Hebrews 13:7; I Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9; II Timothy 2:24).
3. Shepherding the flock of God (Acts 20:17, 28; I Peter 5:2; John 21:15-17).
4. Overseeing the flock of God (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:7; I Peter 5:2-3).
5. Caring for the flock of God (James 5:14-15; Ezra 34; Jeremiah 23:1).
6. Governing the flock of God (I Timothy 5:17; I Corinthians 12:28; Isaiah 9:6; II Peter 2:10).
7. Living for the flock of God (John 10; Ezra 34; Jeremiah 23:1).
8. Safeguarding the flock of God from false ministries (Acts 15; Revelation 2:2; Acts 2:42, 16:4-5; I Timothy 4:1).

Deacons have a crucial role in the life and the health of Firelands Church, but their role is different from the elders (Acts 6:1-6). The biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church, so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling of pastoring the flock and giving themselves to prayer and the study of God’s Word. The duties of deacons can include:

1. Facilities: The deacons could be responsible for managing the church property. This would include making sure the building is cleaned and the property is kept.
2. Benevolence: Similar to what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily distribution to the widows, the deacons may be involved in administrating funds or other assistance to the needy.
3. Ushers: The deacons could be responsible for seating the congregation, collecting tithes and offerings, or preparing the elements for communion.
4. Logistics: Deacons should be available to help in variety of ways, so that the elders are able to concentrate on teaching and shepherding the church.

We believe in the ordinance of baptism by total immersion in water for all that have repented and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and have been raised with Him in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

We believe that the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and juice, is the symbol expressing our sharing of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial and remembrance of His life, suffering and death, and a prophesy of His second coming. It is enjoined on all believers until He comes (John 6:48, 51, 53-57; Luke 22:19-20; II Peter 1:4; I Corinthians 11:23-26).

We believe that Satan is a being who fell into sin and rebellion and empowered the fall of man. He is the open and declared enemy of God and man, and is called a liar and deceiver. He shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic, and language group who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to go to foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:20).

We believe in the “blessed home,” the literal, personal, return of Christ who will at the sound of the trumpet of God catch us up together in the clouds to meet the Lord, and we will always be with Him (I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6).

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the resurrection, when the soul and body are reunited, where they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated but to suffer everlasting punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).