REAP WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES

 

OUR ARTICLES OF FAITH

 

For years we preached the Bible, and had no creeds, statements or articles of faith.

However to clarify the doctrines that we teach, we felt it necessary to write these articles of faith to explain in simple words our basic doctrines.

 

We believe that despite our doctrinal differences with other Christians we should love one another, fellowship and worship in unity, yet never by compromising the gospel or sacrificing the truth. Therefore these articles are not meant to condemn, anathematize, or disassociate us from other Christian believers. However let it be clearly understood that our willingness to associate and fellowship with Christians from different doctrinal beliefs does not mean that we consider all denominational doctrines as equally true.

 

If other fellow Christians disagree with some of our doctrines, let it be known that we arrived at these doctrines through many years of prayer and careful study of God’s word. If anyone feels that we are deficient, or mistaken in any doctrine, we ask that you please pray for us, that God will give us greater understanding. However we ask that if after praying and studying you have found our doctrines true to the Bible, you will have the humility and willingness to accept these doctrines.

 

These articles of faith are not an exhaustive explanation of our faith, but a condensed response to inquiries. We have carefully chosen only those doctrines that we deemed vital to our faith, and have carefully chosen the wording of each article. These are intended to provide a road for fellowship where other fellow believers can walk along with us.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

MAIN DOCTRINES

 

THE BIBLE

·         We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God to man, which is complete, and infallible, and the ONLY source for doctrine and the teaching of the Christian faith.

·         We believe that no person's writings; creeds, books, visions or prophecies outside the Bible can be considered or accepted as inspired by God.

·         We believe all doctrines and instructions for the church must be based upon, and harmonize with the whole Bible.

(Psalm 12:6, Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

 

HUMANITY

·         We believe that humanity was created in the image of God and therefor has an intrinsic value.

·         We believe that humanity fell in the Garden of Eden and now is in need of redemption.

·         We believe that although some may live highly moral and religious lives, they can not measure to the perfection demanded by God.

(Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:6, Romans 3:9-18, Romans 5:12-21)

 

JESUS CHRIST

·         We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Son of Man.

·         That Jesus was the perfect man and our example to follow.

·         That Jesus died for our sins, and was resurrected on the third day.

 (Matthew 16:13-16, Mark 1:1, Colossians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:1, I Timothy 2:5)

 

MIRACULOUS BIRTH

·         We believe Jesus’ birth was predicted hundredths of years before he was to be born.

·         We believe the Holy Spirit supernaturally impregnated Mary.

·         We believe Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem.

 (Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31)

 

GOSPEL

·         We believe that there is only ONE Gospel message

·         We believe that the Gospel is the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

·         We believe that anyone who preaches any other gospel is accursed

 (Luke 9:22, I Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Galatians 1:8-9)

 

RETURN OF CHRIST

·         We believe in the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with no person knowing the day of his return.

·         We believe he will return in a bodily form.

·         We believe he will return to judge the saved and the lost.

 (Matthew 26:64, Luke 18:8, Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:15-18)

 

REPENTANCE

·         We believe that God has now commanded repentance from all humanity.

·         We believe that repentance is more than sorrow; it is a turning away from sin.

·         We believe that a repentant person must make restitution for past wrongs.

(Luke 13:3, Luke 19:8, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21)

 

WATER BAPTISM

·         We believe that Jesus mandated water baptism

·         We believe that Baptism is done by full immersion in water.

·         We believe that the correct baptism is administered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, I Peter 3:21)

 

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

·         We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to believers who ask for it

·         We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential in the life of the believer.

·         We believe that speaking in tongues is evidence of having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

(Joel 2:28, Luke 11:13, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6, Romans 8:9)

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT

·         We believe the Holy Spirit will guide into all truth in our prayers and study of God’s word.

·         We believe the Holy Spirit will guide us in our daily dealings with society and fellow Christians.

·         We believe the Holy Spirit will give us the power to win the battles with the devil, the flesh and the world.

(Acts 1:8, Acts 2:17-18, Romans 8:26, I Corinthians 2:10-14, Ephesians 6:18)

 

THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST

·         We believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only living God manifested in the flesh.

·         We believe that he had both a human and a divine nature, that he was fully man and fully God.

·         We believe that Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Jesus.

GOD

·         We believe the God of the Bible is the only true and living God, and all others are false gods.

·         We believe God is indivisible, infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, eternal, pure, benevolent, perfect and holy in all of his attributes.

·         We believe in one single indivisible God that reveals himself in three distinct manifestations or roles. That God has chosen to manifest himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and therefore we reject the man made doctrine of the trinity.

(Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:8, Mark 12:29, I John 1:5)

 

RESURRECTION

·         We believe in the bodily resurrection of the body.

·         We believe that both the saved and the lost will be resurrected.

·         We believe the saved will be resurrected to everlasting life with Christ and the lost will be resurrected to damnation without Christ.

(Matthew 22:31-32, John 11:25-26, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:12-15)

 

SECONDARY DOCTRINES

 

We do not mean to say that these secondary doctrines do not matter or are not important to us for to us they do matter and they definitely are important; we believe and preach these doctrines, however in the interest of Christian charity and unity we have decided that we are willing accept in full fellowship Christian brethren who may differ with us on the following doctrines.

 

CREATION

·         We believe the Genesis account of creation to be true and literal, that God created the universe ex-nihilo in seven literal days.

·         We believe the earth to be of recent origin.

·          We believe the creation of mankind to be as described in Genesis.

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

·         We believe the Ten Commandments stood apart from and transcended the ceremonial, dietary and Levitical laws of the Old Testament.

·         We believe that Jesus obeyed and then confirmed the validity of the Ten Commandments by his death in the cross.

·         We believe the Ten Commandments are still valid and have to be observed and obeyed by all Christians; they are the Guidelines and foundation of the Christian life.

 (Exodus 20:17, Matthew 19:17, I John 5:2, Revelation 12:17)

 

THE SABBATH

·         We believe the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, the Saturday.

·         We believe that God, the Patriarchs, the Prophets, Jesus, Paul, and the early Christians kept the Sabbath.

·         We believe that since the Sabbath was never rescinded, done away with, or transferred to any other day, and was kept by the early Christians, then we need to keep it too.

(Genesis 2:2-3, Leviticus 23:3, Luke 4:16, Acts 17:2, Matthew 24:20)

 

CHRISTIAN GOVERNMENT

·         We believe that God has set up Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the growth, guidance, correction and governance of the church body.

·         We believe that God has given the church spiritual gifts for the growth and benefit of the body of Christian believers.

·         We believe that the church should have deacons and other ministries dedicated to reliving the Pastors from serving tables and concentrate in preaching the word of God.

 (Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:1, Acts 6: 1-6)

 

CHRISTIAN LIVING

·         We believe that Christians should strive to live a life free of Spiritual or inner sins (Hate, rebellion, lust, envy, jealousy, pride, and anything contrary or harmful to the spirit), but instead should strive to fill their spirit with goodness, patience, self-control, love, mercy, and all such values.

·         We believe that Christians should strive to live a life free of bodily or outer sins (Drunkenness, gluttony, fighting, drugs, and anything contrary or harmful to their bodies and minds), but instead should strive to do good to the body by exercising, eating properly, studying, relaxing and engaging in virtuous activities.

 

·         We believe that Christians should redeem their time, by living holy and occupying their time in prayer, studying God’s word, engaging in Christian service, Community service and in good and wholesome family activities.

(Leviticus 20:26, Romans 12:1, Galatians 5:13-26, Ephesians 5:1-27)

 

CHRISTIAN EXEGESIS AND APOLOGETICS

·         We believe that even when there are some differences among Christian brethren concerning interpretation of any point of doctrine, we must still be charitable and gentle with each other.

·         We believe that doctrinal differences should be discussed without hate, division, contention, or bitter strife, but in gentleness of spirit forbearing one another.

·         We believe it is right for the Christian to defend the Bible accuracy and its teachings against any attacks from atheists, pagans, cultists, and other enemies of the Bible.

(Matthew 22:29, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Jude 3-4)

 

While there may be other doctrines that some brethren may consider important enough to be addressed in their articles of Faith, we decided that for the time being, these doctrines should suffice for our ministry. In the future, after much prayer, and discussion these articles may be amended, deleted, or added to, if such action is deemed vital for biblical reasons.

 

Officially adopted January 1, 1997

1st Revision June 3, 2005

2nd Revision July 21, 2011

3rd Revision September 25, 2011

4th Revision October 9, 2011

 

Evangelist, George Cardenas