Ark of Truth Christian Fellowship

ARK OF TRUTH CHURCH CONSTITUTION

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES

5.1 HOLY SCRIPTURES

1 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God by which we understand the whole Bible to be inspired in the sense that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture.

Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original writings. The whole Bible in the original is, therefore, without error and, as such, is infallible, absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and practice.

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God, (meaning God Breathed) but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. Christian believers today receive spiritual illumination to enable them to understand the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit,

but God does not grant new revelations that are contrary or additional to inspired biblical truth.

5.2 THE GODHEAD

The bible teaches us that the fullness of the Godhead exists eternally: Known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are known as the Godhead, Deuteronomy 6:4 the Father in Creation the Son in Redemption and the Holy Ghost the comforter the power of God.

5.2.1 THE FATHER

The Father exists eternally as the Eternal Creator of heaven and earth, Genesis 1:1 the Giver of the Law, to whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be all in all. John 4:24

5.2.2 THE SON

The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, is true God and true man. (1 John 5:20).

8He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:21),

9and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the Father.

10He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitution sacrifice.

11 He rose from the dead.

12He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest.

13He will come again to establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace.

5.2.3 THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Ghost is God, performing actions and possessing the attributes of the Deity.

His personality is shown by the fact that He has personal characteristics and that individuals may relate to Him as a person.

(1)2 Tim. 3: 16, 17, (2) 2 Pet. 1: 20,21 , (3) Psa. 119:160; Matt. 5:17,18, (4) 1 Cor. 2:12-14 , (5) Prov. 30:5,6 , (6) Matt. 3:16,17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14 , (7) Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 15:28 , (8) John 1:1,14; 10:30,17; Phil. 2:6,7; Heb. 1:8 (9)Luke 1:26-35 (10)John 12:49; Acts 2:22; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26 (11)Rom. 5:6,8; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1Pet. 3:18 (12)Matt. 28:6; 1 Cor. 15:4,20 (13)Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; Heb. 8:1 (14)Matt. 25:31 (15)Acts 5:3,4 (16) John 16:13-14.

5.3 ANGELS

5.3.1 CLASSIFICATION

17Angels were created as intelligent and powerful beings to do the will of God and worship Him.

18However, Satan, the originator of sin, fell through pride and was followed by those angels who rebelled against God. These fallen angels or demons are active in opposing the purposes of God.

19Those who remained faithful continue before the throne of God and serve as ministering spirits.

5.3.2 THE BELIEVER AND DEMONS

Demons attempt to throughout God's purposes; however, in Christ, the believer may have complete liberty from the influence of demons.

20 The believer cannot be possessed by them because the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Ghost in which Christ dwells as Lord.

5.4 HUMANITY

Humans were originally created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:27)

They fell through sin and, as a consequence, incurred both spiritual and physical death.

Spiritual death and the depravity of human nature have been transmitted to the entire human race

with the exception of the Man Christ Jesus.

Humans can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

5.5.0 SALVATION

Through the death the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the purpose was to atone for mans sins and put away the transgression and rebellion of Adam and Even in the garden of Eden and to be able to reunify us to our God through the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world and bring life through death of the spotless Lamb that was sacrificed, for without the shedding of blood there would be no remission (Hebrews 9:22).

The covenant convened through Acts 2:38 was to purchase unto himself a spotless bride ready for his coming and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost as promised in Acts 1:8 this Ultimately would be the seal of circumcision of the heart and that he would write his laws on our hearts and make manifest the council of God through his Holy Spirit.

5.5.1 ATONEMENT OF CHRIST

Salvation has been provided for all people through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross.

It is the only perfect redemption and substitution atonement for all the sins of the world, both original and actual. His atoning work has been proven by His resurrection from the dead.

Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life John 3:3-5.

Furthermore, in the atonement, divine healing was provided for all believers.

5.5.2 REPENTANCE AND FAITH

A person can be born again only through faith in Christ. Repentance, a vital part of believing, is a complete change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit,

turning a person to God from sin.

5.5.3 REGENERATION

Regeneration is a creative work of the Holy Spirit by which a person is born again and receives spiritual life.

5.5.4 JUSTIFICATION

Justification is a judicial act of God by which the sinner is declared righteous solely on the basis of their acceptance of Christ as Saviour.

5.6.0 THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

We are buried with Christ in baptism the likeness of his death and we are risen with him through the operation of God that raised him from the dead and brought life from the dead, (Romans 6:5).

5.6.1 ASSURANCE

Assurance of salvation is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ, resulting in love, gratitude and obedience toward God.

(17) Psa. 103:20; Rev. 5:11,12 (18) Isa. 14:12-17, Eze. 28:11-19; Eph. 6:11-12; 1Tim. 4:1; Jude 6

(19) Heb. 1:14 (20) Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8; 4:1-4 (21) Matt. 6:24; 1 Cor. 6:19,20 (22) Gen. 1:26; 2:7

(23) Rom. 5:12; James 1:14,15 (24) Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-19, 23 (25) Heb. 7:26 (26) John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5,6 (27) Isa. 53:3-6; John 12:32,33; 1 Pet. 2:24 (28)Acts 2:36; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:14,17,20; Heb. 10:12; 1 John 2:2 (29)Acts 20:21; 1 Pet. 1:23,25 (30) Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:16b,17 (31) Isa. 55:7; Acts 17:30; Gal. 3:22,26; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:10-13 (32) John 3:3b,5b,7; 2 Cor. 5:17,18a; 1 Pet. 1:23 (33) Rom. 3:24; 4:3-5; 5:1-2 (34)John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:35-39

5.6.2 SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is dedication to God and separation from evil.

In experience it is both instantaneous

and progressive.

It is produced in the life of the believer by the appropriation of the power of Christ's blood and risen life through the person of the Holy Spirit;

He draws the believer's attention to Christ, teaches them through the Word and produces the character of Christ within them.

Believers who sin must repent and seek forgiveness through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

5.6.3

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which believers yield control of themselves to the Holy Spirit.

Through this the believer comes to know Christ in a more intimate way

and receives power to witness and grow spiritually.

Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.

5.6.4 THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural abilities given by God through the exercising of which believers are enabled to minister effectively and directly in particular situations.

They serve the dual function of building up the church and of demonstrating the presence of God within His church.

5.6.5 DIVINE HEALING

Divine healing provided in the atonement of Christ

is the privilege of all believers? Prayer for the sick and gifts of healing are encouraged and practised.

5.7 THE CHURCH

Is the bride of Christ all who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ are new creation a royal priest hood and Holy Nation of God that they should show forth the Praise of him that has brought them out of darkness and into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

5.7.1 THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

All who are born again are members of the universal church, which is the Body and Bride of Christ. John 3:3-5

5.7.2 THE LOCAL CHURCH

Is the Spiritual Government of on earth to Govern Gods Judgements and provide Council to the nations.

5.7.2.1 PURPOSE

The local church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal church.

The local church is ordained by God and provides a context in which believers

Corporately worship God

observe the ordinances of the church, are instructed in the faith and are

equipped for the evangelization of the world

5.7.2.2 ORDINANCES

To follow God Statutes and precepts that he has placed for the Governing of the Nations, Kingdoms dominions and thrones being made subject to him, who is the Head of all civilization.

5.7.2.2.1 THE LORD'S SUPPER

The Lord's Supper is a symbol, memorial and proclamation of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. This ordinance of communion is to be participated in by believers until Christ's return.

5.7.2.2.2 WATER BAPTISM

Water baptism signifies the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and is practised by immersion. Acts 2:38, Acts 19:5, Acts 10:48, Acts 8:16 1 John 3:23 Ephesians 4:5

5.7.2.3 MINISTRY

A divinely called and ordained ministry is the provision of the Lord to give leadership to the church as it fulfils its purposes, with a five-fold ministry consisting of Pastors, apostles, evangelist and teachers for the edification of the church and the working and the working of the ministry. (Ephesians 4:11)

5.8 THE END OF TIME

Shall be the third world war the battle of Armageddon and the earth shall be destroyed with fervent heat as stated in the book of Revelations times and times shall be no more, and God shall come back to judge the living being in reference to the believers and the dead being the non- believers.

5.8.1 THE PRESENT STATE OF THE DEAD

At death the souls of believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ,

and these remain in constant bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body.

The souls of unbelievers remain after death conscious of condemnation

until the final bodily resurrection and judgment of the unjust.

.61

5.8.2 THE RAPTURE

The rapture, the blessed hope of the church, is the imminent coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected.

This event takes place before the wrath of God is poured out during the tribulation. Believers then will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.

5.8.3 THE TRIBULATION

The tribulation will be a time of judgment on the whole earth.

During this period the Antichrist will emerge to offer false hope to the nations.

5.8.4 THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The return of Christ to earth in power and great glory will conclude the great tribulation with the victory at Armageddon,

the defeat of Anti-christian the binding of Satan.

Christ will introduce the millennial age,

restore Israel to her own land, lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, and bring the whole world to the knowledge of God.

5.8.5 THE FINAL JUDGMENT

There will be a final judgment in which the unbelieving dead will be raised and judged at the great white throne, according to their works.

The beast and false prophet, the devil and his angels, and whoever is not found in the Book of Life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to annihilation but to everlasting punishment, which is the second death.

5.8.6 THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

The righteous will share the glory of God in the new heaven and the new earth for eternity.

(56) Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-5 (57)Acts 6:2b-4c; 13:2-4a; 14:23; Eph. 4:8, 11-13 (58)2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21, 23-24 (59)Rom 8:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:42-44; 2 Cor. 5:1,4b (60)Luke 16:22-31; John 3:36 (61)Dan.12:2; John 5:28-29; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev 20:11-15

(62)1 Cor. 15:51-57; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13 (63) Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10 (64) Matt. 24:15, 21-22; 1 Thess. 5:1-3 (65)2 Thess. 2:3-12; Rev. 13:11-18

(66)Matt. 24:27, 30; Luke 17:24, 26-30 (67)Rev. 16:12-16; 17:8, 12-14; 19:11-20 (68)Psa. 2:6-12; Dan. 2:44-45; Luke 22:29-30; Rev. 3:21; 20:6 (69)Isa. 1:24-27; 2:1-4; Zech. 14:3,4,9; Rom. 8:19-23; Rev. 22:3 (70)Dan. 7:9-10; John 12:48; Rom. 2:2,6,11,16; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15 (71)Matt. 25:41b; Jude 6; Rev. 20:10,15; 21:8 (72)Matt. 13:43; John 17:24; 2 Pet. 3:13; Heb. 11:10; Rev. 21:1-2, 10, 22-23.

5.9 POSITIONS AND PRACTICES

5.9.1 MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

Marriage is a provision of God wherein one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others enter into a lifelong relationship

through a marriage ceremony that is recognized by the church and legally actioned

by the state. Marriage establishes a "one-flesh" relationship

that goes beyond a physical union and is more than either a temporary relationship of convenience intended to provide personal pleasure or a contract that binds two

people together in a legal partnership. Marriage establishes an emotional and spiritual oneness that enables both partners to respond to the spiritual, physical and social needs of the other.

It provides the biblical context for the procreation of children. Marriage is to be an exclusive relationship that is maintained in purity.

It is intended by God to be a permanent relationship. It is a witness to the world of the relationship between Christ and His church.

Marriage requires a commitment of love, perseverance and faith. Because of its sanctity and permanence, marriage should be treated with seriousness and entered into only after counsel and prayer for God's guidance. Christians should marry only those who are believers.

An individual who becomes a believer after marriage should remain with his/her partner in peace, and should give witness to the Gospel in the home.

The Bible holds family life as a position of trust and responsibility. The home is a stabilizing force in society, a place of nurture, counsel, and safety for children.

Marriage can only be broken by porneia, which is understood as marital unfaithfulness

involving adultery, homosexuality, or incest. While the Scriptures give evidence that the marriage vow and "one-flesh" union are broken by such acts and therefore recognize the breaking of the marriage relationship, the Scriptures do recommend that the most desirable option would be reconciliation.

5.9.2 DIVORCE

We believe that divorce is not God's intention. It is God's concession to the "hardness of men's hearts."

We, therefore, discourage divorce by all lawful means and teaching. Our objective is reconciliation and the healing of the marital union wherever possible. Marital unfaithfulness should not be considered so much an occasion or opportunity for divorce but rather an opportunity for Christian grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Divorce in our society is a termination of a marriage through a legal process authorized by the State. While the Church recognizes this legal process as an appropriate means to facilitate the permanent separation of spouses, the Church restricts the idea of divorce, in the sense of dissolution of marriage, to reasons specified in Scripture.

The weight of the biblical record is negative and the explicit statement is made, "God hates divorce."

Divorce is more than an action of the courts which breaks the legal contract between partners in a marriage.

It is also the fracture of a unique human relationship between a male and a female. Divorce has profound consequences for the children. Divorce is evidence of the sinful nature expressed in human failure. Jesus gives one explicit cause for the dissolution of marriage: porneia or marital unfaithfulness. Where all attempts at reconciliation have failed and a divorce has been finalized, we extend Christ's love and compassion.

5.9.3 REMARRIAGE

Remarriage is the union, legally sanctioned by the State, of one man and one woman, one or both of whom have been previously married. It is regarded as acceptable

in Scripture in the event of the death of a former

(73) Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:6 (74) Matt. 19:5; Mal. 2:15 (75) Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4 (76) Eph. 5:3, 26, 27 (77) Eph. 5:25, 31, 32 (78) 2 Cor. 6:1, 14, 15 (79) 1 Cor. 7:12-14, 16

(80) Eph. 6:4 (81) Matt. 5:32; 19:9 (82) Eph. 4:32 (83) Matt. 19:8 (84) Mal. 2:16

spouse. It is also regarded as acceptable if there has been sexual immorality on the part of the former partner or if the former partner has remarried.

God bless

I hope the scriptures will enrich-en your life and spiritual walk in God as they have to me.

Pastor Rymon
Ark Of Truth Christian Fellowship
Ballarat Victoria

Ark Of Truth Christian Fellowship

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