What Do We Believe?

The Bible

The various denominations of the church today (excluding Roman Catholics) all accept that the Bible consists of 66 books, made up of 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 of the New Testament. Which books were to be included as part of the New Testament, and hence authoritative, was decided by the church Council of Laodicea in around AD 363, which only omitted the book of Revelation, and later by the Councils of Hippo in AD 393, and the Council of Carthage in AD 397 which also affirmed all 27 books as authoritative, though it also accepted some of the books of the Apocrypha which are today not considered inspired texts. (gotquestions).

Today we accept and believe that the Bible is the word of God which we are commanded to obey.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

John 14:15 If you love me, obey my commandments.

The Apostles’ Creed is a good summary of orthodox (accepted) Christian doctrine. It is reported to have been in use as early as the second century, with the earliest written form dating back to about 341 AD (Logos.com). It is supposed to be a record of what the original apostles taught. The Apostles’ Creed, like the Nicene Creed, is widely accepted as a statement of faith among Western Christian churches (both Roman Catholic and Protestant) and used by a number of Christian denominations as a part of their worship services. It is the simplest of all the creeds (Learn Religions). In modern English it reads as follows:

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell*. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.”

* ‘hell’ meaning ‘the place of the dead’, not the place of eternal judgment.

* ’catholic’ meaning the worldwide church of all believers, not the Roman Catholic Church.

The Reformation

Martin Luther was one of the most influential figures in the reformation of the church. He challenged several of the basic tenets of Roman Catholicism. He nailed his ’95 Theses’, or points of disagreement, to a church door in 1517, and was later expelled from the Roman Catholic church. The reformers held, amongst other challenges to the doctrines of the Catholic church, that salvation in Christianity was a completed status based on faith in Jesus alone and not a process that requires good works. This led to the founding of the Protestant churches (the name coming from the word ‘protest’).

Pentecostal

A major focus of Pentecostal churches is the baptism in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues. Today there are reported to be approximately 170 different denominations that identify themselves as Pentecostal. The first widespread use of tongues was at a revival in Topeka, Kansas, in January 1900. In 1906 a series of revival meetings on Azusa Street in Los Angeles led to a widespread experience of tongues-speaking, which spread to many parts of the country. Through the Azusa Street mission many new churches and missions were founded across America, and later worldwide, which carried the new emphasis on seeking the baptism of the Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Charismatic

The name ‘charismatic’ come for Greek and means “grace gifts.” It emphasizes the manifestations of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit as a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, in particular speaking in tongues, prophesying, and divine healing, and holds that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit given to those in the first-century church may still be experienced and practiced today. The Charismatic movement is an interdenominational Christian renewal movement that also traces its roots to the Azusa Street meetings in 1906 in Los Angelis, where people were “baptized by the Holy Spirit” as in Acts 2.

New Covenant

The New Covenant is the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was foretold while the Old Covenant was still in effect – the prophets Moses, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant. The Old Covenant ceased and the New Covenant commenced when Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, signifying that access to the Father was now open to all. (Matthew 27:50-52). The Jewish nation was given 40 years to accept Jesus, after which the temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

New Covenant Theology (NCT) is a Christian theological position teaching that the person and work of Jesus Christ is the central focus of the Bible. One distinctive assertion of this school of thought is that Old Testament Laws have been abrogated or cancelled with Jesus’ crucifixion, and replaced with the Law of Christ of the New Covenant (e.g. Romans 6:14). It shares similarities with, and yet is distinct from, Dispensationalism and Covenant theology.

The Neo-charismatic (also known as ‘third-wave charismatic’ (C Peter Wagner) or hyper-charismatic) movement is a movement within evangelical Protestant Christianity that is composed of a diverse range of independent churches and organizations that emphasize the current availability of gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and faith healing. The Neo-charismatic movement is considered to be the “third wave” of the Charismatic Christian tradition which began with Pentecostalism (the “first wave”), and was furthered by the Charismatic movement (the “second wave”). Neo-charismatics are indigenous, independent, post- and non-denominational Christian groups without formal denominational ties. ‘New Covenant Ministries International’, founded by Dudley Daniel from South Africa, is such a group.

Why is it important to know what we believe?

We are warned right back in Acts where Timothy and Peter said that there will be false prophets and false teachers coming to mislead and to deceive the church, and to gain followers to form cults. There are many scriptures that warn us to watch out for false prophets, and for false teachers who will bring destructive heresies and immoral teachings to lead believers away – to form cults. Jesus tells us clearly to follow Him and His teachings: John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him; ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.

A False Teacher is someone who contradicts or misrepresents what the Bible teaches, or who contradicts sound doctrine, or downplays or rejects biblical truths and teachings to gain followers.

Heresy A belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine. An opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted.

Cult A system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object – i.e. not towards God. ‘A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular thing’.

In several scriptures we are told to watch our ‘doctrine’ or our ‘wholesome teachings’. We are also told to carefully consider what we are taught, and to determine for ourselves if it is correct or not. The believers in Berea were praised because they did not blindly accept what was preached to them, but searched the Scriptures day after day to see whether they were being taught the truth.

Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded (or of noble character) than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Acts 20:28-30 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd (NB teach and protect!) God’s flock – his church, purchased with his own blood – over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.

1 Timothy 1:10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching (KJV and NIV ‘sound doctrine’).

1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Teach Others

The Bible tells us to always be ready to share our faith. To do this we need to know and be able to clearly explain what we believe! We cannot always have a pastor on hand to help us out – it is up to each one of us.

1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

2 Timothy 2:2-4 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

What do churches that follow New Covenant Theology (NCT) believe

NCT is a Pentecostal, Charismatic church theology that accepts the baptism in the Holy Spirit, as evidence by the speaking in tongues, and as being available to all believers to experience and practice today, and the manifestation of the spiritual gifts, as having been given to those in the first-century church and which may also still be experienced and practiced today.

These gifts include:

• the ability to prophesy, serve, teach, encourage, give generously, to lead and to show kindness (Romans 12:6-8)
• the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, to perform miracles, to prophesy, spiritual discernment, to speak in an unknown language or to interpret what was said (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and
• the ability to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Jesus Christ is seen as the central focus of the Bible, as the Son of God through whom alone we have salvation (Acts 4:12) and who with the Father and the Holy Spirit form the Trinity.

The primary function of the church is seen as being to fulfil the Great commission of Matthew 28:19-20, and the five-fold ministry leaders of Ephesians 4:11-12 as having been given the responsibility to equip and to build up all God’s people (the church) to do His work.

In summary the functions of the five-fold ministry leaders are as follows:

• The apostles: lead; plant churches, ordain elders, and guide the church;
• The prophets: direct; spokespersons who provide direction to the church and its members;
• The pastors: motivate; bring order, and lead a local church.
• The teachers: educate; teach and guide, explaining church doctrine and theology;
• The evangelists: save; lead all to repentance and salvation.

Why do some stray from the Christian faith?

This question is indeed a topic that deserves far more research and discussion, so here are just some brief thoughts and comments on why both leaders and their followers sometimes end up with heretical beliefs or even in cults. We all need to take this very seriously, especially in view of Paul’s warning in Galatians:

Galatians 1:8-9 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

Why do leaders stray?

The founders of different heresies, and even more so cults, all seem to share certain common characteristics that lead them to depart from orthodox (traditional or generally accepted) Christian doctrine. Here are some of those characteristics – which can vary widely among different heresies and cult religions:

1. Rejection of the Bible as the sole authoritative word of God

This leaves them open to the acceptance of other religious writings or beliefs in addition or even in substitution of some or all of the Bible. Without our acceptance of the Bible we have no certainty in what God is saying to us, how we are to live, and how we are to be saved.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

For instance the acceptance of the Trinity – that Jesus is the Son of God, and came to earth in human form, is denied in Arianism, which asserts that Jesus is not equal to God the Father, and Docetism, which denies the humanity of Jesus – that he came to live among us as a man.

2 John 1:7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2. Lack of accountability

It appears from the letters that the apostles all travelled and ministered in teams, and were accountable to each other – e.g. Paul’s correction of Peter when he stopped associating with the Gentiles, and the fact that the plurality of the five-fold ministry was given in Ephesians 4:11-12 to equip the church.

3. Belief in their superiority to others

They may be driven by a spirit of pride and arrogance. This can lead them to claim or insinuate that they have received a personal and exclusive revelation and / or have a special calling, position and authority to lead others.

4. Belief that they possess secret knowledge

An example is Gnosticism, an early Christian heresy that offered an alternative to emerging orthodox Christian teaching by claiming to possess secret knowledge. This “gnosis” or secret knowledge was seen as the method of salvation.

Character wise, they tend to be charismatic leaders who are authoritarian, expect total loyalty and absolute obedience with rigid rules governing their members’ behaviour. They are autocratic, aloof, have secret teachings, rituals, and initiation ceremonies and exploit their members – which may be financially and / or sexually. These characteristic lead them away from orthodox churches and to establish their own, where they can indoctrinate their members.

Why do people, and especially church members, follow false leaders?

There are undoubtably many reasons why different people end up in cults, and who, on occasion, are prepared to sacrifice everything they have, even their lives, in blind subservience to these leaders. Here are some reasons that I can think of as to why this may occur;

1. Failure to study and to believe the Word

The writer of Acts commended the people in Berea, both for being open-minded (or ‘noble’) in accepting the message of salvation preached to them, and in studying the Scriptures to ensure that they were being taught the truth. How many church members can we say this of today?

2 Corinthians 11:4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

Furthermore others will reject the message that their churches preach and teach them, and go in search of a doctrine that suites them, and whatever they want to hear; e.g. a prosperity gospel, or one that legitimises their particular sinful lifestyle.

2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

2. Loss of the fear of the Lord

When people take the gospel lightly, and presume that they can continue to live the same sinful lifestyle and ways they did before they accepted Jesus, and that they will always be forgiven, it shows that they were probably never saved at all. The grace and forgiveness of God are available to all, when we repent – not as a licence to continue to sin.

Jeremiah 32:38-40 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

(NLT says in verse 40 ‘ ..put a desire in their hearts to worship me’ but a ‘fear’ or ‘reverence’ seems the more accurate translation.)

3. Churches fail to teach their members

There are several passages that show that it is the duty of church leaders to teach their members about the Lord and the ‘basic teachings about Christ’ (Hebrews 6:1) so that all will become mature in the Lord. A ‘teacher’ is one of the fivefold ministry leaders given by Christ for this very purpose, (Ephesians 4:11-13) and Paul in his second letter to Timothy and in his letter to Titus specifically reminded them of this duty.

Ephesians 4:11-13 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Titus 2:1 NIV You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Dr Brian Drury