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# Our Beliefs

Foundations of faith we hold dear at Spirit Of His Word Church.

## Our Core Beliefs

The Noble Search for Truth

The great Apostle Paul preached in a city called Thessalonica, but his words were rejected without examination. However, those in Berea had a different spirit—they received the word with readiness and searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). We encourage you to be one of the NOBLE ones who earnestly seek truth in God's Word.

"Upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18

### The One True Church

Many believe that as long as they are sincere, any church is acceptable. This contradicts Scripture. The Apostle Jude said we should "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

In the days of Noah, there was only one ark of safety—one place, one door. Today, the true Church of Jesus Christ is your only place of spiritual safety. It began on the day of Pentecost, and the new birth by water and Spirit is the only entrance (John 3:5).

The Test of Authenticity: Just as genuine currency is distinguished from counterfeit by holding it to the light, the true Church is distinguished by examining it against the light of God's Word (Psalm 119:105).

### Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

Some claim the thief on the cross shows baptism isn't necessary. However, the thief died under the old covenant, before Pentecost. We live under the new covenant of grace and must be born again (John 3:5).

The Corinthian Church understood baptism's necessity so well that they baptized by proxy for their deceased loved ones (1 Corinthians 15:29). If baptism weren't necessary for salvation, they would not have bothered.

When Paul met believers at Ephesus, his first questions were: "How were you baptized?" and "Have you received the Holy Ghost?" (Acts 19:1-6). A person cannot live for Christ if they have not been born right.

### How Do We Obtain Salvation?

Many false prophets claim people are "saved" by raising their hand or repeating a sinner's prayer. Jesus warned: "Many false prophets shall rise and deceive many" (Matthew 24:11).

Natural Birth vs. Spiritual Birth:

- Natural: Conception → Water (womb) → Natural breath
- Spiritual: Hear Gospel → Believe (conception) → Water baptism → Receive Holy Ghost (spiritual breath)

Key Scriptures on Salvation:

- 1 Peter 3:21 - "Baptism doth also now save us"
- Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"
- John 3:5 - "Born of water and of the Spirit, cannot enter the Kingdom"
- Acts 2:38 - "Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and receive the Holy Ghost"

### Baptism by Full Immersion

Jesus "went up straightway out of the water" after baptism (Matthew 3:16). Philip and the eunuch "went down both into the water" (Acts 8:38). The scriptural mode is IMMERSION, not sprinkling.

By baptism, we identify with the burial of Christ: "We are buried with him by baptism into death" (Romans 6:4). A body is not buried by sprinkling soil on it, but by complete submersion.

Historical Proof:

- World Book Encyclopedia: "At first all baptism was by complete immersion"
- Catholic Encyclopedia: "In the early centuries, all were baptized by immersion in streams, pools and baptisteries"
- After infant baptism was instituted, immersion became "inconvenient" and was changed to sprinkling

### Why We Baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ

Jesus said: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).

However, the Apostles understood this as a single name: JESUS.

Why One Name, Not Three?

- "Father," "Son," "Holy Ghost" are titles, not names
- God's power and authority are in His name, not His titles
- God's name is revealed in Scripture: "I am the Lord, that is my name" (Isaiah 42:8)
- Jesus' name means "Jehovah is Salvation"
- Jesus said: "I am come in my Father's name" (John 5:43)

Historical Confirmation:

- Encyclopedia Britannica (11th ed.): "The baptismal formula was changed from 'the name of Jesus Christ' to 'Father, Son and Holy Ghost' by the Catholic church in the second century"
- Hastings Encyclopedia: "Christian baptism was always administered using the words 'In the name of Jesus'" until the trinity doctrine developed
- All apostolic baptisms in Acts were "in the name of Jesus"

"All in the Lord Jesus" - Colossians 3:17

### The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Water baptism in Jesus' name must be accompanied by the reception of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 19:6).

Speaking in tongues is not exclusively for the early Church. Jesus promised it to "them that believe" (Mark 16:17). The Holy Ghost gives us victory over sin and enables us to live a holy life—"without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

### Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Some believe the new birth contradicts the doctrine of "grace through faith." There is no contradiction.

An Illustration: If I promise to give you $10,000 tomorrow at 11 AM (my grace), you must show up to receive it (your faith). If you appear, you haven't earned the money—it's a free gift. Your presence is a necessary requirement to receive what I'm graciously giving.

Likewise, God requires our response in faith: repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and seeking the Holy Ghost. God then graciously grants salvation as a free gift, not an earned right.

### The Authority of the Apostles

Our modern-day church leaders never saw Jesus in the flesh or heard the Great Commission directly. Only the Apostles were there.

Why This Matters:

- Jesus said: "He that heareth you heareth me" (Luke 10:16)
- Jesus prayed only for those who would believe through the Apostles' word (John 17:20)
- Jesus confirmed the Apostles' words with signs (Mark 16:20)
- The mysteries of God's Kingdom were given to the Apostles (Matthew 13:10-11)
- Paul warned: If anyone, even an angel, preaches contrary to the Apostles' gospel, "let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9)

The Foundation: The Apostles' teachings are the foundation of the New Testament Church (Ephesians 2:20). "They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42).

#### The Time Has Come to Make Your Decision

Friend, as you read this message, know our desire: we are not here for controversy, but to explain the great truth of the POWER in the name of JESUS CHRIST.

The scriptural way to salvation is:

1. Repent of your sins
2. Be baptized by full immersion in the name of Jesus Christ
3. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues

HEAVEN OR HELL—IT'S UP TO YOU!

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