Statement of Faith
This Statement of Faith details AGAPE International Cathedral's beliefs and includes Scripture references. If you have questions, please call us at 740-363-1689 or contact us online.
The Scriptures
We believe that the entire Bible is inspired of God and that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the sacred writings – historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical – as appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible (66 books) in the originals is, therefore, without error. We believe that all the Scriptures center around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work in His first and second coming. We also believe that all the Scriptures were designed for our practical instruction. (Mark 12:26, 12:36, 13:11; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16, 17:2-3, 18:28, 26:22-23, 28:23; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13, 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
Mankind, Created and Fallen, and Salvation
We believe that mankind was originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, and thereafter fell through sin, consequently losing spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins and subject to the power of the devil. We also believe that this spiritual death, or total depravity of human nature, has been transmitted to the entire human race, the Man Christ Jesus alone being excepted; and hence that every child of Adam is born into the world with a nature which not only possesses no spark of divine life, but is essentially and unchangeably evil apart from divine grace. (Genesis 1:26, 2:17, 6:5; Psalms 14:1-3, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:6, 5:40, 6:53; Romans 3:10-19, 8:6-7; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:6; 1 John 3:8)
We believe that, owing to universal death through sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again; and that no degree of reformation however great, no attainments in morality however high, no culture however impressive, no baptism or other ordinance however administered, can help the sinner to take even one step toward heaven. A new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word, is absolutely essential to salvation, and only those thus saved are children of God. We believe, also, that our redemption has been accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made to be sin and was made a curse for us, dying in our place; and that no feeling, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can result in salvation. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalms 31; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24)
Water Baptism
We believe water baptism is a symbolic burial, by which the new Christian publicly declares they have died, and are now beginning a new life, in Christ. We believe in Christian water baptism, the believer is put completely under water, then immediately raised out of the water. We believe water baptism is a sign of repentance; a change so drastic that the old person is "buried." We believe water baptism is a way of giving testimony to what has happened inwardly, and a clear commitment to turn from the old life. (Matthew 3:13, 16; John 3:23; Acts 2:38, 8:14-17, 19:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the New Birth; is received by faith, and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial evidence. We believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is also distinct from Water Baptism. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 8:15-19, 11:14-17, 19:1-7)
Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing is the right and responsibility of every Christian. We believe that any hindrance to the healing of any Christian is not of God. We believe that God is not our problem, but rather that He is our help. We believe that any hindrance to healing is on the part of the enemy (Satan). We believe that any sickness or disease can be overcome by a Christian if the Christian will exercise faith and power. We believe that the enemy (Satan) is not a serious hindrance and can be overcome by any Christian using the available tools and weapons provided by God. We believe that the enemy (Satan) can only be truly defeated by spiritual weapons and not by carnal/natural weapons devised by man. We believe that Christians and non-Christians, (without faith for healing), can be healed when other Christians exercise Kingdom authority. We believe that all sickness and disease can be directly or indirectly traced back to Satan and should be defeated whenever and wherever they are encountered. (Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 34:19; Isaiah 53:4-5; Jeremiah 33:6; Luke 10:19; John 10:10; Acts 3:1-6; James 5:14-15; )
Communion and Foot Washing
We believe that in Communion we receive the bread and wine as represtations of the Lord's Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sin and strength to serve God in our lives. We believe that the Holy Communion is a celebration of Jesus' death and our rememberance of Him. We believe baptized and repentant Christian should be partakers of the Holy Communion. We believe that the Lord's Supper is a New Testament ordinance and that it was instituted when our Lord celebrated His Last Passover with His disciples. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 2 19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
We believe in foot washing as an act of obedience in following the example of humility given by our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 13:1-18)
Bible Study, Prayer, and Fasting
We believe in Bible study and education of our church members in spiritual matters. We encourage self study and corporate study of the Bible. This education and training is meant not to separate us from the world, but as new creatures in Christ with new values and standards, to equip us to be ambassadors for Christ to the world. We will strive to train our members to pass on the beliefs of our faith to our children, converts, and to our communities in which we work and live. (James 1:22-25, 2 Timothy 2:15)
We believe in prayer as a primary means of speaking to and hearing from God, and that a personal prayer language is given to every believer who desires it for personal edification. We believe God through the Holy Spirit listens to our prayers and will answer them according to what He knows is best for us. We believe prayer consists of thanksgiving and praise, making request on behalf of other peoples and events, asking God's help for our daily conduct and habits, and committing our lives in a relationship with God. As God's people, we believe prayer is a personal responsibility which we practice with frequency. (Luke 18:1; James 5:13-16; 1 Timothy 2:8)
We believe fasting is the deliberate abstention from food for spiritual purposes. We believe fasting is not a hunger strike to twist God's arm; neither is it dieting to cleanse the body We believe fasting is not a form of self-denial to show how spiritual we are. We believe fasting brings us closer to God and is a Jesus taught principal that we should fast. We believe fasting humbles ourselves before God to set ourselves apart to God. (Ezra 8:21; Psalm 35:13; Joel 2:15-16; Matthew 6:16-18)
Tithes and Offering
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, should give to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the principle of giving whereby Christians should give regularly and cheerfully to the support of the Church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)
Leadership
We believe in the divinely called, commissioned, and equipped five-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ after His ascension. We believe that God has placed the Pastor as the Spiritual and operational authority leader of the local church. We believe the Pastor is the overseer of flock God entrust to him. (Acts 6:4, 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; 1 Peter 5:12)
