The Missionary Church International (TMCI)
Statement of Faith
A. THE SCRIPTURES. The Bible is the inerrant, inspired
Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit. The Bible we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining
to conduct and doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:16;
1 Thess 2:13
B. THE GODHEAD. Our God is One living and true God,
everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness, the maker and preserver of
all things. And in unity of this Godhead, there are three persons (or
personalities) of one substance, power and eternity - The Father, The Son and
The Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:15-17
C. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION. Man is a created being, made
in the image and likeness of God. Through Adam's transgression and fall, sin
came into the world. Jesus Christ, The Son of God, was manifested to undo the
work of the Devil. He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore
man to God. Romans 5:12; Romans 3:2;
Romans 3: 9-10; 1 John 3:8; Galatians 3:13-14
D. SALVATION is the Gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is
made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works
acceptable to God. Ephesians 2:8
E. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH. Man's first step toward
salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance. New birth is necessary to all
men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal life.
2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5
F. WATER BAPTISM. Baptism in water is a direct command of our
Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance is an outward and visible symbol
of an inward and invisible work. Water baptism symbolizes the Christian's
identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39
G. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. The baptism in the Holy Spirit
is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are
believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5
H. SANCTIFICATION. The Bible teaches that without Holiness no
man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a
definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration
and continuing until the consummation of salvation.
Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2
Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14
I. DIVINE HEALING. Healing is for the physical and emotional
ills of the body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of
faith, and by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. It is the
privilege of every member of the Church today.
Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-6
J. RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD. The
angels said, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." His
coming is imminent. When He comes, the dead in Christ shall rise to meet Him,
then those believers who are physically still alive shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians
4:1-17
He shall return to the Earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and together
with His saints, He shall reign a thousand years. Revelation 20:6
K. HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION. The one who physically dies
in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire
and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for
repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and
"everlasting", used in describing the duration of punishment of the
damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless
existence as used in describing the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints
in the presence of God.
Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20; Hebrews 6:1-2
L. COMMUNION - THE LORD'S SUPPER. We partake of the Lord's
Supper to show the Lord's death until He comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord's
broken body and the cup symbolizes the new covenant in His blood which provides
us with forgiveness and relationship with God. We judge ourselves before we
receive it for we know if we receive it unworthily (without giving it honor as
the symbol of our salvation and considering our brothers), we are guilty of the
body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:23-31
M. LAYING ON OF HANDS. In obedience to the example and words
in the Bible, we believe in laying on of hands for blessing, for healing of the
sick, to confer office, to receive the Holy Spirit, to receive anointing and
for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools.
Mark 10:13-16; Mark 5:22-23; Acts 8:16-17; 1 Timothy 4:14
N. The Missionary Church International believes that the practice of
homosexuality, as well as every other sexual perversion, is sinful
(Leviticus 18:22), offensive to God and destructive to society.
(Genesis 13:13; Romans 1:27).
We believe that homosexuality is a choice, perverting the soul, and
disqualifying the practicing homosexual from the Kingdom of God (1Corinthians
6:9). As such, TMCI believes that dynamic ministry must be offered to
homosexuals in the hope of conviction, repentance and restoration, setting the
soul free from the bondage of homosexuality. The Missionary Church
International will not issue credentials to a person who practices a homosexual
lifestyle.
O. MARRIAGE:
Marriage has been established by God. This church defines “marriage” as the
exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such union is a
lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be
recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is
consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in these Articles.
P. HUMAN SEXUALITY:
Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual
activities outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia”--
πορνεια) including but not limited to, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality,
and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church.
Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation and/or
distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical
witness.
The church (TMCI) is a transdenominational fellowship and it is understood that
all the ministers may not agree on all points of doctrine. All ministers will
endeavor to keep the unity of the faith, believing that in the essentials, as
enumerated in this section, we must have unity, in nonessentials liberty, and
in all things love.