Gospel Assembly Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Inc. is a self-governing independent body of believers which fellowships with and is an affiliate of the United Pentecostal Church International of Hazelwood, MO. The U.P.C.I. is a fellowship of Christian ministers dedicated to the true undiluted Gospel of Jesus Christ.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
The Articles of Faith constitute the doctrinal position of the Gospel Assembly Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Inc. on a wide range of Biblical subjects. These are simply our attempts to express our interpretation of Scriptures. The purpose is to promote a “general unity of faith” among the believers. At all times, the Bible remains the final arbiter of Truth.
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE
The basis and fundamental doctrine of Gospel Assembly Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Inc. is the Bible standard of salvation, which is repentance from dead works, faith towards Jesus Christ as the only true God, who has manifested Himself in the flesh, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and the perfecting of love and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16).
We believe that the Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses; therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope and all instructions for the Church must be based upon, and in harmony with the Bible. It is to be read and studied by all men everywhere and can only be clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Ghost (1 John 2:27 and 1 Peter 1:20-21).
We believe that the Bible is the authority in all matters of doctrine; its principles are the answers to all questions concerning a Christian’s “manner of life.” It supersedes all human opinions, preferences, etc. We believe that the Bible is superior to all laws of human origin.
DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
We believe the foundational doctrine of Jesus Christ and therefore of the church is: repentance of dead works, faith towards God, the doctrine of baptisms (water and spirit), the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-3). Any fellowship of people who claim a membership in the true body of Christ must believe, teach, and practice these six essential and fundamental doctrines, which were taught by Christ and His apostles (Acts 2:4). There is no possibility of spiritual fellowship with any individual or body which does not believe, teach, and practice, the same (1 John 1:9-11).
THE ONENESS OF GOD AND THE INCARNATION
We believe that the Supreme God of the Bible and of Christianity is one Divine Being, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, invisible, and eternal Spirit, the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things. The Supreme Godhead is singular and indivisible. There is one God and God is one (Mark 12:29; 1Cor 8:6; Galatians 3:20).
We believe that in Him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2: 19). “For it please the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell,” (Col. 1:19).
Therefore, though Jesus was a man according to His flesh, according to His Deity He was and is the Almighty God. His flesh was the Lamb, or the sacrifice of God. In His flesh He serves as the only mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
We believe that it is idolatrous to divide God into parts making Him more than one person or attributing more than one personality, to His Deity. As Jesus Himself said, “Before Abraham was, I Am,” (John 8:58). God is a spirit: and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth,” (John 4:24). “I and my father are One,” (John 10:30).
THE NAME
We believe that the Supreme God has but one personal proper name. Though He used various titles, such as Elohim, Adonai, El Shaddai and Jehovah (Lord), His redemptive name in the Old Testament; in the New Testament His fully revealed name is JESUS. With the accompanying descriptive titles as stated in Acts 2:36, the fullest and most complete statement of God’s redemptive name is “Lord Jesus Christ.”
THE GOSPEL
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected on the third day, and that these truths constitute the Gospel message (1 Car. 15:1-4). Furthermore, this is the only Gospel message, and those who preach “another gospel” are to be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9), for they are false apostles, deceitful workers” (11 Cor. 11:14, 13).
REPENTANCE
We believe that repentance is essential to salvation, as Jesus Himself said, “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish,” (Luke 1:33). The word “Repentance” means “to reconsider; to change one’s mind; to change one’s direction.” The turning from a self-centered life of sin to a Christ-centered life of obedience to God is the first step in God’s plan of salvation. Jesus preached, “Repent you and believe the Gospel,” (Mark 1:15) He instructed His Apostles, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that baptism of the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation and is the second element of the New Birth (John 3:3-8; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9-11; Titus 3:5). The gift of the Holy Ghost is the “witness of God” that He has accepted the faith of the believer as expressed in repentance, confession, and water baptism (Acts 11:13-18; Acts 15:7-9).
HOLINESS
We believe that godly, holy and righteous living should characterize the life of every child of God, and that we should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously,” (1 Peters 2:21-23).
We believe that to be holy means to be “set apart from the world and set apart unto God for worship to Him, relationship with Him, and services through Him.” Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:19-20). Romans 12:1-2, specifically communicated the importance of our outward appearance, conduct and activities stressing that we live in conformity to Christ and His Word and not to the fads, fashion etc. of this present world (1 Timothy2:8-10; 1 Peter 3: 3-6).
HOLINESS AND MODESTY
We believe in modesty. Modesty is not confined to dress alone. It also includes conversations and manners. The Bible teaches us, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand,” (Philippians 4:5).
The apostle Peter admonished wives about their behavior and appearance: “Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands: that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God of great price,” (1 Peter 3:1-4).
The Word of God teaches that there is a distinction between the dress of a woman and a man: The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so is abomination unto the Lord thy God,” (Deuteronomy 22:5). The word abomination used by God indicates that this role will not change through all generations: Christian men are not to wear women’s clothing and Christian women are not to wear men’s clothing.
MODESTY AND MAKE-UP
Today’s Western society reveals a desire for synthetic appearance. Different hair color, heavy make-up for the face, mascara and liner for the eyes and other forms create artificiality rather than reality. These practices of using make-up are not new for Queen Jezebel, whose very image speaks of rebellion and opposition to all that is godly and Christ-like, used facial paint and other make-up in vanity to attract the attention of men: “When Jehu was come to Jezebel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and look out a window” (2 Kings 9:30).
“And when thou art spoiled what wilt thou do? Though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with paintings, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life,” (Jeremiah 4: 30). “And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedest thy eyes, and deckest thyself with ornaments,” (Ezekiel 23: 40). “I will therefore …… that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,” (1 Timothy 2: 8-9
HOLINESS AND JEWELRY
The scriptures teach us that the wearing of ornamental jewelry and showy clothing is not in harmony with the Christian lifestyle. In addition to the passage stated above in 1 Timothy 2:9. Peter’s writing agrees: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel (1 Peter 3:3). The apostle John described the harlot by her attire:” And the woman was arranged in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in the hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication (Revelation 17:4).
ABORTION
Gospel Assembly Church goes on record as being opposed to legalized or any type of abortion. We will confront this moral and ethical challenge and provide Biblical insight into this climate of sexual permissiveness prevalent in our generation. The Bible acknowledges God as totally involved in the creation of new life (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:24). The Bible further acknowledges that a woman is with child at conception (Luke 1:31- 6). Because the church has a responsibility to protect the rights of the unborn, we therefore voice our opposition to any legislation at city, state, or national levels which would bring about a climate designed to undermine the sanctity of human life further destroying the moral fiber of our society.
We will encourage and help to provide counseling as we continue to reach out to those who have been blighted by the effect of contemplation of abortion. We will encourage and council those with unwanted pregnancies how to find Bible alternatives. We endeavor to minister with compassion to those who suffer the trauma of having had an abortion.
GAMBLING
Gospel Assembly Church regards gambling as one of the greatest blights of or society. It is a moral fungus that eats at the very core and fabric of our society. Gambling is deemed as “to bet on an uncertain outcome,” “to take a chance” or “an act having an element of risk.”
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
We believe that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship; and that the purpose of the teachings of Christianity is to instruct man as to how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The desire for such a relationship is the proper motive for seeking God, serving God, and obeying His Word.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
We believe that the Church is the “body of Jesus Christ” and that believers are “members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27, Romans 12:5). The word “church” in the New Testament means “the assembly of the called-out ones.” When two or three gather together in the name of the Lord, this constitutes an assembly of the called-out ones, and Jesus has promised to be there in the midst (Matthew 18:20).