Victory Outreach International Statement of Faith

Victory Outreach International

Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE:

1. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule of faith and conduct.

As the inspired word of God, the Bible is our rule of faith and life. (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16)

2. In the Inspired Word of God

The Scriptures, both the Old and the New Testaments, contains the verbally inspired, and

authoritative word of God. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet.1:21).

3. There is But One Living and True God.

God has chosen to reveal himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three

are on God the same in substance, equal in power and glory. God is a Trinity in unity. (Dt.

6:4; Isa. 43:10, 11; Mt. 28:19; Lk. 3:22).

4. God created all things.

Out of nothing, God made the things that are the universe, the elements, plant life, animal life

(to reproduce each after its kind) and finally, man in the image of God. (Gen. 1:1-27; Neh.

9:6; Ps. 33:6,9; Jn. 1:3; Heb. 11:3)

5. In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ:

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. Jesus Christ is perfect God and

perfect man. (Jn. 1: 1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:10).

As the Eternal Son of God we believe:

• He was born of a virgin. (Mt. 1:23; Lk. 1:31, 35).

• He led a sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22).

• He performed miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38).

• He died on the cross for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor.5:21).

• He rose bodily from the dead (Mt. 28:6; Lk. 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:4).

• He sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).

• He will visibly return again (Acts 1:10, 11).

6. In the Sinfulness of Man:

When Adam and Eve fell from their original righteousness and communion with God they

became dead in sin. From this original sin our natures became sinful. Because of the

sinfulness of man, sinful man is inclined to serve his own will instead of God.

(Ps. 36:1; Jer.17:9).

7. In the Salvation of Man:

The Bible teaches that God has provided salvation for man in the person and work (life,

ministry, vicarious death, and resurrection) of his son Jesus Christ.

Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ are conditions or what is

necessary for salvation. (Mk. 1:15; Mk. 3:19, Mk. 16:31; Jn. 3:16).

8. The Sanctification of the believer:

With salvation we are set apart from sin and dedicated to God for fellowship and service.

This sanctification is both instant and progressive in the life of the saint. (Acts 26:18; Thess.

4:7, 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 10:4; 1 Pet. 1:2).

9. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:

The purpose of the baptism is to empower or energize us for service. This is evidenced by the

initial physical signs of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance

(Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4).

10. In the Church and its Mission:

The Church are those regenerate persons who are gathered together in Christ the head of the

church; through which the gospel is preached and believers are nurtured. (Mt. 28:19, 20;

Mk.16:15; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 14:12).

• To accomplish the work of the ministry we believe in the priesthood of the believer

(Eph. 4:12; 1 Pet 2:9)

• And in the ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers

(Eph. 4:11, 12).

11. In the Ordinances of the Church:

There are two ordinances (authoritative order, decree) that we observe and practice.

• Water baptism by immersion: all who repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus

Christ are eligible for water baptism (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 10:47; Rom. 6:4).

• Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. "Do it in remembrance" declares the Lord's death

and as such a memorial (1 Cor. 11:24; 1K. 22:19). "You do show the Lord's death" is an

act of faith in the atoning work of Christ and as a proclamation (1 Co. 11:26). "Till He

comes" is a statement of anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and as such

our hope.

12. In Divine Healing:

Jesus Christ is our Divine Physician who according to His will, sovereignty, graciousness,

and mercy can heal the sick. (Isa. 53:4, 5; Mt. 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16).

13. In the Second Coming of Christ:

His coming will be personal, visible, and glorious. (Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:10, 11; Heb. 9:28; Phil.

3:20; Zech. 12:10; 2 Thess. 1:7; Col. 3:4; Rev. 1:7).

• The dead in Christ will rise, then the redeemed that are alive shall be caught up together

to meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor. 15:51, 52; I Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 2:1; Titus 2:13).

• With the Second Coming of Christ will begin the thousand year reign of Christ over an

earthly kingdom (Rev. 20:2, 6).

14. The Final Judgment:

Known as the "Great White Throne Judgment" it describes the judgment of all the wicked

dead (Rev. 20:11-14).

15. In a New Heaven and a New Earth:

Heaven and earth will have a new beginning. Heaven and Earth have awaited their

redemption and will be restored in harmony and order, wherein dwells righteousness.

(Ps. 102:25,26; Isa. 34:4; Isa. 51:6; Rom. 8:22; 2 Pet. 3:10,13).

16. Marriage Is the Union between a Man and a Woman

Marriage is a sacrament of the Church. 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 this

Statement.

17. Legitimate Sexual Relations are Exercised Solely Within Marriage: Between a Man and

a Woman

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.

Rev. 6-21-2018;

12-22-2016