THE SCRIPTURES

The Scriptures in their original form, both the Old and New Testament, are divinely inspired and are the
revelation of God to man. All Scripture is God-breathed – Holy Spirit inspired the authors, revealing to them
what He wants written (2 Tim 3:16; Acts 1:16; 2 Pet 1:20, 21).
The Bible is infallible, inherent truth and is the final authority for faith, doctrine, and life. Christians must
remain receptive to the illumination of Scriptural truth by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 5:18; John 17:17; Rom
10:17; 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11; 2:13; James 1:21).
The Old Testament was endorsed by Jesus Christ as God’s Word.
The New Testament is important for Christians – it is not a contradiction, but a culmination and consummation
of Old Testament trust (Matt 5:17; Luke 4:7-21; 24:27:44; John 5:39; 1Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 3:15, 16).

THE GODHEAD

God is Spirit – infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being or attributes. In Him all things have their source,
support and end (John 4:24; Ps 102:25-27; Gen. 1:1,26; John 1:1-3; Heb 1:1-3; Col 1:15-17).
There is one true God who has a plural nature – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – all distinct
personalities, all designated God (John 1:1,18,14; Heb 1:8; Acts 5:3,4).
The Bible does not teach that there are three Gods, but upholds the doctrine of the Trinity – one God who reveals
Himself in three persons – equal in power and glory (Gen. 1:26; Matt 3:16, 17; 28:19; Acts 10:38; 1 Cor 12:4-6)

THE FATHER

God, the Father, is the Father of all in a creative sense, but only those who have received Jesus Christ can be
called His children in a redemptive sense. He is the Father of all Christians in a special, intimate
relationship (Matt 12:10; Acts 17:28; John 1:12, 13; 8:41-44; 17:3; 20:17).

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is Lord and the Son of God – these titles proclaim His deity. He is the Only Begotten of the Father;
not that He is a Son of God in general sense, but the Son of God in a unique sense. As God He exists
eternally (John 1:1-3, 18; 17:5; Heb 1:2- 12; 13:8)
By taking on the form of a man, Jesus is the Word that became flesh. His birth was supernatural and not natural
as in the case of all other men. He was miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit, from a virgin without a
human father (John 1:14, 18; Is. 7:14; Matt 1:18-25).
The Bible declares His absolute deity and His complete humanity.
He lived a sinless life on earth, teaching, preaching, and performing miracles with divine authority (Matt
16:13,16; Philip 2:5-8; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:14-18; 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21; Matt 4:23,23; Acts 2:22).
Christ died for all, descended into Hades or “the place of the departed” and rose bodily from the dead. He rose not
only spiritually, nor just as a spirit being, but He was resurrected physically. The doctrine of the
resurrection is foundational for Christianity (Acts 2:31; 13:33-35; 1 Pet 3:18,19; Rev 1:18; 1 Cor 15:3,4; 14:21;
Luke 24: 6,39: Acts 4:22; Rom 1:4,5,10; Rom 8:11).

After His resurrection He ascended to the Father in heaven. He is alive for evermore in His resurrected body and
exalted position, representing us before the throne of God as our High Priest and Advocate (1 Tim 3:16;
Mark 16:19; Philip 3:20,21; Rom 8:34; Heb 4:14-16; 7:24,25; 1 John 2:1).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is a divine person, the third person of the Holy Trinity, distinct from the Father and the Son
(Luke 1:35; 1 Cor 2:10, 11; 2 Cor 13:14).
The clear and unmistakable teaching of Scripture is that the Holy Spirit is personal and is God. He is not an
impersonal force, nor a mere president of influence, but possesses full, distinct personality (John 14:16, 26;
16:7, 8; Acts 13:2, 3; 1 Cor 12:11; Eph 4:30).

THE CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL

God created man in His own image, but man has been corrupted by sin. Man was given free will and through
Satan’s temptation sinned, thereby incurring the penalty of death, both physical and spiritual. All human
beings inherit a sinful nature which results, in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, in actual
transgression involving personal guilt (Gen. 1:26- 28; 3:1-6; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:1-3).
All have sinned – therefore man is a lost sinner, fallen from original righteousness (Is. 53:6; Rom 3:9-12, 23; 1 Cor
15:21, 22; Gal 3:22).
The Bible describes sin in many ways – missing the mark, not meeting god’s standards, breaking His laws, going
against His will, disobeying Him, acting in unbelief, failing to do what is good etc.
The sinner’s fallen condition is evident in his character, will thoughts, attitudes, or acts. Sin is proud, self-willed
rebellion against God in active or passive form. (Dan 9:5,8,9; James 2:8-11; 4:17; Rom 14:23; 1 John 3:4;
5:15; Matt 6:12).

THE ATONEMENT

Jesus Christ gave His life as a substitution sacrifice and ransom for all (1 Cor 15:13; Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:3-6).
His atoning death on the cross and His shed blood fully paid the price of redemption required for the release of
sinners. Through His death man can obtain the forgiveness and remission of sins, washing and cleansing
from unrighteousness, justification and pardon form the guilt of transgressions, righteousness and right
standing with God, propitiation and reconciliation which restore fellowship and favour with God, healing
and wholeness, the victorious life, and the gift of eternal life (Gal 3:13,14; 1 Pet 18,19; Col 1:13,14; Rom 3:22-
26; 5:8-11, 17-19; Tit 3:4-7; 1 John 2:2,3,8; Rev 12:10,11).

THE SALVATION OF MAN

Man is unable to save himself by works, by trying to keep the Law or the Ten Commandments, by personal merit
in himself, by self-effort, or by natural development from within – no one can add anything to the completed
atoning work of Christ. (Is. 64:6; Rom 3:20, 28; Gal 2:16; Tim 3:5).
Salvation is by grace, the free gift of eternal life from God to all those who believe in Christ. It’s received by faith
in the crucified and risen Saviour, resulting in the supernatural work of the new birth, which is essential to
make the repentant sinner a new creation in Christ Jesus and a child of God. (Eph 2:8,9; Gal 3:26; Rom 6:23;
10:9-10; Cor 7:10; 5:17; John 3:3-5,16; 1:12,13; 1 John 5:1).

WATER BAPTISM

Water baptism is a direct commandment of our Lord. Scripture requires that all, who become disciples through
repentance and faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord, are to be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is by immersion in water and is for believers only (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38, 39;
88:36-39; 16:31-33).
The ordinance of baptism is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ’s death, burial and
resurrection, thereby declaring that the believer has died with Christ and has been raised with Him to walk
in newness of life. A public confession of the new believer’s faith in Christ, and the answer of a good
conscience towards God (Matt 3:13-17; Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21).

COMMUNION

Communion is the partaking of the emblems of bread and wine as symbolic of the Saviour’s body and shed blood.
In following this ordinance regularly, believers are remembering the Lord Jesus Christ and their covenant
with God, proclaiming the Lord’s death, giving thanks for the benefits of His broken body and shed blood,
expressing their communion with Him and one another, celebrating His resurrection, and anticipating His
return. (Matt 26:26-29; 1 Cor 10:16, 17; 11:23-32)

THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The new birth is the work of regeneration that the Holy Spirit executes, by which He then indwells the believer.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct and subsequent to the new birth (Tit 3:5; John 3:5,
6; 14:16, 17; Act 8:14-17; 19:2).
Jesus baptises in the Holy Spirit and according to His command all believers are entitled to and should expect
the Promise of the Father – the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This was the normal and needless experience of
Christians in the church of the early days (Matt 3:11; Acts 1:4, 5; 2:38, 39; 11:15, 16).
Through baptism in the Holy Spirit believers are empowered and equipped for life and service, and with it comes
the bestowment of the supernatural gift of the Spirit and their uses in the work of the ministry (Mark 16:17;
Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12:4- 11).
The initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance witnesses the baptism of
believers in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6).

SANCTIFICATION

The Scriptures demand a life of holiness. Believers are called to separation and consecration unto God (1 Pet 14-
16; 1 Thess 3:12, 13; 4:3-7; 5:23; Heb 12:14). Christ’s holiness is imputed to the regenerated believer, but this
positional holiness must be worked out as practical sanctification in the believer’s conduct.
Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the new birth and continuing
throughout the life of the Christian (1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10, 14; Philip 3:12- 14; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 John 3:2, 3).
Sanctification is an act of purification and separation from that what is evil and of dedication unto God (2 Cor
7:1; Eph 4:22- 23; 2 Tim 2:21, 22).
Sanctification is realised in the life of the believer by recognising his identification with Christ in His death and
resurrection, by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to
the dominion of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. (1 Cor 1:30; Rom 6:11-14; 18:22; Gal 5:16-25; John
17:17; James 1:21)

MARRIAGE

The scriptures teach that God created man in His image and called him Adam. When God saw that Adam was
alone He caused a deep sleep to come over him and God took a rib from Adam’s side and formed a woman
whom he called Eve. Man is instructed that he will leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife
thereby becoming one flesh.
The bible sees marriage as honourable and any person that violates it will be judged. (Gen.
1:26, Gen. 2:22, Gen. 2:24, Hebrews 13:4)
Marriage officers of Soldate vir Christus will only do a marriage if all counselling were done and only according to the regulations of the State (South African Constitution) that appointed them.

DIVINE HEALING AND MIRACLES

Divine healing was provided for in the Old Testament and is an integral part of the Gospel. The New Testament
declares that deliverance from sickness is available through Christ’s atonement – through His redemptive
work, full provision has been made for the physical healing and health of believers. It is the privilege of
every believer today (Ex 23:25; Is. 53:4, 5; Matt 8:16, 17; 1 Pet 2:24; Gal 3:13, 14; Luke 10:9).
Healing is for physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the laying on of hands,
the prayer of faith, anointing with oil, or the gifts of healing (Mark 16:17,18; 6:13; Acts 28:8,9; James 5:14-
16; 1 Cor 12:9).
Miracles are supernatural works, signs or wonders of the unchangeable God and are possible in the present day
(Mark 16:17-20; John 14:12; Acts 6:8; 8:6; 1 Cor 12:10; Rom 15:18, 19; 2 Cor 12:12).

THE CHURCH

The one true church is the whole company of all believers who have been called out of sin and the word,
redeemed by Jesus and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It is universal in the sense that it includes all true
believers out of all nations for all generations.
Each Christian is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn registered in heaven (Matt
16:16-19; Eph 4:3-6; 1 Pet 2:5,9,10; Heb 12:23).
Jesus Christ is the head of the church and the Bible describes it as the body of Christ, His bride, the family of
God, the building and habitation of God etc. (Eph 1:22,23; 2 Cor 11:2, Eph 5:25-27; 3:15; 2:19-22).
The church also has a visible, local expression: A company of believers voluntarily fellowshipping together in a
given locality.
The local church on earth should take its character from the conception of the church universal (Matt 18:15-17; 1
Cor 1:2; Heb 10:24, 25).
Therefore, the essentials of church Associateship are the new birth and personal confession of faith in Christ. It is
not merely at attending of church services or having a name on the Associateship list that makes one a
member of Christ’s true church. Only the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the repentant
sinner qualifies one for Associateship in the body of Christ. (Acts 2:38-41, 47; Eph 2:13, 18, 19)
The primary mission of the church is to be an agency of God preaching the Gospel and evangelising the work, to
be a corporate body bringing praise and worship to God, to be a gathering where saints can be equipped,
edified and perfected in the image of God’s Son. To be a demonstration of God’s love and goodness to all, to
be Christ’s ambassadors ministering reconciliation, practising righteousness, and proclaiming justice, to be a
minister to the poor, sick and needy, to be a foundation upholding God’s wisdom and truth, and to be an
instrument enforcing Satan’s defeat through God’s power. (Matt 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; Eph 1:6,12,14; 4:11-16;
3:10; Gal 5:13,14; 6:9,10; 2 Cor 5:18-20; 1 John 2:29; Matt 25:37-40; 1 Tim 3:15; Rom 16:20).

THE MINISTRY

Every Christian is a priest – to bring acceptable spiritual sacrifices, by full and equal access, to God through
Christ, a minister, or servant – to serve God and one another through love. A steward – to profitably use the
trust granted by God and a worker – to fulfil the labour of love in God’s kingdom. (Rev 1:6; Heb 10:19 -22;
13; 15,16; 6:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 4:10,11: Matt 25:14; Eph 4:7,12; 2:10)
The ascended Christ has given various ministries to the church – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers – which are essential to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and to build up the body of
Christ. (Eph 4:11, 12; 1 Cor 12:29; Rom 12:4-13)

SATAN

The devil is a fallen being that was cast down from heaven because of his transgression. He is neither an
impersonal force, nor the president of evil personified – personal names and pronouns are used with
reference to him, while personal attributes and acts are ascribed to him. (Is. 14:12-17; Rev 12:9)
He is the real enemy of Christians, and together with his demons, he seeks to deceive, tempt, afflict, oppress and
destroy mankind.
The believer, however, has been given authority over the enemy in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 8:44; Luke
10:17-20; Acts 10:38; Eph 6:11, 12; James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8, 9; 1 John 3:8; 2 Tim 2 : 13 -16)
Satan’s ultimate destiny is that he will be cast into the lake of fire forever. (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10, 14)

THE DESTINY OF THE UNBELIEVER

All who deny God or His plan for man, who reject Jesus Christ and the offer of salvation, will stand guilty before
God when He will judge the living and the dead. (John 3:16-19; Rom 1:18-21; 2:2-6; 2 Thess 1:8; 2 Tim 4:1)
Those who physically die in their sins without Christ are hopelessly and eternally lost, and therefore have no
further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. They will be resumed from the dead (spiritual
death) and will be judged at the great white throne of judgement. (Heb 9:27; John 5:28, 29; Rev 20:11-13)
They will be guilty before God and will receive the eternal death penalty for sin. They will be separated from
Him and will be damned in hell forever. The Scriptures describe this as the lake of fire, which is the place of
torment. The lake of fire is literal and eternal. The term “eternal’ and “everlasting” used in describing the
duration of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same through and meaning of endless existence as used
in noting the duration of joy ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Rom 6:23; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Matt
25:41,46; 13:49,50; Luke 16:23,24; Rev 20:10- 15; 21:8)

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE DESTINY OF THE BELIEVER

At the sound of the trumpet (Rapture) those who have died in Christ will be resurrected to incorruptibility, and
will be caught up, together with the transformed believers who are alive to meet the Lord in the air. Jesus
Christ is coming back to earth in glory, majesty and power. His return will be literal, visible and personal,
and is the blessed hope of the believer. (John 14:3; Acts 1:10, 11; 2 Thess 1:10; 2:1-3; Tit 2:13; Rev 1:7; 1 Cor
15:22, 23, 51-54; 1 Thess 4:13-17)
The Christian will not be judged on the ground of salvation – the believer received eternal life as a free gift of
God through Jesus Christ. There will be a judgement of rewards according to the believers’ work. (John 5:24;
1 Cor 2:11-15; Rev 22:12)
The Bible teaches that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
The redeemed will live in eternal blessedness in God’s presence. (2 Pet 3:12, 13; Rev 21:1-7, 21-27; 22:1-5)

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”
Pastor Gideon Niemandt
074 905 4321