What We Believe
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ may disagree about non-essentials, but we, Jesus the King of Kings Ministries and The Educated Believer, know that there are truths that followers of Christ should believe. For us, we hold 21 beliefs. The first three are most essential.
1. Eternal Godhead
We believe in the concept of the Trinity composed as the Father Son Holy Spirit – three beings in One. The Trinity is God the Father, also called LORD the Most High, and Creator; God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit. We believe in this trinity of oneness of God because that is the most logical and reasonable conclusion deduced from the totality of scripture. (Matt 28:19 and 2 Cor 13:14)
2. Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus is God. We believe the word of God that teaches that Jesus Christ is the eternal, one unique Son of God (John 17:5), who was in the beginning with God, and all things were created by Him and for Him. (Col 1:15-17)
3. Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired word of the One True God. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
4. Fall of Humankind
We believe that true humanity consists of humans who know God and comprehend the distinctions between good which emanates from God, and evil that does not. Adam and Eve were the first humans created in that image of God. (Gen 1:26-27) When they chose evil by disobeying God, they prompted God to separate them from Him, and they forfeited eternal life with God for them and humanity. (Gen 3:17-19 and Ro 5:12)
5. Plan of Salvation
We believe in the teaching of the Bible that while we humans were born separated from God and eternal life by our sinful nature, Jesus Christ the Son of God who lived as a man, died as an atonement for our sins, providing for everyone a path to salvation. (Ro 5:15-18)
6. Salvation through Grace
We believe that it is only through grace, that is, the unmerited favor of God received through the atoning death of the Son of God Jesus Christ on the cross, that we may be saved. (Ro 5:15-18) For it is by grace we are saved and not by our own works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph 2:8-9) If we accept that Jesus is Lord God over our life, and we believe that He was raised from the dead to return to eternal glory, we too will no longer be separated from God but shall receive eternal life. (Ro 10:9, John 11:25 and John 14:19)
7. New Birth
We believe that when someone becomes a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ that they become a new creation. (John 3:3 and 2 Cor 5:17) All of our sins against God and man; past, present, and future, are forgiven. Our salvation is a free gift given from God that cannot be taken from us. (Eph 1:13-14 and 2:8) We have become unique children of God and heirs with Christ in the kingdom of heaven. (Ro 8:17 and Matt 25:34)
8. Heaven
We believe that being united with Jesus in heaven is the eternal reward for those of us who are in Christ. Paul declared that, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:8) Jesus promised at the Last Supper that, In My Father’s house there are many rooms, and I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1-3) He added, Because I live, you will live also. (John 14:19) And Jesus taught that on the day of judgment that He will call to us and say, ‘Come and take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ (Matt 25:34)
9. Final Judgement and Hell
The existence of judgment and hell is certain. (Rev 20:15) Jesus warned that at the final judgment angels will go out and gather all who do evil, and they will be thrown into a furnace where there will be darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt 13:41-42, Matt 23:13) And He will say, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed into eternal fire.’ (Matt 25:41)
10. Love of God
God loves us, His children, whom He created. God so loved the world that He gave His only unique Son that whoever believes in Him will be saved. (John 3:16) We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 14:19) Jesus promised us that when we love Jesus that we will be loved by His Father, and He too, Jesus, will love us. (John 14:21)
11. Water Baptism
The Holy Spirit descended upon and filled our Lord, and God the Father said, This is My Son in Whom I am well pleased, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer. (Mark 1:11) Jesus’ followers baptized new disciples (John 3:22 and Acts 2:38), and the Paul and his followers also baptized new believers. (Acts 19:3-5) We honor that tradition.
12. The Lord’s Supper
On the night that the Lord Jesus was betrayed, He took bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it and said, This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way, He took the cup, saying, This is the cup of the new covenant. Whenever you drink it, do so in remembrance of Me. (1 Cor 11:23-25)
13. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Jesus said He would pray to the Father, and the Father would send the Holy Spirit, who would lead us into all truth about Him. (John 14:16 and 16:13) At Pentecost the promised Spirit came upon the assembled church and filled each believer. (Acts 2:1-12) Scripture tells us that the ministries of Peter and Paul were marked by believers being baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 10:44-45 and 19:1-8)
14. Spirit-Filled Life
A Spirit-filled life in Christ is an on-going activity with rich rewards. After the Holy Spirit had filled the assembled disciples on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled them again sometime later. (Acts 4:21) Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus to be filled with the Spirit, and then filled even more. (Eph 1:13 and 5:18) The immeasurable goodness of the Spirit within us gives us joy, peace, kindness, love and faithfulness. (Gal 5:22) The Holy Spirit teaches us and draws us to pray. (Ro 8:26-27) The Spirit-filled believer is therefore moderate in their conduct, prayerfully striving for humility and gentleness. (Phil 4:5-7)
15. Working in the Gifts of the Spirit
All may work in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We believers are God’s handiwork, created to do good works assigned to us at the beginning of time. (Eph 2:10) Both Paul and Peter wrote that the gifts of the Spirit are given to every follower. (1 Cor 12:7 and 1 Pet 4:10) The gifts include healing, prophesy, the discerning of spirits, miracles, and more. (1 Cor 12:4-10)
16. The Kingdom of God is at Hand
We believe in the working of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit until the return of the Perfect. (1 Cor 13:8-10) In heaven there is no sickness or sorrow, and no evil or demons. Jesus declared that the kingdom of God has come near. (Matt 4:17) He healed the sick and cast out demons, and He sent His followers who also healed the sick and cast out demons. (Matt 4:23-24 and Luke 9:2-6) Our Lord prayed to His Father that He would send us the Holy Spirit who would remain with us forever. (John 14:16) His prayer was not just for the apostles but for all who would believe. (John 17:20) Jesus declared that whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do also, and even greater works. (John 14:12)
17. Continuing Revelation of God
We believe that the truth about God that is found in our Bible does not change. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8) And we believe that God reveals new information, including historical and scientific, that helps His children to appreciate and love Him and His word more. We are instructed to seek God, with the expectation that He will reveal Himself. (Jer 29:13) Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will open. (Matt 7:7-8) We test what we receive to ensure that it is of God. (Acts 17:11 and 1 John 4:1)
18. Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the return of our Lord. Jesus said at the Last Supper, I will come back and take you to be with Me. (John 14:3) Earlier in His ministry Jesus said, People will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Angels will gather His elect from the ends of the earth. (Mark 13:26 and Matt 24:30-31)
19. Tithes and Offerings
To honor God by blessing others through gifts of money, service, and other things of value has been inspired by God since long before the Law was given by Moses. (Gen 4:3-4 and 14:20, Ruth 2:12-15) It pleases God because of a follower’s heart for sacrifice for Him, and because it helps to build up the community of believers. (Eph 4:12-13) When Jesus saw a poor widow give two tiny copper coins, He said that the worth of her giving was greater than others who had given larger gifts, because they gave easily out of their great wealth. (Luke 21:1-4) Paul reasoned that, the more you give, the more you will be blessed, so decide in your heart what to give, and do not be reluctant about giving it. (2 Cor 9:6-7)
20. Civil Government
Believers are charged to follow the laws of their communities. Jesus said Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s. (Mark 12:17 and Luke 20:25) Paul wrote to the Romans Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established. Do you want to be free from fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is right. (Ro 13:1-3)
21. Evangelism
One mission of the church is to evangelize. Jesus foretold that once the gospel has been preached to all nations and people groups of the world that He will return. (Matt 24:14) Both the Gospels of Matthew and Mark conclude with the commands to: Go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19), and, Go into all the world and preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15) Jude the brother of our Lord wrote in the last epistle in the Bible, have mercy on others by snatching them out of the fire. (Jude 23)
