Statement of Faith
LIVING WATERS APOSTOLIC CHURCH AND MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE 1
SALVATION
WE BELIEVE
THAT THERE IS BUT ONE WAY TO OBTAIN SALVATION, AND THAT IS THROUGH AND
BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. WE BELIEVE THAT ONCE A PERSON IS SAVED,
THAT HE IS ETERNALLY SECURE AS LONG AS HE CONTINUES TO FOLLOW ON TO KNOW
CHRIST. WE BELIEVE THAT NO SIN SHALL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS STATED
IN MATTHEW 18:2-3
AND JESUS
CALLED A LITTLE CHILD UNTO HIM, AND SET HIM IN THE MIDST OF THEM, 3 AND
SAID, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED, AND BECOME AS
LITTLE CHILDREN, YE SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
WE BELIEVE
SALVATION IS FREE AND CANNOT BE OBTAINED BY WORKS. BUT WE FURTHER
BELIEVE THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. SALVATION BY GRACE, AND FAITH
WITH WORKS.
ARTICLE 2
THE WORD
WE BELIEVE THE HOLY WORD OF GOD IS PURE,
UNADULTERATED & TRUE AND IS GIVEN TO MEN TO WALK AND LIVE BY AS OUR
GUIDE TO SEE JESUS, AND AS OUR HOPE TO AN ETERNAL HOME WITH HIM.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE WORD IS TO BE APPLIED TO
OUR LIVES DAILY. JUST AS WE BREAK THE DAILY BREAD TO SUSTAIN OUR
PHYSICAL LIVES, WE BELIEVE THAT WE MUST BREAK THE BREAD OF LIFE (THE
WORD OF GOD) TO SUSTAIN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES.
ARTICLE 3
HOLINESS
WE BELIEVE
THAT ALL MEN WHO SEEK GOD MUST WALK HOLY BEFORE HIM. HEBREWS 12:13 “AND
MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, LEST THAT WHICH IS LAME BE TURNED OUT
OF THE WAY; BUT LET IT RATHER BE HEALED. 14 FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN,
AND HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD: “
ISAIAH 35:8
“AND AN HIGHWAY SHALL BE THERE, AND A WAY, AND IT SHALL BE CALLED THE
WAY OF HOLINESS; THE UNCLEAN SHALL NOT PASS OVER IT; BUT IT SHALL BE FOR
THOSE: THE WAYFARING MEN, THOUGH FOOLS, SHALL NOT ERR THEREIN.
2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 “HAVING THEREFORE THESE
PROMISES, DEARLY BELOVED, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS
OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD.
ARTICLE 4
SEPARATION (Amendment 3 October 4, 2007)
WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE TO ABSTAIN FROM WORLDLY
WAYS AND BE SEPARATED FROM THE SIN’S OF THE WORLD. WE FURTHER BELIEVE
THAT WE SHOULD TAKE ON THE
APPEARANCE OF CHRIST WALK LIKE HIM, TALK LIKE HIM, LIVE LIKE HIM.
MEN AND WOMEN SHALL DRESS PROPERLY AND
MODERATELY. MEN SHALL TAKE THE APPEARANCE AND ROLE OF A MAN AS STATED IN
THE HOLY WORD. WOMEN SHALL ALSO TAKE THE APPEARANCE AND ROLE OF A WOMAN
AS STATED IN THE HOLY WORD.
WE BELIEVE THAT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE TO ABSTAIN FROM THE USE OF ANY SUBSTANCE THAT BECOMES A VICE IN OUR LIVES, OR THAT BECOMES AN ADDICTION TO US. WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT ALL CHRISTIANS MUST REFRAIN FROM SEXUAL PROMISCUITY; LIVING CHASTENED LIVES IN THE FEAR OF GOD.
WE BELIEVE THAT ALL THINGS WE DO, WE MUST DO WITH
WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, SEEING THAT IN ALL THAT WE DO WE GLORIFY THE NAME
OF JESUS. WALKING IN THE MOST HOLY FAITH.
PHILIPPIANS 2:14-15 “DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT
MURMURINGS AND DISPUTINGS: 15 THAT YE MAY BE BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS, THE
SONS OF GOD, WITHOUT REBUKE, IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE
NATION, AMONG WHOM YE SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD;
2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-18 AND WHAT AGREEMENT HATH THE
TEMPLE OF GOD WITH IDOLS? FOR YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD; AS
GOD HATH SAID, I WILL DWELL IN THEM, AND WALK IN THEM; AND I WILL BE
THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG
THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD, AND TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN
THING; AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU, 18 AND WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU, AND YE
SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY.
ARTICLE 5
BAPTISM
WE BELIEVE IN FULL WATER IMMERSION BAPTISM IN THE
NAME OF JESUS ACCORDING TO ACTS CHAPTER 2:38 “THEN PETER SAID UNTO THEM,
REPENT, AND BE YE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY
GHOST.
WE BAPTIZE IN THE NAME AND NOT THE TITLES,
BECAUSE THIS WAS THE COMMISSION OF JESUS IN MATTHEW 28:19 GO YE
THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME
(SINGULAR) OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST:
ARTICLE 6
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
WE BELIEVE THAT ANY ONE BELIEVING ON JESUS AND
BEING BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME, SHOULD RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
AND THAT WITH FIRE. WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE
SPIRIT GIVES THE UTTERANCE.
WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER
MUST HAVE THE BAPTISM IN ORDER TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD MADE MANIFEST
UNTO HIS PEOPLE .
WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
BRINGS TO US THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT . 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 “FOR TO ONE
IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT THE WORD OF WISDOM; TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF
KNOWLEDGE BY THE SAME SPIRIT; 9 TO ANOTHER FAITH BY THE SAME SPIRIT; TO
ANOTHER THE GIFTS OF HEALING BY THE SAME SPIRIT; 10 TO ANOTHER THE
WORKING OF MIRACLES; TO ANOTHER PROPHECY; TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF
SPIRITS; TO ANOTHER DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES; TO ANOTHER THE
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:”
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PROMISE WAS NOT JUST FOR THE
EARLY NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS, BUT FOR ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE. ACTS 2:1-39
JOEL 2:28-29
ARTICLE 7
ONENESS
WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD (JESUS). MANIFEST IN THREE
MANIFESTATIONS;
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST. JOHN 10:30 “I AND MY
FATHER ARE ONE”
JOHN 17:1-26 VS.20 “NEITHER PRAY I FOR THESE
ALONE, BUT FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD;
21 THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE,
THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US : THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU
HAST SENT ME. 22 AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM;
THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE:
1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 BUT TO US THERE IS BUT ONE GOD,
THE FATHER , OF WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, AND WE IN HIM; AND ONE LORD JESUS
CHRIST, BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, AND WE BY HIM.
EPHESIANS 4:4-6 “THERE IS ONE BODY, AND ONE SPIRIT,
EVEN AS YE ARE CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING; 5 ONE LORD, ONE
FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, 6 ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL, AND
THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL.
DEUTERONOMY 6:4
ARTICLE 8
THE SECOND COMING
WE BELIEVE THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS TO BE THE
FINAL COMING.
WE FURTHER BELIEVE THAT WE AS THE CHURCH THE CHOSEN
AND ELECT SEED WILL FACE THE GREAT TRIBULATION AS STATED IN GODS HOLY
WORD.
MATTHEW 24:1-31 VS. 29 IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS SHALL THE SUN BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON SHALL
NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN, AND THE POWERS
OF THE HEAVENS SHALL BE SHAKEN: 30 AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE
SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN: AND THEN SHALL ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH MORN,
AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH
POWER AND GREAT GLORY.
31 AND HE SHALL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT SOUND
OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR
WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL
DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND
WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST: 17 THEN
WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN
THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH
THE LORD.
2 PETER 3:3-14
REVELATION 21
ARTICLE 9
THE GOVENMENTAL BODY OF THE CHURCH (Amendment 1 July 2, 2004)
THE GOVENMENTAL OFFICES & BODY OF THE CHURCH SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS ACCORDING TO THE WORD.
hEAD OF THE CHURCH: jESUS CHRIST
AFTER THAT
first: Apostles
secondarily: Prophets
thirdly: teachers
following: Miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues
1 Cor 12:27-31
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Eph 4:11-15
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
STATEMENT OF FAITH WRITTEN BY
APOSTLE PHILIP J. EMORY APRIL 14, 1999
ARTICLES 1-9 WRITTEN AND
AGREED UPON BY APOSTLE PHILIP J. EMORY SISTER MELANIE EMORY AND
THE STATEMENT OF FAITH WRITTEN HEREIN AND THE ARTICLES THEREAFTER ARE AGREED TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LIVING WATERS APOSTOLIC CHURCH AND MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
FOUNDER