Article of Faith

The article of faith that appears below is the view of Evangelical Fellowship and believe of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Toronto.

BIble

We believe the original texts of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the Holy Scriptures, errorless (Rev. 22: 18-19), and are God-breathed and written by men chosen and equipped by God for this special task - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21

GOD

We believe in the one and only true God who is the creator of ALL THINGS in the heavens and on earth. He is self-existent, infinite, unchangeable, and eternal in his being. He is perfect in holiness. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He exists and reveals himself as three persons, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We know about God as revealed in Jesus from Scripture. Now we know only in part, but we look for the day when we will know as we are known- Genesis 1:1Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 7:11; John 1: 3;14:6-7; Rev. 4:11.

JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD

We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God is God Himself, came into the world in the likeness of men. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. His divine nature with human nature in one, unique person with a nature being formed - John 1:14; Philippians 2:7c-8a. Also see: Matthew 1;18-25; 16:15; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14a

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is God, eternal in existence. He convicts and convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment. He comes to live in all believers now of their regeneration. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks. He restrains the progress of evil until God’s purposes are accomplished - Acts 5:3, 4; Hebrews 9:11-14; John 16:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13

Christians as believers

The Father loved the world enough to send the Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world. Anyone who knows the Father also knows the Son. Through a personal relationship with Christ, we come to know God as our Father and can say, “Abba, Father.” John 3:16; Galatians 3:26; 1 Peter1:18-19. Also see: 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2

MAN

We believe that man was created by an immediate act of God. He was created in order that he might glorify God and enjoy him forever. In so doing, man finds his greatest measure of blessedness and true enjoyment. We believe that man was confronted with a moral choice in the garden. In consequence of this act of disobedience, the entire human race became guilty before God with the result that each one of us possesses a sin nature. Both our sin nature and our acts of sin make us deserve of the righteous judgment of God - Genesis 1: 27; 2:7; 2: 15-17; Ephesians 1:5-6. Also see: Ephesians 1:18; Romans 5:12, 18; Also see: Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-12,23; Also. Ephesians 2:1

ETERNAL DESTINY OF MAN

We believe that there are two eternal, conscious destinies for man, heaven for the righteous and hell for the unrighteous - John 5:28-29. Also see: Psalm 9:17; John 14:1-3; Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Also see: Revelation 21:1-22:7

SALVATION

We believe God will punish sin because He is holy. Because it is not God’s will that any should perish, he has provided the way of salvation. Jesus Christ voluntarily offered himself on the cross to redeemed man. Initially salvation requires repentance and faith in Jesus Christ which results in justification, regeneration and sanctification and culminates in resurrection and glorification.

REPENTANCE

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance must accompany regeneration as well as be an ongoing act that accompanies sanctification; Isaiah 55:7; Mark 1:15; 1 John 1:9; Luke 13:3; Romans 2:4; Proverbs 28:13

FAITH

We believe that faith is essential to salvation. It is how the Word of God is received as true. It is both the gift of God and the response of man base on God`s grace - Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6; John 20:31. Also see: Romans 10:10

JUSTIFICATION

We believe that justification is a judicial act of God in which he declares the sinner free from condemnation and punishment and restores him to divine favor and privilege. It takes place when the sinner repents and trusts Christ for salvation. Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:1

REGENERATION

We believe that regeneration is wholly of grace and free to all but must include repentance toward God and faith in Christ as Savior - Ephesians 2:8-9; 2, Corinthians 5:17. Also see: Romans 5:17; Titus 3:4-6; John 3:7; Acts 4:12; Romans 8:16

SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is also a process in the Christian life and involves the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. The results include a manifestation of spiritual fruit and progress in Christian growth, which are the will of God for every Christian. God has always required that his people should be holy because he is holy - Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter l:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30, 6:9-1l; Hebrews 10:14, 13:12; John 17:17; Romans 6:13b, 8: 29,12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 3:2

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

We believe that every Christian can have a valid sense of assurance concerning his salvation, his relationship with God and his destiny. Through faith in Jesus Christ, a knowledge of the Scriptures and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, such assurance becomes real and personal. Therefore, it is necessary to examine ourselves to see whether our faith is genuine, a faith that is expressed in attitude and actions by obeying Christ not good works -1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:24; Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 3:12-13, 10:26-31; 1 John; 2 Corinthians 13:5

RESURRECTION AND GLORIFICATION

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, and because he lives, we too shall live - Luke 24:6a; Acts 1:3; 2 Corinthians 15:22. Also see: 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17a. Also see: 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:20-31; 1 John 3:2

THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

We believe the Church, in its universal context as the body of Christ, is composed of all believers regardless of name, race, nation or generation joined together and devoted to one another in love to fulfill God`s purpose -1Corinthians 12:13, 27. Also see: Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22; Colossians 1:18-20; Revelation 5:9

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

The purpose of the Church is to glorify God through Worship, Fellowship, Prayer and Bible study with a goal to remain faithful in participation to God-given mission - Romans 15:5-6; Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Peter 4:11. Also see: 1 Chronicles 16:24; Psalm 34:3, 96:8; Romans 16:27; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 4:13-15; Galatians 1:4-5; Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 1:9-11, 4:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25; Revelation 1:6, 19:7

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

The mission of the Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ through teaching and the proclamation of the Word of God for the equipping of each believer to become effective witness so the Church will grow to the glory of God. As the Church makes disciples, it becomes a force for restraining evil and producing righteousness in the world - Matthew 28:18-20; Act 1:8; Acts 2:42-47. Also see: Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 13:15-16; 1 Peter 2:9

THE ROLE OF THE PASTOR

The pastor is called by God to serve the Lord Jesus Christ through leading the congregation to achieve its purpose and mission. This leadership is best expressed as the pastor lovingly leads, feeds, equips, and protects the flock under his care - Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:2. Also see: John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; 1 Peter 5:1, 3-4

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Within each congregation God calls some believers to serve Jesus Christ through positions of leadership in the church’s ministry. This leadership is for the purpose of working with and supporting the pastor so that the church may achieve its purpose and mission - 1 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:12. Also see: Acts 6:2-4; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:2-13, 4:16, 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:24

CHURCH CONGREGATION

God calls every believer to serve Jesus Christ as he or she is gifted by God through active participation in the church’s ministry. And should consistently be growing in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at the same time respectfully submitting to the authority of Christ through the pastor and leadership in the congregation - 1 Corinthians 12:7; Hebrews 13:17-18; 2 Peter 3:18. Also see: Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:2-6, 5:15-21, 6:10-18; Colossians 2:6-7, 4:2-6; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9-12, 3:15-16, 4:10-11; 1 John 1:3-4, 3; Jude 20-21

BELIEVER`S SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the universal spiritual experience of all true Christians, not a post-conversion experience that is evidenced by what some refer to as sign gifts. Spiritual gifts are special endowments or abilities given by the Holy Spirit to each believer, as He determines, Now of conversion, the Holy Spirit places the new believer into the universal church. The believer now has the capacity to be under the Spirit’s empowerment for character transformation and ministry. Every gift brings honor to Jesus Christ, produces unity, develops spiritual maturity within the body, and helps to complete the mission of the Church. We believe that the public exercise of these gifts must occur for the spiritual growth of the individual or the numerical growth of the church. - 1 Peter 4:10; I Corinthians 12:7; 14:40. Also see: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11- 16; 1 Peter 4:11.

THE CHURCH ORDINANCE

LORD`S SUPPER

We believe the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ on the night of his betrayal and is to be observed by his Church until he returns. We believe that an ordinance is an outward ceremony symbolic of a spiritual truth or experience which was to the Lord’s command. We believe that the Christian ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:19 -20

BAPTISM

Baptism is to be administered to believers only, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We encourage immersion because this form of baptism clearly symbolizes its spiritual significance. Water baptism does not save or cleanse from sin. It is the answer of a good conscience toward God. Because of the clear meaning of baptism as indicated above, we recognize only baptism administered after a person has confessed faith in Jesus Christ, and we expect that all believers will be baptized. Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-38, 16:30-34

THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST

We believe in the personal, visible, return of Christ - Acts 1 John 14:2b-3. Also see: Mark 13:22-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6. Also see: Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33, 21:25-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; Revelation 5:9-10

JUDGMENT

We believe the believer’s works will be judged for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ at the time of his coming, the believer’s sins having been judged at the time of his coming, the believer’s sins having been judged in Christ upon the cross -John 5:24; Romans 14: l0c, 12. Also see: 1 Corinthians 3:8-15, 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8. The unbeliever will appear before God for judgment at the great white throne after the millennial reign of Christ and will then be consigned to the lake of fire to suffer torment forever and ever with the devil and his angels - Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 9:27.

Also see: Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:10-15