Just in case you wonder which side of the spiritual spectrum I come from, here is what I believe and what my core values are:

I believe there is one living and true God who has revealed Himself in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, infinitely perfect and eternal in existence and equal in glory, majesty and power (Matt 28:19; Luke 3:21 -22)

At the Journey of Intimacy, I Believe in…

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit and I accept it as the infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).

I believe in the Godhead that our God is one, but manifested in three – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (2 Cor. 13:14; 1 John 5:7). In His infinite wisdom, God has chosen to reveal Himself in three separate Persons, as Father, Son and Spirit to accomplish His divine will, with each Person of the Godhead having a separate purpose in man’s creation and redemption.

I believe in man, their fall and redemption. Man (human being, both male and female) is a created being, made in the likeness of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:14; Rom. 3:10; Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:8).

I believe in eternal life and new birth. Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5).

I believe in the water baptism. Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).

I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in the Body as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 as manifested in the early church.

I believe in divine healing. Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the redemption of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4,5).

I believe in the blessed hope. The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thes. 4:16; Titus 2:14).

I believe in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I believe that in all matters concerning the Body of Christ, in its direction, discipline, ministry and functioning that specific guidance and instruction, revelation and discernment of truth from falsehood, is available by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-3; 1 Tim. 1:18; Rom. 8:14; 1 Tim. 5:22; John 16:13-15; 1 Cor. 5:3)

I believe in the laying on of hands. Laying on of hands is a biblical practice. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing. I believe in the Laying on of Hands for Healing (Mark 5:22-24; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12); laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); Laying on of Hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); Laying on of Hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (1 Tim. 4:14).

I believe in financial support. I believe in two primary New Testament ordinances: Baptism by immersion and The Lord’s Supper. I do not, however, believe that the administration of such ordinances is limited to ordained or licensed ministers. I believe in the priesthood of every believer and ordination is on the basis of that recognition of God’s gifting.