Michael Gittens Evangelist; Fellow Servant
“Truth exists in and of itself and is not predicated upon or subject to man's opinion or validation.” _____________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to acknowledge my deep appreciation and eternal gratitude to all who have educated, inspired, and edified the body of Christ. Through their dedication to God’s calling… we all grow.
Throughout history God has revealed himself to mankind, often through His elect people. I will forego an attempt to name all the individuals who have shaped my perception and helped me to grow and develop in the things of God… As that is a process and a work that never ends… May it suffice that I honor the most important of all, The Holy Spirit Himself, who has affirmed in me these fundamental truths that I hold far above compromise or negotiation.
My core beliefs and worldview are set forth in the following articles of Faith:
Article One: Scripture
The Bible, composed of 66 books of the Old and New Testament is the only infallible, plenary word of God, verbally and fully inspired; without error in the original autographs. It is the supreme authority and final rule in all matters of faith and conduct; further, in all matters of our existence to which it speaks. The very revelation of God and His will, complete and sufficient in precept and principle, teaching God's plan of salvation for mankind. The final guide to interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself.
The Holy Spirit breathed upon men the very words and thoughts of Scripture in conjunction with the writer's personalities, characteristics, and emotions; He guarded and preserved each thought, phrase and word from any error, omission, or inaccuracy. Thereby, the full historicity of the biblical record is absolute truth. Including the beginning of the existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and organisms as revealed in the six literal days of creation; The fall of man; the Noahic flood; the origin of nations and languages at Babel; and the whole of scriptural affirmation. Examination of evidence is subject to interpretation by fallible, finite man. God cannot err; The Bible is the word of God; Therefore, the Bible cannot err. The word of God is forever settled. * John 1:1 * II Timothy 3:15-17 * II Peter 1:21 * Proverbs 4:20-22 * I Corinthians chpt. 2
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Article Two: God (Theology Proper)
There is one God, eternally existing in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal and indivisible in infinite essence, attributes and perfection. Love personified. The creator of all things, the giver of life, holy, transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, yet personal and immanent in His relationship and dealings with humanity.
* Genesis chpt 1 * John 17:3 * Deuteronomy 6:4 * Isaiah 43:10-11 * John 1:1- 5 * John 10:30- 33 * II Corinthians 3:17 * Matthew 3:16, 17 * II Corinthians 13:14 * John chpt. 14
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Article Three: God The Son
The second person of the Godhead Trinity, eternally coexistent with the Father and the Holy Spirit, The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, perfect deity and true humanity united in one person forever. God incarnate through the miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; He became flesh; lived a sinless life; manifest the word, glory and anointing of God; voluntarily shed his blood and atoned for the sins of mankind by his vicarious death on the cross; bodily arose from the dead as He had prophesied; physically ascended into heaven in the presence of many eyewitnesses; He is seated at the right hand of God the Father; He continually makes intercession as our great high priest, the only mediator between God and men; and He will personally return to earth to rule and reign in all His majesty, power and glory, just as He has said.
* Matthew 1:18-23 * John 1:14 & 3:8 * Philippians 2:7, 8 * II Corinthians 5:21 * Hebrews 4:15 * I Peter 2:22 * I Timothy 2:5 & 3:16 * Colossians 2:9 * Hebrews 1:8 * Hebrews 2:14 * Luke 24:50, 51 * Acts 1:9, 10 * Hebrews 1:3 * Hebrews 7:25 * I John 2:1 * Acts 13:25-39
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Article Four: God The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Godhead Trinity, eternally coexistent with the Father and the Son, The Holy Spirit imparts revelation and draws humanity to salvation; He convicts, He regenerates, He indwells and seals every believer from the moment they receive salvation. In addition and subsequent to the new birth experience, God has promised the baptism of The Holy Spirit and fire to all believers who will ask and obey Him.
The baptism of The Holy Spirit is for equipping, enabling, and empowering the believer to service in fulfilling God's calling and purpose. The Holy Spirit is the Parakletos, our counselor, helper and advocate. As the believer yields to Him, He leads, guides and instructs in Godly living. He makes intercession for us beyond our natural ability or comprehension. He reveals the word of God and imparts understanding; He is our teacher.
The fruits of The Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. The gifts of The Holy Spirit are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are in operation as He wills, in and among believers since the day of Pentecost and continuing until The Lord Jesus returns.
* Mark 16:15- 20 * Luke 24:49 * John 7:37-39 & 14:16,17 * John 15:26 & 16:7,13,14 * Romans 8:26 * I Corinthians 2:9-16 & 3:16 * I Corinthians 12:1-31 * II Corinthians 1:21, 22 * II Corinthians 4:7 & 5:5 *Galatians 5:22 * Ephesians 1:13,14 * Ephesians 5:9 * I John 2:20, 27 * Acts 1:4,8 * Acts 2:1-4 & 38-43 * Acts 4:8 * Acts 8:12-17 * Acts 10:44-46 * Acts 11:14-16 * Acts 15:7-9
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Article Five: Anthropology (The Doctrine of Man)
God created man, (both male and female), in His own image and likeness and gave man dominion over all the earth. Adam and Eve relinquished that position and their right relationship with God by their willful, voluntary transgression of God's ordinance, consequently the sin condition with physical and spiritual death entered into all the human race. This is the basis for mankind's need of redemption and reconciliation through God's plan of salvation, as man is incapable of saving himself. God’s ordinance for the family unit and marriage consists of one man and one woman in loving harmony and respect for each other, under God. Parents are responsible to teach and discipline their children in the light of God’s Word.
* Genesis 1:26, 27 * Genesis 2:17 & 3:6 * Ephesians chpt.2 * Ephesians 5:21-33 * John 3:3 * I Corinthians 15:21, 22 * Romans 3:10, 11 * Romans 5:12-21 * Romans 6:23
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Article Six: Soteriology (The Doctrine of Salvation)
Salvation is the gift of God which proceeds from His love, given by His mercy and grace. It is man's redemption from the power and penalty of sin. Salvation is available only through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross. The gift of salvation is offered to all people conditioned upon personal faith in The Lord Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is not attainable by merit or good works or by the law or by religious ceremony or by any mixture thereof; but is by trusting exclusively in Christ's perfect, all sufficient, finished work of redemption.
Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for salvation.
In conversion, the individual is drawn by the Holy Spirit, repents of sin, believes God and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; becomes a new creature, redeemed, justified, made righteous and reconciled to God as His child and His heir.
In order to fully appreciate the scope of God's provision of salvation, a word study of the original Greek text regarding salvation (soteria; sozo), is extremely beneficial.
Divine Healing is integral to the message of the gospel.
Christ’s work of atonement provides deliverance and liberty in every aspect of the believer’s life, spirit, soul and body. This includes divine health and freedom from lack. As with all things that exist, God’s order is governed by laws and principals established in His design; Specific results require specific action. All the promises of God are yea and Amen in Christ as the scriptures decree. However, it is impossible to please God and enter into the fullness of His provision, without faith. Moreover, faith must be centered on the known will and Word of God.
* John 3:3- 18 * John chpt 17 * Ephesians 2:8, 9 * Titus 3:5-7 * Romans 9:16 * John 15:5 * Hebrews 11:6 * Romans 4:5,25 * Mark 10:45 * I Peter 2:24 * I Peter 3:18 * John 14:6 * Romans 10:8- 11 * Luke 24:39 * Hebrews 4:1- 3 * Romans 1:16 * II Corinthians 5:17- 21 * Exodus 15:25, 26 * James 5:14-16 * II Corinthians 1:20 * Proverbs 4:20- 23 * Psalm 89:34 * II Peter 3:9 * Acts 4:12 * Matthew 8:16,17 * Isaiah 54:4,5 * Galatians 3:13, 14 with reference to Deuteronomy chpt. 28
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Article Seven: Sanctification (The Doctrine of Holiness)
Sanctification is God’s will for every believer. It is the necessary fruit of salvation, yet not meritorious. No person can earn salvation, neither live worthily in and of their own abilities. All who receive the gift of salvation are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
The Adamic nature of the flesh is ever present in this life as we inhabit these earthen vessels. Therefore, it is only in walking by faith daily, allowing The Word of God to preside in our hearts, as we are sincere and yielded, The Holy Spirit enables us to live holy and separated lives unto Him.
Sanctification initially occurs at regeneration, a definite yet progressive lifelong work of God’s grace.
* Romans 12:1, 2 * I Thessalonians 4:3 & 5:23 * Hebrews 12:14 * Hebrews 13:12 * I Peter 1:5, 15, 16 * John chpt 15 * John 17:15-21 * Romans 6:1-11, 13 * Romans 8:1- 14 * Galatians 2:20 & chpt. 3 * Ephesians 4:1 * II Corinthians 3:17,18 & 5:21 * II Corinthians 6:17 & 10:4- 6 * Philippians 2:12-13 * I Jonh 1:6-10 * II Timothy 2:15-22
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Article Eight: Ecclesiology (The Doctrine of the Church)
The true church is composed of all who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, which is called the bride of Christ. The local expression of the church represents a cross-section of God’s various callings and giftings in people; bound together by love and united in purpose of edifying the corporate body, encouraging one another, and fulfilling the great commission. Local churches may emphasize diversity in focus, just as individuals have different personalities. This should not create division, provided that essential biblical doctrines are not compromised.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, not any person, group, or religious organization.
Structure and accountability are necessary. Fellowship, cooperating and networking within the body of Christ is indispensable. Howbeit, the local church should be autonomous and as possible, free from excessive associational and or denominational control within the Biblical mandate of submitting to authority.
Ordinances of the Church
Our Lord Jesus Christ established two ordinances for the church to value and observe. They do not accomplish salvation; however, they are visible signs that symbolize and represent profound spiritual truths.
- Water baptism signifies that in conversion the believer has died to his old life and has been resurrected with Christ into a new life in which the power of sin is destroyed.
- The Lord’s supper (Communion), acknowledges and reminds believers that our Lord Jesus gave Himself to establish His everlasting covenant and set us free from the bondage of sin. The elements of communion are symbolic of His broken body and His shed blood for us. A memorial of His suffering, death, burial and glorious resurrection until His imminent return.
* Ephesians 1:22 -23 * Ephesians chpt.2 * Ephesians 4:11- 16 * Hebrews 12:23 * Matthew 28:19-20 * Matthew 26:26-28 * Acts 1:8 * Acts 2:41-47 * I Corinthians 12:13, 28
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Article Nine: Eschatology (The Doctrine of Last Things)
The future event of the rapture, as The Lord Jesus promised; He will return to catch away the church, which is the whole company of all who are in Christ both the dead and the living. Following the rapture there will be a seven-year tribulation period on earth. Following the tribulation as spoken of in the book of Revelation, The Lord Jesus will personally, physically, visibly return to the earth accompanied by the Saints to begin the millennial reign and establish His eternal kingdom. He will consummate and fulfill all His purposes; He will judge all the works of creation and redemption with eternal reward for believers and eternal punishment for the unsaved. Anyone whose name is not found written in the book of life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, the place prepared for the devil and the other wicked beings. God will create a new heaven and a new earth, wherein God will dwell with His people. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things shall be passed away.
* I Thessalonians 4:13-18 * Matthew chpts. 24 & 25 (24:27-:30) * Luke 12:40 * Mark 9:43-48 * John 14:1- 3 * I Corinthians 13:12 * I Corinthians 15:51- 53 * II Thessalonians 1:7- 9 * II Peter #:10-13 * Titus 2:13 * Romans 6:23 & 8:23 * Colossians 3:3, 4 * Psalm 72:3-8 * Isaiah 11:6-9 * Micah 4:3,4 * Zechariah chpt. 14 * Ezekiel 37:21-22 * Zephaniah 3:19,20 * Daniel 2:35 * Revelation 1:7 * Revelation 19:20 * Revelation 20:5,6; 11-15 * Revelation chpt. 21 (21:4) * Revelation 22:12