Our Statement of Faith
Section 1 The Preamble:
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MCF members and the Board recognise the importance to have a doctrinal statement. Though it is a mammoth task to summarise and systematize the richness of an infallible divine revelation, it would certainly help our church against theological drifts and influences of humanistic philosophies. The affirmations which follow - meaning what we believe and teach- were carefully and specifically chosen to indicate our position with regard to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Therefore, it is essential that every member must study and learn this ‘statement of faith’ for their own benefit and growth. If we agree, we can say that we have ‘covenanted each other’ in love and for the glory of God.
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Section 2 The Holy Scriptures
Revelation is God’s self-disclosure to man. God revealed Himself in a limited way in creation. The Bible is His ‘special revelation’ in the sense that it goes beyond what may be known about God through nature.
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The Bible is without error in the original manuscripts, infallible, and God breathed. We believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God. Each book is given to us by the Holy Spirit verbally-inspired without error. We strongly believe and teach the factual, grammatical, geographical and historical interpretation of the Scriptures. The Bible has dual authorship-the Holy Spirit and human authors. The Holy Spirit guided the human authors through their own personalities and background, and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded the Word of God, free from errors.
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Though the Bible is God’s revelation, it has to be interpreted by man. Interpretation has to do with our comprehension of what God has revealed and recorded. Though interpretation is our human responsibility, we must always recognise that revelation is a divine act. This means that divine inspiration guarantees the truthfulness of the Scripture, therefore it is absolutely reliable. The Holy Spirit enlightens the reader and diligently applies the truth discovered. The truth found is a timeless principle. Thus, the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
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Some references: 1 Cor.2:7-14; 2 Pet. 1:20-21, 2 Tim.3:16-17; Matt.5:18; John 10:35; 5:39-47; John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20.
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Section 3 The Godhead (Trinity)
We believe and teach that God is a Person, One living true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perfect in all their attributes, one in essence, power and glory and equally deserving worship and obedience. Some references Deut. 6:4; Isa.45:5-7: Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; John 4:24; 2 Cor.13:14
A. God the Father
We believe and teach that God the Father is an infinite, eternal sovereign Spirit who is absolutely holy and self-existent. He is the first person of the Trinity. He is the Creator and Source of all things. He orders and disposes all things according to His pleasure and grace.
In other words, He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, the supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is worthy of our honour, love and trust. He hears our prayers, and accepts those who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
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He is the Father of all people, but He is the spiritual Father only to believers. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own. All those who come to God in repentance and faith through Christ Jesus are His adopted children. We believe and teach the Fatherhood of God.
Some references: Ps.145:8-9; 1 Cor.8:6; Gen.1:1-31; Eph.3:9; Rom: 8:14; 2 Cor. 6:18; Eph.1:4-6; John1:12; Rom.8:15; Gal.4:5; Heb.12:5-9
B. God the Son
We believe and teach that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, eternally existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He possesses all the divine attributes and in these, He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father. We believe God the Father created all things according to His pleasure and purpose, through his Son, by whom all things exist and are in active operation.
The Holy Spirit conceived His miraculous incarnation. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary as no other man was born nor can ever be born. He is both true God and true Man. This means that in His incarnation Christ laid aside the splendour of His glory but not His divine essence either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, Jesus has all the essential characteristics of humanity, and so became God-Man. The main intention of His incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom.
Some references: Jn.10:30; 14:9; 1:3; Col.1:15-17; Heb.1:2; Phil.2:5-8; Col.2:9; Isa.7:14; Matt.1:23; Lk.1:26-35; Jn.1:1,14; Ps.2:7-9 Isa.9:6; Jn.1:29; Heb.7:25-26; 1Pet. 1:18-19.
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We believe and teach that Jesus died for our sins on the cross as our representative and as a substitutionary sacrifice. Everyone who trusts Him is justified by faith on the basis of His shed blood. He rose bodily from the grave on the third day, in the same body in which He suffered and died. We believe that Jesus resurrected body ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He makes intercession for us as our High Priest and our Divine Advocate with the Father. We believe in Christs finished work at Calvary and His continuous ministry as our Mediator in glory. We teach that in the resurrection of Christ from the dead, God the Father confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that the Father Has accepted the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, without a shadow of a doubt, Christ’s resurrection is also the guarantee of the believer’s future resurrection.
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Some references: Jn.3:16; 1 Cor.15:1-5; Mark 16:19; Rom.3:24-25; 5: 8-9; 1 Pet.2:24; Heb. 5:9; 7:25; 8:1; 9:11-12; 1 Jn. 2:1. Jn. 5:26-29; 14:19; Rom. 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23.
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We believe in the blessed hope, the personal imminent return of our Lord Jesus. Christ’s return to earth will be visible and gloriously accompanied by His saints at the end of the Great Tribulation. After the great battle of Armageddon, He will then establish His millennial kingdom and will reign for one thousand years. Jesus Christ in the One through whom the Father will judge all mankind.
Some references: Jn.14:3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor.15:51-52; 1Thess. 1:10; 4: 13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 19:11-21; 20: 1-6. Jn.5:22-23
C. God the Holy Spirit
We believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, and therefore equal with God the Father and God the Son in every way. He has intellect, emotion, will, eternally omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and truthfulness. He is active in creation of all things. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute God’s purposes and will with relation to all people. Therefore, we acknowledge His sovereign activity in creation, in the incarnation, in the written revelation, in the work of salvation and sanctification.
Some references are: 1Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 4:30; 1Cor. 12:11; Heb. 9:14; Psalm. 139:7-10; Isa. 40:13-14; Rom. 15:13; Jn.16:13; Matt.28:19; Gen.1:2; Matt.1:18; 2Pet.1:20-21; Jn.3:5-7; Gal. Rom. 8: 1-11; Gal. 5:16-26.
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To be more specific, the Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He regenerates the sinner through the Word and permanently indwells the believers and the Church. The moment a person trusted Christ as Saviour, he or she is baptised by the Holy Spirit and placed into the body of Christ. It is the responsibility of every born-again person to be filled with the Spirit. He seals, instructs, guides, teaches, enlightens, witnesses, sanctifies, empowers and helps every believer. He administers spiritual gifts to the church and He neither glorifies Himself nor His gifts by pretentious display to impress others. His main ministry is to glorify Christ by implementing the plan of redemption and the building up of the body of Christ, the Church-to the most holy faith.
Some references: Mark 1:8; Lk.1:35; 24:49; Jn.3:5-7; 14:16,17, 26; 16:7-15; Acts5:30-32; 11:16; Rom.8:14,16,26,27; 15:19; 1Cor. 2:10-11; Eph.1:13-14; 4:30; Heb.9:14; Jn.16:13; Rom.8:9; Eph.5:18; 2Pet.1:19-21; 1Jn.2: 20,27; Jn.16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 12:4-14; 2Cor. 3:18.
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We believe and teach that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the giving of all His spiritual gifts. He bestows these gifts as necessary to teach all peoples. The giving of gifts was for the perfecting of the saints today. The other signs gifts and the working of other miracles in the foundation of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truths. The supernatural powers demonstrated by Christ and His apostles were the Father’s divine confirmation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some references: 1 Cor. 12: 4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4; Jn.10:38; Acts 2:22; Rom.15:19; 1 Cor. 14:22.
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Section 4 Man
We believe and teach that man was created in the image of God. His desire was that man should glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. From eternity the Triune God loves and fellowships one with another. The Triune wants to share that love and fellowship with His created human being.
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Originally, man was free from sin with a rational nature, with intelligence, free to make a choice and morally responsible to God. Because of man’s disobedience to God’s command, he fell into sin, he is lost. Therefore, it incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death and became subject to the wrath of God. Because man is inherently corrupt, utterly incapable to earn his own salvation, he is absolutely lost. His only hope to enter the kingdom of God is by divine grace. Man’s salvation is wholly dependent on God’s grace through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We believe and teach, therefore, that all men are sinners by nature, by choice and by divine declaration.
Some references: Gen.1:26-27; 2:7, 15-25; Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11; Jn.3:36; Rom. 3:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; 1Tim.2:13-14; 1Jn.1:8; Ps. 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom.3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12.
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Section 5 Salvation (All by grace)
We believe and teach that the salvation of man is wholly by God’s grace and not by any work of man. Christ came into this world to make full atonement for sinners by His shed blood, His vicarious death, and bodily resurrection from the dead. By believing Christ as Lord and Saviour, one receives eternal life and power to overcome sin. The believer is indwelt immediately and baptised by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the Church.
Some references: Jn.1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1Pet.18-19;
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There are Biblical terms that describe or are related to salvation, some examples below:
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A. Regeneration
We believe and teach that regeneration is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. It is a onetime event, just like when someone is born into the human family. It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God when a sinner repents of his sins and put his faith in Christ. We often use the word ‘born again’ or born from above. His submission to the Holy Spirit causes the believer to grow in maturity and to be increasingly conformed into the image of Christ.
Some references: Jn. 3:3-7; 5:24; Titus 3:5; Rom. 10:9,10, 17; 1Cor.6:19-20; Eph.2:10; 5:17-21; 2Pet. 1:4-10; Gal. 5:22-23.
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B. Justification
We believe and teach that justification is an act of God by which He declares righteous the one who believes through faith in Christ and repents of his sins. Justification includes absolute pardon of sins and the imputation of God’s righteousness. It is based solely through the redeeming work of Christ on the cross, and not because of anyone’s good works.
Some references: Rom.8:33; Lk.13:1-3; Rom. 3:20-24; 4:6; 5:1-21; 8:1; Col.2:14; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom.3:26
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C. Atonement
We believe and teach that sin must be paid for. Jesus Christ suffered as a substitute in the place of and on behalf of sinners. Because of His death, sinners are declared righteous through faith. The love of God was truly demonstrated and the justice of God satisfied the demands of the law.
Some references: Rom.6:23; 3:21; 1 Pet. 1:18; 2Cor. 5:21; Matt.20:28; Rom. 3:21; 2 Cor. 5:21
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His death was imperative for these main reasons:
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1) God is holy. A holy God demands that sin must be punished. Sin makes us the object of God’s wrath until the penalty of sin is paid.
Some references: 1Jn.1:5; Rom.3:4, 24-26, 1:18; 6:23; Jn. 10:17; 2Pet. 2:1; Matt.20:28
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2) The presence of sin makes us hopeless and powerless. We are dead in trespasses and sins. We are incapable to be alive and save ourselves. We are under the penalty of sin. We suffer guilt and shame and other effects of our sinful nature and actions.
Some references: Rom.3:10-12, 20, 28; Jn. 1:13; Eph. 2:1-5; Rom. 5:12-15; 6:6; 3:23
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3) Sin alienates us from God. Christ’s death on the cross made peace with God possible. His life was not just to provide a good example, but to die on our behalf and to bear the cost for sin; and restore our friendship with God.
Some references: Eph.2:12-13; Col.1:20-21; Gal. 3:13; Rom.5:6-19.
D. Election
We believe and teach that election is a sovereign act of God. He chooses those in whom He graciously regenerates, justifies, sanctifies and glorifies. This doctrine does not negate man’s responsibility to repent and trust Christ as Saviour and Lord.
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Based upon His foreknowledge, only God knows the ones chosen before the foundation of the world. As believers we only know we were chosen after we were saved. However, Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel - for faith comes by hearing and by the hearing of God’s word. God’s offer of salvation is a free gift for all, but only those who come to God in repentance and faith can have it. God does not violate our freedom of choice. Our human responsibility is to either reject or accept the offer of salvation -“for whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John3:15-16).
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God’s sovereign grace involves the means of receiving the gift of salvation, for all whom the Father calls to Himself, will come in faith. This ‘election’ is an act of God’s grace to a totally depraved sinner who is unable to save himself from the penalty, presence and power of sin. It runs in harmony with the other attributes of God: particularly His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, mercy, grace and love. Thus, this sovereignty would always exalt the will of God which is wholly consistent with His character, as demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
Some references: Eph.1:4-11; John3:14-18,36; Rom.8:28-30; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1Pet.1:1-2; Eze.18:23, 32; 33:11; Jn.3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Rom. 9:22-23; 2 Thess.2:10-12; Rev. 22:17; Jn. 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13: 48; James 4:8; Titus 3:4-7; Rom. 9: 11-16; Matt. 11:25-28; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8-10
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E. Adoption
We believe and teach that adoption means to be placed as a son in God’s family. He becomes born again and part of the family. The adopted Father can no longer disown his adopted son. The adopted son has all the rights and privileges of that relationship. This is not just a new legal standing and a change of social status. He has received the spirit of adoption and therefore he has full access before the throne of grace and can cry to God “Abba Father.” He has the assurance that he is safe and secure in the Father’s and Son’s hands. As His adopted child he is sure of His love, protection, compassion, provision, and even disciplines when he becomes wayward in his ways. He is forever sealed as His son to the day of his final redemption. He is an heir and joined heir with Christ. This doctrine strongly indicates our
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F. Eternal Security
We believe and teach that once a person is saved, he has received eternal life and after death or the rapture will spend eternity in perfect joy and peace with God. All the redeemed are safe and secure in Christ eternally. Thus, the believer has to rejoice in the assurance of his salvation. The believer is forbidden to abuse the grace of God and use his Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Holy Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves. Yet, they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Some references: Jn.5:24; 6:37-40; 10: 27-30; Rom.5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1Cor. 1:4-8; Eph.4:30; Heb.7:25; 13:5; 1Pet.1:2-5; Jude 25; Rom.6:15-22; 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14. Rom.8: 28-39; Phil.1:6.
G. Redemption
We believe and teach that redemption is God's deliverance of mankind from the evil of sin and His restoration of man to God. This is an act of God’s grace because of His infinite love for sinners. This redemptive act spans the whole of man's history from the time of his first sin... "God … wishes all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth" (1 Tim 2.4). The act of redemption is demonstrated progressively from Gen 3:15, the call of Abraham, the election of Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, the covenant of Sinai, the life of the people of God in the Promised Land, the exile and the return of the people, and their waiting in hope for the Messiah.
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In the "fullness of time" in salvation history "God sent his Son, born of a woman … that he might redeem … that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal 4.4). Redemption is achieved by the very fact that the Eternal Son of God became Man and became Mediator between God and man. Christ accomplish this by giving His life as a ransom or a price of purchase. Redemption is effected through the sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ. He died on the sinner’s behalf. His resurrection declared victory over death, sin and over the devil. Finally, redemption was attained through Christ’s obedience to the Father and He continues to make intercession on our behalf.
Some references: 1 Tm 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; Eph.1:10; Col1: 5–20; Rom 5:12–19; 1Cor. 15:21–22, 45–49; Mk 10: 45; 1Cor 6: 20; 7:23; 1 Tm 2: 6; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 1:18–19; Rev 5:9; Jn.1:29; Rom 4:25; 5:6–21; 1Cor.15:3; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal 2:20; Eph. 5:2; Col 2:13–14; Jn.14:30; Col.1:13; 2:15; 1Jn. 3:8; Rom 5:21; 6:6–23; 8:3; 1Cor. 15:20–58; Jn.10:18; 14:31; Phil 2:5–11; Rom 1:4; 4:25; 1Cor.15; 2 Cor. 5:15; Rom.8:34; Heb. 7.25
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H. Sanctification
We believe and teach that sanctification began in salvation. It is the divine setting apart of the person from sin to God to accomplish the will of God. It is an act of God, solely based upon the work of Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment of salvation. Sanctification, therefore, is also a continuing process in the life of the Christian as he draws closer to God by understanding the Scriptures and works of the Holy Spirit. The final accomplishment of this process of sanctification will take place when Jesus returns, as the saints will be changed and become like Jesus having glorified bodies.
Some references: Jn.17:17; Rom.6:1-14; 1Cor.1:30; 6:19-20; 2Cor.3:18; 6:14-17; 7:1; Gal.5:16-23; Eph.2:6; 5:25-27; 1Thess. 4:3-7; 5:23-24; 1Jn.3:2; Jude 24-25.
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Section 6 The Church
We believe and teach that the Church is the body of Christ. Anyone who puts his trust in Christ is placed immediately by the Holy Spirit into a united spiritual body, the Church, the bride of Christ into which Christ is the Head. All regenerated persons are members of the universal Church of God which takes on a local form, wherever groups of believers unite for worship, fellowship and service based upon Biblical principles.
This body of people is separated from the world and all believers are called to a priestly ministry in the offering of spiritual sacrifices and sent out into the world to be witnesses. As faithful witnesses, we believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught as described in the NT Scriptures. Thus, all born again persons who are automatically part of the universal Church are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies. The Church is a unique spiritual organism made up of all redeemed believers in this present age and will be so until the return of Christ. We teach that the formation of the Church began on the Day of Pentecost and is distinct from Israel, a mystery not fully revealed until this age.
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A New Testament church is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.
Some references: 1Cor.12:12-13; 2Cor. 11:2; Eph.5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8; Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col.1:18; Eph.2:11-3:1-6; 1Cor.15:51-52; 1Thess.4:13-18; Acts.14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Gal.1:2; Phil.1:1; 1Thess.1:1; 2Thess.1:1, 1Cor.11:18-20; Heb.10:25; Acts.2:1-21, 38-47; 1Cor.10:32; Eph.3:1-6; 5:32. ; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
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A. Authority
We believe and teach that one supreme authority for the church is Christ. Church leaders are Biblically designated and appointed officers. They are the ‘under shepherds’ serving the Master-Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ. They are elders (also called bishops, pastors, pastor-teachers) and deacons. They provide leadership, gifts, order, discipline, service and worship for the local assembly according to the Scriptures. Both elders and deacons must meet the Biblical qualifications. We believe that these officers would lead and rule as Christ’s servants and have His authority in directing the church. The whole church is encouraged to trust their leadership. However, any matter of huge importance such as doctrine, discipline, and other issues that would affect the whole congregation, the congregation has the final authority.
Some references: 1 Cor.11:3; Eph.1:22; Col.1:18; Acts.20:28; Eph.4:11; 1 Tim.3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet.5:1-5; 1 Tim.5:17-22; Heb.13:7, 17; Matt.18:15-17; Acts 6:2-5; 1Cor.5:4-5; Gal.1:1-9
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B. Baptism (Believer’s water baptism)
We believe and teach that baptism is one of the two ordinances commended by Christ to the Church. The other one is communion. Christian baptism is by immersion of a true believer in Christ. It is a solemn and wonderful testimony and a symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It also represents the forgiveness of sins and the believer’s walk in obedience to God and newness of life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible local body of Christ.
Some references: Acts 2: 38-42; 8:36-39; Rom.6:1-11; Acts 2:41-42
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C. Communion or Lord Supper
We believe and teach that the other ordinance instituted by our Lord is Communion. It is the commemoration and proclamation of Christ’s death until He comes, and the participants should be believers. Believers are encouraged to examine themselves before taking the elements. The elements themselves are only a symbol of the flesh and blood of Christ. Every time we take communion, we declare our thanks for the Lord’s substitutionary death on the cross. The celebration of this ordinance expresses our fellowship with and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some references: Matt.26:20-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1Cor.11:23-32; 1Cor. 10:16,17
D. The Lord’s Day (First Day of the Week)
We believe and teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. The early Christians met on the first day of the week because it commemorated the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It should include exercises of worship and spiritual encouragement and study of the Word together. This is Day of rest.
Some references: Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
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E. Mission
We believe and teach that as the body of Christ on earth, we have been given a mandate by Christ Himself to be God’s ambassador to the entire world. The Great Commission and the Great Commandments are to be obeyed. Obedience to the Great Commission is based upon love and love is the greatest motivating factor to go and share the Gospel of Grace to the lost world. We believe the local church such as ours, is obligated to make every possible effort to preach the gospel to all people everywhere, beginning from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
Some references: Matt. 22:37-40; Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-48; Acts 1:8; Rom.10:14-15.
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F. Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe and teach that there is one baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurs at the time of regeneration, placing that one person into the body of Christ. We believe and teach that spiritual gifts are given to equip believers for ministry and maturity The ‘sign gifts’ which were indeed a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power to authenticate the apostles as the revealers of divine truth during the foundational period of the church. These sign gifts, were never intended to be the characteristics of the lives of believers today. In other words, ‘sign gifts’ are not normative for the church today. With the New Testament revelation now complete, the Scripture becomes the sole test of authority of a man’s message. Christians need to be careful and more discerning because miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by the Devil in order to deceive believers. The only gifts in active operation today are those non-revelatory equipping gifts given for the edification of the body of Christ.
Some references: Acts.2:38; Rom. 8:8; 1 Cor.12:13; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12; 1 Cor. 12 whole chapter to read; Eph.4:7-13; 1 Pet.4:10-11; 1 Cor.1:22; 13:8-13; 14:20-22; Rev.13:13-14; Rom.12:6-8; 2Cor.11:13-15; 1John 4:1-3
G. Marriage and Family
We believe and teach in the institution of marriage and home as defined in the Scripture. The term marriage has only one meaning: that it was established by God, a life-long covenant that joins one man and one woman, who were each born as a man and a woman, in a single, exclusive union as described in the Scripture. It is the basic unit of society and that each member of the family, husband, wife, or child has distinct responsibilities.
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God instituted marriage and family for the propagation of the human race, for the well-being of mankind, and designed to be a blessing to all. We, therefore, believe that the husband is the head of the home, and together with his wife, has the responsibility to nurture up their children in the caring guidance, counsel, and discipline of the Lord.
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We believe and teach that the wedding ceremony is an act of worship before God where one man and woman are joined together in holy matrimony. We believe and teach that God’s design for family is modeled in the leadership of the church.
Some references: Gen.2:18-25; Lev.18:1-30; Matt. 19:3-9’ Rom. 1:26-32; 1Cor. 5:1-2; 6:9-10; 7:10; 1Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4; Eph. 5:21-6:4
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H. Church and State
We believe and teach that believers must obey the laws of the land, provided that the law does not violate our freedom of worshiping and serving our Saviour. Civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good of society. If in case where government laws contradict divine principles, as believers we should stand to ‘obey God rather than man.’ We believe and teach that believers should pray for their government officials and leaders even if they do unrighteous acts. It is God who sets up one leader and takes down another in order to establish His purpose among men and nations.
Some references: Exodus 18: 21-22; 22:28; 2 Samuel 23:3; Daniel 3:10-18; Matt. 22:21; 1Tim.2:1-3; Acts 4:27-28; 5:22-32; 23:5; Rom.13:1-7
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Section 7 The Angels
A. Holy angels
We believe and teach in the existence and personality of angels. They are created beings and they worship God the Creator, and therefore, they are not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and carry out His purpose according to His pleasure and will.
Some references: Luke 2:2-14; Heb. 1:6-7,14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9
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B. Fallen Angels
We believe and teach that Satan and his fallen angels (demons) are created beings. They were originally holy angels, but they rebelled against God. Satan is the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator. In his fall, he took with him a great number of angels and introduced sin to the human race by tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The Scripture clearly shows that Satan is a known and declared enemy of God and man. He is called the prince of the power of the air, who had been defeated by Christ through his death and resurrection. One day he will be punished in the lake of fire for the rest of eternity. Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:11-19; Matt. 25:41; Rev.12:1-14; Gen. 3:1-15; Isa. 14:13-14; Matt. 4:1-11; Rev.12:9-10; Rom.16:20; Isa. 14:12-17; Eze.28:11-19; Matt.25:41; Rev.20:10
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Section 8 The Finalities
A. Death & Eternal State
We believe and teach in the bodily resurrection of all men: The just (saved) to eternal life and the unjust (unsaved) to judgement and eternal punishment. Physical death does not involve the loss of our immaterial consciousness because the soul of the believer passes immediately into presence of Christ. At death there is the separation of the body, soul and spirit and that separation continues until the rapture, which initiates the first resurrection and the believer will receive a glorified body. We believe and teach that the believer will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and will reign with Christ forever, even to the newly created heaven and earth.
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However, the soul of the unsaved remains in conscious misery after death until the second resurrection when the soul and body are reunited. The unjust (unsaved) will appear at the White Throne Judgment and finally cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting punishment.
Some references: Rev.6:9-11; Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2Cor.5:8; Phil.1:23-24; 1Thess.4:13-17; Rev.20:4-6; Phil.3:21; 1Cor.15:35, 50-54; Jn.6:39; 2Cor.4:14; Matt.25:46; Jn.5:28-29; 11:25-26; 2Thess.1:7-9; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; Rev.20:5-6, 12-15; chapters 21-22 good reading.
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B. Rapture & Tribulation
We believe and teach in the imminent (John said “even so come Lord Jesus”), pre-millennial, personal, and bodily return of Christ. At that moment, the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies. The living in Christ will then be caught up to meet the Lord in the air without tasting death, and together all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Christ will reward believers according to their works.
Some references: John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 51-54; Phil.3:20-21; 1 Thess.4:13-17; Rev.3:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10
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Before the seven-year tribulation the church will be snatched from this earth and in between this event and His glorious return with His saints, Christ will reward believers according to their works. Straightaway after the translation of the church from the earth the righteous judgment of God will be poured out upon this unbelieving world, and this judgment will be climaxed by the glorious return of Christ to this earth.
Some references: 1 Thess.4:13-18; Jer. 30:7; Dan.9:27; 12:1-2; 2 Thess. 2:7-12, Matt.24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thess.2:7-12
C. The Millennial reign & Eternity
We believe and teach in the pre-millennial return of Christ upon this earth. We show respect to those who have a different point of view. Right after the tribulation period and the battle of Armageddon, Christ will sit on the throne of David, as promised in the Scriptures. Jesus Christ will establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on earth. During this ‘kingdom period’ the resurrected believers will have the privilege to reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of this world.
Some references: Matt. 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Isa.65:17-25; Zech. 8:1-17; Acts1:10-11; 2:29-30; Rev.20:1-7; Eze.37:21-28; Dan.7:17-22; Rev.19:11-16
Before Christ’s reign for a thousand years, the Antichrist, the false prophet and Satan will be overthrown. Satan will be bound for a thousand years. After the closing of the millennium, Satan will be released temporarily and finally defeated. The unbelievers will face the White Throne Judgment, and together with the ‘unholy trinity’, the unbelievers will also be thrown into the lake of fire which is the second death.
Some references: Dan.7:17-27; Rev.20:1-7; 2 Thess.1:9; Rev.20:7-15;
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The believers, on the other hand, will enter into ‘the joy of the Lord’ the eternal state of glory with the Father. Everything with the stain of sin and curse in this world will disappear and the elements of this earth are to be burned and replaced by a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells. There will be a new heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, where all of us who love the Lord will enjoy forever and ever. Our loving and wonderful Saviour, having completed His work of redemption assigned to Him by the Father, will deliver up the kingdom to His Father. The Father, the Son and Spirit and the beloved redeemed children will enjoy the new paradise on earth, once again. It will be heaven on earth.
Some references: 2Pet.3:10; Eph.5:5; Rev. 20:1; Rev. Chapters 21-22; John17:3; 1Cor.15:24-28.
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Section 9 The Covenant and Membership
Let us be mindful that this doctrinal statement does not exhaust the extent of what we believe and teach. The Scripture is the inspired infallible Word of God. It is the final authority concerning truth, morality, and conduct. It is the sole and final source of all that we believe and teach at MCF.
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As members of MCF, we covenant together to encourage each other, to walk in brotherly and sisterly love, and faithfully admonish one another in the Name of Christ.
Any person who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who gives evidence of a changed heart, accepts the MCF Statement of Faith, and is baptised may be accepted into the membership of this local church.