Statement of faith
1. The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15, 17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
2. The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed I AM, and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19).
3. The Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came into the world that He might manifest God to men, fulfill prophecy, and become the Redeemer of a lost world. To this end, He was born of the Virgin Mary, received a human body and a sinless human nature without ceasing to be God. (Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1, 14, 18; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:5-11).
We believe that, in infinite love for the lost, He voluntarily accepted His Father's will and became the divinely provided sacrificial lamb and took away the sins of the world. (Romans 3:25-26; II Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14).
We believe that He arose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died, and that His resurrected body which ultimately will be given to all believers.(John 20:20; Philippians 3:20-21).
We believe that on departing from the earth, He was accepted by His Father and that the Father's acceptance is a final assurance to us that Christ’s redeeming work was perfectly accomplished. (Hebrews 1:3).
We believe that He became Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, and in this He does not cease to intercede and to be an advocate for the saved. (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Ephesians 1:23; Philippians 2:6-8).
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, dwells in every believer immediately after he places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that God provides, through the Holy Spirit, power to live the Christian life. (John 14:16-18; 16:5-7; Romans 5:5; 8:9-11&16; Galatians 5:16-25).
5. The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan, the devil, is the prince of demons and is the adversary of God and man. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross, He destroyed the power of the devil and guaranteed the ultimate triumph of God. (Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10).
We believe in the authority of the believer over the enemy, Satan, and victory to be gained by the exercise of the authority in the area of deliverance, healing, and holiness. (Ephesians 1:20-23; 6:10-17).
6. Man: His Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Ro. 5:12-21).
6. The Salvation of Man
(a) Conditions of Salvation
The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Ro. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47).
(b) Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his/her salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Ro. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim. 1:9).
8. Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Acts 19:47, 48; Ro. 6:4).
9. The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).
10. The Promise of the Father
All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
11. The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The full consummation of the baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical signs of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. ( Mark 16:17; Acts 1:8; 2:42,43; 10:45,46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 14:5,18).
12. Sanctification Process
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we strive to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15,16; 1 Thess. 5:23,24; 1 John 2:6).
13. The Church
The church is the holy Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (I Thess. 2:4).
13. Ministry and Evangelism
Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ (Mark 15:16, 20; Eph. 4:11-13).
15. Divine Healing
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14).
16. The Blessed Hope
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16; Ro. 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52).
17. The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16; Ro. 11:25; Rev. 20:1-7).
18. The Lake of Fire
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).
19. The New Heavens and New Earth
We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).
20. The Responsibility of Believers
We believe that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separate themselves from worldly practices, and witness by lifestyle through words and deeds to the truths of the Holy Scriptures (Romans 12; Galatians 5:16; II Corinthians 5:9-17).
We believe that all believers will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience to Him in this life (I Corinthians 3:10-17).
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Biblical Statement on Prohibited Conduct and Practices
Introduction
The following are examples, though not an exhaustive list, of behaviors and lifestyles that conflict with the beliefs of Sam Dewald Ministries.
Our Theological Foundation
We believe God created male and female for the purposes of love, procreation, and the continuation of the human race within marriage (Genesis 1:26-28). Because of this, we hold that changing or misusing the body’s God-given purpose regarding sexuality is unacceptable.
We believe God intentionally and unchangeably creates each person as either male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect God’s image. We believe rejecting one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God in that person.
The following are examples, though not an exhaustive list, of behaviors and lifestyles that conflict with the beliefs of Sam Dewald Ministries.
Our Theological Foundation
We believe God created male and female for the purposes of love, procreation, and the continuation of the human race within marriage (Genesis 1:26-28). Because of this, we hold that changing or misusing the body’s God-given purpose regarding sexuality is unacceptable.
We believe God intentionally and unchangeably creates each person as either male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect God’s image. We believe rejecting one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God in that person.
Prohibited Conduct
Accordingly, the following behaviors and lifestyles are considered inappropriate, unacceptable, and prohibited for pastors, staff, employees, students, and volunteers of Sam Dewald Ministries:
Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression
•Homosexuality
•Bisexual conduct
•Transsexual conduct
•Same-sex marriage
•Sodomy
•Lesbianism
•Bestiality
•Incest
•Pornography
•Pedophilia
•Premarital sex
•Adultery
•Transgender identity, or any attempt to present as, or transition to, a gender other than one’s biological sex
•Disagreement with or rejection of one’s biological sex
Scriptural Basis: Sexual Conduct & Marriage
•Leviticus 18:22 — describes same-sex relations between men as a violation of God’s law
•Leviticus 20:13 — states that same-sex relations between men are punishable under Old Testament law
•Leviticus 20:10-20 — lists various sexual sins and their consequences under Old Testament law
•Romans 1:24-32 — describes God giving people over to dishonorable passions, including same-sex relations, as a consequence of turning from Him
•1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — lists behaviors, including sexual sin, that it says will exclude someone from inheriting God’s kingdom
•1 Corinthians 6:13-16, 18-20 — teaches that the body belongs to God and instructs believers to flee sexual immorality
•1 Timothy 1:9-11 — describes the law as existing for the lawless and sinful, listing various wrongful acts including sexual immorality
•Galatians 5:19-21 — lists the “works of the flesh,” including sexual immorality, which it says will keep someone from inheriting God’s kingdom
•Proverbs 6:32 — warns that adultery leads to self-destruction and shows lack of wisdom
•Matthew 5:27-28 — teaches that lustful thoughts toward another person are equivalent to adultery in the heart
•Hebrews 13:4 — calls marriage honorable and says God will judge sexual immorality and adultery
•Mark 7:20-21 — teaches that sinful acts, including sexual immorality, come from within a person’s heart
•Ephesians 5:5 — states that the sexually immoral have no inheritance in God’s kingdom
•1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 — calls believers to holiness and to abstain from sexual immorality
•Jude 1:7 — references Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment for sexual immorality
Scriptural Basis: Witchcraft & Sorcery
•1 Samuel 15:23 — compares rebellion to the sin of witchcraft
•Deuteronomy 18:10-12 — condemns witchcraft, sorcery, and related practices as detestable to God
Accordingly, the following behaviors and lifestyles are considered inappropriate, unacceptable, and prohibited for pastors, staff, employees, students, and volunteers of Sam Dewald Ministries:
Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression
•Homosexuality
•Bisexual conduct
•Transsexual conduct
•Same-sex marriage
•Sodomy
•Lesbianism
•Bestiality
•Incest
•Pornography
•Pedophilia
•Premarital sex
•Adultery
•Transgender identity, or any attempt to present as, or transition to, a gender other than one’s biological sex
•Disagreement with or rejection of one’s biological sex
Scriptural Basis: Sexual Conduct & Marriage
•Leviticus 18:22 — describes same-sex relations between men as a violation of God’s law
•Leviticus 20:13 — states that same-sex relations between men are punishable under Old Testament law
•Leviticus 20:10-20 — lists various sexual sins and their consequences under Old Testament law
•Romans 1:24-32 — describes God giving people over to dishonorable passions, including same-sex relations, as a consequence of turning from Him
•1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — lists behaviors, including sexual sin, that it says will exclude someone from inheriting God’s kingdom
•1 Corinthians 6:13-16, 18-20 — teaches that the body belongs to God and instructs believers to flee sexual immorality
•1 Timothy 1:9-11 — describes the law as existing for the lawless and sinful, listing various wrongful acts including sexual immorality
•Galatians 5:19-21 — lists the “works of the flesh,” including sexual immorality, which it says will keep someone from inheriting God’s kingdom
•Proverbs 6:32 — warns that adultery leads to self-destruction and shows lack of wisdom
•Matthew 5:27-28 — teaches that lustful thoughts toward another person are equivalent to adultery in the heart
•Hebrews 13:4 — calls marriage honorable and says God will judge sexual immorality and adultery
•Mark 7:20-21 — teaches that sinful acts, including sexual immorality, come from within a person’s heart
•Ephesians 5:5 — states that the sexually immoral have no inheritance in God’s kingdom
•1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 — calls believers to holiness and to abstain from sexual immorality
•Jude 1:7 — references Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment for sexual immorality
Scriptural Basis: Witchcraft & Sorcery
•1 Samuel 15:23 — compares rebellion to the sin of witchcraft
•Deuteronomy 18:10-12 — condemns witchcraft, sorcery, and related practices as detestable to God
