What We Believe

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STATEMENT OF FAITH

“ONE FAITH • ONE MISSION • ONE BODY IN CHRIST”

1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and the authoritative revelation of God's will for humanity.

Scripture is trustworthy and provides the foundation for Christian faith, doctrine, worship, conduct, teaching, correction, and spiritual formation. The Scriptures must be interpreted responsibly and faithfully in their literary, historical, theological, and canonical context.

Key Scriptures

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16

“Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
— 2 Peter 1:21

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105

“The word of God is living and active.”
— Hebrews 4:12

We therefore affirm the authority and sufficiency of Scripture for establishing Christian doctrine and guiding Christian life.

2. ONE TRIUNE GOD

We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three distinct Persons:

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

The three Persons are one in divine essence, glory, holiness, power, wisdom, and eternity. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; yet there is one God.

The Trinity is not three gods, but one God eternally existing as three Persons.

Key Scriptures

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
— Matthew 28:19

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:14

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1

We worship one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

We believe that God is sovereign over creation, history, nations, the Church, and all things according to His holy wisdom, righteousness, and purposes.

God is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, righteous, loving, merciful, and faithful.

God's sovereignty does not diminish human responsibility. Humanity remains accountable to God for faith, obedience, sin, repentance, and moral decisions.

Key Scriptures

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
— Psalm 103:19

“Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.”
— Psalm 115:3

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.”
— Romans 11:36

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”
— Psalm 33:11

We trust God's sovereign purposes while faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities He has entrusted to His people.

4. CREATION

We believe that God is the Creator of heaven and earth and that all creation exists by His power and for His glory.

Human beings are uniquely created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possess dignity, value, and moral responsibility before Him.

Key Scriptures

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1

“God created man in his own image.”
— Genesis 1:27

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth.”
— Colossians 1:16

5. THE STATE OF HUMANITY

We believe that every human being is created in the image of God but that humanity has been profoundly affected by sin.

Through disobedience, sin entered the human experience, resulting in separation from God, spiritual death, moral corruption, and the need for redemption.

Human beings cannot save themselves through good works, religious ceremonies, human wisdom, or personal merit.

Key Scriptures

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

“There is none righteous, no, not one.”
— Romans 3:10

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin…”
— Romans 5:12

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Romans 6:23

We believe that humanity's deepest need is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

6. THE PERSON AND DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and truly human.

He existed eternally with the Father, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, revealed the Father, and is the only Savior and Mediator between God and humanity.

Key Scriptures

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14

“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
— Colossians 2:9

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
— Matthew 1:21

We confess Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, Messiah, Son of God, and King.

7. THE INCARNATION

We believe in the miraculous incarnation of Jesus Christ: the eternal Son of God became truly human without ceasing to be divine.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In Him, deity and humanity are united in one Person.

Key Scriptures

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14

“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
— Luke 1:31

“The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you.’”
— Luke 1:35

“Although he was in the form of God... he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
— Philippians 2:6–7

8. THE SINLESS LIFE OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ lived a perfectly holy and sinless life.

He fulfilled the righteousness of God, resisted temptation, perfectly obeyed the Father, and became the spotless Lamb whose sacrifice is sufficient for the salvation of sinners.

Key Scriptures

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
— 1 Peter 2:22

“He had no knowledge of sin.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21

“One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15

9. THE ATONEMENT

We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as the sacrificial and sufficient atonement for sin.

His death was not merely an example of love but a redemptive act through which God provides forgiveness and reconciliation for sinners.

Christ bore our sins, died for us, and accomplished the work necessary for salvation.

Key Scriptures

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
— 1 Peter 2:24

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”
— Ephesians 1:7

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
— John 1:29

10. THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ truly died physically, was buried, and gave His life willingly for the salvation of humanity.

His death was real, sufficient, substitutionary, and central to the Gospel.

Key Scriptures

“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
— Romans 4:25

“Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.”
— 1 Peter 3:18

11. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ bodily rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures.

The resurrection is central to the Christian faith, demonstrating Christ's victory over sin and death and providing the foundation for Christian hope and the future resurrection of believers.

Key Scriptures

“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”
— Matthew 28:6

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:20

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:17

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs.”
— Acts 1:3

12. THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ ascended bodily into heaven and was exalted at the right hand of the Father.

He continues His ministry as our High Priest, Advocate, and intercessor and reigns as Lord and King.

Key Scriptures

“He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”
— Acts 1:9

“He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”
— Mark 16:19

“He is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
— Romans 8:34

13. SALVATION BY GRACE

We believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace and cannot be earned by human merit or works.

God saves sinners through His gracious initiative and the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures

“By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
— Ephesians 2:8

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.”
— Titus 3:5

14. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

We believe that sinners are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law or human merit.

Justification is God's gracious declaration that the believer is righteous in Christ, based upon Christ's redemptive work and received through faith.

Key Scriptures

“We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
— Romans 3:28

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Romans 5:1

“A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 2:16

Faith is living trust in Christ and results in a transformed life of obedience and good works.

15. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that salvation involves genuine repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.

Repentance involves turning from sin toward God, while faith involves trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Key Scriptures

“Repent and believe in the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15

“Repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Acts 20:21

“Repentance that leads to life.”
— Acts 11:18

16. THE NEW BIRTH AND REGENERATION

We believe that those who truly turn to Christ must be spiritually born again.

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit by which God gives new spiritual life to the believer.

Key Scriptures

“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3

“You must be born again.”
— John 3:7

“He saved us... by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
— Titus 3:5

17. SANCTIFICATION AND CHRISTIAN GROWTH

We believe that God calls every believer to holiness, spiritual maturity, obedience, and continual growth in Christ.

Sanctification is an ongoing work of God's grace through which believers are increasingly conformed to the character of Christ.

Key Scriptures

“This is the will of God, your sanctification.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:3

“Be holy in all your conduct.”
— 1 Peter 1:15

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Peter 3:18

18. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, regenerates believers, indwells them, sanctifies them, guides them, teaches them, empowers them, gives spiritual gifts, produces spiritual fruit, and equips the Church for mission and service.

Key Scriptures

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit... will teach you all things.”
— John 14:26

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
— Acts 1:8

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”
— Ephesians 4:30

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...”
— Galatians 5:22–23

19. BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is given to believers and that the Spirit's work includes empowerment for Christian witness and ministry.

We affirm the biblical teaching concerning the Spirit's empowering presence and recognize that Christian traditions differ regarding the precise relationship between conversion, receiving the Spirit, Spirit baptism, and spiritual gifts.

GFTS therefore emphasizes the necessity of being filled, led, empowered, and transformed by the Holy Spirit while maintaining respect for legitimate Christian differences concerning the manifestation and timing of spiritual gifts.

Key Scriptures

“You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
— Acts 1:5

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
— Acts 1:8

“Were you baptized in the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
— Acts 19:2

“Be filled with the Spirit.”
— Ephesians 5:18

We believe the Holy Spirit equips believers for witness, ministry, spiritual growth, and service.

20. SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that the Holy Spirit sovereignly gives spiritual gifts to believers for the strengthening and ministry of the Body of Christ.

All spiritual gifts must operate in biblical love, order, humility, and accountability.

Key Scriptures

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:7

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
— Romans 12:6

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.”
— 1 Peter 4:10

21. THE CHURCH

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, composed of all genuine believers in Jesus Christ.

The local church is a community of believers gathered for worship, teaching, fellowship, prayer, discipleship, evangelism, service, and mission.

Christ is the Head of the Church, and believers are called to live in unity, mutual submission, love, accountability, and service.

Key Scriptures

“Christ is the head of the church.”
— Ephesians 5:23

“You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:27

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
— Acts 2:42

22. UNITY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

We believe that the Church is one spiritual Body even though believers may belong to different cultures, traditions, and denominations.

GFTS seeks to encourage biblical unity, mutual respect, cooperation, fellowship, and shared mission among followers of Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures

“There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
— Ephesians 4:4–5

“That they may all be one.”
— John 17:21

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:35

This conviction reflects the GFC motto:

ONE FAITH • ONE MISSION • ONE BODY IN CHRIST

23. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH

We affirm the biblical practices of water baptism and the Lord's Supper as foundational practices of the Christian Church.

Water Baptism

We believe baptism is an important act of Christian obedience and public identification with Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
— Acts 2:38

“Those who received his word were baptized.”
— Acts 2:41

“Go therefore and make disciples... baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
— Matthew 28:19

The Lord's Supper

We believe the Lord's Supper is a sacred practice through which the Church remembers Christ's sacrificial death and proclaims His saving work.

Key Scriptures

“Do this in remembrance of me.”
— Luke 22:19

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:26

24. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

We believe God alone is worthy of worship and that worship should be offered in spirit and truth.

Christian worship includes prayer, praise, thanksgiving, preaching of the Word, the sacraments or ordinances, fellowship, giving, service, and holy living.

Key Scriptures

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
— John 4:24

“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
— Romans 12:1

25. CHRISTIAN LIFE AND HOLINESS

We believe believers are called to live transformed lives characterized by love, holiness, humility, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and service.

Christian conduct should reflect the character of Christ in the family, Church, workplace, community, and society.

Key Scriptures

“Walk in love, as Christ loved us.”
— Ephesians 5:2

“Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
— James 1:22

26. DIVINE HEALING AND PRAYER

We believe that God hears and answers prayer and that believers are called to pray for the sick, suffering, needy, and afflicted.

We affirm God's power to heal and also recognize that God's sovereign purposes remain ultimate in every circumstance.

Key Scriptures

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church.”
— James 5:14

“The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.”
— James 5:15

“I am the LORD, your healer.”
— Exodus 15:26

27. THE GREAT COMMISSION

We believe the Church has received the command of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations.

Evangelism, missions, discipleship, church planting, Christian education, compassion, and service are essential dimensions of the Church's mission.

Key Scriptures

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19

“You will be my witnesses... to the end of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
— Romans 10:15

28. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

We believe that marriage and family are important institutions established by God.

Marriage is to be honored, and the family is a primary context for love, faithfulness, discipleship, care, responsibility, and the transmission of Christian faith to succeeding generations.

Key Scriptures

“A man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife.”
— Genesis 2:24

“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
— Mark 10:9

“Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
— Ephesians 6:4

29. THE DIGNITY AND VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE

We believe every person possesses dignity and worth because humanity is created in the image of God.

Christians are therefore called to practice compassion, justice, mercy, generosity, and respect for human life.

Key Scriptures

“God created man in his own image.”
— Genesis 1:27

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:39

“Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”
— Micah 6:8

30. CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND HUMANITARIAN MINISTRY

We believe that faith must express itself through love and practical service.

The Church is called to care for the poor, vulnerable, suffering, displaced, marginalized, and those in need while proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrating the compassion of Christ.

Key Scriptures

“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
— 1 John 3:18

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”
— Matthew 25:35

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God... is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.”
— James 1:27

31. SPIRITUAL WARFARE

We believe that Satan is a real personal spiritual adversary and that believers are called to stand firm in Christ and resist evil.

Victory belongs to Christ, and believers are called to rely upon God, His Word, prayer, righteousness, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Scriptures

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7

“Put on the whole armor of God.”
— Ephesians 6:11

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4

32. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the personal, visible, bodily, and glorious second coming of Jesus Christ.

Christ will return according to God's promise, and His coming will bring the consummation of His redemptive purposes.

The exact time of Christ's return has not been revealed to humanity; therefore believers are called to remain watchful, faithful, holy, and ready.

Key Scriptures

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
— Acts 1:11

“The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.”
— Revelation 1:7

“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
— Matthew 24:44

33. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

We believe in the future bodily resurrection of the dead.

Those who belong to Christ will be raised to eternal life, while all humanity will face God's righteous judgment.

Key Scriptures

“There will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.”
— Acts 24:15

“The dead will be raised imperishable.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:52

“Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
— John 5:29

34. FINAL JUDGMENT

We believe that God has appointed a day of final judgment through Jesus Christ.

All people will give account to God, and God's judgment will be perfectly righteous and just.

Key Scriptures

“He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed.”
— Acts 17:31

“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:10

“Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
— Romans 14:12

35. ETERNAL LIFE AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

We believe that those who are united to Christ by faith receive eternal life and will share in the everlasting Kingdom and presence of God.

The final hope of believers is life with God, the resurrection of the body, the renewal of creation, and the fullness of God's Kingdom.

Key Scriptures

“In my Father's house are many rooms.”
— John 14:2

“They will see his face.”
— Revelation 22:4

“According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
— 2 Peter 3:13

36. ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD

We believe that final judgment includes the righteous and eternal consequence of rejecting God and His salvation.

Scripture solemnly warns of eternal punishment and separation from God for those who ultimately reject His grace.

Key Scriptures

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
— Matthew 25:46

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
— Hebrews 10:31

We affirm the seriousness of God's holiness, justice, and judgment.

37. THE FINAL VICTORY OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ will ultimately defeat every enemy and that His Kingdom will triumph.

Sin, death, Satan, and every power opposed to God will be brought to an end.

Key Scriptures

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:26

“He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:25

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.”
— Revelation 11:15

38. CHRISTIAN UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP

We believe that genuine believers are united in Christ and are called to demonstrate love, humility, mutual respect, cooperation, and fellowship.

GFTS seeks to encourage theological seriousness without unnecessary division and to promote Christ-centered cooperation in the mission of the Gospel.

Key Scriptures

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
— Ephesians 4:3

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly.”
— 1 Peter 4:8

“Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14

39. CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

We believe Christian leadership is fundamentally servant leadership.

Those entrusted with responsibility in the Church should lead with humility, integrity, accountability, wisdom, compassion, and faithfulness to Christ.

Key Scriptures

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”
— Matthew 20:26

“Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
— 1 Peter 5:3

“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”
— 1 Timothy 3:1

40. THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and Lord over all creation.

All Christian ministry, theology, leadership, education, worship, and mission must ultimately remain accountable to Christ and faithful to His Word.

Key Scriptures

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
— Matthew 28:18

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
— Colossians 1:17

“He is the head of the body, the church.”
— Colossians 1:18

41. OUR CONFESSION

Therefore, as the Global Fellowship Theological Seminary and as a ministry of the Global Fellowship of Churches, we confess:

We believe in one sovereign God.

We believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of God.

We believe humanity is created in God's image but is fallen in sin.

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became flesh.

We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, atoning blood, bodily resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.

We believe salvation is by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe in repentance, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and Christian growth.

We believe in the Person and power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Spirit's work of indwelling, sanctification, filling, empowering, and equipping believers.

We believe in the unity and mission of the Church, the Body of Christ.

We believe in Christian baptism and the Lord's Supper.

We believe in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

We believe Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously.

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, eternal life, and the final triumph of God's Kingdom.

We believe that all Christian ministry exists for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.

ONE FAITH. ONE MISSION. ONE BODY IN CHRIST.