Our Fundamental Beliefs

The following statements represent the fundamental Biblical beliefs of the Body of Christ Congregation International. These beliefs are from the Holy Scriptures of God, and refer to the core foundational believes of the Congregation but do not embody the whole as in relation to God’s truth from His Word.

1. The Godhead

God the Father is an eternally existing God and is Spirit and should be served in spirit, the only true and living God, God is omnipotent, God is omniscient, God is omnipresent, and Judgement belongs to God, power and authority. It was through the Word (who took on flesh and became Jesus) that He created all things that exist by speaking them into existence. The Father is the Creator God, the Mater and the Ruler. There is one Lord, Jesus Christ, who has eternally existed as flesh amongst men as the living Word of God as declared in Hebrews and in John (See Scriptural support). He came to earth to reveal the Father to us as none have seen the Father except the Son which is in the bosom of the Father. He is the Messiah, the Christ and the divine Word of the living God, who took on human flesh born to the Virgin Mary. God is one currently consisting of the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three bear record in heaven and these three are one, as we see in 1John:5:7. The Word of God that took on flesh and become known as Jesus Christ is the living Word of God that when spoken creates and reveals the Father to all to see. The Holy Spirit is the grace of God that leads us to the truth through His Word and revealed to us as His Son for the flesh was begotten but the Word was, is and will be for evermore, we cannot separate God from His Word and nor can we not see the Holy Ghost as our guide into the discernment of God’s truth. ​ Scriptural support: Ephesians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Romans 2:1-16; John 1:1; John 1:1-4; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 4:24; John 17:3; 1John 5:7; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 3:15; Hebrews 4:12;  2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:10; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Genesis 1:3.

2. The Angelic Realm and Satan

The angelic realm, consisting of various types of spirit beings, was created by God. A former “covering cherub,” Lucifer, rebelled against God’s authority and became Satan the devil. As Lucifer, he influenced one-third of the angels to follow him. Those who followed him are now evil spirits known as demons. Satan the devil is the adversary of both God and mankind. He and his demons are able to influence mankind as to reject God and His law due to the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. These evil spirits have been allowed temporary dominion over the earth and have deceived the great majority of human beings. The angels who remained faithful to God serve God to the glory of God and are ministering spirits. ​ Scriptural support: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 8:12; 2 Timothy 2:26; John 12:31; 16:11; Revelation 12:4, 9; 20:1-3, 7, 10; Leviticus 16:21-22; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14; Ephesians 2:2; Hebrews 1:14; Genesis 3; Matthew 4:11; Hebrews 1:14.

3. Mankind

Human beings, both male and female, were created in the image of God with the potential to partake of God’s divine nature as children in His eternal family. Humans are mortal beings relying on the breath of life and are subject to corruption and decay due to the sin of mankind in the garden. God gave Adam and Eve the choice of eternal life through obedience to Him or death through sin. Adam and Eve succumbed to sin by disobeying God. As a result, death entered the world. All humans have sinned and are therefore subject to death but everlasting life with God belongs to the faithful through the living Word of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While the wages of sin is death, death is everlasting in the Lake of Fire and is called the second death that will last for eternity. ​ Scriptural support: Genesis 1:26; 2 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:16-17; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 20:10-15.

4. The Purpose of Human Life

God’s purpose for human beings is to add them as children to His eternal family. While it is clear that eternal life is a gift from God, He expects His children to respond to His calling, develop righteous character by overcoming sin, and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ the Word that took on flesh, the Word that was with God and the Word that is God. When Christ returns to this earth, these faithful humans will be added into the family of God and will reign on earth with Christ Jesus. ​ Scriptural support: John 1:12; Romans 6:15-16; 8:14-17, 30; Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6; 3:5; 5:10.

5. The Word of God

Scripture, both the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible, is the Word of God and contains God’s complete revelation of His will and plan for humanity. Directly inspired by God it is perfect and infallible as originally written. Scripture is the supreme and final authority for faith and life. It is the source for doctrine and the truth and only truth that is God. ​ When it comes to Bibles we hold the belief that only Bibles from the Antioch line of 5210 manuscripts are acceptable and proven correct while the 45 manuscripts from the Alexandria line that have been proven to be corrupt and include Vaticanus and Sinaiticus are rejected and seen as false and dangerous to those who love God. ​ Therefore for the sake of uniformity, proven correctness and the truth of God, we as the Body of Christ Congregation will only use and accept the Authorized King James Version of the Bible and this will not be debatable. With this said if you have the need for Westcott and Hort and such, well then you have come to the wrong place, and if you do not know what is being talked about here then you need to study deeply this subject prayerfully. ​ Scriptural support: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 10:35; John17:17.

6. Sin and God’s Law

Sin is the transgression of the law of God, which is spiritual, perfect, holy, just and good. God’s law is based upon the two great principles of love toward God and love toward neighbor. The Ten Commandments expound these foundational principles of God’s law of love. Breaking any part of God’s law brings upon a person the penalty of death that leads to the second death. Those who love God and seek eternal life will strive to keep God’s commandments as instructed by His living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Obedience to God’s law produces happiness; peace and everlasting live with God in His house. Disobedience to God’s law produces misery and strife and ultimately eternal death and being cast into the lake of fire. ​ Scriptural support: 1 John 3:4; 5:3; John 14:15; Matthew 5:17-19; 19:17-19; 22:37-40; James 2:10-11; Romans 2:5-9; 6:23; 7:12-14; 13:8-10; Revelation 20:14.

7. The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so mankind may have eternal life. In God’s perfect righteousness, the penalty for our sins must be paid in full. After taking on flesh and living a life without sin in a human body, even though tempted in all points as we are, Jesus Christ, the living Word of God and revealed to us as the Son of God due to the flesh that God took, and therefore died as the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of mankind. As God in the flesh and the Creator of all known and unknown to man, His blood sacrifice makes it possible for each person and the whole of mankind to be forgiven of their sins, released from the chains of bondage that comes upon all because of sin and reconciled to God the Father through His living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, God in Flesh. This plan of salvation for mankind existed from the foundation of the world. ​ Scriptural support: John 1:18; 3:16; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:16-17, 22; Hebrews 4:15; 9:15; 10:12; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Revelation 5:9; 13:8.

8. Three Days and Three Nights

Who died the flesh that was taken on or the one that took on the flesh? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!  And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. The flesh died and God that took on the flesh raised it from the death, from the grave. The length of time that the body was in the grave was the only sign He gave to prove He is the Messiah. After His resurrection, Christ ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest, and intermediary between man and the Father. ​ Scriptural support: Acts 2:24; 1 Peter 1:17-21; 3:22; Matthew 12:39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:53; 2 Timothy 1:10; John 20:17; Hebrews 2:10-15; 8:1; 12:2; 1 John 2:1.

9. Repentance

Repentance is a command as well as a gift from God and we see this in Acts. Firstly God gives repentance to all so that everyone that chooses so may be saved and God then commands all mankind to repent as to be saved, Jew and Gentile alike. Then in 2 Timothy we see that God commands that we speak in meekness to those that oppose us, for should God give them repentance unto the truth, as always God is gracious and mankind unkind and evil. ​ Scriptural support: Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; 2 Timothy 2:25.

10. Water Baptism

Water baptism by immersion after repentance pictures the forgiveness of sin, the burial of the old man and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Repentant believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become part of the spiritual Body of Jesus Christ. By yielding to and being led by the Holy Spirit, those who have repented and have been baptized will experience a true change in life, attitude and way of thinking. You will die of self and become a new man made whole and acceptable to God through your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ​ Scriptural support: Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:6.

11. The Seventh-Day Sabbath

The seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and on this day mankind is commanded to rest from their labors and worship Him. Established and blessed by God at creation, the seventh day of the week begins at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday. The Sabbath is an identifying sign and a perpetual covenant between God and His people. True believers follow the example of Jesus Christ, the apostles and the New Testament Church in observing the seventh-day Sabbath. ​ Scriptural support: Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Leviticus 23:3; Isaiah 58:13; Hebrews 4:4-10; Mark 1:21; 2:27-28; 6:2; Acts 13:42-44; 17:2; 18:4; Luke 4:31; 1 John 2:4-6.

12. Biblical Food Laws

Meat identified as “unclean” in the Bible is not to be consumed by mankind. Lists of “clean” and “unclean” meats are found in God’s instructions concerning what should and should not be eaten. There is a dire warning about eating unclean animals and that is that the Lord our God says that He will come fire and His chariots like a whirlwind and God by fire and His Sword (That is the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ) and will kill all that ate of the unclean animals. It is written that the dead of God will be many. In Hebrews 12 we see that the Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. ​ Scriptural support: Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14; Isaiah 66:15-17; Hebrews 4:12.

13. Tithing

Tithing is not commanded in the New Testament, it is part of the temple of old and the tribes of Israel and its priesthood the Levites. Throughout the New Testament God tells us through His Word our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles that we need to give, be kind, love, share and seek to make peace, but nowhere does it say to give to a bishop, priest, pastor, elder or even to an church organization so it may be distributed after deductions to the needy, no, and it is clear that you have to give to the needy, and that you have to have a spirit of giving towards those in need and not those in greed. Even the rich are warned not to be highminded and not to trust in riches but trust only in God. ​ Scriptural support: Romans 12:13; Luke 3:10-11; Matthew 5:42-44; Luke 6:38; 2 Timothy 6:17-18.

14. The Church of God

The Church of God is a spiritual body composed of believers who have and are being led by the Holy Spirit. The Church is not a denomination, a man made organization or a building, but the people that has placed their given faith in God. The biblical name of this church is the Body of Christ. Its mission is to preach the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God to all nations and to make disciples of all who respond to God’s calling, assisting them in their spiritual development and walk with God. ​ Scriptural support: Acts 2:38-39, 47; 20:28; Romans 8:14; 14:19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 12:27; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 5:18-20; Galatians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:5; Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; John 6:44, 65; 17:11.

15. The Free Gifts of God

1. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Eph 4:7 ​ 2. For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23 ​ 3. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom 5:17 ​ 4. Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2Co 9:15 ​ 5. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Eph 3:7 ​ 6. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom 12:3 ​ 7. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1Jo 1:9 ​ 8. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:38 ​ 9. And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. Act 5:32 ​ 10. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Joh 14:16 ​ 11. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom 5:5 ​ Everything that you need to be saved has been given to you and all you need to do is exercise your God given right to obey the one and only living God and receive the gift of eternal life that is wrapped in Love, kindness, compassion, understanding, care, fulfillment and much: much more. Yes it is that simple but it is hard as the Bible tells us that few will find the way, and with that it is time that you decide, truth or ear scratcher, comfort and therefore death and second death in the lake of fire, or will it be a cross and the sweet reward at the end of this journey, life with God and every need taken care of, every desire fulfilled and every dream so much more vivid in the love of God, not your will but God’s will and all of it to His glory, amen!