Hinkletown Mennonite Church

Position Statement

 

1.                   Trinity

a.                   We believe in one Lord, the God of the Bible, eternally existing as the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. (Mark 12:29; II Cor. 13:14)

b.                  We believe in the Father who is the creator and sustainer of all things. We believe He is a personal God, being Abba Father to those who believe in His Son. We believe He is a holy and just God and commands us to be holy. (Romans 8:15-17; Acts 17:24-29; I Peter 1:15-17)

c.                   We believe in Jesus Christ, who was God incarnate and is the only means of salvation. We have accepted Him as our personal Lord and Savior. We believe that He is the only mediator between God and man. Being born of a virgin and without sin, He willingly shed His blood and died on Calvary to redeem us from sin and to save us from hell. We believe that on the third day He was resurrected from the dead, ascended up to heaven, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. (John 3:16; 14:6; Eph. 1:18-20; 2:13; Phil. 2:6-8;

            I Tim. 2:5)

d.                  We believe in the Holy Spirit, who upon true repentance indwells every believer. We believe the Spirit of God convicts us of our sins, empowers us to live a life of victory over our sins, gives us gifts to build up the church, guides us in all truth and bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. We believe that we are commanded to be continually filled by the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7-13;

            Acts 2:38; Romans 8:16; I Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 5:18)

                                                                              

2.                  The Word of God

a.                   We believe the Bible in it’s entirety is the authoritative, inerrant Word of God and that all scripture was given by direct inspiration of God. (II Tim. 3:16;

            II Peter 1:20-21)

b.                  We believe that scripture is the power of God unto salvation and the wisdom of God to guide us in all truth. (Matt. 22:29; Romans 1:16; I Cor. 1:24)

c.                   We believe that scripture is living and active, penetrating and discerning the hearts of men. (Heb. 4:12)

d.                  We believe that the child of God is instructed to carefully cultivate a personal devotional life by regular study and meditation on God’s Word. (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:11; Col. 3:16) 

     

3.                  Worship

a.                   We will offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, through prayer, fasting, praise, offerings, communion and devotion to God’s Word. (Romans 12:1; Acts 2:42, 46)

b.                  We commit ourselves to our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. We will faithfully share our joys, sorrows, and concerns, supporting one another in prayer. (Heb. 10:24-25; I John 1:7)

c.                   We commit, by our daily words and life, to worship God, thereby testifying to those around us and to the world of God’s saving and enabling grace.

            (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)  

                                                     

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4.                  Stewardship

a.                   We recognize that all things we possess are a trust of God, committed to us as His stewards. Therefore, we will give of our first-fruits and use our possessions responsibly. (II Cor. 9:6-15; Eph. 4:28)

b.                  We will seek God’s direction in how to use our time and material possessions to help others, for mission work, and any other areas that will bring honor and glory to God. (I John 3:17-18)

c.                   We will diligently use our talents and spiritual gifts for teaching, administration, serving, visitation, encouraging and leadership, according to the grace given to us by God. (Romans 12:6-8; I Cor. 12: 1-11)

                                                                                          

5.                  Family

a.                   We believe a husband must diligently fulfill his role as a spiritual leader in the home, modeling a Christ-like life in all relationships, loving his wife, and with God’s help be sensitive to provide for the needs of each member of his family. (Eph. 5:25-28; 6:4)

b.                  We believe a wife must lovingly fulfill her Biblical role by supporting her husband in his spiritual leadership of the family, and shall adorn herself with a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

            (Prov. 31:10-31; Eph. 5:22-24; I Tim. 2:9-15; I Peter 3:3-5)

c.                   We believe children must willingly obey their parents in the Lord, and need to be taught by their parents and the church to develop a love for the Word of God, a conscience against sin, and a conviction to follow Christ’s example. (Eph. 6:1-3; I Tim.  4:12; II Tim. 2:22)

                                                                                                               

6.                  Marriage

a.                   We believe marriage is a covenant made with God between a man and a woman. It is a permanent and sacred bond, terminated only by death, and any marriage problems must be dealt with redemptively. (Mark 10:2-9; Romans 7:2-3; I Cor. 7:10-11)

b.                  We believe that any sexual relationship outside the marriage bond is a sin. Anyone involved in sexually promiscuous behavior, involving but not limited to pornography, unwholesome literature, fornication, adultery, or homosexuality, needs to repent to stay in fellowship with the body of Christ. (I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3)

c.                   We believe divorce is breaking a vow we make before God and many witnesses, and that God does not sanction divorce or remarriage after divorce. (Mark 10:11-12; I Cor. 7:10-24)

d.                  We believe that a single and celibate person is equally blessed by God. We affirm and support this state and recognize the advantages that a single person has over a married person in their endeavor to serve the Lord.

            (I Cor. 7:25-38)

                                                 

7.                  Lifestyle

a.                   We believe our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that our lifestyle

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            should bring honor and glory to God. We will therefore seek to keep our           body pure by living a life of modesty and purity, not controlled by worldly    fashion and adornment, thereby maintaining a simplicity in our lives.  We       recognize the tremendous impact that television, the internet and other    forms of mass media can have on us, and will therefore allow the Holy      Spirit to guide us in controlling their impact on our life.  We believe that the use of any substance that is mind-altering or addictive (except those       used expressly for medical purposes) is not conductive to Christian growth and would grieve the Spirit and hinder our witness for Christ.  Instead, we         will carefully choose leisure activities that build a wholesome character         and thought life. (Romans 12:1-2; I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:21-22;

            I Tim. 2:9-10, James 4:4; I John 2:15-17)

b.                  We believe that human life has it’s beginning at the time of conception and that the taking of a life, whether by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or in any other circumstance is murder and is forbidden by God.

            (Psalm 139:14-16; Jer. 1:5)

c.                   We believe that Christians should not be a part of any institution or organization involved in the destruction of human life.  We believe that Christians should not take part in any acts of retaliation, but endeavor to live at peace with all mankind, living a nonresistant lifestyle and demonstrating the love of Christ in our daily walk.  However, we believe government is ordained by God and should be obeyed in all areas that do not conflict with our higher loyalty to God. (Matt. 5:38-46;John 18:36; Romans 12:19-21; Romans 13; I Peter 2:21-23)

d.                  We believe that our liberties in Christ must be carefully considered in view of our weaker brothers and sisters in the faith.  We believe that we at times must deny ourselves those liberties so that we do not become a stumbling block to the weak.  Therefore, our lifestyle will reflect a spirit of submission, love, and humility. (I Cor. 8:9-13; Gal. 5:13)

   

8.         Christian Authority and Leadership

a.         We believe in a divinely established order of authority and roles within the church body. We believe that this order has been modeled for us by the Triune Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, all having positions of authority with differing roles and responsibilities.

            (I Cor. 11:3, 15:27-28; John 8:28-29, 16:13-14; I Peter 1:2)

b.         We believe that in all of life Christ is the Supreme authority and model for all men and women. No earthly authority may ever usurp the authority of Christ in our lives. (Acts 4:19-20, 5:27-29; Col. 1:18)

c.         We believe that God has commanded that offices within the body that have the authority to establish doctrinal positions* and church discipline are to be held by male members only. These men must meet the criteria for leadership established by God in the Pastoral Epistles. 

            * (I Tim. 2:11-15 - the word teach as it is used in verse 12 indicates an

 

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            official function of one in the church who has been authoritatively set apart and charged with the proclamation of the Gospel; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:17)

d.         We believe that all men and women are equal in the sight of God and that different levels of spiritual authority do not reflect different levels of spiritual worth. We believe that all Christians are called to participate in church life and to use their spiritual gifts for kingdom growth. (Gal. 3:28; II Cor. 6:18; Eph. 4:11-13; I Cor. 12:7-13)

   

9.         Eschatology

a.         We believe in the literal and imminent return of Jesus Christ for His bride, the Church, at which time all believers who have died in faith will be resurrected from the dead and with all living believers will spend eternity with Christ.

            (I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:50-57)

b.         We believe that there will be the final judgment in which God will consign Satan to the lake of fire, along with all who have not received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, where they will suffer eternal punishment.

            (Rev. 20:7-10; 21:8)

 

10.       Conclusion

a.         I understand that this statement is intended to strengthen and guide our commitment to Jesus Christ. This statement is also intended to establish our position as a church and to enhance our commitment to the body of like minded believers at Hinkletown Mennonite Church. By the grace of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the support of my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, I desire to be obedient to the Word of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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