Doctrine Updated

Question 1

1.1 What is your view on the inspiration and authority of Scripture?

Answer 1

[2 Peter 1:20-21] Scripture is not from man, but inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scripture is God speaking through man, by His Spirit.

Question 2

1.2 What role would Scripture play in your ministry?

Answer 2

[2 Timothy 3:16-17] “Profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that the believer may be complete and equipped for every good work”

Question 3

1.3 What are your beliefs about the Biblical record of Creation and the Virgin Birth?

Answer 3

[2 Timothy 3:16] clearly states, “ALL SCRIPTURE”… Scripture is held to be true, so these Biblical accounts to some degree must be “true”, and we must come to terms regardless of our understanding of “how”, with an obedience that the Bible is consistent and true through out.

Question 4

1.4 What is your method for discovering the meaning of a passage?

Answer 4

[Acts 17:11] Saturation and daily study of Scripture, as well it would appear that these body of believers did this in community discussing and challenging one another through their eager study.

Question 5

2.1 How do you define the Eternal Godhead?

Answer 5

[Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 22:13, Acts 5:3-4, and Mark 1:9-11] YAHWEH God is one, there is no other God beside Him… What we see is that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God while also maintaining individual personhood.

Question 6

2.2 What is your perspective on the functions of the Person’s of the Holy Trinity?

Answer 6

[John 1:1-2, 1:29, and 16:13 ] The Father created and has will for His Creation, the Son redeems fallen creation, and the Spirit empowers the believer to obedience of the will of God.

Question 7

2.3 How do you explain the incarnation of the Son of God?

Answer 7

[John 1:14] The Word which we see in Genesis and being present with the Father and the Spirit in Creation is attributed to Jesus. Jesus took on flesh and is therefore both God and human in nature.

Question 8

3.1 What do you believe about the nature of Mankind?

Answer 8

[Ephesians 2:1-3] Dead in our sins and trespasses (we have a sin nature)
[Genesis 2 & 3] Everything that God created was good, perfect, and holy… With our free will though we disobeyed God, sin entered the world through this willful disobedience.

Question 9

3.2 What are the implications of “the Fall” of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?

Answer 9

[Genesis 3:22-24] Sent out of the Garden of Eden (that which we were created for), we are to work the ground, and cut off from the “tree of life”… in other words we experienced not only a spiritual death of being cut off from God in our sin, but we are to experience a physical death as well.

Question 10

3.3 Do you believe there is a real and personal devil?

Answer 10

[Matthew 4:1] The devil shows up after Jesus’ baptism and tempts Him.

Question 11

3.4 What is your view of demon activity in Biblical accounts as well as today?

Answer 11

[Acts 16:16-18] Just as Jesus would cast out demons from people, we have been given the authority to likewise set oppressed people free in the name of Jesus.

Question 12

4.1 What is the significance of the shed blood of Jesus and His death on the cross?

Answer 12

[Hebrews 9:22] Only the shed blood of Jesus can forgive sin.

Question 13

4.2 What made Him uniquely suited to be our Savior?

Answer 13

[2 Corinthians 5:21] Jesus alone was sinless, and it is this sinlessness that He attributes to us as righteousness before God

Question 14

4.3 How does His work on the cross address each dimension of human need?

Answer 14

[John 1:12] We have been adopted into the family of God, brought back into right relationship with God as we were created for.

Question 15

4.4 Define your view of the resurrection, its meaning, and the implications for all those who believe?

Answer 15

[Romans 8:11] By the same Spirit that rose Jesus, we to have been raised from death to life!

Question 16

5.1 What does the New Testament mean by, “justified by faith”?

Answer 16

[Galatians 3:10-12] Salvation is not something that we earn through works, if we hold that there is any part of the Law that must be upheld to be justified, we are then accountable to all of the Law.

Question 17

5.2 What benefit does God give to those who are justified?

Answer 17

[Acts 13:38-39] Freed from condemnation of the Law.

Question 18

5.3 What place should good works have in a believer’s life?

Answer 18

[James 2:14-26] Faith without works is a dead faith, our good works is an evidence of our faith in Jesus.

Question 19

6.1 What are the nature and significance of repentance?

Answer 19

[1 John 1:9] Through confession of our sin we receive forgiveness.

Question 20

6.2 Is repentance essential for salvation?

Answer 20

[2 Peter 3:9 & 2 Corinthians 7:10] God’s desire is that we would repent rather than perish… So, yes.

Question 21

7.1 What are the nature and implications of the New Birth?

Answer 21

[John 3:3-6] We must be born again of the Spirit, receiving the Spirit of God is the only way to enter into Kingdom living

Question 22

7.2 What must a person do or believe to be born again?

Answer 22

[Romans 10:9-10] We are born again when we repent of our sin and accept Jesus as Lord?
[2 Corinthians 5:17] Considered a new creation

Question 23

7.3 What personal changes should we expect after a person is born again?

Answer 23

[Matthew 7:16-18] You will see good fruit produced.

Question 24

7.4 Can a person backslide, apostatize, and be lost… If so, how?

Answer 24

[Luke 8:13-14] Through testing and temptation, as well as worldly desires, one can choose to walk away from Christ and walk in sin rather than righteousness.

Question 25

8.1 How does the call to holiness (sanctification) relate to New Testament believers?

Answer 25

[1 Peter 1:14-16] As the Lord is holy, we are called to be holy… We are called to grow in Christ likeness.

Question 26

8.2 What does legalism mean?

Answer 26

[Luke 18:9-14] Repentant tex collector and proud Pharisee.
[Matthew 23:23] Rigid adherence to religious laws and practices while ignoring the command to love God and love Neighbor.

Question 27

8.3 How do the 10 Commandments relate to believers today?

Answer 27

[Matthew 5:17-20] Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Those who teach and uphold the Law will be called, “great”.

Question 28

8.4 What counsel would you give to someone who is trapped in addiction?

Answer 28

[James 5:15-16] Confess your sins, and pray with other believers for deliverance.

Question 29

9.1 Is it important to be baptized by immersion in water?

Answer 29

[Matthew 3:13] We practice immersion by water because that is the example that Jesus set for us.

Question 30

9.2 What takes place when a person is baptized, and how will you teach baptism?

Answer 30

[Galatians 3:26-29] In baptism we are identifying ourselves with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Likewise, we are unified in identity IN CHRIST, as a church body

Question 31

9.3 When a person was baptized as an infant comes to a personal saving faith, is it necessary for them to be baptized again?

Answer 31

[Ephesians 2:8] Faith alone in Jesus is what saves, baptism is not a salvific condition

Question 32

9.4 What is your understanding of the meaning of Jesus’ baptism in water?

Answer 32

[Luke 3:4] Jesus’ baptism was a fulfillment of OT prophecy, as well as the subordinate positioning of Himself in humility to the Father

Question 33

10.1 Is it important for a Christian congregation to take communion together?

Answer 33

[Luke 22:19] We are commanded by Jesus to do this in remembrance of Him

Question 34

10.2 What separates this practice (receiving communion) from being a mere ritual?

Answer 34

[1 Corinthians 11:23-26] It is something that we are called to actively participate in regularly as we examine ourselves and remember what it is that Jesus did, and the promise that was made of the Kingdom to come in fullness.

Question 35

11.1 What do you believe the Bible teaches about Pentecost as the fulfillment of the promise made by Jesus in Luke 14:49, Acts 1:4-5?

Answer 35

[Acts 2:4] The Holy Spirit falls on the disciples, as prophesied would take place.

Question 36

11.2 What terms does the Bible use to describe the experience of pentecost, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Answer 36

[Acts 2:2-3] Mighty winds, tongues of fire, falls on people…

Question 37

11.3 Does the Bible teach that these events continue to be available to believers today?

Answer 37

[Joel 2:28-29] Bible says, on “all flesh”… Doesn’t seem to indicate that this would stop after it began. It also wouldn’t appear to be limited to… “all flesh as they are apostles who walked with Christ”.
[1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1] We are to earnestly seek to receive the baptism of the Spirit, and those gifts that the Spirit gives to the believer

Question 38

12.1 What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18)?

Answer 38

[Romans 8:9-11] The in-dwelling of the Spirit is what empowers us to live in opposition to our fleshly desires.

Question 39

12.2 How will you help people walk in Spirit fullness?

Answer 39

[Romans 8:5-7] This is a matter of life and death and is not limited to just the hyper-spiritual, but all believers

Question 40

13.1 What is your view of Spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit?

Answer 40

[1 Corinthians 12:4-11] A manifestation of the gifts are given to believers in accordance to how the Spirit sees fit in order to build up the church…
[Galatians 5:22-23] Fruit of the Spirit are qualities that are evident of the believer who abides in the Spirit

Question 41

13.2 How will you teach people to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit?

Answer 41

[Hebrews 12:11] Pruning through discipline is difficult, but it is good and yields righteousness for those who choose to yield to it.

Question 42

14:1 Is moderation an important value to you?

Answer 42

[1 Corinthians 6:12] We have freedom in Christ, but this must be measured against what is actually helpful, and ensuring that we do not become enslaved to those things that we are free to engage.

Question 43

14.2 In what ways do you express moderation in your ministry?

Answer 43

[1 Corinthians 13] We should make room for expressing the gifts we have received during our services, while also loving and serving our neighbors… Our services should serve our congregation and point people to the Lord.

Question 44

15.1 Why did Jesus heal the sick and cast out demons?

Answer 44

[Matthew 14:14] He was compassionate towards people

Question 45

15.2 How do healing and deliverance relate to your understanding of the Kingdom of God?

Answer 45

[Matthew 8:16-17] It fulfills the promises of God to restore Creation.

Question 46

15.3 What is the Scriptural basis for healing ministry in churches today?

Answer 46

[James 5:14-15] We as the church are to surround people in prayer who need healing.

Question 47

16.1 What is your understanding of the promise, timing, and manner of the Second Coming?

Answer 47

[Luke 21:34-36] We will not know when the time will be, it will come upon us suddenly, and we must not become apathetic nor get caught up in the cares and worries of the world.

Question 48

16.2 Briefly describe your view of the end times?

Answer 48

[Matthew 24:14] The whole gospel must be preached to all the ends off the earth…

Question 49

16.3 Do you believe in the literal resurrection of the believers?

Answer 49

[Luke 24:36-43] Yes, we believe in bodily resurrection, and Jesus is our example of such.

Question 50

16.4 What is the Millennium?

Answer 50

[Revelation 20:2-4] Refers to the thousand year reign of Christ, satan being bound, and the coming of the fullness of the Kingdom of God.

Foursquare typically holds to a pre-millennial, and pre-tribulation POV, I personally do not have a position beyond what is read in Revelation 20.

Question 51

17.1 Do you believe that it is important for a believer to identify with and join a local church?

Answer 51

[Hebrews 10:24-25] We meet together to encourage and stir one another up to good works and love. Faith is not a solo sport, but something to be done in community with other believers

Question 52

17.2 What does it mean for Foursquare to be “interdenominational in spirit”?

Answer 52

[Luke 9:49-50] Those who are not against us are for us, and we should be seeking to work with one another in unity and what we can agree on (Jesus as Lord)… “unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all”.

Question 53

18.1 What attitude should a Christian have towards civil government?

Answer 53

[1 Peter 2:13-20] We do good and strive to endure personal suffering as we subject ourselves to governing authorities

Question 54

18.2 How will you involve your congregation in civic community life?

Answer 54

[Matthew 28:19-20] We are to make disciples, we trust that these disciples that as they follow Christ will know when, how, and what ways are appropriate to engage in politics and civic community life.

Question 55

18.3 Is it appropriate for a congregation to take a formal public position on political issues?

Answer 55

[John 13:34-35] Love for neighbor is how someone will know that you are a disciple of Christ… not by a sign in your front lawn, nor a Facebook post.

• A congregation is made up of a spectrum of believers who hold different political positions and views, and we should not isolate some for the sake of those that we may agree with as leaders.
• We take positions on social and cultural issues that conflict with what the Scripture would instruct us becoming more Christ like, however that does not necessitate that we take a political position, party, or candidate in doing so.

Question 56

19.1 What is your view on the Final Judgment?

Answer 56

[2 Corinthians 5:10] All people will stand before the judgement seat of Christ.

Question 57

19.2 What is your view on Heaven?

Answer 57

[1 Corinthians 2:9] Heaven is pretty much unfathomable, it is part of the mystery of God that we don’t actually have a context to truly be able to imagine it… (so we can do away with the wings and clouds non-sense).

Question 58

19.3 What is your view on Hell?

Answer 58

[Revelation 20:15] Unbelievers following the final judgement will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Question 59

19.4 What is your view on the eternity of these issues?

Answer 59

[Matthew 25:46] Jesus Himself states that these matters are eternal, final destinations for life or punishment.

Question 60

19.5 What about those who have never heard the Gospel?

Answer 60

[Romans 2:14-16] Sometimes God writes His Law on the hearts of unknowing people who obey Him, though they may not “know Him”, or have “Accepted Him” through hearing the gospel message… (Acts 10, Corelius the Centurion…)
- It is better to remain agnostic on this question, as the Bible does not take a clear position on this matter.

Question 61

19.6 What happens to a believers Spirit when they die?

Answer 61

[Luke 16:19-26] This seems to refer to this place and concept known as HADES (Greek NT), or SHEOL (Hebrew OT) that was the Jewish ideology of what happens upon death… It does not refer to GEHENNA, which refers to the Lake of Fire and final judgement.

• Again, better to remain agnostic…
• Purgatory is a Catholic/Eastern Orthodox concept that require extra-Biblical evidence, and is not held by the Protestant tradition.

Question 62

20.1 What is your view on the Great Commission? What are your convictions on the need to spread the gospel?

Answer 62

[Matthew 28:19-20] It’s a command of Jesus to make disciples and baptize them, according to Matthew His parting words for the early church.

Question 63

20.2 What is your view on the spiritual condition of someone without Jesus?

Answer 63

[Ephesians 2:1-3] Dead in sins and trespasses, children of wrath. We are Spiritual dead, broken.

Question 64

21.1 What do you believe the Bible teaches about tithes and offerings?

Answer 64

[Mark 12:41-44] God is not looking to get a certain amount of money out of you… but rather is prompting sacrificial giving that leads you to be dependent on Him.

Question 65

21.2 How do these principals (tithing and offerings) apply today?

Answer 65

[Deuteronomy 16:17] The same way they’ve applied to the people of God since they were wandering in the desert… Give generously as you’ve been blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

Question 66

21.3 Do you believe that the principals of tithes can apply to churches as well as individuals?

Answer 66

[Deuteronomy 15:10-11] Tithing, giving, and offerings are meant to be means for the people of God to support the mission of God, one aspect of that being caring for the needy and the poor financially.
- The church is supported by individuals giving, and then serves those in need, and likewise it seems appropriate for churches to support the denomination that then serves those in need with what they are given.