Appendix - Vision 2023 of COP

Appendix - Vision 2023 of COP

6.0 APPENDIX: TENETS, VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS OF THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST 6.1 Vision Statement To become a global Pentecostal church that is culturally relevant in vibrant evangelism, church planting, discipleship and holistic ministry. 6.2 Mission Statement We exist to establish responsible and self-sustaining churches filled with committed, Spirit-filled Christians of character, who will impact their communities.

Source: Pexel.com

 6.3 TENETS (BELIEFS) 6.3.1 The Bible We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is infallible in its declaration, final in its authority, allsufficient in its provisions and comprehensive in its sufficiency (2 Ti. 3:16; 2 Pe. 1:21). 6.3.2 The One True God We believe in the existence of the One True God, Elohim, Maker of the whole universe; indefinable, but revealed as Triune Godhead— Father, Son and Holy Spirit-One in nature, essence and attributes; Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent (Ge. 1:1; Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Co. 13:14). 6.3.3 The Depraved Nature of Humanity We believe that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Ge. 3:1-19; Is. 53:6; Ro. 3:23), and are subject to eternal punishment (Mt. 13:41, 42; Ro. 6:23), and need repentance (Ac. 2:38; Mt. 4:17; Ac. 20:21) and regeneration (Jn. 3:3, 5; Tit. 3:5). 6.3.4 The Saviour We believe humanity’s need of a Saviour has been met in the person of Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:21; Jn 4:42; Ac. 2:36; Eph. 5:23; Php. 2:6-11), because of His Deity (Is. 9:6; Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Ro. 9:5; Tit. 2:13,14), Virgin Birth (Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:18; Lk. 53 1:25-27), Sinless Life (Jn 8:46; Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21), Atoning death (Ro. 3:25; Heb. 9:22: 1 Jn. 2:2), Resurrection (Mt. 28:5-7; Ac 2:24; Ac. 2:36; 10:39,40; 1 Co. 15:3,4) and Ascension (Ac. 1:9-11; 2:33-36), His Abiding Intercession (Ro. 8:34; Heb. 7:25) and His second coming to judge the living and the dead (Ac.1:11; 10:42; 1 Th.4:16-18; 2 Ti. 4:1; Rev. 22:12, 20). 6.3.5 Repentance, Regeneration, Justification and Sanctification We believe all humanity have to repent and confess their sins before God (Lk. 15:7; Ac. 2:38; 3:19; 17:30), and believe in the vicarious death of Jesus Christ before they can be justified before God (Ro. 4:25; 5:1). We believe in the sanctification of the believer through the working of the Holy Spirit (1 Co. 1:30; 6:11) and God’s gift of eternal life to the believer (Jn. 17:2, 3; 10:27, 28; Ro. 6:23b; 1 Jn. 5:11-13). 6.3.6 The Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Communion We believe in the ordinance of Baptism by immersion as a testimony of a convert who has attained a responsible age of 13 years. (Mt. 3:16; Mt. 28:19; Mk. 1:9, 10; 16:16; Ac. 2:38). Infants and children are not baptized, but are dedicated to the Lord (Mk. 10:13-16; Lk. 2:22-24, 34). We believe in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion, which should be partaken by all members who are in full fellowship (Lk. 22:19, 20; Ac. 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-33). 6.3.7 Baptism, Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers with signs following; also in the operation of the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers (Mk. 16:17; Ac. 2:4;1 Co. 12:8-11; Ga. 5:22,23). 6.3.8 Divine Healing We believe that the healing of sickness and disease is provided for God’s people in the atonement. The Church is, however, not opposed to soliciting the help of qualified medical practitioners (2 Ki. 20:7; Mt. 9:12; Lk. 10:34; Col. 4:14). 6.3.9 Tithes and Offering We believe in tithing and in the giving of free-will offerings towards the cause of carrying forward the Kingdom of God. We believe that God blesses a cheerful giver (Ge. 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Ml. 3:6-10; Mt. 23:23; Ac. 20:35; 1 Co. 16:1-3; 2 Co. 9:1-9). 54 6.3.10 The Second Coming and the Next Life We believe in the Second Coming of Christ and the Resurrection of the dead, both the saved and the unsaved – they that are saved, to the resurrection of life; and the unsaved, to the resurrection of damnation (Mk. 13: 26; Da. 12:2; Jn. 5: 28-29; Ac. 1:11; 10:42; Ro. 2:7-11; 6:23). 6.3.11 Marriage and Family Life We believe in the institution of marriage as a union established and ordained by God for the lifelong, intimate relationship between a man as husband and a woman as wife, as biologically defined. We believe that God instituted marriage primarily for companionship, and for procreation and the Godly nurture of children, to enable them find the security of love and growth in the heritage of faith. (Ge.2:18; 21-25; Mt.19:4-6; 1 Cor.7:1,2)