Pastors Conference

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OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 Books of the Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority for all Christian faith and life. We affirm the Bible's inerrancy and divine origin, rejecting claims that it contains errors or reflects human imperfection. Expository biblical preaching and Scripture reading are essential to church worship. We believe that genuine gospel churches cannot survive without these practices, nor can true worship sideline the ministry of the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
THE TRINITY: We believe the Trinity is indispensable to Christian faith, affirming the ontological reality of one God manifested in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in essence and perfection. Genesis 1:2 & 26; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:16-17 & 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-3, 8:58, 10:30 & 14:26; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.
GOD: We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We profess that biblical revelation presents God as infinitely perfect in every aspect, truly all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal, and self-existent. Furthermore, we affirm God's comprehensive knowledge of all things across all time, including every facet of human thought and action. Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 6:3, 30:18 & 46:9; Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; Hebrews 4:13.
JESUS CHRIST: We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, and his personal return in power and glory. The incarnate Christ simultaneously embodies both full divinity and full humanity, perfectly united without dilution or confusion, both during His earthly life and for eternity. We further believe that Christ's crucifixion served as a vicarious death for sinners, an offering for sin, and an appeasement of God's righteous anger toward sinners. We uphold that Christ's death, burial, and physical resurrection are fundamental to the Gospel message. Furthermore, we affirm Christ's lordship over his Church and His future reign over all creation, fulfilling the Father's benevolent plan. John 1:1-14; Colossians 2:9.
HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables every follower of Christ to live a godly life. Scripture reveals the Spirit's active role from the dawn of creation to the present day in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit empowers, provides moral guidance, and convicts the world of sin and righteousness. As an indwelling presence, the Spirit transforms believers into living temples of God. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit bestows various spiritual gifts to equip and edify the church. The Holy Spirit is an essential, personal, and dynamic member of the Trinity, intimately involved in both cosmic events and individual spiritual lives. Genesis 1:2; John 14:26 & 16:8; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 12:11; 2 Corinthians 3:17.
HUMANITY: We believe humans are created in the image of God (Imago Dei), which grants them inherent dignity and value. We acknowledge humanity's fallen state due to sin, necessitating divine redemption through Christ. Despite this fallenness, humans retain a unique purpose as stewards of God's creation. This comprehensive understanding of humanity encapsulates our divine origin, moral responsibility, need for salvation, and purposeful existence within God's created order. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:15 & 3; Psalm 8:4-5; John 3:16; Romans 3:23.
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY: We believe marriage is a sacred covenant instituted by God between one natural man and one natural woman as established by the Word of God. This foundational biblical truth emphasizes the covenantal nature of marriage, reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed exclusively within the bounds of marriage. Believers are called to uphold the sanctity of marriage, practice sexual purity before marriage, and maintain fidelity within marriage as an expression of the Christian faith and obedience to biblical teachings. Genesis 1:27, 2:24, 5:2; Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:25-32; Hebrews 13:4.
FALL: We believe the holistic Fall of humanity, as recounted in a pivotal event when Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world, fracturing the harmonious relationship between God and His creation. This act of rebellion against divine command not only affected the first humans but sent ripples through all of creation. The consequences of this pivotal event extend to all of humanity, with each person born into a state of separation from God and inherent sinfulness. The Fall thus illuminates the universal and holistic human predicament and underscores the critical need for divine intervention, setting the stage for God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ to reconcile fallen humanity with its Creator. Genesis 3; Romans 8:20-22; Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 51:5; John 3:16.
SALVATION: We believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works are a result of salvation, not a means to salvation. Salvation is God's redemptive plan for humanity, addressing the universal problem of sin that separates all people from God. Motivated by His profound unmerited love, God initiated this plan through Christ's sacrificial death to atone for sin and reconcile humanity to Him. Salvation is offered as a gift of grace, received through faith, rather than earned by human effort. The human response to this gift involves acknowledgment of sin, repentance from sin, belief in the gospel and intentional daily pursuit of Sanctification. Salvation results in a radical spiritual transformation, making the believer a new creation in Christ, culminating in the promise of eternal life, securing the believer's relationship with God eternally. This biblical framework of salvation encompasses God's initiative, Christ's work, human response, spiritual renewal, and eternal security. Mark 1:15; Romans 3:23, 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:18.
THE CHURCH: We believe the Church inaugurated at Pentecost consists of two aspects: the Local church and the Global Church (the worldwide body of Christ), emphasizing both unity and diversity among its members, with Jesus as its foundation. Its primary purpose is to worship God, edify believers, and to build up and equip the body of Christ to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. The church is also commanded by God to GO and make disciples of all nations, while also fostering community through teaching, fellowship, and prayer. The church administers the Sacraments of believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, which serve as means of grace and identity. Furthermore, it is governed by God’s Word through the leadership put in place as seen in the scriptures below, ensuring faithfulness to its mission and accountability to God. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:11-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
DISCIPLESHIP: We believe a disciple is someone who not only follows Jesus, but leads others to follow Jesus. Therefore, discipleship is the process of following Jesus Christ, characterized by intentional commitment to grow in faith, obedience, and service. Jesus calls His followers to be His disciples, instructing them to make disciples of all nations, which underscores the mandate for evangelism and teaching. He emphasizes the necessity of self-denial and taking up one’s cross daily, indicating that true discipleship involves a transformative and sacrificial lifestyle. True disciples abide in Christ in order to produce fruits. Thus, discipleship is not merely an intellectual agreement but an active and ongoing journey of faith, marked by fruits (leading others to Christ), community, growth, and mission for the cause of the Gospel. Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 9:23; John 15:5.
ESCHATOLOGY: We believe in the personal and visible return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, eternal felicity of the righteous, and eternal punishment of the wicked. Together, the scriptures below outline a trusted and hopeful future for humanity rooted in God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ that will usher believers into a new heaven and earth. 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15. While 1 John 5:11; Revelation 21:1.

Our Contact Information is:

Maranatha Retreat Center

Tamale, Northern Ghana, West Africa

Email: maranathaghana2024@gmail.com