Statement of Faith

We believe that there is One God - and that He is the creator of the entire universe, and everything in it.

(Isaiah 43:10-13, Isaiah 44:24, Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6)

We believe that God is eternally co-existent in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

(John 1:1-5, John 1:14-18, John 10:30, 1 John 5:7)

We believe in God the Father - That He is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent - perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

(1 Timothy 1:17, Psalm 147:5, Matthew 19:26, Psalm 139:1-12, 1 Peter 1:16, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Daniel 4:17, Proverbs 21:1, 1 John 3:22, John 3:16-17)

We believe in Jesus Christ - the divine, eternal, and only begotten Son of God. We believe that, in His earthly life, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. We believe in His vicarious and atoning death on the Cross for the sins of the world. We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead; His ascension to the right hand of God the Father to make intercession for the saints; and in His personal and visible return to the world in power and glory.

(Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:26-35, Luke 23:33-34, Luke 24:1-7, Isaiah 53:3-7, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 24:39, John 14:1-3)

We believe in the Holy Spirit - in His personality and deity; that He was sent forth from the Heavenly Father to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. We believe that He is come to regenerate, indwell, sanctify, instruct, and comfort the saints.

(Luke 3:22, John 4:24, Acts 5:3-4, John 16:7-8, Titus 3:5, 1 John 3:24, 1 Corinthians 6:11, John 16:13, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, John 14:16)

We believe that all men are, by nature and by choice - sinners; destitute of all power to save themselves. We believe that the only means of salvation of sinful men is the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit based upon the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ - through repentance of sins, and placing our personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our only means of salvation.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:10-13, Romans 10:9, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5)

In order to be saved we must:

Realize that we are sinners. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)
Repent of (or turn from) our sin and self-righteousness, and be willing to forsake it. (Luke 13:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 7:21)
Receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior - trusting in the shedding of His Blood as the only hope and means of eternal salvation; and sincerely confessing our sins unto Him, asking Him to come into our hearts and forgive us, and to save us from our sins. (John 1:12, Romans 10:9-13)

We believe in being "Baptized" by full immersion after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We do not believe that water Baptism saves a person (salvation is a free gift received as a result of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord). If water Baptism was a necessary component of salvation, then the thief on the cross could not have been saved (Luke 23:32-43) - he never came down off of his cross to get baptized. Rather, we believe that water Baptism by immersion is an outward expression and testimony of identifying oneself as a "Christian". When the body is immersed (or submerged) under water, it is a depiction of the death and burial of Jesus Christ; and by coming back up out of the water, it is a picture of His resurrection, or being raised to newness of life (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9, Romans 6:3-6, Mark 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 16:30-33). We also believe that water Baptism is a picture of the "change" that takes place in the believer's heart after salvation. By being immersed under water, it depicts the "death" of the believer's old, sinful, self (their "flesh") to "dead" (sinful) works; and by coming up from under the water, it is a picture of the "new birth" (a.k.a. being "Born Again") to a life that is lived for God (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We believe that the Bible is God's Holy Word - verbally and fully inspired in the original text, and that it is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We believe that it has God as it's author; salvation for it's end; and truth without any mixture of error. We believe that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; that it's teachings are the center of the Christian faith; and that it shall remain until the end of the world. We believe that God's Word supersedes any Earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.

(Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 2 Peter 1: 21; Proverbs 30:5, John 17:17, Acts 5:29)

We believe that the original texts of the Bible were preserved for us today through the authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic Masoretic Text (Old Testament), and through the Greek Textus Receptus (New Testament) - and that the most accurate translations of these texts into the English language are found today in the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible.

(Psalm 12:6-7, Matthew 5:18)

We believe in the "Church" - the living, spiritual body, of which all regenerated (Born Again) believers of the Lord Jesus Christ are members. We believe in the "Local Church" (or "Local Assembly" of the Church) - which is a community of believer's who share mutual belief, faith, and surrender in, and to, Christ; and who gather together and meet in person for worship and fellowship with one another; and to hear the preaching of the Word of God, and celebrate the ordinances of the church.

We believe that an internet ministry of the church is keeping with this principle - and that a company of believers can meet on-line (just as a local assembly) for worship, work, fellowship, and ministry, to one another and to others. Although the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship is comprised of a local assembly of believers that gathers together for worship, and fellowship in person; we do also have a number of people who follow us online only - and physically meeting "in person" would not be a possibility. Some of these people are from other countries where Christianity is not permitted, and there are no other "churches" available for them to be able to attend. It is for this reason that we believe a "web-based" ministry of the church online becomes vitally important - for without one, these believers would have no way to meet for worship, fellowship, or instruction at all.

Anyone seeking church membership in the Sword & Trowel Revival Fellowship may do so by statement of faith that they have been scripturally saved (showing evidence of a genuine salvation experience) and baptized (by immersion), and who are in agreement with our statement of faith. (Acts 2:41-47, Amos 3:3)

We believe that there are two main ordinances of the Church:

Baptism (Scriptural Baptism by immersion as described above).
The Lord's Supper (also known as Holy Communion); which is a memorial - practiced in remembrance of our Lord's sacrifice and death to make atonement for our sins. The Lord's supper consists of the taking of the (unleavened) bread - representing the Lord's broken body; and the drinking of the cup (non-fermented wine or grape juice) - representing His precious blood that was shed for the remission of our sins. (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)

We believe that there are two main offices held by the Church:

The Pastor (or Bishop): The spiritual shepherd and overseer of the local church. He is responsible to feed and protect "the flock"; lead them in following the Lord Jesus Christ; pray for them; comfort them; and reprove, rebuke, and exhort them with all long-suffering and doctrine. (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:18-36)
Deacons: Called to be spiritual servants in the church, and to assist the Pastor in the care for the church that it might continue in the way of holiness. (1 Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 6:3-6)

We believe the Church is to be supported by weekly attendance; and financed by the tithes and offerings of God's people.

(Heb. 10:25, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Malachi 3:8-11)

We believe that it is the responsibility of the Church to share the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ with the entire world. (Mark 16:15)

We believe in the "Eternal Security" of the believer - and that once a person truly repents of their sins, and receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that they cannot lose their salvation.

(John 6:37, John 10:28-29, Romans 11:29, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Jude 1:24)

We believe in the literal Six-Day creation of the entire universe, and everything in it, approximately 6,000 years ago.

(Genesis 1:1-31, Exodus 20:11, Hebrews 11:3)

We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible; and that according to His will, the Holy Spirit distributes these gifts to every Born Again believer for the benefit of the body (the church), as He sees fit to distribute them. We believe in the work of the Holy Spirit through ordinary people, and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible (including tongues, miracles, healing, etc.) did not cease after the New Testament was written; and are still relevant for today if they are exercised within Scriptural guidelines.

(1 Corinthians chapter 12, John 1: 33, Acts 1: 5-9, Acts 2: 1-18, 1 Corinthians chapter 14)

We believe in the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" (or being Baptized with the Holy Ghost), and that this event takes place, in each and every single Born Again believer's life, at the very moment of their salvation experience. We do not believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the "second work of grace" (occurring at some point in time after the conversion experience); and we do not believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is only evidenced by the supernatural gift of speaking in tongues. Although we do believe in Biblical speaking in tongues, we believe that speaking in tongues is only one (of many) gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that not every believer is given this particular spiritual gift.

(1 Corinthians chapter 12 - specifically: 1 Corinthians 12:13, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

We believe that marriage is between one (biological) man and one (biological) woman.

(Genesis 2:21-24, Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:24-32)

We believe that life begins at conception, and that abortion is murder of an unborn child.

(Isaiah 44:2, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Psalm 139:13, Luke 1:44, Proverbs 6:16-19, Exodus 21:22-23)

We believe that vaccinations (or immunizations) are against the Word of God. Vaccines contain materials and ingredients that can be potentially harmful or fatal if injected into the body - such as Mercury and Aluminum (both toxic metals), Formaldehyde, swine and bovine blood, and aborted fetal tissues. We believe that the Word of God is against allowing these things to be put into the body. Further, we believe that since aborted fetal tissues are a necessary component of vaccines, that people who are in favor of vaccinations, are (in essence) condoning abortion - which we are against.

(Psalm 91:3-6, Genesis 9:3-6, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:23, Lamentations 2:20, Acts 15:29, Psalm 106:36-38, Proverbs 6:16-19, Exodus 21:22-23, Mark 9:42, Matthew 7:9-11, 1 Timothy 5:8, Acts 5:29)

We Believe that in the Last Days the Lord Jesus Christ will come back again to gather up His Church (Acts 1:11, John 14:3). We believe that this event will happen in a (Pre-Tribulation) Rapture, where all Born-Again believers in Christ will be taken out of this world to meet the Lord in the air - prior to a seven-year period of Tribulation that will come upon the Earth. We believe in the "Second Coming" of the Lord Jesus Christ immediately following this period of Tribulation; which is His visible and physical return to the Earth to judge the nations and establish His Millennial Kingdom - where He will rule and reign on Earth for 1,000 years.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 24:29-31, Matthew 25:31-32, Romans 14:10, Revelation 19:11-20:15)

We believe in the resurrection of all men - those who are saved (Born Again) unto the resurrection of eternal Life, and those that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation. (John 5:29)

We believe in a judgement of the "just" and of the "unjust'" - that the Born Again believers of Jesus Christ will stand before the "Judgement Seat of Christ" in Heaven (following the Rapture - while the Tribulation is taking place down on Earth) to give account for their lives on Earth; and that the "lost" (unbelievers) will stand before the "Great White Throne" judgement of God (following the Millennium) to be judged according to their works, and the number of times they have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and rejected Him.

(2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-17, Revelation 20:11-15)

We believe there is a real (physical and literal) "Heaven" and a real (physical and literal) "Hell" - and where we spend our eternity is determined by which one of these we choose (whether we "accept" the Lord Jesus Christ, or "reject" Him) while we are alive. There are no second chances after Death.

(Revelation 21: 1-8, Revelation 21:22-27, Revelation 20:10-15; Hebrews 9:27-28)