Statement of Faith of Joel and Brooke Daku

 Scriptures
We believe that the Word of God is “our only rule in faith and practice”. We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible (II Timothy 3:16) and the preservation of the Bible throughout the ages (Psalms 12:6-8). We believe the Scriptures to be the inerrant, infallible Word of God. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the preserved Word of God to the English-speaking world. (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:19-21).

  Godhead
We believe in one God, who is eternal, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. We believe He has one nature, one essence, and one substance, yet manifests Himself to man in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit known as the trinity. (Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; I John 4:4;) We believe that God is co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal in glory and divine perfections. (II Corinthians 13:14)

 Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is 100% Divine at the same time being 100% man. (Philippians 2) We believe Jesus Christ to be the one and only Savior of mankind. We believe Jesus Christ to be the eternal God. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born, that He was God incarnate. We believe He lived a perfect and sinless life. He was offered for all mankind as a substitutionary sacrifice for man’s sin. This sacrifice was a just payment to God for the forgiveness of sin. It was through His death, burial, and resurrection. (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:11; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1; Romans 3:19-25; Romans 5:6-15; Philippians 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:10-15; Hebrews 7:26, 9:24-28; I John 1:3)

 Sin and Salvation
We believe all men were born with an inherited sin nature received from Adam. We believe that man is a sinner by choice, and he is totally incapable of curing himself from his sin by his own power. We believe that the only way to be saved is through the death, burial, and resurrection or our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is through faith and by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:12) It is not on our own merit but through repentance and faith in the work of Jesus Christ. Salvation is eternal and never expires. (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 2 Genesis 5:1-5; Acts 4:19; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:6-12; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6; Revelation 20:11-14). This salvation is offered to everyman and is secure forever (John 10:1-29)

 The New Testament Church
We believe that the church is an organized body of baptized believers voluntarily joined together to obey the Great Commission. The Church is to be local, autonomous, and self-supporting. (Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9 Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2). The church is to administer two ordinances (The Lord’s supper and baptism). Two Church offices are the pastor and deacons. We believe the church began with the calling out of the twelve apostles by Jesus Christ and was empowered on the day of Pentecost. The church’s membership is made up of saved believers. We believe all true believers will be taken up at the rapture, just prior to the tribulation (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:41-43; Acts 11:15; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 15: 51-58; Ephesians 1:12-14; Ephesians 5:25-30; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 3:4-15).

 Heaven and Hell
We believe in a literal hell and a literal heaven. The Bible clearly shows that anyone that dies without Christ will spend eternity in hell (lake of Fire). Those that die that have received God’s gift of salvation will spend eternity in heaven. (Luke 16:25; Revelation 20:14,15; Revelation 21)

 Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine person and of the same substance and nature as the Father and Son. (John 14:16-17; John 16:12-15; Rom.8:14-27) We believe the Holy Spirit of God is a person who has personality and all the attributes of Deity. We believe the Holy Spirit has always been involved in the affairs of mankind. However, we believe He has a special ministry which began at Pentecost and will continue until the rapture. This ministry includes convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit was also sent to regenerate, sanctify, seal, and fill all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:5-6; John 14:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:15; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Corinthians 12:13)

 Baptism
We believe that baptism is a picture and public proclamation of our salvation and new life in Jesus Christ. It has no saving power, but is commanded in the Word of God as the first step after salvation. It is performed through the local church and is only through immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18)

 Separation
We are called to live Holy separated lives separated from the world to the Lord. We must separate ourselves from religious apostasy and false teaching. We believe in personal and ecclesiastical separation from the world and anything that is contrary to the Word of God. (II Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1, 2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

 The Last Days
We believe in the literal interpretation of the Scriptures in their grammatical and historical context. We believe in the pre-tribulational rapture of the church saints, followed by the seven-year tribulation. We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth and His literal rule of one thousand years. Following this one thousand years is the Great White Throne judgment and then the new heaven and new earth (I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Thessalonians 5:1-9; Revelation 19-22; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; Psalm 89:3-4).