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SALVATION AND BIBLICAL EDUCATION:
It’s the function of every Christian church to save the lost. However, their responsibility shouldn’t end there. Every new Christian is still in the baby stage and will remain there until or unless they are taught how to grow in their salvation.
Without knowledge of how to grow in faith for answered prayer, to apply God’s principles and spiritual laws to one’s life, and to live a successful Christian lifestyle, one will remain in an infantile state of their Christianity.
Man is a three part being. He is a spirit who lives in a body and has a soul which includes his mind and emotions. We're only spinning our wheels if we're not taught how to use our spirits to communicate with God, transform our minds, and act upon His Word.
Our churches are obligated to teach their congregations how to recreate their minds with the Word of God in order to walk with Christ and live on top of their circumstances. It isn't God's will for us to be poor, afraid, sick, defeated, unhappy, or depressed.
To have victory in your life, you need to learn how to understand the scriptures and successfully apply them to your life.
Should you believe that your church is not meeting your needs, you should search your area for a church that will. It should be Biblically based with Christ at its center.
If you don't have a church presently, you are welcome to become a member of Victory Thru Christ until you find a local church in your area. |
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BAPTISMS:
BAPTISM INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST
This is a baptism performed by the Holy Spirit into the death, burial and resurrection of Christ upon receiving Christ as ones Lord and Savior. In this baptism, the Holy Spirit is the one who is performing the baptism.
1 Corinthians12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
This baptism is ministered by Jesus Christ. It is not the baptism that saves but a baptism of power to equip the believer for ministry. This baptism includes a baptism in the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
WATER BAPTISM
Water baptism is an outward symbol of our baptism into Christ. It is conducted by man or the minister of Christ and the element one is baptized in is water.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: |
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TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
It is Biblically correct to pay your tithes to the church where you attend that is Biblically based and is a spiritual blessing to you.
According to Malachi 3:10-11, you will receive a window of heaven blessing when you pay your tithes, but you have to know how to put faith over your giving to make it prosper you financially as well as all areas of your life.
See the Tithes and Offerings Tab at upper left for more information. |
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COMMUNION:
The communion supper is something we do as believers to consume spirit, soul and body, the substitutionary work of Christ.
When we partake of communion we remind ourselves of our identity in Christ through a symbolic illustration as a profession of faith. Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)."
In the early church the disciples went house to house daily breaking bread or conducting communion suppers so that believers could hold fast to their identity in Christ. Acts 2:46, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." Thereby was their faith kept alive.
This is very important, for by grace are we saved though faith. That verse tells us that communion suppers were conducted in homes. In the early church there was no such thing as church buildings or auditoriums. The church at that time was more intimate with effective ministry meetings in clusters.
Today there is a return to this concept in the form of "home churches".
The communion supper should be conducted as regular as one would desire either officially in the assembly or unofficially amongst believers at any time. Today, many churches hold communion supper only once a month. This is inadequate. It is done infrequently because in a large central group it is time consuming to set up the emblems needed and for the dispensing.
If you wish to participate in communion during our service, use only unleavened bread (representing the sinless body of Christ) and the fruit of the vine (Passover wine or grape juice [grape juice is recommended] which is a symbol of the shed blood of Christ and our union with Him.)
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HEALTH AND HEALING:
It's a function of the Christian church to heal the sick and provide teaching on the subject.
One doesn't usually receive healing immediately. There is usually a time element involved, so your church leadership or members should encourage you through the faith process while you wait for the physical manifestation of your healing. It is also wise to continue with medical treatment while you use faith and prayer over your sickness or disease.
If you are ill and wish to learn more about receiving your healing through the Word of God, please press the tab at left titled, "Healing Hands Ministry." |
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ANOINTING WITH OIL:
Anointing with oil is a practice that has its beginnings in the Old Testament. It was implemented by the Disciples of Christ when praying for the sick. It is also used in the New Testament church for ordination, consecration, confirmation, and dedication. It can also be used for anointing material objects for dedication and consecration.
Anointing oil can be poured upon the head or smeared on the forehead of the person being prayed for.
James 5:14
14. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Mark 6:13
13. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
Customarily in the New Testament church, the sign of the cross is smeared on the forehead of the individual being prayed for, consecrated or confirmed and the presbytery or a minister prays the prayer of faith with the laying on of hands. |
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COUNSELING:
The functions of counseling and teaching (not only preaching), should be a part of your local church. From my experience, I believe that Christian counseling is done best in person. So if you have that need, it is best to speak with your local pastor or church leadership. If you are not involved in a church, look for a Bible based church in your area and speak with the pastor before you receive counsel to make sure he or she understands your problem(s).
You can also look for a Christian counseling service in your area. Some of them will work with your healthcare insurance.
If you need a mentoring program where you receive daily (if needed) attention to help you attain your goal, (ex.: losing weight, stop smoking, a deeper relationship with God, etc.) check with your church leadership to see if they assign members to mentor other members of the congregation.
However, in order for mentoring to work, you will need a leader who will not only guide you to the right path for transformation and receiving, but they must also be able to teach you God’s Word to help develop you spiritually, to get you closer to God in the process, and to help you have a greater understanding of His Word to develop your faith for answered prayer. Ultimately this should result in problem solving and becoming a strong Christian for a successful lifestyle.
Don't be looking for just a friendship, you need someone that will work with you and lead you to success. A little friendly chit-chat about your situation or problem everyday won’t help you and will probably hurt you. It just won’t do if you’re serious about change. So be hard on yourself and choose a mentor that is going to get you to where you want to go, and then trust God to work through them. HOWEVER, DON’T EVER CENTER ON THAT PERSON, KEEP YOUR LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST!
I have found that mentoring and teaching works just as well at a distance as in person. I have developed a method that works within a person's heart and mind to achieve the necessary goals. I believe that for many, my mentoring program offers more than counsel because I stand with those I mentor, while teaching and guiding them to find their way on their own for future success and independence with God. |
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MARRIAGES:
If you are a member of a church in your local area, that is the best place to take your wedding vows. However, before do, your pastor will want to counsel with both you and your intended spouse for two or three sessions to make sure you both understand what a Christian marriage entails, what attitude is important to maintain a successful marriage on a daily basis, and to make sure you are both compatible.
A responsible Christian pastor will not marry every couple that requests his or her services to marry them, especially if they refuse counsel. If after one or two counseling sessions they do not appear to be compatible, the couple should be advised to wait upon God for a longer period of time. |
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FUNERALS:
Belonging to a church gives you the ability to have a pastor you know and trust available for special and sensitive needs, such as when a loved one passes away. This function is not only important for the direction of the funeral service, but for any counseling that is needed for family members. It will be of great value to you to get to know your pastor, if you don't already, so that you will feel comfortable to approach him or her during troubled times. They are there for you if you learn to trust their commitment to serve God through their congregation. |
