For You Inc is an incorporated not-for-profit association. It is the incorporated name of Church For You. This Church upholds Bible truth and declares the soul-saving Gospel of Christ.
We stand solidly with the faith of God's people down through history, and relate in fellowship with like-minded believers and assemblies.
The name we promote is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. We do not emphasise a denomination name, as such.
Our stance is Bible-based, God-dependent, and Christ-centred.
This document outlines our understanding on some key issues. Its wording is subject to revision, as outlined in the Church Constitution.
VISION STATEMENT
People with Vision - Proverbs 29:18
A CHURCH GROWING…
Actively growing together – by God (1 Corinthians 3:7, Matthew 16:18) – into spiritual maturity (1 Cor. 14:20).
AND GOING…
Actively reaching out together – to the lost (Matthew 28:19-20)– by all scriptural means (1 Cor. 9:22) – by God’s power – in caring practical ways.
WITH THE GOSPEL
Actively serving God together – by Bible-based Faith (Hebrews 1:16, 2 Tim. 4:3-4) – in soul-saving, Christ-centred ministry (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Cor. 2:2).
CODE OF PRACTICE
As a church we aim to promote:
- Christianity in Action and in Outreach
- Christ-centred Fellowship
- Bible-based Practice
- Gospel-focused Ministry
- Spirit-and-Truth Worship
As a church we serve to:
- Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
- Obey the Bible
- Edify the Saints
- Win the Lost
- Care for the Needy
THE SCRIPTURES
The Bible consisting of the Old and New Testament in its original documents, is the verbally inspired, inerrant, eternal Word of God. It is absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its statements. It is the sole and final authority for faith and life, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians
2:13, 2 Peter 3:16, Psalm 12:6-7.
THE PERSON OF GOD
There is only one God, manifested in three persons: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator of the universe. He is holy, merciful, supreme and mankind's only hope of ever attaining salvation.
Genesis 1:1, 1 John 5:7, John 4:24,
Deuteronomy 6:4, John 14:9, Isaiah 40:28,
Isaiah 48:11-13, John 10:30.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local New Testament Church is an assembly of believers gathered together for the purpose of worship, prayer, fellowship; teaching and edifying, whilst being actively engaged in the proclamation of the Gospel. The local church is entirely separate from the state, and wholly independent from any ecclesiastical or religious hierarchy. Its scriptural officers are pastors (bishops or elders), and deacons.
The ordinances are those of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism being by immersion of the believer, thus portraying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Lord's Supper is the partaking of the bread and the cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ, until He returns.
1 Corinthians 11:2, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 16:5,
Matthew 22:17-21, Acts 13:1-5, Romans 6:3-4,
1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 1 Timothy 3.
THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created holy and perfect for the purpose of fellowship with God. Through the willful disobedience of sin, man fell from that state. As a result, all men, in their natural state, are lost, alienated from God, and spiritually dead. Apart from the saving grace of Christ, all are under sin's curse, and are subject to God's righteous wrath and condemnation.
Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:6-24, Romans 3:23,
Romans 5:12, Revelation 21:8.
SALVATlON
Man's only means of forgiveness, salvation, and restoration is wholly of the grace of God through Jesus Christ's shed blood and substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection. Man can do nothing to aid his salvation other than respond through faith and repentance to God, who will regenerate him through the second Birth, and exalt him to a position of eternal sonship. Salvation is freely offered to all mankind, which offer, if rejected, results in eternal separation from God to be tormented forever in the Lake of Fire.
Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 1:14, Acts 4:12,
John 14:6, Acts 20:21, John 1:12, 2 Peter 3:9,
Revelation 20:11-15.
THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is God manifest in the flesh - fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died and shed His blood for the sins of mankind. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God in heaven, where He ever lives to intercede for believers as their Advocate and High Priest. He will come again to the earth as Lord of lords and King of kings, to judge the world in righteousness.
Luke 1:27, John 1:1-14, John 14:6, Ephesians
1:7, Acts 1:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 20:4-6.
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment, bears witness to the truth and through the Word of God regenerates men. He indwells, seals, guides, teaches, comforts, sanctifies, sets apart the believer for a holy life, and endues him with power for witness and service, whilst imparting the gifts and producing the fruit of the Spirit.
John 15:26, John 16:13-14, Romans 8:14-27,
Ephesians 4:30, Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 1:8.
HEAVEN AND HELL
Heaven is a place of beauty and bliss wherein dwelleth righteousness. Each person who has been born of the grace of God, will spend eternity in the everlasting presence of God, in His prepared Heaven.
Hell is a place of ceaseless torment, being characterized by fire and brimstone, where all the unsaved will suffer for ever.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4, 1 Peter 1:3-5, John
14:1-3, Luke 16:19-31, I Thessalonians
4:13-18, Revelation 21, 22.
SEPARATION
Christians are first to be separated wholly unto the Lord, and separated from worldly and sinful practices. This church is opposed to all that is false and out of harmony with the truth of the Word of God, including ecumenism and other false movements. The church remains separate from apostasy and unbelief.
2 Corinthians 6:11-18, 2 Timothy 4:2-3, Titus
1:13, 3:10, Ephesians 5:11, 1 John 4:1,
2 John 10,11, Jude 3.
ETERNAL SECURITY
Every true child of God is kept by the power of God. He is under no condemnation for his sin. However, a Christian can, through sin, break fellowship with God and lose his joy, power, testimony, and rewards, and incur the Father's chastisement. Our relationship, based upon the new birth, is eternal. Our fellowship, however, is dependent upon obedience and may be broken, restored only by the blood of Christ through the confession of sin to God.
John 5:24, John 10:27-29, Jude 24, Hebrews
7:25, 1 Corinthians 3:11-17, 1 Corinthians
5:1-5, 1 John 1:5-10.
THE PERSON OF SATAN
Satan is a person. He is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air and is constantly going up and down in the earth seeking whom he may devour. He is the declared enemy of God and man. He does not possess any of the attributes of God. He will ultimately have his destiny in the Lake of Fire, where he and his angels will be eternally punished.
Job 1:6-7, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 24:41,
Revelation 20:10.
HOLINESS
Holiness is to be God's standard of living for His people. Believers are made partakers of Christ's holiness. They are called with a holy calling, to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. It is God's will that each believer be sanctified by the blood of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thereby receiving power for holy living and effective service. The life of a believer is to be separate from worldliness by consistent conduct before God and man, in personal holiness of heart and life.
1 Thess. 5:23, I Peter 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 6:17,
Hebrews 12:13, Rom. 12:1-2, 1 John 1:7.
THE COMING OF CHRIST
At Christ's return He will resurrect the righteous dead and catch away His living saints to Him "in the air". He will return in a personal, literal, and bodily manner, "with his saints" to establish His millennial kingdom upon earth. Christ's coming is the believer's hope; an incentive to holy living and faithful service, to be ready to meet Him when He comes.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53,
1Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8,
Isaiah 26:19-21, Revelation 20:4-6.
ADDITIONAL ISSUES
The King James Bible is the version used due to the accuracy of its translation and textual basis.
Speaking in tongues was given by God as a sign for the unbeliever; as warning to Israel of God's judgment. Its purpose has been fulfilled.
Isaiah 28:11, 1 Corinthians 1:22, 14:22, 13:8.
In addition to these requirements, formal application processes exist for membership with voting rights within the Incorporated Association.
Controversial Matters
In matters that may cause controversy, members are asked not to share their beliefs as if they were the beliefs held generally by the Church. Members are entitled to freedom of conscience in peripheral matters, and at all times, should endeavour to show grace toward others who may hold differing beliefs.
The Pastor or Ministry Team reserves the right, at their discretion, to disapprove of and disallow any business, teaching, or practice that a member proposes for discussion. Where a person acts in a manner deemed insubordinate or unruly by the Pastor or Ministry Team, for example in raising or promulgating controversial views or practices, this will entail the application of disciplinary processes.
Social Programs
Community activities, operation of op shops and provision of practical help and general support may at times form part of our mission. The church does not, however, profess to be a welfare or professional counselling agency, and its officers will refer such enquirers to other service providers.
MISSION STATEMENT
This 4-page document outlines the Philosophy of Ministry - the way that Church For You operates its activities within the local church setting. Church For You is founded for the glory of God, as a Christ-centred, Bible-based ministry.
Church For You is a church family which stands strongly for:
- Gospel truth,
- Gospel witness and
- Gospel fellowship.
Truth
We stand for truth that is Biblical. The Bible is our sole guide for doctrine and practice. We contend earnestly for the faith, and thus we also oppose error. The Bible we preach from is the KJV translation, due to its faithfulness and its sound textual basis.
Witness
We stand in faithful witness for Christ to a world lost in sin. We preach salvation by faith in Christ. We want to faithfully extend a hand to all, so that the saving message is spread far and wide. All of our programs are intended to lead souls to the Saviour, with the object that lives will commit to Christ as Lord and become faithful members of the local church.
Fellowship
Unbinding co-operation with other Churches or ministries of like faith and order, in endeavours for furthering the Gospel are to be undertaken at the discretion of the Pastor. As a church we stand together and cooperate with churches of like faith and doctrine.
Methods
As a church we will use innovative methods, within scriptural guidelines. We are selective as far as what music, events, or programs we support as a church. Above all things our aim is to bring honour to Christ. Where a matter is doubtful, we will practice biblical separation.
Ministries
Church For You is an independent, self-governing body. Church ministries includes the preaching of the Bible in public and private gatherings:
- various outreach, social gatherings, men’s, women’s, youth and children’s ministries;
- visitation and prayer for the sick, counselling and meeting of physical needs; and
- the exercise of God given gifts and talents in a Biblical manner.
The Pastor will have responsibility for general oversight of the church, ministry functions, and pastoral care, assisted by a “Ministry Team”. His appointment is for an indefinite term. He will exercise decision-making discretion and will prayerfully appoint a “Ministry Team” and all other Church officers.
Public ministry, teaching, and church government is seen in scripture to be a role for suitable men. Women will be encouraged to adopt scriptural ministry roles, including the teaching of other women and of children, as well as in the area of helps.
Membership
Scripturally, “we are members one of another,” and members of the body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters of the household of the faith. We are to love each other, and love and pray for our Church.
We receive into fellowship believers who have received Christ as master and Lord, and are living consistent Christian lives, in accordance with the Bible. Members are persons who are born again, accepting of the Church doctrinal basis, in regular attendance, exhibiting positive evidence of a consistent Christian life, and expressing their willingness to attend regularly and to support the assembly. These people are entitled to have input into the life of the Church and its future direction.
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