Doctrinal Statement

Whole Heart Ministry embraces the following doctrinal statements; however, the Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.  This Statement of Fundamental doctrine is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among the Whole Heart Churches and Network. No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth or ministry beliefs, only that it covers our fundamental doctrines.

The Scripture as Word of God

We believe that the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, were written by holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit and are God’s revealed word to man.  They are the sufficient, infallible rule and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service (II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13).  The Bible is the inspired Word of God, equally in all parts and in the whole; it is inerrant in the original manuscripts and accurately transmitted to the modern church. It is the supreme revelation from God and of God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to them; and it is therefore our infallible rule in all manners.  All the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ and leads the reader to Life. (Luke 24:27)

Identity of God

One God in Trinity

We believe that Scripture teaches there is one and only one true and living God, who is self-existent, and the eternal “I AM,” the creator of heaven and earth, and the redeemer of mankind.  We believe that He has chosen to reveal Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence, though distinct in role. United as Trinity (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:18-19; Luke 3:22).  These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfection and are worthy of the same homage and obedience (Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6).  The mode of His existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man.  He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness.  He is glorified by the whole of creation and is worthy to be loved and served by all intelligence.  He, therefore, is the only proper object of worship (Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 3:14; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19, 20; Job 11:7; Psalms 19:1, 2; 145:10; 150:6; Exodus 34:14).

God the Father

God the father is the almighty creator, from whom the son is eternally begotten. The Holy Father sits enthroned in heaven sovereignly working all things to the counsel of His will. (Genesis 1, Isaiah 40:22, Psalm 2:4)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Man

Jesus was born miraculously of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1: 23; Luke 1:31, 35). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22).

He came into the world to save men from the guilt and condemnation of sin (John 3:16), offering His blood as atonement (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21) and making it available to all who exercise faith in Him. 

He resurrected from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4). 

He is exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1-3). 

His divinity is proved from His titles, His attributes, and His works (John 1:14; Luke 1:26-35; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31). 

He is presently seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for His redeemed. 

We also acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord over all things in Heaven, and in Earth, and under the Earth (John 1:12-14; I Timothy 3:16; Acts 7:37-38; Philippians 2:9-10; Hebrews 7:25).

The Holy Spirit

The Scriptures ascribe to the Holy Spirit the acts and attributes of a personal being.  He guides, knows, moves, gives information, commands, forbids, sends forth, reproves, as the instrumental person of the God Head. He liberally disperses spiritual gifts, and can be sinned against. (John 16:13; I Corinthians 2:11; Genesis 1:2; Acts 10:19; 13:2; 16:6; 13:4; John 16:8; Mark 3:29; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; I Corinthians 12). The works of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit; creation; inspiration, giving of life, and sanctification (Job 33:4; II Peter 1:21; I Peter 3:18; I Corinthians 6:11). He is the presence of God with His people.

Identity of Humankind

God created mankind as man(male) and woman(female). Man and woman are the unifying complements of humanity. God creates men and women without contradiction between soul/mind and body. (Psalm 139:12-14)

Human beings are made of at least two portions the physical: body, and the spiritual: spirit, or spirit and soul.

All human beings are tempted and sin. Sinners deserve the punishment of death. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

All humanity, on its own merit, stands condemned before God.

Salvation

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.  Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.  By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life.  The inward evidence of salvation is direct witness of the Spirit and the outward evidence to all men of a life of righteousness and true holiness (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-l5; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).

Salvation is an inclusive word, which gathers into itself all the redemptive acts and processes, i.e., justification, redemption, deliverance, imputation, sanctification, glorification, etc.  The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.  Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without human works (Romans 3:27-28, 4:1-8, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8).  Salvation is in these three tenses:

1.      Condition of Salvation - The grace of God, which brings salvation, hath appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, and, being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Ephesians 2:8-9).

2.      Evidences of Salvation - The inward evidence to the believer, of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).  The outward evidence to all men is a life of love, righteousness, and practical holiness, demonstrated by the fruit of the Spirit. Those truly saved are deeply changed. While not every sin is removed at once real change and continued progress is evident in the life of every true believer.  (John 13:35; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:24). 

3.      Final Result of Salvation - The spirit of the believer who dies in Christ immediately goes to be with the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:42-43; II Corinthians 5:8).

Sanctification

Sanctification is the process of practical purification accomplished by the Sord of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. Sanctification means that a person is being conformed through time more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. Christ is continually gaining new victories over sin and rendering the man or woman more like Jesus. Sanctification is an inheritance of every believer through Christ. Every believer must partner and submit to the working of the Word and Spirit to walk in holiness and change. The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14. (I Thessalonians 4:3; I John 2:29; Romans 8:5; Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 12:1-2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12, Romans 6: 1-11, 13; 8: 1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 12:12-13; I Peter 15).

Church Ordinances or Sacraments

Whole Heart Ministry believes and practices two sacraments: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Water Baptism

Baptism by immersion shall be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have repented of their sins and have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of their salvation (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12).  Those who have become partakers of Christ by faith in His shed blood are commanded to be water baptized (by immersion) into Christ. Believers are to be baptized in the name of Jesus.  In this act of faith, we participate in Christ’s burial and resurrection and receive a circumcision of the heart (Genesis 17:1-4; John 3:1-6; Romans 2:28-29; I Peter 3:18-22; I John 5:8).

Baptism(s) 

While water Baptism is the only certified sacrament, the New Testament teaches at least three baptisms. First, there is the baptism whereby the repentant sinner, upon trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior, is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).  Secondly, there is water baptism by immersion for believers only.  This we believe to be an ordinance of the church, whereby the believer experiences the reality of co-crucifixion and co-resurrection with the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-6).  Thirdly, there is the filling or baptism in the Holy Spirit by the Lord Jesus Christ or a baptism of fire. This may occur at or subsequent to conversion.  We believe that speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance a normal evidence of this baptism.  Further, we believe that by the believer’s continued submission to the Holy Spirit, his very weakness is transformed into strength to witness for Jesus Christ in power, and to live according to the will of God (Acts 1:5-6; 10:46; 11:28; 19:6).

The Lord’s Supper (Communion)

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial and participation in the covenant made with God through the blood of Christ.  It is a continuation of the Passover Feast, which God commanded His covenant people to observe.  Those who have made covenant with God through the blood of Christ and have been water baptized are instructed to participate.  The church participates in the Lord’s Supper as a body, with each covenant partner in fellowship. As a participation in the New Covenant of Christ’s blood, Communion is a privilege only administered to believers. (Exodus 11, 12; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26).

The Church

Leadership

The ministry is to be taught and led by the five-fold offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers functioning as elders. The Ministry Director with the endorsement of the board of directors will have authority for decision makeing over Whole Heart ministry network. And local elders will have authority over their churches under ministry directors/elders. The qualification for leading elders are set forth in Scripture particularly 1 Timothy 2 and Titus 3. In short Elders are to be spiritually mature, able to teach, and above reproach. Elders must be approved by an entire board of prior elders and the majority of the local church. (Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:11-13; I Timothy 3:2-12; Titus 2:1-15).

Missions and Commission

The Great commission is the task, endeavor, and program of the Church of Jesus Christ to reach out across geographical and/or cultural boundaries by sending disciples to make disciples people who have not yet believed and especially those who have little opportunity to hear the saving gospel. Whole Heart Ministry seeks to bring the light of Christ to all creation. (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20)

Particular Doctrine

Marriage and Sexuality

God created marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman in which man and woman become one (Gen 2:24).

Sex is good gift from God created to be enjoyed within the marriage covenant between one man and one woman. Sexual relations outside this marriage covenant is sin. (Acts 15:29, I Corinthians 6:9, Lev. 18:22)

The marriage covenant is a commitment to lifelong fidelity. (Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:5-6,9; Romans 7:2-3; I Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-23).

This ministry observes the wedding ceremony as holy and unto God.  It is a religious ceremony and cannot be conducted in this church without pastoral approval.  Any couple wishing to conduct their wedding ceremony in fellowship with this ministry must also live a lifestyle that is consistent with her doctrinal views.

Deliverance

Regarding deliverance, the church must understand that our warfare is with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), our weapon is the Word of God, our authority and power are in Jesus Christ Himself (Mark 16:17; Acts 1:8) and the battlefield is in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 6: 10-18; II Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:22-23).

God desires His people to experience general freedom and deliverance. (Job 5:19; Psalm 34:4, Psalms 91:3; II Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 2:15; II Peter 2:9, Luke 4:18-19).

We have been granted authority in the name of Jesus to bring deliverance to others (Mark 16:17; John 14:12; I Corinthians 12:8-11). 

The need for deliverance is usually manifested by an inability to be free from bondage: 

  1. mental (emotional),

  2. physical,

  3. or spiritual normally associated with demon activity.

Divine Healing

Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers.  The ministration of the laying on of hands accompanied with the anointing of oil for the healing of the sick shall be granted as request is made and the need may require (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-15).

Gifts of the Spirit

The nine gifts of the Spirit set forth in I Corinthians 12 should be operative in the church to enjoy the fullness of God.  These gifts are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or are operated by this one and the self-same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:11).

Practice and Core Values

Fasting

Believers are called to seek God consistently in fasting and prayer. Fasting is an act of willful sacrifice to the Lord, which achieves great fruit according to God’s will and practiced with a pure heart. (1 Samuel 7:6; Jeremiah 36:9; Ezra 10:6; Nehemiah 9:1-2; Joel 2:12; Daniel 9:2-20; 10:2-3, Psalm 35:13; 2 Samuel 12:15-23, Esther 4:3, 16; Ezra 8:21-31, Acts 13:1-4; 14:23).

Generosity

Whole Heart confesses that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:9) Members of Whole Heart Ministry shall not love money nor “store up treasures on earth” but give generously of their wealth as part of their wholistic surrender to God. (Matthew 6:19). Both the Old and New Testament Scriptures teach giving as God’s financial plan for the support of His work.  Giving to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord While a tithe of one tenth is not a New Testament mandate, the tithe is a good model for initial giving. Whole Heart members are expected to generously give to the church, ministers of the gospel (Missionaries, evangelists, etc.), the poor/least of these, and all those the Lord presents in need. The delights in a generous heart. (Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 6:6-8; Philippians 4:10-19, 1 Timothy 5:8, 17-18; 3 John 5-8. Malachi 3:8-10; Genesis 28:22; Matthew 23:23; Deuteronomy 26; 14:28-29; 15:7-11; Numbers 18:8-11; Ezekiel 44; Proverbs 14:21; 29:7; Luke 11:41; 12:33).

Love of the Poor

We believe that it is the intent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:34-40; Isaiah 58:7-8); to care for the poor (Matthew 19:21; Psalm 112:9; II Corinthians 9:6-9); and to care for the widows and orphans (James 1:27).  We further believe that such ministry should be toward His name to both saints and unbelievers. God has a unique love for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40,45) Whole Heart ministry must remember the poor with love and aid. (Galatians 2:10, Hebrews 6:10).

Unity

The Church is the body of Christ not only in local representation, but in global unity. All true believers are of one body regardless of denomination, affiliation, difference, or distance. Unity among believes everywhere must be pursued and achieved for the glory of God and strength of His church. (John 17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Awakening or Revival

The Lord has promised to “pour out his Spirit” in the last days. The nearing of Christ’s return ever calls the church the greater endeavor to awaken sleeping souls and bring spiritual revival where there is spiritual death. (Joel 2:28-32, Ephesians 5:14; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 60:1; Malachi 4:2; Romans 13:11)