What We Believe

1. Regarding the Scriptures: We firmly believe that the Holy Bible, inspired by God and authored through the pens of men, stands as the only infallible and authoritative Word of God. It is a flawless repository of heavenly guidance, which alone leads mankind to salvation and is entirely devoid of error. Scripture alone unveils the principles by which God judges humanity and serves as the eternal cornerstone of Christian unity, fellowship, and doctrine. The Bible is the ultimate measure for all human conduct, beliefs, and theological practices (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
2. Concerning the True God: We hold steadfastly to the belief in the one true God, infinite and wise, known as YAHWEH, Creator of all (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Genesis 1:1). His holiness shines brilliantly and deserves utmost reverence, trust, and affection. Within the Triune Godhead exist three distinct yet perfectly equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each fulfilling unique roles harmoniously in the grand task of redemption (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; John 10:30).
3. About the Fall of Man: We affirm that humanity was originally created in purity, abiding by the divine law. However, through a voluntary act of disobedience, mankind fell from this state of holiness and happiness, resulting in all people becoming sinners by choice, not by force. This fallen nature leads us away from God's standards, leaving us devoid of the holiness He requires and inclined towards wrongdoing. Thus, we find ourselves rightfully condemned to eternal ruin, without justification or excuse (Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 3:23; 5:12). If man does not receive forgiveness through Christ (John 5:24), he condemns himself to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15).
4. Regarding the Way of Salvation: We affirm that the rescue of sinners is entirely by grace, through the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ alone is sinless (John 8:46), He upheld divine law through perfect obedience (Matthew 5:17-18), and He fully paid for our sins with his death (Romans 5:18). Rising from the dead, He now reigns in heaven. As mankind’s Mediator, He is uniquely suited to be a compassionate and flawless Savior for all who embrace Him (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 2:17; 4:14-16; 7:25; 1 Peter 3:18).
5. Concerning Justification: The profound spiritual blessing secured by Christ for believers is justification. This blessing encompasses both the forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternal life. This gift is not merited by our deeds but solely received through faith in the Redeemer’s sacrifice (Titus 3:5). Faith in the sovereign sacrifice of Christ ushers believers into this state of moral forgiveness, divine peace, and everlasting favor. It ensures every necessary divine blessing for both this life and eternity (Romans 3:24; Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
6. Regarding the Freedom of Salvation: The blessings of salvation are extended to all through the Gospel without cost. It is incumbent upon us to promptly receive them with complete faith, genuine repentance, and obedience to God’s Word. The salvation of even the gravest sinner is impeded solely by their own innate depravity and deliberate refusal of the Gospel. If they knowingly persist in this godless path, the inevitable result is heightened condemnation (Revelation 22:17; John 3:18; Romans 1:18-22).
7. Regarding Grace in Regeneration: To be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or reborn spiritually, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration gives a holy disposition to the mind, securing voluntary obedience to the gospel and evidenced by the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3; 15:1-8; Romans 12:1-2).
8. Concerning Repentance and Faith: Repentance and faith are sacred duties and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. They involve deep conviction of guilt, danger, and helplessness. As such, they lead us to turn to God with contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (Psalm 51:17). Simultaneously, we receive Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, relying on him alone as our Savior (John 1:12; Ezekiel 18:30; Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19-21; 20:18-21).
9. About God’s Purpose of Grace: Election is God's eternal purpose, wherein He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. It promotes humility, love, prayer, and trust in God. Spiritual election encourages the cultivation of these, and many other, spiritual qualities to the highest degree. The effects of election are evident in those who truly believe the gospel. These godly qualities eloquently testify to the solid foundation of Christian assurance and lifestyle (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:28-30).
   God, in His sovereign omniscience, knows all things in advance (Isaiah 46:10). This includes those who will ultimately trust in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation (Acts 13:48; 1 Peter 1:2). However, this does not equate to His divinely electing some for salvation and some for damnation. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God wishes all to be saved (Ezekiel 18:32; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Nonetheless, His permissive will allows many to spurn His offer of salvation (Matthew 7:13-14). This is necessary because genuine worship is not possible without free will.
10. Regarding Sanctification: Sanctification is the progressive process by which believers are made partakers of God's holiness. This begins in regeneration and is faithfully carried on by the Holy Spirit in coordination with the believer. It involves continual use of a believer’s spiritual prerogatives such as the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:12-13).
11. Concerning the Perseverance of Saints: Only true believers endure unto the end, distinguished by their persevering attachment to Christ (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:11-14). They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, assured by a special Providence that watches over their welfare (John 10:27-29; 1 Peter 1:5). There are those who may confess Christianity but have never truly embraced it. This is sadly evidenced by the fact that they do not remain in fellowship with the Church (1 John 2:19).
12. About the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel: The law, being holy, just, and good remains an essential standard. Our failure to meet its demands stems solely from our inclination toward sin. Thankfully, Christ kept the law perfectly and thus fulfilled its rigid demands in every way conceivable (Matthew 5:17-18; John 1:29). Hence all present-day believers are freed from its legal constraints save in the oft repeated moral statutes taken from the Old Testament (Acts 15:6-11; Colossians 2:9-17).
    The Gospel aims to free us from sin's grip and lead us back to genuine obedience to God through a Mediator, who is Jesus Christ (Romans 6:11-14; John 1:17; 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). God’s purpose in grace is to envelop believers into the fold of His invisible church, which consists of all true, born-again believers of all times and all nations (Romans 11:16-22; Galatians 3:16-29; John 10:7-18).
13. Regarding a Gospel Church: A visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Governed by His laws, the Church properly observes the ordinances of Christ. The Church exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by God’s Word, not by human ordinances. (Ephesians 2:19-22).
    The biblical officers are Pastors, Elders, and Deacons. These offices are carefully defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus (Matthew 18:17-20). As such, the Church is required to follow such biblical guidelines as are outlined. One cannot honor God by ignoring expressed biblical parameters for the administration of the Church. The spiritual gifts manifested in the Church are distributed according to the will of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Church is under the authority of the Holy Spirit, not vice-versa.
14. Concerning Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: We affirm that the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are instituted by the Lord Jesus Himself. Believer baptism symbolizes entrance into the new covenant community. It signifies a living faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, as expressed in Matthew 28:19. Our primary practice is believer baptism by immersion. However, we cannot but recognize the widespread practice of infant baptism in many churches. When practiced, this should be considered a dedication of the infant to the Lord. It is not a gift of justification. Nowhere does Scripture teach that.
    Saving faith in the Scriptures is always portrayed as a personal, living, and intentional relationship with God. We believe in the spiritual security of an infant until they come to an age of accountability. This means that they come to an age where they understand the concept of sin, the need for forgiveness, and an ability to understand and embrace Jesus Christ as Savior.
    The Lord’s Supper is a means of ongoing covenant renewal. It highlights our participation in the body and blood of Christ as a pledge from God to us. It also serves as a public declaration of our submission to the once crucified and now resurrected Christ. This is clearly outlined in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. These sacraments serve as divine ordinances, graciously bestowed by God. In most blessed fashion, they anticipate Christ's return and the consummation of all things.
15. About the Lord’s Day: The Lord’s Day is one day of the week that is set apart from our daily work, it is when churches meet for distinctly Christian worship, edification in remembrance of our Lord’s resurrection (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) and fellowship. Though Sunday has been faithfully utilized as the Lord’s Day throughout the centuries, this is not biblically mandated. This practice has been dominant because Jesus Christ rose from the dead-on Sunday. As Paul teaches, every day is a holy day to the Lord (Romans 14:5-6; Galatians 3:1-5; 4:10-11; Colossians 2:9-17).
16. Regarding Civil Government: Civil government is of divine appointment, for human society's interests and good order. Magistrates are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). When government opposes the direct commands of Scripture, it must be disobeyed. This was the decided practice of Daniel the prophet, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the Apostles (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29; Daniel chapters 6 and 3). God honored their disobedience.
17. Concerning the Righteous and the Wicked: There is a radical difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only those justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous. The distinction holds among men both in life and after death. (Matthew 25:31-46). One has only this lifetime to become righteous in God’s sight through Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 9:27).
18. About the World to Come: The end of the world is approaching, marked by Christ's descent from heaven, the resurrection of the dead and final retribution. The final judgment of unbelievers is called the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This judgment will fix forever the final state of men destined for the Lake of Fire. It will be based on principles of Christ’s righteousness (Matthew 25:31-46). Those present at this judgment will all face condemnation due to their outright rejection or willful neglect of Christ’s offer of forgiveness (John 3:16).
    Believers will also face a judgment called the Judgment Seat of Christ. This will be a time of evaluation on how one lived his Christian life (Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). It is incumbent upon all believers to vigorously exercise their faith and Spirit- given gifts for the glory of the kingdom and edification of other believers.
19. Gifts of the Spirit: Our beliefs about spiritual gifts are rooted in Scripture. We do recognize that a variety of gifts may be exercised within the Church in sundry fashion. However, all such practices must follow rigid biblical guidelines. We do not believe that speaking in tongues or the exercise of other “charismatic” gifts is necessary for a complete Christian life after conversion (1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10). Indeed, to demand such a requirement adds works to Christ’s gift of salvation. It is indefensible to argue that all believers must exercise the same gifts. That is an outright denial of 1 Corinthians 12:11. As the Scripture declares, where would the sense of hearing be if all believers were eyes? Only the Holy Spirit can grant the respective gifts to individual believers. He offers these gifts according to His divine wisdom, for the glory of God, and to the edification of the Church.
    We fully acknowledge the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian journey (Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:2-3). Hence, we are committed to continually being filled with the Spirit, living by the Spirit, and walking by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:25; Jude 20).
    We reject the notion of a post-conversion baptism of the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking in tongues. We believe that Spirit baptism takes place simultaneously with conversion (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Water baptism is an outward and visible symbol of a previous spiritual and inward transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The book of Acts was a time of transition and should not be used as a necessary model for biblical practices today. This does not mean that we categorically reject God’s exercise of the so-called charismatic gifts on occasion today. But they must be done in biblical fashion.

ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS:

Role of Women in Church: We affirm the biblical principle, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:12, that men are called to hold key leadership roles within the church. While women are valued members of the church body and play important roles in ministry (Romans 16:1-2), Scripture teaches that they are not called to preach or hold positions of authority over men (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-15). Instead, women can serve in various ministerial capacities that do not involve preaching, such as teaching other women and children (Titus 2:3-5) and serving in acts of service and compassion (Acts 9:36-39). In such capacities they excel and can minister in outstanding fashion.

Marriage: We uphold the divine institution of marriage as a sacred covenant ordained by God, uniting one man and one woman in a lifelong commitment, as emphasized throughout Scripture (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:31). This union is intended to mirror the profound relationship between Christ and His Church, as articulated in the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Full and Eternal Salvation and the Issue of Sin: When a person fully commits to the Lord Jesus Christ, they are placed into the Body of Christ by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:5), where they are declared righteous (Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:1), forgiven of all sins—past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 1:7, Isaiah 43:25), and wholly accepted by God (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 4:30), with no condemnation (Romans 8:1, Hebrews 10:15-18, Psalms 130:3-4), and granted perfect, unchangeable access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22). These truths apply to every believer, regardless of their understanding or experience, but believers may still struggle with sin, leading to feelings of guilt and estrangement, which can hinder their consciousness of their identity in Christ. Therefore, sins must be addressed through acknowledgment and confession (1 John 1:9).

We firmly adhere to our core or primary beliefs, rooted in Scripture, while allowing flexibility in our secondary or tertiary beliefs. These secondary beliefs may vary among individuals within our community but do not compromise our foundational principles. Our commitment to Scripture remains unwavering, serving as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.

This principle ensures unity and diversity within our community, fostering a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation despite differences in interpretation or emphasis on certain doctrines. While we hold fast to essential truths such as salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, we recognize the richness of diverse perspectives on secondary issues, allowing room for dialogue and exploration within the bounds of orthodoxy.

This comprehensive Statement of Faith encapsulates the foundational beliefs of Serving Workers for the Harvest, derived from the Holy Scriptures and affirmed through diligent study and prayer.

DANVERS STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD

The Danvers Statement provides a comprehensive overview of the core beliefs of Serving Workers for the Harvest concerning biblical manhood and womanhood. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and upholding the biblical principles regarding masculinity and femininity, marriage, family, church leadership, and the interpretation of Scripture, amidst the cultural challenges and distortions prevalent in contemporary society. For the full text, please refer to the Danvers Statement provided here.