What We Believe

Statement of Belief

The Church is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). It is the responsibility of the leadership and every member of the Church to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

God’s truth has always been questioned, attacked, and perverted. The Bible warns us that such deception will continue, and history has demonstrated the accuracy of these warnings. It is no wonder, then, that in our day, truth is rare while error is rampant.

We publish this statement of faith, not as something new or profound, not as a response to any single system of false doctrine, but as a simple and sincere attempt to proclaim and defend God’s inerrant Word.

We pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the fair-minded people of Berea who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11).

Therefore, the following is a clarifying comprehensive treatment of the doctrinal foundation we believe here at Symphony Ministries:

We believe that the autographic texts of Holy Scripture, of which we have the canon of the Bible, to be the plenary, God-breathed, infallible, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God (II Timothy 3:15-17, II Peter 1:21).

We believe there is One true God, who is Spirit, both Holy and Loving, Creator and Preserver of all things; God is holy in nature, attributes, and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible Deity; He is One God. This One true God has revealed Himself as Father; through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by procession. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are established solidly within His omnipresence. (John 15:26; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28; Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30; 1 Timothy 3:16).

God is the Source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. He made man, male, and female, in His image and likeness. By intention, He relates to people as Father, thereby forever declaring His goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and receives penitent sinners (Psalm. 68:5; Isaiah. 64:8; Matthew. 7:11; John 3:17; Romans. 8:15; 1 Peter 1:17).

We believe the One true God, the Yahweh of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8), and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary. As Paul says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16).

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and in His Deity (John 10:33); His virgin birth {the Incarnation} (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35); His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26); His miracles (John 2:11); His vicarious and atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9); His resurrection (John 11:25, I Corinthians 15:4); His ascension to the right hand of His Majesty (Mark 16:19); His personal return to earth in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16).

We believe that “in Him [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). “For it pleased the Father that in Him [Jesus] should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was truly and fully man; and in His deity was and is truly and fully God (John 1:1-2). “God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:1-3). His flesh was the lamb or the sacrifice of God. He is the only mediator between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5).

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Lord, the Creator of Life, Who is the Spirit of Christ, Whose present work is of convicting the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment; in the Holy Spirit’s present ministry by Whose indwelling and empowering the believer is enabled to live a holy life, loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself. (Romans 8:13-14, I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20, 12:13, Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).

We believe in the providence of God in that God orders and directs His universe in every detail. Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His sovereign will and purpose. In God’s infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His loving people and for His glory. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Job 38:4-41; Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 46:9-11; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 17:25, 28; Hebrews 1:3 Exodus 4:21; 5:2; 7:2-5; 9:15-16 (cf. Romans 9:17-21); Proverbs 16:9; 21:1, Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 10:29; John 6:37-40; Acts 4:27-28; 13:48; Philippians 2:12-13 Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:5-11 (cf. Deuteronomy 8:15-16) Exodus 9:16 (cf. Exodus 7:3-5); Isaiah 60:21; Ezekiel 28:20-24; Romans 9:22-24; 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-14)

We believe that those in this life who, through the Gospel, have been called, enlightened, sanctified, and preserved in the true faith, have from eternity been elected according to God’s unmerited love to adoption as His children, and have been chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world” to be heirs of everlasting life. Therefore, Christians can and should be sure of their salvation since God’s promise is steadfast, and His gracious election to salvation stands firm.

We believe that for anyone to receive what God’s sovereign grace has made possible, the Holy Spirit produces a voluntary response of repentance and faith. The gift of faith comes completely from God, and with that gift of faith, we trust in and rely upon Jesus Christ, receiving Him into our hearts by faith obtaining the salvation to which we have been called. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Romans 2:4)

We believe that the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit prompts repentance. It involves a willful change of mind that renounces sin and longs for righteousness, a feeling of godly sorrow for and a confession of past sins, proper restitution for wrongdoings, and a resolution to reform our life. Repentance and faith must come together, yet repentance is the precondition for saving faith, and without it, saving faith is impossible. Faith, in turn, is the only condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement of the mind and the consent of the will to the truth of the Gospel; issues by the work of the Holy Spirit in a complete reliance of the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ, and a complete trusting of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is expressed in a public acknowledgment of His Lordship and identification with His Church (Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 24:47; John 3:16; 17:20; 20:31; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 11:18; 16:31; 20:21; 26:20; Romans 1:16; 2:4; 10:8-10, 17; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8; 4:4-6; Philippians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 11:6; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Gospel, the good news revealed in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus Christ and Him crucified (the message of the Cross) is the heart of the Gospel, His resurrection is the power of the Gospel, and His ascension is the glory of the Gospel. Christ’s death is a substitutionary and propitiatory sacrifice to God for our sins. It satisfies the demands of God’s holy justice and appeases His holy wrath. It also demonstrates His mysterious love and reveals His amazing grace. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved. At the heart of all sound doctrine are the Cross of Jesus Christ and the infinite privilege that redeemed sinners have of glorifying God because of what He has accomplished. (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Col. 2:13-15)

We believe that man’s response to the Gospel is rooted and grounded in the mercy and grace of God for His own pleasure and glory. It is also true that the message of the Gospel is only effectual for those elect and called who repent of their sins and, by God’s grace, place their faith in Christ. This Gospel of grace is to be preached to all people in all nations. Biblical repentance characterizes a changed life, and kingdom service or works evidence saving faith. While neither repentance nor works save, it is clear that unless a person is willing to deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow Christ, he has not become His disciple. (1 John 5:1; Acts 16:14b; Acts 13:48; John 10:24-26; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 6:37; John 1:13; 1 Cor. 4:7; 1 Cor. 15:10; Jas. 1:17; John 3:27).

We believe Holy Scripture teaches the doctrine of reprobation, that there is an eternal election to damnation, and that the offer of salvation which God makes through the Gospel is intended for many not all people. We believe the teaching of Scripture that those who are saved are saved by the grace of God alone and that those who are lost are lost because of their own unbelief and hardness of heart. (Romans 8:26- 39, Ephesians 1:3-6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 1:12, Ezekiel 33:11, Hosea 13:9)

We believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God but fell from its original sinless state through willful disobedience and Satan’s deception, resulting in eternal condemnation and separation from God. Relying on themselves, and apart from the grace of God, human beings cannot think, will, or do anything good, including believe. The sovereign grace of God prepares and enables sinners to receive the free gift of salvation offered in Christ through His Gospel. Only by the grace of God are sinners regenerated by the Holy Spirit and so believe unto salvation and spiritual life. It is also the grace of God that enables believers to continue in the faith, enabling good in thought, word, and deed, so that all good deeds or movements that can be conceived must be ascribed to the grace of God.

We believe in the doctrine of justification by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. We believe that Holy Scripture sums up all its teachings regarding the love of God to the world of sinners, regarding the salvation wrought by Jesus Christ, and regarding faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to obtain salvation, in the doctrine of justification. Holy Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Romans 4:25; 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:18‐21; that therefore not for the sake of their good works, and without the works of the Law, but by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, He justifies, that is, accounts as righteous, all those who believe, accept, and rely on, the fact that their sins are forgiven. The Holy Spirit testifies through St. Paul: “There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Rom. 3:23, 24. And again: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law,” Romans 3:28.

Through this doctrine alone, Jesus Christ is given the honor due Him, namely, that through His holy life and innocent suffering and death, He is our Savior and Lord. And through this doctrine alone can poor sinners have the abiding comfort that God is assuredly gracious to them. We reject all teaching whereby man’s own works and merit are mingled into our justification before God. For it is by faith alone that we have forgiveness of sins and salvation through Jesus Christ. Acts 10:43.

We believe in sanctification or holiness without which no one will see the Lord. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the Lord, and we should live according to the pattern and example given in the Word of God. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11-12) “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:21-23)

We believe there are two important doctrines of Holy Scripture that differ fundamentally from each other, Law and Gospel. They must be consistently and diligently proclaimed in the church of God until our Savior’s return. Law and Gospel must be rightly distinguished:

The Law was created along with humanity and was written on our hearts. As the expression of God’s immutable will, it is to be used to bring people to the knowledge of their sins and to provide Christians with instruction about their relationship with God and other human beings.

The Gospel receives the primary emphasis in the ministry of the New Testament, for it is the message that God forgives sins through Jesus Christ, adopts us for His sake as God’s children, and out of His merciful grace, without any merit of their own, justifies and saves us.

We, therefore, reject the teaching that:

1) The Gospel is a message or action that brings good news to a tough situation.
2) The Gospel is a rule or principle for the Christian life, or that the Gospel, in effect, imposes a new law upon the Christian.
3) What God’s Law declares to be sinful (for example, adultery or theft) need not be regarded as sinful at any time or in any situation.
4) Christians, as people who have been freed from the curse of the Law, no longer need the instruction of the Law to know what God’s will is for their life and conduct.

We believe in Baptism with the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking with tongues, according to the Scriptures. This was the normal experience of the entire early Christian Church. Scripture teaches that Baptism with the Holy Spirit occurred simultaneously with baptism (Acts 2:38; 19:5-6), sometimes after baptism (Acts 8:14-17), and sometimes before baptism (Acts 10:44-48). We believe that Baptism with the Holy Spirit is being clothed with power from on high. The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts for the work of ministry and the building up of the Body of Christ. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:9, Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 14:1-19.)

We believe that the Christian Church is the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, Who is the founder and only Head of the Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. The Church includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who remain on the earth, having renounced the world, the flesh and the devil, and having dedicated themselves to the work, which Christ committed unto His Church until He comes. The Church exists to glorify the Sovereign Lord. The Church is on earth to preach the pure Word of God, the Gospel, properly administer the Sacraments according to Christ’s instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally organized on Gospel principles, meeting regularly for the purposes of evangelism, nurture, fellowship, and worship (Matthew 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; 9:31; 11:22; 12:5; 14:23; 15:22; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:28; 16:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:9-10, 21; 5:22-33; Colossians 1:18, 24; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:23; James 5:14).

We believe it is the mandate of the whole Church to go and make disciples of all nations (evangelism), baptizing the disciples, and teaching them to observe everything that Jesus commanded. (Matthew 28:19-20)

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ established only two holy and apostolic sacraments (sacred mysteries) in their purest form, and they are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only Sacraments of the Church commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of grace when received through faith. They are professions of our Christian faith and mysteries of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works in us to quicken, strengthen, nourish, and confirm our faith.

We believe that Baptism is a Sacrament of the church, the sign and seal of God’s everlasting covenant, commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ, and administered by immersion in water, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Baptism was established by Jesus Christ through His apostles, and that it is required by all such persons who desire to partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is God’s act of testifying to His everlasting covenant promise, through which the gift of the Holy Spirit is received.

Baptism is the means through which the Holy Spirit regenerates and creates persevering faith in His elect, the forgiveness of sins, and the personal response testifying to the faith that is received. Therefore, baptism is received by faith in Jesus Christ, Who established the New Testament in His blood and is the reception of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ by means of the Holy Spirit with the Word. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 3:5, 22, 26; 4:1-2; Acts 2:38-39, 41; 8:12-17, 36-38; 9:18; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Romans 2:28-29; 4:11; 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27-29; Colossians 2:11-12; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21).

We believe in the laying on of hands (with prayer) immediately after believers are baptized. That the end of the laying on of hands is for the reception of the Holy Spirit of promise, and for the additional graces of the Spirit, and His influences upon the believer; to confirm, strengthen, and comfort them in Jesus Christ. The laying on of hands was ratified and established by the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit in the early Church and is to abide within her, as meeting together on the first day of the week was, that being the Christian Sabbath.

Likewise, under the Gospel, and as preaching the Word was, and as baptism was, and the prayers were, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs was. Therefore, as the whole Gospel was confirmed by signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit in general, everything done by the Apostles was confirmed, particularly in this manner.

During the laying on of hands, the believer is anointed with oil on certain parts of the body, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit, signifying the Seal of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of sanctification to strengthen the spiritual life. The anointing of the forehead signifies the sanctification of the mind or thoughts. The anointing of the chest signifies the sanctification of the heart or desires. The anointing of the eyes, ears, and lips signifies the sanctification of the senses. The anointing of the hands and feet signifies their sanctification to good works and the walk in the way of His commandments. (Acts 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 2:1, 21-22; 1 John 2:20, 27)

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a Eucharistic meal, a feast of thanksgiving in celebration of the love that believers have for each other, a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death, giving His Body, and shedding His Blood for us, anticipating with hope in His victorious return. We believe that Jesus Christ’s Body and Blood are truly present in the bread and wine of this sacrament. Those who examine themselves, and with a proper spirit and by faith, receive this mystery humbly, the Lord’s Supper is made a means by which God nourishes our spirit, gives the forgiveness of sins, and communicates life and grace to the heart (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48-58; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:3-4, 16-17; 11:23-29).

We believe in the Office of the Keys (Matthew 16:19; 18:15–20; John 20:22–23; Revelation 1:18) as a peculiar, special, unique, spiritual power given by Jesus Christ to the Church.
The Office of the Keys is spiritual (Matthew. 20:25–26; John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10–17); it includes all spiritual rights, duties, and privileges necessary for the welfare of the church on earth, for example, the conveying of grace to mankind through preaching, administering Baptism and Lord’s Supper, and through mutual conversation and consolation. In particular, the Office of the Keys gives power to forgive and retain sins (loosing and binding), in other words, not merely to announce and to declare to men the remission or retention of sins, but to grant forgiveness to penitent sinners and to deny forgiveness to impenitent sinners (John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 2:10). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an absolution.

Absolution does not exist outside the Gospel but is a special form of administering the Gospel in which a minister or other Christian forgives the sins of others. It is not a better or more powerful forgiveness, but a special application that conveys reassurance (Luke 7:47–48). Only God can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7). Jesus Christ gave the Office of the Keys to the church on earth; the church delegates and transfers the public exercise of the Office of the Keys to called servants of the Word [the office of ministry] (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 4:10–12).

When the Office of the Keys is properly administered, the act is as valid and effective in the sight of God as though Jesus Christ Himself had performed it (John 20:23). The validity does not depend on faith, repentance, worthiness, good works, or the satisfaction of the one who pronounces absolution. Unbelief does not annul the validity of forgiveness (Romans 3:3), however, forgiveness is received through faith (Acts 10:43).

We believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28).

We believe that we as Christians are examples of the love of God in this world. It is this (agape) love that we desire to possess and without which we have no right to call ourselves Christians (I John 4:16-17).

We believe that every person is created in the image of God and that human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication, fellowship, a subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. God’s Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that this relationship is of one God with one people. Furthermore, God instituted marriage between a man and a woman as a natural common grace available to all people, at all times, in all places. It is available not only to Christians but to all people (Genesis 2:24). Biblical marriage is a sacrament and a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6). Biblical marriage promotes the bearing and rearing of children and exercise of stewardship over creation (Genesis 2:27-28).

The essence of a Christian wedding is the Divine blessing of the bride and groom as they exchange vows while God receives the worship of the congregation as they witness those vows and as they offer Him prayer and praise. Therefore, God’s plan for human sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage. This is the only relationship, which is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking priority over every other human relationship. (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 20, 23-24; Isaiah 54:4-8; 62:5b; Jeremiah 3:14; Ezekiel 16:3ff.; Hosea 2; Malachi 2:14; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:9; John 2:1-2, 11; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Timothy 5:14; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 19:7-8).

We believe the Bible declares that man and woman were created by God as distinct acts of creation and that being male, and female is an aspect of how they were created in His own image (Genesis 1:27 and 2:7, 18-19). Marriage is the joining of these distinct genders into one flesh. Marriage is indeed a holy mystery, where the sacramental reality is portrayed in the unity of Jesus Christ with His bride the Church (Romans 7:4, Ephesians 5:31-32).

Thus, marriage is between one man and one woman. Even more so, the Bible teaches that while sex within marriage is pure and honorable, sex outside marriage is sinful and will be judged by God (Hebrews 13:4). God gave the seventh commandment saying, “You shall not commit adultery,” which protects the sexual relationship between a man and woman who are united in marriage by forbidding marital infidelity, premarital sex, sexual immorality, homosexuality, bestiality, and the use of pornography (Exodus 20:14).

We believe that outside the biblical sacrament of marriage, God’s standard for sex is celibacy, saying “no” to both heterosexual and homosexual lusts (Matthew 5:27-30). Celibacy is a gift of God that allows the unmarried to live a life of purity and contentment so that a person does not have to engage in sex to have a full and satisfying life (1 Corinthians 7:7-9). Homosexual behavior is sinful and unnatural (Romans 1:24-28). Like other sexual temptations to sin, homosexual lust is highly addictive and difficult to stop. God’s grace is sufficient to forgive and cleanse us from all sin, and God can deliver the “forgiven and cleansed” homosexual from the evil spirit of homosexual lust and feelings.

We believe in the literal Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe that the Father only knows the day and the time. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those who are not unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

Therefore, we reject the teaching that the soul has no continuing, conscious existence after the time of physical death (soul sleep) and the teaching that the souls of unbelievers will be annihilated on the Day of Judgment.