My Statement of Faith

Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

 

The Bible

 

I believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God. It is the standard by which to measure my conduct as a Christian and a guide to lead me in obedience to the Lord. I believe it presents Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son, as man’s savior.

 

The Godhead

 

I believe that there is one God, who has eternally existed and has had no beginning and will have no end. I believe that there are three persons in this one God who have the same nature, attributes, perfection, authority, and character. I believe that these three persons in the one God are all due the same worship, honor and obedience.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ

 

I believe in the pre-existence, incarnation and virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to save us from our sins and reveal to us the will of God the Father. I also believe in his sinless life and that he died, was buried and rose physically and spiritually from the grave. I believe that his death paid for my sins and that through faith in this sacrificial act I am declared blameless before God and have eternal life. I believe that Christ ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. I believe that Jesus Christ is due all honor, glory and worship that is due God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit

 

I believe that the Holy Spirit lives in every true believer and is received at the time of conversion. I believe that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers as He wills. I believe the Holy Spirit in the believer will comfort, guide, and convict the believer as he or she lives out his faith. I believe the Holy Spirit is God and is due all honor, glory and worship that God the Father and His Son are.

 

Spiritual Gifts

 

I believe Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to each believer at the moment of conversion to reside within the believer. The Holy Spirit not only dwells within us, but also gives spiritual gifts according to His discretion. The spiritual gifts given can include one or more of the following:

 

Speaking Gifts: Prophecy, Teaching, Exhortation, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge.

 

Serving Gifts: Serving, Helping, Leadership, Administration, Giving, Showing Mercy, Discerning of Spirits, and Faith.

 

Special Gifts: Evangelism and Pastor/Teacher

 

There are four other “Special Gifts,” often called “Sign Gifts,” which are often at the center of much controversy as to their function, purpose and validity for today. I accept and love those who have beliefs that are different than mine regarding the “Special Gifts.” I also know that being limited in knowledge and understanding I may be mistaken in some details regarding these gifts. But I also feel we must live by what we know and believe in the present, hoping that clarification will come in the future. Taking all this into account I share my beliefs regarding the “Special Gifts.” These are as follows:

 

Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Healings, and Miracles. I would be open to the possibility of the practice of these “Special Gifts” within a church setting according to the following explanations. I do not believe scripture supports the current practice in some Christian circles of a personal prayer language or of an unknown angelic language used for personal edification. I believe that “IF” a person has the gift of tongues and is using it in its proper context, it would be a known human language, its purpose would be for evangelism and/or church edification, its expression would be in a orderly fashion with an interpretation to be provided by another person knowing the language or having the gift of interpretation of tongues, according to the instructions laid down in scripture. As for the gifts of Healings and Miracles, I believe that God can and does perform miracles today and can heal or perform miracles when He sees fit or when His saints request it of Him. I believe we should use the power of prayer to effect such miracles or healings. I am open to the idea of a person being endowed with a “Special Gift” of healing or miracles.

 

I believe that the purpose and practice of spiritual gifts is for the edification of the local church body of believers and never for personal edification.

 

The Church

 

I believe God uses His church both universal and local to work out His will among people. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ came and established the church as His Body on the earth and He alone is the Head of the Church. I believe the universal church found throughout the world consists of all those who believe and live under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The local church is a body of people who believe and join together to practice and obey God’s Holy Word. I believe the purpose of the church is to edify and provoke the saints to good works. These works include preaching the gospel in word and deed through evangelism, serving, ministering and practicing mercy to both believers and non‑believers. I believe it is a requirement for all believers to seek a local fellowship and meet with them regularly for accountability, edification and utilization of their own spiritual gifts.

 

Church Government

 

I believe that Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, through His disciples established a structure of church government and ministry in the Church on earth; apostles, prophets, pastors, deacons, bishops and teachers who are set in the Church by the Lord to lead, mature, and inspire it to do God’s work on earth. I believe that the scriptural norm calls for each local Church to have a plurality of elders or pastors rather than one man or outside imposed authority. I recognize, however, the validity for a variety in Church governments as the Lord may lead other local Bodies. Anything the New Testament does not command in regard to church form is a freedom to be exercised under the leadership of the Holy Spirit for that particular time and place.

 

Priesthood of the Believer

 

I believe in the priesthood of the believer. Through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, Christ the High Priest enabled all believers to share in the priesthood through faith in Him. I believe each Christian can come to know God the Father and receive from Him guidance, direction and instruction. I also believe that each Christian can come to God in confidence and faith and worship Him in spirit and truth.

 

Worship

 

I believe that the whole purpose of man is to glorify God and to serve and enjoy Him forever. Therefore I believe that the act of worshipping God with one’s total being and life, as set forth in the Scriptures, should be expressed in Church fellowship as well as in everyday life. I believe that expression of worship may be dramatically different between Christians depending not only on the personality and experiences of the Christian(s), but also on the current work or desire of God at the time for that Christian(s). This means that at times or with individuals worship may be exuberant or reverent, it may be verbally spoken and sung or it may be in silent prayer and meditation. Worship is a mindset as well as an emotion that flows from the heart, soul and body of a child of God.

 

Loving One Another

 

I believe that God is our model for loving each other. I believe that those who accept His Lordship should commit themselves to love all men. I also believe that as followers of Him we are called to love His church as He loves it. Therefore we are to love one another in the universal and local Christian Church as brothers and sisters before the Lord. This means we should seek to live out our love for one another in practical ways such as: forgiving, serving, preferring and correcting one another in a loving fashion when necessary.

 

Godly Character

 

I believe that walking with God is a heart issue and expresses itself in a total way of life that reflects God’s nature and character. I believe that this can only be done by walking with His Spirit daily, not by our flesh, and in conduct that demonstrates the character of Jesus Christ, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

Civil Authority

 

I believe God is the author of all authority. I believe the Church is admonished to pray for and honor civil government. I believe the Church is called to obey the laws of the land in so far as they do not conflict with commands in scripture for the Christian.

 

Baptism, Communion, Laying on of Hands

 

I believe in water baptism by immersion, for believers only. By this, the believer is identified with Jesus Christ and identifies himself with His death, burial, and resurrection. I believe that the believer receives or is baptized with the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. I believe that the believer will have times when the Holy Spirit will fill them with power which will produce greater commitment or actions in ministry as God seeks to use the believer to do His will.

 

I believe that through the Lord’s Supper the believer renews and affirms the reality of the New Covenant for which Jesus died and shed His blood.

 

I believe in the doctrine of laying on of hands for the confirming of ministry and calling, ministering of healing of the sick, and the blessing and dedicating of children to the Lord.

 

Sin

 

I believe that man and woman were created in the image of God, and that through disobedience mankind fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created into total spiritual depravity. Through willful transgression mankind is separated from God and unable to attain divine righteousness and communion with God through his own efforts, but must be redeemed and delivered by the power of the Gospel.

 

Salvation

 

I believe mankind’s salvation is through renouncing his own self‑will, taking responsibility for his disobedience, and seeking forgiveness from God (repentance). Further, I believe that Christ died substitutionally for man’s transgressions. I believe God made a New Covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ. When one accepts Jesus as Lord, they pledge their life to the will of God. Jesus then sends the Holy Spirit to abide in the one believing, thus sealing the covenant, and writing it on their heart.

 

Evangelism

 

I believe in world and local evangelism. I accept the commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples to Him in all nations, to baptize them and teach them to observe His commandments. I join with all those believing in Him to accomplish this urgent task. I accept this as a personal commission, as well as a Church commission.

 

Christ’s Return

 

I believe Jesus Christ will return to the earth in a visible way. His purpose will be to manifest His government in the earth. While there are many viewpoints concerning His second coming, I believe Christians should lovingly and anxiously look for His appearing, giving full attention to obedience while waiting for Christ’s return. I believe His appearing will bring the resurrection of the righteous who have died and are already with Him spiritually. I believe in a final judgment at the end of the age. I believe the righteous and the unrighteous will stand before Christ and be judged. Those who have faith‑producing righteousness will be rewarded with the privilege of ruling with Him and enjoying His eternal blessings. Those who were unrighteous in relationship to God and man will be eternally punished.

 

In Christ,

Michael K. Farrar, O.D.