Our Statement of
Faith
SCRIPTURE
We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those original manuscripts is, therefore, without error. We believe that all Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person, work, and in His first and second coming. Therefore, no portion of the Old Testament is properly read or understood until it leads to Christ. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16)
The International Community Church takes the Bible as its all-sufficient source of faith and practice.
THE GODHEAD
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Father: God, as Father, reigns over all of His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise.(Gen. 1:1; 1 Chron. 29:10; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 6:9; Acts 1:7; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 Cor. 8:6;1 Cor. 15: 24; Eph. 4:6)
Son: The Lord Jesus Christ became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man by volunteering Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-18; Rom. 3:24-26; Rom. 8:3)
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin. He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; He indwells believers permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and fills those who are yielding to Him. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 12:7-11, 13; Eph. 4:30; 5:18)
CREATION
We believe that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and everything that is in it, all their vast array.
We believe that the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Gen 1, 2 & 3, Co 1:16-17.
We believe that God created man in his own image, in the image of God. He created them male and female.
MAN
Although man was created in the very image of God, he fell into sin through disobedience and as a result physical and spiritual death came upon him. Gen 2:17. Rom 5:12 – Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Rom 3:23 – For all have sinned and come short of the glory of the Lord.
THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe Satan initiated the fall of man in the garden of Eden and is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Rev 20:10.
SIN
We believe that sin brought the penalty of death and God’s wrath upon all mankind. Rom 6:23, Eze 18:4 & 20.
ATONEMENT OF SIN
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty of sin for all mankind and died for our sins according to the Scriptures. But God raised him from the dead Acts 13:30. He made atonement for our sins through the shedding of his blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:9-10.
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and that by grace we are saved and not of works. Eph 2:8, Rom 6:23. In that God loved us even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8. We believe that Lord Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that He is the ONLY way to GOD and eternal life. John 14:6. That God in His abounding love offers this free gift of salvation/eternal life to everyone who believes in him John 3:15. We believe that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9. We believe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21. We believe that we must repent of our sins, believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Lord Jesus Christ paid for our sins and was raised from the dead for our sakes. Rom 10:9-10. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. John 1:12, Acts 16:30-33, Eph 1:17, 2:8-9.
REGENERATION
Regeneration is a creative work of the Holy Spirit by which man is born again and receives spiritual life. Titus 3:5
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. We believe Justification is a judicial act of God by which the sinner is declared righteous solely on the basis of his acceptance of Christ as Saviour. Rom 3:28, Rom 5:1
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is a dedication to God and separation from evil. In experience, it is both instantaneous and progressive. it is produced in the life of the believer by his appropriation of the power of Christ’s blood and risen life through the Person of the Holy Spirit. He draws the believer’s attention to Christ, teaches him through the Word and produces the character of Christ within him. Believers who sin must repent and seek forgiveness through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Rom 6:6, Heb 10:10, 2 Thess 2:13, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17, Rom 6:18, Rom 12:1, 1 Thess 4:3.
ASSURANCE
Assurance of salvation is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ, resulting in love, gratitude, and obedience toward God. Rom 8:16, 1 John 5:12-13.
THE CHRISTIAN WALK
We are commanded to be holy because our God is holy.1 Pet 1:16. As we have received Christ we are directed to walk in Him Col 2:6. We believe that we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Eph 2:10. We are to walk in the Spirit so we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal 5:16. We are to walk in the light as God is in the light. 1 John 1:7. We believe we are to live in the light of the Scriptures which teaches us to be dead to sin and alive unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Rom 6:11-13.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
We believe that it is the solemn duty of every believer to fulfill the commandment of God to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mar 16:15. At ICC Ministries we seek and strive to fulfill this great commission through various outreaches, hospital ministry, street evangelism, distribution of tracts and bibles, through active partnerships and supporting local missionaries, offering Christian and Bible based counselling etc.
