Statement of Faith

      Holy Bible: The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (see 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Prov. 30:5; Rom. 16:25, 26).
     Trinity: There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and coeternal (see 1 John 5:7; Gen. 1:26; Matt. 3:16, 17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isa. 9:6; Heb. 3:7-11).
     Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead
on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (See John 1:1, 14; 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:16; Isa. 9:6; Phil. 2:5, 6; 1 Tim. 2:5.)
      Virgin Birth: Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (see Matt.1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:27-35; Isa. 7:14).
     Redemption: Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (see Gen. 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21).
     Regeneration: For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (see John 6:44, 65).
     Salvation: We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts (see Eph. 2:8, 9; Gal 2:16; 3:8; Titus 3:5; Rom. 10:9, 10; Acts 16:31; Heb. 9:22).
     Repentance: Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (See Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1John 1:9)
     Sanctification: Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God's Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (see 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 3:18; 6:14-18; 2 Thess. 2:1-3, Rom. 8:29; 12:1,2, Heb. 2:11).
     Jesus’ Blood: The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100 percent sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (see 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9; Col 1:20; Rom. 3:10-12,23; 5:9; John 1:29).
     Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers: Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to him thus making Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead (see John 1:12; 14:17, 23; 15:4; Rom. 8:11; Rev. 3:20).
     Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth (see Joel 2:28,29; Matt. 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4,17,38,39; 8:14-17; 10:38,44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6).
     The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters. (See Heb. 2:4; Rom. 1:11; 12:4-8; Eph.4:16; 2 Tim. 1:5,16; 4:14; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10.)
     The Church: The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (See Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23.)
     Sanctity of Human Life: We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)
Healing of the Sick: Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus' work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. (See Ps. 103:2, 3; Isa. 53:5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16:17, 18; Acts 8:6, 7; James 5:14-16; 1 Cor. 12:9, 28; Rom. 11:29.)
     God's Will for Provision: It is the Father's will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the Fall of man, many may not receive the full benefits of God's will while on the earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ's provision in order to better serve others.
• Spiritual (see John 3:3-11; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Rom. 10:9, 10).
• Mental and Emotional (see 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:11; Phil. 4:7 8-Rom. 12:2; Isa. 26:3).
• Physical (see Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24).
• Financial (see Joshua 1:8; Mal. 3:10, 11; Luke 6:38;
2 Cor. 9:6-10; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 34:10; 84:11; Phil 4:19).
     Resurrection: Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (see Luke 24:1-6, 36-39; John 2:19-22; 20:19-20, 26-28; 21:14; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor.15:42,44; Phil. 1:21-23; 3:20-21).
     Heaven: Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 5:3,12,20; 6:20; 19:21; 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4).
     Hell: After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels (see Matt. 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:8).
     Second Coming: Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (see Matt. 24:30; 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8; Rev. 1:7).
     Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality: We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.) We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Yomitan International Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Yomitan International Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Yomitan International Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.) We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.) We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Yomitan International Church.

Two Sacraments
     Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
     The Lord's Supper: A unique time of Communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. (See Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-25.)