The following are the basic beliefs of

Tree of Life Church

God

Scripture tells us that there is only one God (Dt 4:35; Isaiah 45:5; 46:9). The Bible also refers to three distinct persons as "God": God the Father (Gal 1:1), Jesus Christ His Son (Jn 1:1; 20:28) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3,4).

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are Three distinct Persons in One God. This is also known as "The Trinity" (literally "tri-unity" - meaning three in unity as one).

Though each Person is distinct from the other two, they do not act separately. What the Father does, the Son and Holy Spirit do as well. These three are co-equal and are one true God. Christians are called to have a personal relationship with the one and only true God. God yearns for this. God wants this with His children every day.

God is the Creator of all that exists. (Genesis 1:1) Jesus is the Creator of all things. (Colossians 1:15-17)

God is Light. (1 John 1:5) Jesus is the Light of the world. (John 8:12)

God is our Savior. (Psalms 18:46) Jesus is the Savior. (Matthew 1:21; 2 Timothy 1:10)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3) “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Jesus, the Word of God, is God.

To you who believe that Jesus was just a great man, teacher or prophet….re-read the passages above and try again. He is much more than that. He is God!

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 and 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:9; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

humankind

People were originally created by God as pure and Holy. They lived according to God's will, doing what was pleasing to Him.

Adam and Eve, the man and woman God created in the beginning, went against God's will and brought sin into the world. Since that time, all people have been conceived and born in sin.

Sin is living out of relationship with God, not living according to God's will, and thus going against His holy will in thought, word and deed.

People cannot save themselves by being good or doing something to somehow earn God’s favor. We cannot restore ourselves to a right relationship with God.

All humans were made in God’s image. However, mankind decided to disobey God through the desire of self and lack of trust in God alone. Adam received the curse of sin for all his life and for all humans thereafter because he chose to not obey God’s Word, demands and law. All mankind is since alienated from God and are corrupted in heart, body and mind, even the baby just after conception and just out of the womb.

Man cannot come to God, nor can he accept God as He is. God must reach into our hearts and lives and change us.

God has predestined, elected, adopted and chosen eternally in Christ those who are saved for Himself. This should give us P.E.A.C.E. in Christ. However, those that are not saved have decided in their own hearts to say “no” to God in His attempt to call them to faith, repentance and salvation.

eternity

Because of sin, all mankind is doomed to destruction in hell for eternity where there will be constant burning of body and soul forever, no ability to turn to God for salvation, and being separated from God forever. There is no place in-between where people are given another chance. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV)

People will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation because of Christ. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

God has chosen, elected, adopted and predestined the saved for Himself. Those that are not saved have decided in their own hearts to say “no” to God in His attempt to call them to faith, repentance and salvation.

Those that are born-again are saved because God ordained it: “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV)

Those that are lost are condemned because of their own choosing: “whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” (John 3:18b NIV)

John 3:16; 1 John 2:25 and 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15.

Jesus Christ

Scripture tells us that there is only one God (Dt 4:35; Isaiah 45:5; 46:9). The Bible also refers to three distinct persons as "God": God the Father (Gal 1:1), Jesus Christ His Son (Jn 1:1; 20:28) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3,4).

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are Three distinct Persons in One God. This is also known as "The Trinity" (literally "tri-unity" - meaning three in unity as one). Though each Person is distinct from the other two, they do not act separately. What the Father does, the Son and Holy Spirit do as well. These three are co-equal and are one true God. Christians are called to have a personal relationship with the one and only true God. God yearns for this. God wants this with His children every day.

God is the Creator of all that exists. (Genesis 1:1) Jesus is the Creator of all things. (Colossians 1:15-17)

God is Light. (1 John 1:5) Jesus is the Light of the world. (John 8:12)

God is our Savior. (Psalms 18:46) Jesus is the Savior. (Matthew 1:21; 2 Timothy 1:10)

God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. He is both true God and true man. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. “Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, Who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.” (Romans 9:5)

As Creator, Jesus holds all things together: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

We cannot follow the Law that God has given to us through Moses. We cannot perform the perfection that God requires of us. Therefore, He sent His Son to follow the Law perfectly in our place and therefore save us from His coming wrath and destruction: “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

He lived a perfect sinless life to fulfill God's Law for us and in our stead. We are saved by the works of Christ. His life is acceptable to God as our perfect life. We who are born-again are declared righteous to God because of Christ’s payment for us. He died on the cross to pay the penalty our sins deserve. He rose from the dead and proved His power over sin and death. In so doing we might have eternal life through this one act of triumph.

He ascended into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. His constant intercession for us is a daily reminder of just how much our God and Savior love us….even though we do not deserve such love.

Because of Jesus' death on the cross, God declares a born-again (saved) person just, righteous and forgiven. This happens not because of human effort, but because the justification won by Jesus is applied to the one who believes in Jesus as Savior.

Faith in Jesus is a gift of God and from God. This gift is given by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Therefore, all the glory belongs to God alone.

Jesus will come again to take all believers to Himself. On the final day, all the dead will be raised. Those who are still alive will be bodily transformed. After this, the final judgment will take place. Unbelievers will go into eternal damnation, and believers into eternal life. All of this will occur at the same simultaneous moment in time. For all time will cease at this moment.

NOTE: To you who believe that Jesus was just a great man, teacher or prophet….re-read the passages above and below and try again. He is much more than that. He is God!

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 and 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4;

Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

salvation and conversion

We believe that works can save us…..the works of Christ made us righteous! Our works are filthy rags. But what Christ did for us gave us eternal life. All we have to do is believe….and even that is a gift from God alone. We did nothing, said nothing, made no special action, or accomplished this on our own. Faith is a pure gift from God in Christ. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

People can be saved, receive forgiveness for their sins, receive freedom from death and hell, cross over from death unto life, change their residency status from earth to heaven, be born anew (born-again), have eternal life with God in heaven forever….not by human effort, not by self-improvement and not by doing good. Only God’s abundant and merciful grace can save man from his sins. It is the work of Christ that makes us saved, not our works.

Anyone can be saved. Everyone must be saved. No matter the age. No one is innocent. Sin has caused separation from God for eternity….unless one is born-again or saved. “There are none righteous, no not even one.” (Romans 3:10-11) There is no such biblical language for a person at a certain age being called “innocent.” We are all sinners from conception to death.

Faith alone, by and through the Word of God, can save you by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God for salvation. In and through Baptism the Word of God is preached and believed upon. No water can do such a thing. Only the Word of God being preached can such salvation come by faith alone. We are commanded to “be Baptized” because of the following verse which says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16 NIV) John tells us plainly, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 KJV)

Jesus commanded to His followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) No one of any age is excluded from “all nations.”

What saves you according to this verse? “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God.” (1 Peter 3:21-22a ESV)

Baptism is important enough that the Bible would give it such precedence in the verbiage that leads to salvation when it says point blank: “Baptism Now Saves You.”

Faith alone saves. But can Baptism (which is not water alone, but the water with the Word of God) produce or provide such saving faith according to the passages written above and below? Yes. By the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6 and 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.

communion

The Bible teaches that when we receive the Bread and Wine as Jesus commanded, we are also receiving His Body and Blood. This is not something our human minds can grasp, fathom or understand completely. But, it is what Jesus said: “Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28 KJV) The Apostle Paul said, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NIV) “In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:25 NIV)

Jesus did not say: “This represents My body” or “This represents My blood.” He said, “THIS IS.” Notice that He had not yet gone to the cross and shed His blood and still he says, “This is My body…..shed for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.” As if it had already happened. This is why we cannot fathom this with our finite human minds. We must accept it as the Word of God whether we can reason with it or not.

(The cup of wine is the blood of Christ): “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing (in participation with) in the blood of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)

(The bread is the body of Christ): ”Is not the bread which we break a sharing (in participation with) in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Unleavened Bread is used in Communion because of the following verse: “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" (Matthew 26:17 NIV)

Wine is used in Communion because of the following verse: “When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:20-21 NIV) If one can “get drunk” then it’s obvious that wine was used in communion. Many use Grape Juice in today’s churches. Grape Juice cannot make you drunk. If it was good enough for Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul, then we should also do as they did without question. Besides, the bitterness of red wine depicts the bitterness of what Christ was to suffer for our sins. Grape Juice has no meaning of suffering related to it.

Most people don’t take this serious. They look at this wonderful blessing as some memorial or commemoration. It’s much more than that. The Bible says that Communion, if taken incorrectly, brings judgment upon a person. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:26-29 NIV)

Is that just a memorial?

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as the one true God. “Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4 NIV)

The Holy Spirit is God, is present in the world, and is the third person of the triune God. He reveals Jesus Christ to all believers through the Word of God. He is present in the world to make persons aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He justifies and sanctifies all believers. He gives blessing. He indwells the believer from the moment of spiritual birth, also called being “born-again” or “born from above” or “born anew”. He instructs believers and empowers them to live lives pleasing to God. He imparts spiritual gifts to all believers for the encouragement and betterment of the living church of God. He indwells all believers on the earth through the visible and invisible body called the “church”.

He establishes the local church of believers to come together in like mind and teachings in accordance with the Bible to share the love of Jesus to the world.

He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian should seek to live under His control daily. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13 and 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12 and 3:16;

Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.

The Bible

The Bible is God's only Word to all humanity. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian faith, beliefs and living. The Bible is still a relevant book for our lives today. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error or contradiction. It is still the number one selling book of all time. Religions all over the world go to the Bible for archeological finds. When they open the Bible the Holy Spirit begins His work in their hearts and minds and causes salvation.

The Bible in every word and on every page points us to Jesus Christ as the Savior of all mankind. There is no other source of revelation or truth by which salvation and directions for all of life can come except through the Bible alone. If one claims a revelation, they must stand back and be in awe of the Word of God instead. For the Bible alone is enough for our need of revelation and knowledge.

Revelation 22:18-19 says, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book (the Bible): If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book (the Bible). And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy (the Bible), God will take away from him his share in the TREE OF LIFE and in the holy city, which are described in this book (the Bible).” God is that serious about this that He warns us in advance that there is no need for new revelation. We already have it all in the pages of the Bible.

Read it often. Eat it often. Drink it often. Get your fill. Speak it to others. Change their life. Live by what you read, see, and hear.

Say this out loud or in your mind every day: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160 and 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.

the church

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) What an amazing intention that Paul had for the church. “United in mind and thought.” Some today would call this a pipe-dream. We call it community and purpose. We make it intentional to follow the Bible alone and stay in tune with the Holy Spirit through that Word.

The church is where the gifts from the Holy Spirit are to be used: “So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12) “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?” (1 Corinthians 12:27-29) “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” (1 Corinthians 14:23)

We do not have the same function in the church: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:3-8)

Role of women in the church: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:33-35)

There is no homosexuality acceptable in the church of Jesus Christ: “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.” (Ephesians 5:23-30) “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5)

There are to be Elders, Managers or Leaders in the church: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17) “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)

Are you discerning what the Holy Spirit is saying to you? “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)

The true “invisible” Church is made up of all believers of all times past, present and future who believe in the Triune God and in Jesus Christ as their only Savior. The true “visible” church is the church that correctly preaches and teaches God's Word as the only source and constant for all of mankind to live the Christian life in Christ. Spiritual Gifts are to be used in the local church. Communion is given at the local church.

the end of all things

Jesus Christ will return soon. He will return to take His people, the believers, to heaven with Him for eternity. Not because they were worthy of such a gift. But, because they believed in the One and Only Son of God, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Is there a RAPTURE of the church coming soon? Yes. However, it won’t be as some have tried to make us believe. This soon coming RAPTURE is for all believers just before the RAPTURE of all unbelievers, but at the same simultaneous event.

Is there a seven-year tribulation after the church has been Raptured out of the earth? No. This will be a simultaneous event.

Will the church reign with Christ a thousand years in literal years? No. This is symbolic for the New Testament period of time to where all believers reign with Christ now. We are not of this world NOW. We reign with Christ NOW. We are seated with Him in the heavenly realms NOW.

Will the Temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt before Christ can come back? Some have made the mistake of saying that the Temple has to be rebuilt before Jesus will come again. The problem with this statement is two-fold: 1. It’s not in Scripture. 2. It would only allow people to wait until their last breath to turn to God. It’s an escape clause for the lazy and unrepentant.

Will all Jews be saved at the end of time since that’s where God seemed to always lead His people to or from? Yes. However, only the true Jew will be saved. Paul called the true Jew one who was a Jew inwardly. That means that anyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a true Jew. Therefore, the land of the Jews is no longer of significance in comparison to the inward Jews who belong to the New Jerusalem, the city of God, the place where Jesus dwells now, and where we are current residents and citizens. Just because a person is born or raised in Israel does not mean anything. The Kingdom of God is only for those who are born-again. Not of the seed of man, but of the seed of the Holy Spirit. So, those who constantly try to make Israel such an important issue or concern in this world are sorely mistaken since they must be born-again in order to be saved. Jesus is the Only Way to the Father, not by a birth or blood-line, or a residence, or a call to physical rulership in this world. If you do not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, then you are lost and damned to an eternal hell fire forever unless you come to Him in faith now.

Will Jesus come and set up His Kingdom here on the earth? No. He rules NOW. There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. This earth, the heavens, the firmament, the universe will all be destroyed. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. That where He is, there is where we will also be. For this earth will be destroyed according to 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.” (The Amplified Bible) That was the mistake the Jews made in Jesus’ time. His Kingdom has already been established in the hearts of the believers and is here now and has been for 2,000 years.

How many comings will there be for Jesus Christ? He had His first coming, which was the time He walked the earth about 2,000 years ago. Then there is to be a second coming. Some Christians today are saying there is a third coming. For example: They claim that Jesus will come to take His people out of the earth before the tribulation period and then He will return again for final judgment. That would make three comings of Christ. This is unbiblical and cannot stand the test of Scripture. There are only two comings of Christ. That makes sense when you compare Scripture with Scripture. “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

in conclusion

We have been given the promise that we as believers do not have to worry about the judgment of God. For our debt has already been paid once and for all at the cross of Calvary in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 5:24: “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.” (The Amplified Bible)

Jesus will come to judge the lost, the unbelievers, into darkness and eternal damnation forever in hell. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth forever, burning and thirsty but yet never able to be quenched. They will be separated from God forever and never able to come to Him where He is. Then He will say to them, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)

But, for the saved: He will say to them “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) and “Come! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world.” (Matthew 25:24)

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If you have any further questions about what you read above, please see Pastor Dan. It is recommended that you join in Bible Study groups, meet privately with Pastor Dan, or attend TLCU.

Knowing what you believe is so important to the world on the outside looking in. It’s also important when trying to reach out to the local community around you in making your best effort in Turning Hamilton Down Side-Up From The Outside-In.

Call or email me anytime.

Pastor Dan

pastordan@tlc-church.com or (513) 307-7778