GodSpeak International

Basic Doctrine

We don't have a formal statement of doctrine, but sometimes people wonder what the basics of what we believe are. So this is an attempt to spell some of them out. It may grow over time as specific questions are asked....

We Value Diversity But The Fundamentals Are Non-Negotiable

You will notice that we stay away from what we consider divisive minor theologies. There are many areas that the theologians disagree on that are not really all that important to our salvation and the proclamation of the good news so that men might be saved, such as the timings of end-time events, etc. We recognize that various members of the Body Of Christ can disagree on minor points of theology and still work together effectively and in love to do real kingdom work. We desire to look for the common ground that joins believers together rather than focusing on minor and divisive points of theology. However, there are certain things that cannot be compromised. If we cannot agree on the basic tenants (the things that make the gospel the gospel) then there is no common ground.

These fundamentals include: God exists as an intelligent and self-aware Being (as opposed to an impersonal force). God created mankind to be in fellowship with Him, but man sinned and this separated us from that fellowship with Him. Jesus Christ is God incarnate, Who became human lived among us and taught us and then died for our sins (because the penalty of sin is death and someone had to pay it). Jesus Christ then rose from the dead, forever conquering sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return again to the earth to reign forever. In the mean time, Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and to transform us into the image of Christ.

We cannot be saved by our works or good deeds; we are only saved by believing in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. While we are not saved by works, once we have been saved, then Jesus must be Lord (e.g.,. Boss) and we are to obey Him as per John 14:15. We do not hold to the eternal "life-insurance policy" version of salvation where someone can pray a prayer and then go on living their lives however they please and ignore God. We believe that true salvation comes from faith in Jesus, but that faith will bring a change or transformation to the person's life. They will begin to live for the one who laid down His life for them.

Authority of Scripture

We believe the Bible is the word of God and it is absolutely reliable and cannot lead us astray. We hold that the Bible is our absolute standard and that anything that contradicts what God has already said in the Bible must be rejected.

However, we do also recognize that at times people will hold to a misunderstanding of the Bible, embracing their on particular interpretation or favorite theology as if it were Scripture. We do not hold any doctrine taught about the Bible is infallible, just the Bible itself. At times God may begin to work in our lives to show us a misunderstanding of the Bible and to correct it for us. We do make a distinction between what the Bible actually says and what people might teach that it says. The Bible is our standard, not the teachers who try to interpret it.

Modern Day Operation of Spiritual Gifts

The same indwelling Holy Spirit also imparts spiritual gifts into those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord. We believe in the operation of those gifts today, including the gift of prophecy -- or God speaking through man. We also believe that God still heals the sick today through the prayers of His people. In fact, we believe that Jesus actually commanded all of His believers to be His witness and also to heal the sick and cast out demons. Therefore, all believers should expect to do these things as per the great commission and John 14:12.

We are not dispensationalist, we believe that all of the things (gifts and anointing) that Jesus gave the church are still in operation today, because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). We believe that the Bible is the absolute word of God and we believe everything it says, the operation of spiritual gifts, and that God still operates in miraculous power today to accomplish His kingdom purposes.

The Priesthood Of All Believers

We believe in "body ministry," e.g., Jesus intends each of His followers to be involved in ministering to one another and in building His kingdom.

In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul the Apostle states that the apostles & prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in the Body of Christ are to be equippers of the saints "...for the work of the ministry, to the building up of the Body of Christ." Unfortunately, much of the church of today has had a perspective that only the paid staff are ministers, and for the rest, ministry is a spectator sport. We believe every believer is a potential minister and needs to rise up and take his or her place of service in the Kingdom of God. To be a minister means simply to serve with your giftings and abilities. Thus, one of our goals is to teach, train, activate and employ every member in service unto the Lord.

John 14:12 says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, anyone who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." We take Jesus literally when He says that all believers (not just the upper leadership) are to do the same miracles that He did. Because of this, we place a very high value on training and equipping the body of Christ to operate in God's power and anointing, that they may be effective witnesses for the Lord.

Advancing the Kingdom of God

We believe in the great commission and that each believer is called to be Jesus' witness. We are to work with God to advance His kingdom, that people might be saved. Be believe that God supplies the signs and wonders to back up the proclamation of the gospel, as Jesus said in John 14:11, "11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the miracles themselves." And Jesus said, when asked for proof of who He was, that the miracles He did were a proof that He came from God and spoke Hs words (John 5:36-38). And Jesus appointed us as His witness in Mark 16:15-18, sending us to go forth in His power to preach His kingdom.

That commission has not gone away just because a lot of time has passed since it was given. We are still called today as Jesus' witnesses. This includes both personal evangelism (sharing our faith with those around us) and missions (sending people out to other cultures to share the good news). God is still advancing His kingdom in the earth today, and we, as His body, are expected to do this with Him.

God Still Speaks Today

It should be normal for us to hear His voice on a daily basis. In fact, it is actually abnormal NOT to hear His voice. Jesus said, in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." If you are one of Jesus' sheep, (e.g., have you been redeemed by the Lamb and entered into a personal relationship with God through Christ), then according to John 10:27 Jesus expects to speak to you. And it is to be normal for you to hear His voice.

It does take a learning process to recognize God's voice when He speaks to us, to be able to distinguish it from "not His voice." If you are currently struggling with Hearing His voice, that is probably because you haven't learned how to recognize it yet. If you belong to Jesus, then God will speak to you today, and He will help you learn to recognize His voice clearly and accurately.