Our Commitment

"Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham."

"And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Matthew 3:8-10

Clearly, God places far more value upon how we live, than upon who we are. For this reason we emphasize commitment, as we explain our faith.

Collectively and individually, we are members of the spiritual Body of Jesus Christ. We recognize that the entire Bible is the holy and inspired Word of God -- the ultimate and prevailing authority for the Church's doctrine and conduct. We know that we love God's children, when we love the Father and keep His commandments. For loving God is obeying His directives; and His directives are given in the perfection of His love. Thus, we strive for that perseverance befitting saints who keep the commandments of the Father and faith in the Son, Jesus. Eagerly, we await the return of our Elder Brother, longing for the loving authority of His righteous government, which will bring the restoration of all things on Earth. Acknowledging our urgent need for collective repentance, we rely also on Christ's promise that before He returns, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things [in His Church]." Therefore, we are preparing now to enthusiastically support and submit ourselves to that "Elijah," as soon as God raises him up to be a repentant leader for His people. As members of Christ's Body, waiting with this hope, we are dedicated to:

Living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

This precept is found in Matthew 4:4, and is taken from Deuteronomy 8:3, which Christ quoted to Satan, as Satan tempted Him.

"It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE,
BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' "

Likewise, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directs that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. How to seek His Kingdom is further explained in Romans 2:7, where God, through His apostle Paul, stipulates that it is "by perseverance in doing good [that we] seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life."

Crucial aspects of this tenet endure in Peter's final exhortation to Christians: to be on guard against falling from steadfastness through the error of unprincipled men, and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:17-18

Therefore, with resolute steadfastness of faith we must repudiate every heresy, as we must willing embrace all increased understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit, by which our knowledge of Truth is perfected: "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." Ezekiel 36:27

"With all my heart I will observe Your precepts."
Psalm 119:69

Sharing the whole message of this Life.

This is the substance of the Church's commission to preach the Gospel. Releasing the apostles from prison, the angel of the Lord instructed them to go right back and continue with the teaching that had led to their imprisonment in the first place: "Go your way, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." Acts 5:20

We have an imperative from Jesus Christ to share all of His message. God warns that to omit less "popular" truths, or to de-emphasize or dilute any of what He has given us to convey, is to become the murderers of our fellows who we leave in darkness. (Ezekiel 33:1-9) Our innocence comes only if we are declaring the whole purpose of God. Paul acknowledges our sobering accountability: "Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God." Acts 20:26-27

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world
for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."
Matthew 24:14

Serving and nurturing you who are drawn by our Loving Father to Jesus Christ.

Jesus clarifies: "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:44

Additionally, He admonishes us: "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." John 13:14-15 and Mark 10:.45

These admonitions apply equally to member and to minister. We are participants in the Church's commission to feed the flock, only as we are heeding the apostle Peter's exhortation to his fellow elders: "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2

" 'I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,' declares the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 34:15

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