Statement of Faith
Our Foundational Beliefs
Trusted persons who fill leadership roles within the God & The 12 Steps, Inc. organization (internationally, nationally, regionally and locally, both employees and volunteers) shall adhere to the following Statement of Faith/Code of Doctrine:
The Word of God (Bible) : We believe and embrace the Bible as the inerrant, infallible, truth, and Word of God; and the final authority that will endure forever (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:160).
The One True God : We believe and embrace God’s revelation of Himself as being eternally self-existent, self-sufficient, and the only true God. We also believe and embrace the triune nature of the Godhead: the Father, the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 28:19).
The Sin of Mankind : We believe and embrace God’s revelation that mankind was made in God’s likeness and image. We also believe that mankind was born with a sin nature after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and in need of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12-21; Luke 24:47).
The Salvation of Mankind : We believe that God desires all men, women, and children to be saved, and that eternal salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the way to the Father, a person is spiritually reborn and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a believer’s guarantee of an eternal inheritance (1 Timothy 2:3-6; Ephesians 2:4-9; Acts 2:38; John 14:1-6; John 3:1-17; Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Sanctification of Believers : We believe that God’s will for all people is their sanctification (set apart; process of being made holy). God said, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Sanctification occurs simultaneously with salvation and should be evidenced in a person’s life as he or she matures as a believer/follower of Jesus Christ. People are sanctified through God’s Word (truth) and their obedience to God’s Word, and by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Leviticus 11:44; 20:7-8; 2 Peter 1:5-7; John 17:17; Romans 15:16).
The Church : We believe the Church is the body of Christ made up of every spiritually born again believer, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, the assembly of believers for the fulfillment of the great commission. Each believer has a specific role in the body of Christ, meeting together to encourage one another to acts of love and good works (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:18-31; Hebrews 10:23-25; Hebrews 12:23).
The Divine Healing and Deliverance of God : We believe God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has the power to heal our spirit, soul, and body, according to His will, His power, and a believer’s faith. We also believe God has the power to deliver a person from demonic oppression, distress, fear, and temptation (Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 2:2-4; Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:16, Mark 16:17-18; Matthew 8:16-17, Psalm 34:4, 17; Psalm 107:6, 20, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
The Blessed Hope : We believe God is the true source of hope and encouragement for every believer. Ultimately, the blessed hope of the Church is the coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who will translate and glorify all believers, starting with those who have fallen asleep in Christ and continuing with those who are alive and remain in Him (Romans 15:13; Titus 2:12-13; Romans 8:19-23,30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
The New Heavens and the New Earth : We believe there will be new heavens and a new earth, where God’s righteousness dwells forever (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21 and 22).