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STATEMENT OF FAITH

LATEST REVISION: SEPTEMBER 2024

  • OUR HERITAGE AND BELIEFS​

 

Glad Tidings Church of God, founded by Peter Bouk in the 19th century, is deeply rooted in the tradition of the Radical Reformation. This movement sought to restore Christianity to its New Testament foundations, emphasizing a return to scriptural purity and often rejecting established ecclesiastical traditions.

 

Recognizing the need for a church that embraced core biblical doctrines not commonly taught by other churches, Peter Bouk established our church to provide a community where these distinct beliefs could be nurtured and shared.

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Bouk’s teachings focused on three fundamental doctrines:

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  1. The Kingdom on a Renewed Earth
    — The belief that the future eternal home of Christians will be on a renewed earth, not in heaven.

  2. Conditional Immortality
    — The doctrine that humans are mortal and unconscious in death, requiring resurrection for continued life.

  3. Unitarianism
    — The belief that God is one person—the Father—and Jesus is His human Son.

 

These doctrines have profoundly shaped the identity of our church since its inception and continue to remain central to our community’s faith and practice.

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  • OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

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Our Statement of Faith is crafted to:

  • Preserve this doctrinal legacy

  • Define our unique identity

  • Provide clarity to those interested in our beliefs

 

It succinctly outlines the essential truths we uphold and teach, complete with scriptural references for each topic. While we encourage individual exploration and conviction in one’s faith, this statement highlights the doctrines and practices that are central to our preaching and teaching.

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For further explanation or interpretation, members are encouraged to consult with the Pastor.

The Statement of Faith is organized into two sections:

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  • Doctrines – Our core beliefs

  • Practices – How these beliefs are lived out in daily life

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DOCTRINES

 

  • THE BIBLE

 

The Bible, written by human authors under divine inspiration and moved by the Holy Spirit, is the living word of God and the only authoritative source of doctrine and practice for Christians.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 16:19; Psalm 119:105

 

 

  • GOD

 

God is one person, almighty, eternal, immortal, and the Creator whose Holy Spirit is His divine power and influence.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Deuteronomy 6:4; Revelation 1:8; 1 Timothy 1:17; Matthew 19:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 51:11; Luke 1:35

 

 

  • JESUS

 

Jesus is the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He was tempted but remained sinless, making him the perfect human representative of God.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 16:16; John 3:16; 5:30; 12:49; Luke 1:34-35; Hebrews 1:3; 4:15

 

 

  • HUMANITY

 

Human beings are mortal and sinful. Without salvation, each person is destined to die, which is the cessation of consciousness. The soul refers to the entire person, not an immaterial or immortal part of humanity.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Genesis 2:7; 2:16-17; 3:6; 3:19; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:5-6; Ezekiel 18:20

 

 

  • SALVATION

 

Salvation is God’s gracious gift of eternal life by forgiveness of sins through Jesus, based upon his death and resurrection. It is received through faith in the coming kingdom of God, as proclaimed in the gospel message. Faith is demonstrated through sincere repentance, baptism by immersion, and faithful perseverance.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: John 3:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; Hebrews 3:14; James 1:12

 

 

  • THE CHURCH OF GOD

 

The Church of God consists of all who have accepted the gospel message, and are united as one in Jesus, the promised son of Abraham, through faithful obedience to his teachings. Through Jesus, we become Abraham’s seed and joint-heirs with Israel, sharing in the promises God made to them. We assemble according to the instructions of Jesus and the Apostles.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 2:47; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:19–20; Ephesians 3:10; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:13

 

 

  • CONNECTION TO ISRAEL

 

Israel, the descendants of Abraham through Jacob, are God’s chosen nation, being central to His plan of salvation. The Church does not replace Israel, but joins with them in God’s redemptive plan. We rejoice as we see God working towards fully restoring the nation according to the promises He made to them.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Romans 9:4-5; Romans 11:1; Romans 11:25-26; Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 49:6; Romans 4:9-25; Hebrews 11:8-19; 11:38-12:2; James 2:20-24; Ephesians 2:15-16; Galatians 3:8; Psalm 72:8; Genesis 15:18; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-28

 

 

  • THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 

The future everlasting Kingdom of God will be on a renewed earth, which will be the home for all of God’s people. This new era of human history will be initiated when Jesus physically returns to resurrect the dead in Christ, who will then reign with him from Jerusalem over the whole world. Jesus’ millennial reign will conclude with the final judgement, destruction of the wicked, and the abolishment of sickness, war, and death. Jesus will then hand over this kingdom to God his Father, and everything will be perfect as God intended.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: John 17:21-23; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 5:9-10; 20:4-5; 21:1-8; 2 Peter 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:28; John 17:21-23

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PRACTICES

 

  • CHRISTIAN LIVING

 

As followers of Jesus, Christians are to commit to discipleship by imitating his faithful example in loving God and others, obeying his teachings, and growing in his virtues. Disciples should also be denying their sinful desires, engaging in prayer, studying Scripture, and responsibly managing their time and possessions. Through the power of God’s Spirit, believers are enabled to live for God now, as if already living in the kingdom of God, embodying its values and promises in their daily lives.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 16:24; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:12-17; Galatians 5:16-25 

 

 

  • AUTONOMY & ACCOUNTABILITY

 

We value the autonomy of the local church, believing each congregation should be self-governing and directly accountable to God. While we are part of a conference of like-minded churches, our church remains independent and congregationally governed. Accordingly, both our church and its leaders, as well as each individual member, are directly accountable to God, discerning from Scripture how to operate, believe, and live to please Him.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:17; Romans 14:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

 

  • WORSHIP & ASSEMBLING

 

Worship involves expressing love and reverence for God through prayer, song, and by reading and studying Scripture, with the aim of consistent repentance, praise, and obedience as a “living sacrifice.” Assembling together provides us with the opportunity to encourage one another in repentance and to renew our commitment to God and His church. Therefore, we meet weekly for corporate worship, to publicly present the gospel message, and to connect with new people. Furthermore, it is the longstanding tradition of our church to meet on Sunday mornings for worship, since it can be viewed as a memorial of the day on which Jesus was raised from the dead.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13; Acts 2:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18;  James 1:22; Matthew 28:1

 

 

  • UNITY & COOPERATION

 

We strive for unity within our church and with other believers, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. We seek to build consensus and find solutions that meet the needs of the majority within our congregation, always doing so with love and respect for one another.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Peter 3:8; John 17:23

 

 

  • COMMUNION

 

Communion is the biblical way to remember Jesus' sacrificial death by partaking of the bread and the cup, representing his body and blood. We practice Open Communion, such that any professed Christian may choose to enter into fellowship with Jesus through this shared symbolic meal.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

 

 

  • EMPOWERED SERVICE & EVANGELISM

 

The work of the Lord must be empowered by God, who bestows spiritual gifts upon us to help us grow in godly virtues and service to others. Evangelism is central to our mission, with every member encouraged to share the gospel and their personal testimony. This is achieved through building relationships, caring acts, giving, prayer, and answering questions, demonstrating the love of God in all we do.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:11-12; Romans 12:6-8; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 1:8; John 13:34-35; Proverbs 3:9, Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

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