CARTER-MCFARLIN MINISTRIES, INC

CREED OF FAITH

 

 

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine.  We attest that the Word of God is the final authority in all matters and declare that no doctrine can be true or essential if it does not find a place in the Word.

 

THE FATHER

We believe in God, the Father.  We believe that God has many names, most popular being Jehovah, Jehovah-Jireh, El, El Shaddai, Elohim, among many others.  No matter what name one may call him, we believe him to be the one and only true God.  We believe that he is omnipotent, almighty, all-seeing, and all-knowing, and there is nothing that he can’t do.

 

THE SON

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person in the Godhead of the Trinity.  We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person as the Son of God, who was with God in the beginning of creation. (Jo. 1:1).  We believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born of the virgin Mary according to the scripture (Mat. 1:18).  We believe that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. We believe that he rose again and is the mediator between God and man. (1 Ti. 2:5)

 

THE HOLY GHOST

We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is of the same substance; is equal to in power and glory, and is together with, the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped.  We believe that blasphemy against The Holy Ghost is an unforgivable sin. (Mar 3:29)

 

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST

We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequent of the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal.  5:22 -23, Ac. 10:44).  We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved, but because we are saved (Ac. 19:1-6, Jo. 3:5).  When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with a tongue unknown to oneself according to the sovereign will of Christ.  To be filled with the Spirit means to be spirit-controlled as expressed by Paul in Ep. 5:18-19. 

 

MAN

We believe that man was created holy by God, composed of body, soul, and spirit.  We believe that man, by nature, is sinful and unholy since Eve was beguiled by the serpent and Adam was beguiled by Eve.  Being born in sin, he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all 

 

sins by the blood of Jesus.  We believe that man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus, and that having become a child of God, he may, and should claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 

SIN

According to the Bible, Sin began in the angelic world (Eze. 18:1-19, Isa. 14:12-20) and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief in God’s Word (1 Ti. 2:14). Adam and Eve’s sin carried with it a permanent pollution of human nature to all of their descendants.  This is called “original sin”.  Sin can now be defined as a transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God.  We therefore, conclude that man, by nature, is sinful, and has fallen from the righteous state from which he was originally created, and has become unholy.  Man, therefore, must be restored to the righteous and holy state from which he has fallen by being born again. (Jo. 3:7)

 

SALVATION

Salvation sanctions the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God.  This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings about conversion, faith, justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Repentance is the work of God which results in a change of mind in respect to man’s relationship to God. (Mat. 3:1-17, Ac. 20:21).  Faith is trust in the Lord and his Word.  We believe that you must have faith in order to receive the promise of redemption.  Salvation is the act of being saved, freed, and in our faith we conclude that when we receive and accept Jesus into our lives and obey the will of the Father, we have received salvation ;( Ac 4:12) we are freed from sin and eternal damnation.  We realize that we are saved through our Lord Jesus Christ for he was offered up for our Salvation.  Jesus Christ is the author of eternal Salvation unto all that obey him. (Heb 5:9)

 

ANGELS

The Bible uses the term “angel” as a heavenly body; messenger or ambassador of God; supernatural being; normally not given to earthly desires; holy.  The duty of an angel is to praise God and do God’s will and to behold his face. (Mt. 18:10)  Angels are also assigned missions on earth.  The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the creation, and they will also accompany Christ in his return in Glory. (Re. 4:5, Ps 103:20)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOCTRINES OF CARTER-MCFARLIN MINISTRIES, INC

 

 

 

DEMONS

Demons are unclean spirits that dwell in humans.  Demons prefer to be in human bodies rather than wander around in the deep or dry places. Normally if the unclean spirits are exorcised out of one body, they find another body to inhabit.  (Mk 1:26, Lu 1:3, 11:24) The devil and his angels have also been referred to as demons. (Re 12;9)

 

DIVINE HEALING

We believe in and do practice Divine Healing. Jesus commanded the Apostles to this practice (Mr. 16:18).  Jesus explained to his apostles that the afflicted is healed by faith. (Lk 9:40-41).  Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority.  St. James’ writings in his epistle encourage elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them, and to anoint them with oil, and their prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. 

 

MIRACLES

A miracle can be defined a an extraordinary and visible act of Divine Power  which has as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God’s Word.  We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity do and will occur even today, whenever, wherever, and however God decides, in order to exercise and stimulate faith in his omnipotence, and His Word.  Miracles help to turn unbelievers to believers. (Ac. 5:5-15)

 

THE CHURCH

The church is recognized by Christ and in the Second coming of Christ; he will come back for the Church.  We believe that God wants worshippers to come together as a group and uplift him in praise and edify each other to continue to give God the glory.  Matthew 16:18 reads “ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.  God is the head of the Church and the structure and key positions in a church are mentioned.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Co 12:28).

 

THE LORD’S SUPPER

 (HOLY COMMUNION)

THE Lord’s Supper symbolizes the Lord’s death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believers’ participation in the crucified Christ.  It represents the death of Christ and the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as giving life, strength, and joy to the soul.  The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

WATER BAPTISM

We believe that baptism is necessary. (Jo. 3:5).  However, we

do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation, but as an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his/her personal Saviour.  As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to “Sprinkling,” (exception being infant Baptisms [Christenings]) because immersion corresponds more closely to the Death Burial and Resurrection of our Lord (Col 2:12).  It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode.  Our Baptism Formula is “…..in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost……….” (Mt 28:19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE INFORMATION

 

TEMPLE OF CHRIST

CARTER-MCFARLIN MINISTRIES, INC.

Pastor- Bishop Gary McFarlin

3013 Rainbow Dr

Suites E-F

Decatur, Ga. 30034

 

404-437-6872