The Creator of the Universe

We believe that God has revealed Himself to us in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That each of these persons is co-equal, co-eternal, and one in divine essence. That He is the one and only true living God who has created the universe from nothing, and all that is in it. (John 1:1) (John 10:30) (Genesis 1:26) (John 14:26) (Genesis 1:1)

The Father

We believe that the Father is the Lord God Almighty. He is the first person in the trinity and He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of humanity, so that we may be reconciled with God. That those who have faith in His Son receive the spirit of adoption and are regarded as children of God. (1 Corinthians 8:6) (Ephesians 4:6) (Ephesians 1:3)

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, and our Lord. That He was born of a virgin, that He lived a sinless and perfect life, and that He died on the cross for the sins of mankind so that we may be reconciled to God. That not only is He the Son of God, but He is God and is the 2nd person in the Trinity. That after He died on the cross, He rose again on the third day and defeated sin and death. (Matthew 1:18-23) (Isaiah 7:14) (John 10:30) (John 1:14) (John 8:58)

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Helper that Jesus has promised to us in His Word. That the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leads us to righteousness, empowers us to live a supernatural and spiritual life, speaks to us, and prepares us as vessels useful for the good works of God. He is God and He is the third person in the Trinity. (John 14:26) (Genesis 1:2) (John 15:26-27) (Ephesians 4:30) (1 Corinthians 2:10)

The Trinity

We believe that the God of the Bible is triune in nature. He is three in one. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each is God, but they are not each other. They are all co-equal, co-eternal, and of the same divine essence. We do not follow three gods or a three-headed god. We serve one God who has revealed Himself to us in three persons. Each person is equal to the other, none are greater or lesser than the other. They are all worthy and deserve worship, praise, and honor. (2 Corinthians 13:14) (Matthew 28:19) (Matthew 3:16-17) (Ephesians 4:4-6)

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible word of God. It was written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit for our instruction and guidance in this fallen world. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 15:4) (Hebrews 4:12)

The Resurrection

We believe that after Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He fulfilled His promise and rose again on the third day defeating sin and death. That He ascended to the right hand of the Father and is planning on returning to earth for judgment. That there were 500 eyewitnesses who witnessed Him after His resurrection, and that this is a historical fact. (Romans 8:34) (1 Thessalonian 4:14) (Revelation 1:18) (Mark 16:19) (Revelation 22:12)

The Fall of Man

We believe that at first man was created good with an inner connection to the Lord our God. We believe that in the garden of Eden, man rebelled against God and since then has been in enmity with God. That all human beings are born with a sinful nature and a natural inclination to sin. That not only has this caused our physical death but our spiritual death also as because of our rebellion against God, we have been separated from Him. (Romans 5:12) (Genesis 3) (Genesis 1:26-28)

The Gospel

That Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of Mankind. To reconcile us to the Father, save us from spiritual death, and offer us new eternal life. That He bore the punishment that we were supposed to take for our transgressions against God on the cross. That He has redeemed mankind through His blood and those that place their faith in Him will be saved and regarded as children of God. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) (Romans 1:16-17) (John 3:16) (Romans 1:1-4) (Romans 8:15)

Salvation

Salvation is gained through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. That one acknowledges that they are a sinner in need of a savior, that they place their faith in Jesus Christ as their savior, that they turn away from their sinful lifestyle to one of righteousness, and that they dedicate their lives to living for Christ as He is now their Lord. (Acts 2:38) (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 10:9) (Titus 2:11-12)

Sanctification

The work of the Holy Spirit where He molds believers to the image of Christ. Where He teaches believers how to live and walk in righteousness so that they may be holy as the Lord is holy. (2 Timothy 2:21) (1 Thessalonians 5:23) (1 Thessalonians 4:3) (Galatians 2:20)

Baptism

Water baptism is an outward showing of one’s faith and a declaration to all that a believer has died to their old self and is now putting on the new man in Christ. (1 Peter 3:21) (Matthew 28:19) (Acts 10:46-48)

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that all believers receive a spiritual gift from God at their salvation, useful for serving and the building up and edifying of the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit grants these gifts to believers at His own discretion. We each have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. We believe that believers can possess more than one gift and that the Holy Spirit may bestow additional gifts on believers at any time. We believe that believers should earnestly desire and seek the spiritual gifts so that we may be better equipped to do the great work the Lord has set out before us. That we will be better equipped to serve, love, and build up one another. That we are better able to work together for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12) (Romans 12:4-8) (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Deliverance

We believe that deliverance ministry is for today and that Christians can in fact have demons. That we have been equipped with power from the Holy Spirit and authority from Christ to cast out demons and devils and take the fight to the Satanic Kingdom. We believe that after a believer has been saved, they may need deliverance. We believe that a believer can open doors to demons, that demons and the devil can afflict us (illness, pain, temptations), and exert a heavy amount of influence over us. Deliverance ministry was the ministry of Christ, and we as followers of Christ must follow in His footsteps. (Mark 16:17) (Luke 10:19) (Acts 1:8) (Acts 5:15-16) (Mark 1:34) (Matthew 8:16) (Matthew 28:19-20) (John 14:12)

Five-Fold Ministry

We believe in the Five-Fold ministry. These five gifts were given by God to the church for the equipping, building up, and edifying of the Body for the work set out for us by the Lord. The Five-Fold offices are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. (Ephesians 4:11-14) (1 Corinthians 12:28)

The Enemy

We believe that Satan and demons are alive and kicking. That they were originally perfect angels in heaven that have fallen from grace due to sin and rebellion. Satan and his angels now oppose God and mankind. They seek the destruction of all human beings by keeping them in separation from God. Believers have been equipped by God to fight against Satan and his angels. We believe at Sword & Shield Church that we should take the fight to him through prayer, evangelism, and deliverance. Satan has been judged and defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ. Now he awaits his fate and punishment at the end of Christ’s Millenial Reign. (1 Thessalonians 3:5) (1 Peter 5:8) (Revelation 12:9) (Revelation 20:1-3) (Revelation 20:7-10) (John 8:44) (Luke 10:19) (John 10:10)

Communion

We believe in the active participation of communion, The Lord’s Supper. Through the taking of bread and wine, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the new covenant, and Christ’s eventual second coming. That the bread and wine are symbols of His body that was broken for us and His blood that was shed for our freedom. (1 Corinthians 11:26) (Matthew 26:26-28) (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

The Church

The Church is the Body of Christ. Indwelt, empowered, and subservient to the Holy Spirit. Tasked with bringing the Gospel to all of creation, making disciples of all nations, and presenting itself as the perfect bride for our Lord Jesus Christ. All members of the Body of Christ are different yet equal, unique yet important, anointed, and called for different tasks so that we may able to fulfill the commands that the Lord has given us. (1 John 2:20) (Ephesians 1:22-23) (Matthew 28:19) (Ephesians 5:25-27) (Ephesians 2:20-22) (Romans 12:3-5)

Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which all men are judged according to their works. The dead will be raised up, and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire which is the second death. The devil being satan, his angels, the antichrist, and the false prophet will accompany them alongside death itself. (Revelation 20:11-15) (Revelation 21:8) (Revelation 19:20) (Mark 9:43-48)

The Rapture

Before the great tribulation where God will pour out His wrath on the earth, He will gather His saints both alive and dead and we will be caught up with Him and transformed in the heavens. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) (Revelation 3:10) (1 Corinthians 15:51-55)