Lenses
Gateway church bounces off this trampoline as a frame of reference but acknowledges the challenges, severities, and isolations of dogmatism. Here are some of our lenses:
The Bible is the inerrant, inspired and revealed Will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of action.
Our God is one but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all being co-equal (Philippians 2:6).
Mankind is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through the offense of Adam, was made a sinner and ruled by spiritual death: “For there is none righteous no not one” (Romans 5:14). Mankind must make a decision to believe and confess Jesus as Lord and ask for forgiveness of sins.
Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward work of Christ in the life of a believer.
The Holy Spirit is a gift, the refreshing and rest in Isa 28:11-12, and is the promise of the Father in Luke 24:29. However, many make a conscious choice not to believe.
Sanctification is a work of grace, which is continuous and progressive in the lives of believers.
Healing is a promise in His word, which can be accepted through the work of Christ’s resurrection. His Word is therapeutic for spirit, soul, and body. Healing is administered by laying on of hands, anointing with oil, anointed cloths, the prayer of faith, and/or praying one for another (Mk 16:16, Jm 5:14, Act 19:11, Jm 5:15-16).
Christ’s return is immanent. The dead in Christ will rise first, and then the believers who are alive will meet together with the Lord in the air.
Hell is an eternal place with fire. It is also total separation from God where people have memories of life on earth.
Heaven is an eternal place with streets of gold. More importantly, it is “The joy of the Lord”; a place of fellowship with God and his children.
Prosperity: God has promised in His Word to give all His children power to obtain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). He desires for us to prosper (3 John 1:2). He delights in seeing his children prosper (Psalm 34:25).