UpWord Ministries
Bringing people closer to God
Building unity among believers...
What We Believe
The early church set the standards for God's church. However, we are seeing so many churches falling away from this in our present day and we
believe it's not only important to set standards based on the early church but necessary as well if we are to truly and effectively spread the
gospel of Yeshua.
The following statement is not intended in any way to be exhaustive, but serves as an outline of what the Bible presents as some of the
standards for living as derived from our understanding of Scripture.
- Our Duties
It is not our job to increase the size of the church. We are mislead if we think we should. It has always been God's job to give the increase. Our job is to be busy feeding the sheep.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV
So when they had dined, Yeshua saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Yeshua saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 KJV - Whom We Serve
We believe in lifting up the name of Yeshua since he is the only way to the Father and is the head of the church. We do not lift
up the name of a denomination or protecting any name in particular under any legal means in this world. We do not support conference
presidents in the incorporated churches or such titles as "Executive Director" since the thinking that is behind these is very carnal.
The "Church" is the body of Christ and not a physical building. The true church does not own buildings and land in this world.
We believe in lifting up the name of Yeshua the Son of God who is our Messiah and redeemer. The early church simply called themself the Church of God and did not establish any worldly corporation, organization or central office. The church is spiritual in nature and lead solely by the Holy Spirit. The establishment of believers is by the Holy Spirit which comprises the body of Christ and is recorded in the Lamb's book of life. The early church did not own real property (or real estate) and met where ever they were able whether it be in homes or by the bank of a river as they did when Christ was baptised.
We do not believe in incorporating the church, to do so means we serve the government instead of Christ.
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:9-15)
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4) - The Deity We believe in one God infinite and perfect, the creator and sustainer of the universe who exists eternally in the Father and Son. As begotten, not created, Yeshua shares the nature, names, and attributes of God the Father. As Son, not Father, Yeshua is subordinate to the Father. From eternity, the Son was with the Father, shared the Father's glory as the pre-incarnate Word. We believe the Holy Spirit is the promised comforter who gives spiritual birth to believers, lives within them, and empowers them for witnessing and service. We believe the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and instructs in righteousness.
- The Holy Bible The Old and New Testaments of the Bible as we currently have is a translation from the original manuscripts. These manuscripts are the only authoritative and infallible writings of faith and conduct for man kind.
- Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith and is not out of works lest any man should boast. Yet faith without works is dead so works must
accompany faith for faith to be genuine. Salvation is only through true repentance and the death of Christ at Calvary. Those who repent
of their sin, lay down their life, believe on Yeshua will be saved and not face the final judgment but will be passed from death unto life.
Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life. John 5:24
Yeshua layed down his life in obedience to the Father, was in the grave 3 days and 3 nights and rose the end of the Sabbath according to scripture to pay for the sin of the world. It was in the end of the Sabbath when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher, Messiah was already risen.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. Matthew 28:1 - Obedience
Only through loving God first and others as ourself can we walk in true obedience toward God. No where in scripture were the 10 commandments
done away with. The death of Christ on the cross fulfilled the sacrificial laws. Teachings that any law was ever done away with are not true.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:4
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:3-5 - Sabbath
The Sabbath was never done away with by God. No where in scripture has it ever been changed to any other day and still is to be kept
on the seventh day of the week just as it was in the time of Christ. The first day of the week comes immediately after the Sabbath as
the book of Matthew shows us.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matthew 28:1 - Divorce and Remarriage
We stand opposed to divorce and remarriage for any cause other than death of a spouse or a spouse committing adultery. Remarriage for a follower of Christ
should be with another follower of Christ.
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:9
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Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:10-11 KJV)