¶620.4 Service and Ministry Growth comes with the acceptance of full responsibility for the use of natural talents and spiritual gifts in service and ministry. The Holy Spirit endows every believer with natural abilities for service and ministry. These are a trust. They must be used only in ways that […]
¶620.3 Life in the Church Growing Christians find their supportive environment in the fellowship of believers. They do not live independently from the Body of Christ (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25). Worship requires a proper attitude toward God. It involves the believer’s active participation. Believers should prepare their minds and spirits
¶620.2 Study of the SCRIPTURES The Bible is our source for discovering how we may grow. It is the Christian’s “growth manual.” It must be taken seriously as the final authority for our lives; therefore, it ought to be read regularly, and diligently studied for its meaning. God will speak
¶620.1 Prayer Prayer is an indispensable means of growth toward Christ-likeness. In prayer the Christian talks and listens, confesses and adores, asks and thanks. Prayer should be as conversation, avoiding artificial phrases and tones. Sincere prayer changes the supplicant and often the circumstances (James 5:13-16). The Bible teaches that both
¶620 GENUINE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER Christians have a new relationship with God and a new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. In new Christians, the joy of this new life in Christ may for a time obscure the need for growing up in Christ. People who have
¶610.7 Sanctification Christ gave himself “even unto death” for the cleansing of His church (Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 13:12). His disciples are called to be holy (I Peter 1:15-16; II Corinthians 7:1). Christ provided for believers to be entirely sanctified, in the atonement (Hebrews 9:13-14; 10:8-10). Accordingly, Paul prayed “May the
¶610.6 Consecration God calls His people to set themselves apart to His will and purpose (Romans 6:13; 12:1-2). Anything thus set apart is said to be consecrated. All Christians are called to be holy and without blame before God in love (I Thessalonians 3: 12-13; 5:23-24). If Christians are to
¶610.5 Assurance God gives assurance of salvation and peace of heart to all who repent and put their faith in Christ (Romans 5:1-5). The Holy Spirit witnesses to their own spirits that they are forgiven of their sins and adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:16). Christians have peace
¶610.4 Trust / Faith Trust, also known as faith, is utter reliance upon God (I Timothy 4:10; Romans 1:17). Trust includes full acceptance of the promises of God, complete dependence on Christ’s sacrifice for salvation, and unconditional commitment to the will of God. God’s grace and blessings are open to
¶610.3 Repentance and Restitution Awakened by the Holy Spirit to their lost condition before God, persons may move toward God. Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), all must repent in order to come into a right relationship with God (Acts 20:21). Repentance
