ABOUT US

WHAT WE BELIEVE

about

We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. Without error or
fault, the Bible is the divinely inspired written record of God’s Word to His
people in every generation (2 Timothy 3:16).

Comprised of 66 books, compiled by more than 40 authors, and written over a span of more than 1,500 years, there is no book like the Bible in history.

Many religions boast sacred texts by a single author, often assembled long after its author’s death, and not at all dependent on other texts to affirm its veracity.

By contrast, the Bible brings together records from many generations that all
speak in a single unified voice, affirming God’s faithfulness to His people, the
truth of Jesus Christ, and His plan to reconcile the world to Himself

(2 Corinthians 5:19).

We believe in the unwavering oneness of God. In contrast to
many sects and traditions around the world, The Sanctuary stands firmly on
the biblical doctrine that there is only one God (Isaiah 44:6-8) and that God is
indivisibly one (Deuteronomy 6:4).

While many Christians around the world
claim to serve a God who is disclosed in three distinct persons, the believers
of The Sanctuary are planted firmly on the teachings of the apostles and
prophets – “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one
hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of
all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV).

In the book of Genesis, mankind was created for fellowship with
God. Nevertheless, in an act of sin, mankind separated himself from
God (Genesis 3:6-15). Since that day, all mankind has sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Nevertheless, we were not left without
hope. Through His Word, God promised a Redeemer who would come in the
form of flesh to save His people from their sins (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew
1:21). Just as the disobedience of mankind introduced the curse of sin into the
world, the obedience of Jesus Christ broke the curse that was upon us
(Romans 5:19).

The promise of salvation from the curse of sin was not just for
one group of people but for all the people of the world (John 3:16; Acts
2:39). Through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all
mankind has been granted access to restoration and fellowship with God.
Called by the Apostle Paul, “The power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16),
the Gospel message is that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

As believers, we are commanded to deny ourselves, take up our
cross, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24).

According to the book of Acts, the
first step to self-denial is obedience to the command to repent of our sins and
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Through obedience to
God’s Word, we are assured of the promise of the Holy Ghost with initial
evidence of speaking in tongues – God’s Spirit which lives on the inside of us
(Romans 8:9-11). By the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost, believers
have hope, not only in this life but in the life to come (1 Corinthians 15:19).
Just as Jesus rose from the dead in the earth and ascended to heaven,
believers are promised that one day we will be resurrected eternally as well
(Romans 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

As we grow in Christ, self-denial
extends into the way we live our daily lives as well. In dress, conversation,
and association, Christians are commanded to remain separate from the
world and live holy unto God (1 Peter 1:15-17; 1 John 2:15; 1 Timothy 2:8-9).

Purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ, the church is
comprised of the believers all around the world who have been born again in
accordance with the teachings of the scriptures (Galatians 3:27-28; Acts
20:28-29).

Often presented as “the bride” and “the body” of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 12:27), the church stands as God’s ambassador in the earth until
the return of Jesus Christ for His saints (Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 19:5-8).

As His representatives, the church is commanded to actively occupy
themselves with the work of the kingdom of God until the return of Christ. This
includes, but is not limited to, preaching, teaching, outreach, and evangelism
of those who do not know Jesus Christ.

Built upon the foundation laid by the apostles of the
New Testament church, The Sanctuary believes firmly in the gifts and offices
of the Holy Spirit detailed by Paul in his epistles to the Ephesians and
Corinthians (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28).

Miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and tongues are all works of the Spirit detailed by the apostle Paul and other New Testament writers as integral parts of God’s church. Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are all offices of ministry included in the writings of the epistles as well, and they are given to the church for our benefit.

At The Sanctuary, we believe that the
same Spirit that was active in the church of the first century is alive and active
in the church of the twenty-first century today.

Hearing God’s voice and being led by His Spirit, The
Sanctuary believes that our relationship with God is characterized, not merely
by the words we say, but by the way we live our lives.

Prayer, fasting, and giving are all essential aspects of our relationship with God. While we cannot earn God’s grace, the scriptures assure us that when we commit our lives to these acts of faithfulness, God honors our works and hears our prayers (Acts 10:4).

Rather than earning God’s favor through acts of service, we believe –
as the apostle James said – our faith in God is revealed by our good works
(James 2:18).