Articles of Faith
Preamble
The Articles of Faith of the Whole World Gospel Mission represent the foundational beliefs and doctrines that define our faith, guide our conduct, and shape our mission. Rooted in the Word of God, these articles affirm our commitment to the truth of Scripture, the essentiality of our obedience to the Gospel message, the lordship of Jesus Christ, and the infilling and empowering of the Holy Ghost. These articles of faith are intended to unite us in purpose, direct our ministries, and inspire us to faithfully proclaim the gospel to all people, in all nations, until the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By embracing these core tenets, we endeavor to live lives that reflect God’s holiness, demonstrate His love, mirror His nature, and advance His kingdom on earth.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, the final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It is the complete revelation of God’s will for salvation and the ultimate source of truth for all matters of life and doctrine.
Our God is One
We believe in the One True God who has revealed Himself as the eternal Creator of all things, who exists as one indivisible, infinite Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 4:24). He has manifested Himself to humanity as Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Ghost in regeneration (Malachi 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9).
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of the one true God (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9). In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. We affirm:
His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
His sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15).
His miracles (John 2:11; Acts 2:22).
His substitutionary death (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24).
His bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:6; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:9-11).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection for the salvation of all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The response to the gospel involves:
Repentance: A sincere turning away from sin, with a decision to follow Christ (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3).
Water Baptism in Jesus’ Name: Baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost: Receiving the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6).
The Salvation of Humanity
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is a gift from God and not by human works. Salvation includes justification, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification (Romans 5:1; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:5).
The Church
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, comprised of all who have obeyed the gospel, and it exists to glorify God, edify believers, and evangelize the world (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 2:42-47). The Church is called to be holy, separated from the world, and united in love and purpose (1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 4:3).
Holiness and Christian Living
We believe that believers are called to live holy lives, separated from sin and dedicated to God (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:17). This includes abstaining from ungodly practices and maintaining a lifestyle that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ in thought, word, and deed (Galatians 5:19-26; Ephesians 5:1-10).
The Ordinances of the Church
We believe in two ordinances established by Jesus Christ for the Church:
Water Baptism: Administered by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5).
The Lord’s Supper: A commemoration of the death of Christ and a proclamation of His return, to be observed regularly by believers (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Divine Healing
We believe in divine healing as an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
We believe in the return of Jesus Christ to earth (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). His coming mark the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for the individual believer. We believe in the catching away of the Church, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 20:11-15).
The Final Judgment and Eternal Reward
We believe in a final judgment for all, where the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life and the unrighteous will face eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15). Heaven is the eternal home of the redeemed, and hell is the place of eternal separation from God for the unrepentant (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:8).
The Sanctity of Marriage
We believe that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God, uniting one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant relationship (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). We affirm the biblical teaching on the sanctity of marriage and uphold it as the only legitimate context for sexual relations.
Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by God, uniting one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). As such, we uphold the sanctity and permanence of the marriage bond. Divorce is not the will of God and should be considered only in the case of marital unfaithfulness or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 7:15). An unbelieving spouse is defined as one who has backslid and/or abandoned all willingness to reconcile the marriage. In such cases, we encourage the innocent party to pursue sincere efforts toward repentance, reconciliation, and restoration whenever possible. But if the unbelieving spouse departs - leaves / files for a divorce - a brother or sister is not under bondage in that case (1 Corinthians 7:15).
Remarriage after a divorce should only occur when the divorce was due to biblical grounds, such as adultery or abandonment, or if the former spouse has died (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Those seeking remarriage must do so prayerfully, with pastoral counsel, and in alignment with biblical principles, ensuring that their actions honor God and uphold the sanctity of marriage. This means that the inocent party should only remarry someone who is in the faith and has obeyed the gospel according to Acts 2:38.
We believe that God offers forgiveness and restoration to all who genuinely repent, and we are committed to supporting and ministering to those affected by divorce, guiding them with compassion, love, and grace toward healing and wholeness in Christ.
The Ministry of Restoration
We believe that ministers are called to a high standard of moral and ethical conduct, reflecting the character of Christ in both their personal and public lives (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). When a minister falls into sin through doctrinal error or serious moral failure, it is a grave matter that affects not only the individual but also the church and the testimony of the gospel.
However, we also believe in the grace, mercy, and restorative power of God. Restoration is a biblical process aimed at bringing the fallen minister back to spiritual health, integrity, and service, provided there is genuine repentance and a demonstrated change of heart (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). The path to restoration should be undertaken with humility, accountability, and guidance from mature spiritual leaders.
Restoration Process:
Repentance and Confession: The fallen minister must acknowledge their sin, repent sincerely, and seek forgiveness from God and those affected (1 John 1:9; Psalm 51:1-4). This includes a willingness to be transparent about the failure and to face the consequences of their actions.
Submission to Church Discipline: The minister in question should submit to the disciplinary process outlined by the church, which may include temporary removal from ministerial duties, counseling, and spiritual guidance (Matthew 18:15-17; Hebrews 12:5-11). This period is meant for healing, reflection, and growth.
Accountability and Support: A restoration plan will be established under the oversight of church leadership, which includes regular accountability meetings, pastoral care, and spiritual mentoring (Proverbs 27:17; 1 Peter 5:1-3). This ensures that the minister is held accountable and supported in their journey toward restoration.
Demonstrated Repentance and Fruit: The minister in question must show evidence of true repentance through a transformed life and consistent godly behavior (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20). Restoration to ministry is only possible when there is clear, sustained evidence of spiritual growth and character renewal.
Re-evaluation for Ministry Reinstatement: After a suitable period of restoration, Whole World Gospel Mission will prayerfully consider the minister’s readiness to return to ministry. Full reinstatement is contingent upon the minister’s spiritual health, the nature of the failure, and the impact on the church community (1 Timothy 5:19-20).
Commitment to Grace and Healing
While maintaining accountability and integrity within the ministry, we believe in extending grace, compassion, and the opportunity for restoration to those who have fallen. Our aim is not to condemn but to restore in the spirit of meekness, as God restores all who genuinely seek His forgiveness. If a minister has submitted to the instruction of his pastor and has obtained his pastor’s release back to ministry, we are committed to providing support, encouragement, and spiritual guidance throughout the restoration process, reflecting the love of Christ to all who repent and seek His mercy. By following this biblical approach, we honor God, protect the integrity of the church, and uphold the redemptive power of the gospel in all circumstances.
Restoration and the Call of God
We believe that the call to ministry is a divine appointment given by God alone and that no individual or organization has the authority to limit, remove, or revoke that calling from a person’s life. The calling does not originate from human choice or institutional decision but from God’s sovereign will. It is our firm conviction that the call of God shapes the individual, not the individual the calling. Therefore, no human being has the biblical right to shape, limit, or restrict the calling of God upon another’s life.
We believe, teach, and practice that the call of God is greater than any of our mistakes, whether past, present, or future. We affirm that God’s grace is sufficient to forgive our shortcomings and sins when we come to Him in sincere repentance. Such repentance will bear fruit unto righteousness and godly behavior, demonstrating a genuine transformation of heart and mind (Matthew 3:8).
Furthermore, we hold that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable and without repentance (Romans 11:29). The divine calling remains steadfast despite human failure or shortcomings. We follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in His dealings with Peter after his denial and betrayal. Just as Jesus restored Peter, entrusting him once again with His sheep, so we believe in the power of God to restore and rebuild those who have fallen.
We also take inspiration from the example of Barnabas, who chose to mentor and restore John Mark even after he was abandoned by Paul. As John Mark became profitable to Paul for the ministry, we believe that by practicing a ministry of love, purity, and reconciliation, we can effectively restore those who have fallen into sin or been caught in the snare of the devil, should they choose to repent and seek recovery.
Our commitment is to follow the Godly, biblical model of redemption, grace, and restoration, working to support and rebuild those who have been cast away or downtrodden, believing that every individual is valuable in the eyes of God and can be restored to fruitful service in His kingdom. We believe in a ministry that reflects God’s love, offering hope and healing to all who seek it.
Christian Unity and Fellowship
We believe in the unity of all believers in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6). The Church is called to demonstrate love, respect, and mutual edification, recognizing that we are all members of the body of Christ (John 13:34-35; Romans 14:19).
The Great Commission
We believe in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands all believers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Every believer is called to be a witness of the gospel through word and deed (Acts 1:8).
These Articles of Faith provide a doctrinal framework for all activities, teachings, and governance within the Whole World Gospel Mission. They affirm our commitment to the Word of God, the centrality of Jesus Christ, the empowerment of the Holy Ghost, and our mission to bring the gospel to all people everywhere.
