Welcome To
Statement Of Beliefs
(Adopted By The Real Church Of The Desert Cathedral Inc., and all churches within The ‘How-To’ Fellowship)
We The ‘How-To’ Fellowship Hereby Declare
1. The Bible as God’s Inspired Word:
We firmly affirm the Bible, comprising all 66 books, as the divinely inspired, infallible, sacred, and holy Word of God. Both the Old and New Testaments contain the complete revelation necessary for salvation. We believe that salvation is a gracious gift received through faith in Christ, the Anointed One, and His Anointing, as declared in the Scriptures.
13. Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as described in Acts 2:4, available to all believers who seek it, emphasizing the significance of the experience rather than specific formulas.
2. Historic Creeds and Councils with Prima Scriptura:
We embrace the Historic Creeds, including the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, as significant expressions of the Christian Faith. These creeds are foundational, guided by the principle of Prima Scriptura, where Scripture holds the highest authority. We acknowledge the First Four Ecumenical Councils of the Undivided Church insofar as they align with the Holy Scriptures. Additionally, we affirm the Christological affirmations of the Last Three Councils, provided they accord with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
14. Cleansing through Repentance and Faith:
We affirm that cleansing from sin is accomplished through genuine repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
3. The Nature of God – Embracing the Ancient Streams:
We believe in the God of Christianity, revealed as Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of all, possessing omnipotence, omnipresence, imminence, immutability, omniscience, holiness, impeccability, incorporeality, and infinitude. We embrace the rich tapestry of the ancient streams of faith: the sacramental, the evangelical, and the charismatic.
15. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit:
We acknowledge the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for personal salvation and transformation.
4. The Triune God:
We confess the existence of one God, eternally existing as a Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Each person within this divine structure is equally and fully God, united in perfect harmony.
16. Healing through Christ’s Redemptive Work:
We believe that Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross provides healing for the human body, responding to believing prayer.
5. The Incarnation of Jesus:
We believe in the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus of Nazareth through the virgin Mary, emphasizing the incarnation of the Word made flesh.
17. Sanctification through the Holy Spirit:
The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live holy and separated lives in the present world, blending the ancient streams into a vibrant witness.
6. Fallen Humanity and Salvation:
All humanity has fallen short of God’s glory and is in desperate need of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
18. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) Mystery:
We observe The Eucharist (Holy Communion/The Lord’s Supper) to remember our Lord, acknowledging the real presence of Christ while honoring the mystery surrounding His presence.
7. Sinless Life of Jesus:
We affirm the sinless life of Jesus, which qualifies Him as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins through His atoning sacrifice.
19. Christ as the Head of the Church:
We recognize Christ as the supreme Head of the Church, governing it according to His divine will.
8. Salvation through Jesus Alone:
Salvation is solely attainable through faith in the name, person, work, life, death, resurrection, and grace of Jesus Christ.
20. Servant Leadership:
We hold that ministers of Christ should exemplify servant leadership, mirroring our Lord’s example.
9. Eternal Destiny – Heaven and Hell:
Those who reject God’s salvation face eternal separation from the Father in Hell, while those who belong to Christ will inherit eternal life in His presence.
21. Active Ministry of the Holy Spirit:
We believe in the present-day active ministry of the Holy Spirit, eagerly anticipating the manifestation of spiritual gifts and the operation of sign gifts in the Church.
10. The Blessed Hope – Rapture of the Church:
We eagerly anticipate the rapture of the Church of God in Christ at the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when His people, both living and departed, will be gathered to Him.
22. High View of the Church:
We hold a high view of the Church, understanding it as a vital instrument for advancing God’s Kingdom on Earth, embodying the convergence of ancient faith streams.
11. Worship as Foundation:
Worship forms the foundational cornerstone of our Christian faith, uniting the ancient streams in heartfelt adoration of our Triune God.
23. Biblical Marriage:
We firmly affirm that biblical marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, ordained by God since creation. We uphold the biblical command to flee from fornication.
12. Sacraments and Ordinances:
We practice the sacraments of water baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion) as instituted by Jesus Christ, recognizing them as essential expressions of our faith and obedience.
This comprehensive statement of faith reflects our commitment to embracing the rich heritage of Pentecostalism and the convergence movement, weaving together the sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic streams of ancient faith into a vibrant and dynamic expression of Christian belief. We are dedicated to following the teachings and example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we seek to serve Him faithfully in the present age.
P.O. Box 2602
San Bernardino, CA 92406