REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL

DECLARATION OF FAITH AND DOCTRINE

ARTICLE I — THE SCRIPTURES

Section 1. The Inspiration and Authority of Holy Scripture

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations throughout this Declaration of Faith and Doctrine are taken from the King James Version (KJV).

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims, and teaches that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments reveal the heart, character, nature, and standards of God and communicate His revealed will and purposes toward humanity.

We affirm that God is the ultimate Author of Holy Scripture and that the Scriptures were given by divine inspiration through holy men of God, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The Bible is God's authoritative written revelation and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Accordingly, all doctrine, teaching, ministry, spiritual experience, ecclesiastical governance, ministerial conduct, and Christian practice within REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL shall be examined in the light of Holy Scripture. No human tradition, personal revelation, ministerial office, institutional policy, or individual interpretation shall be regarded as possessing authority superior to the written Word of God.

Section 2. The Divine Inspiration of Scripture

2 Peter 1:20–21 (KJV)

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We affirm that Holy Scripture is divinely inspired and provides the foundation for sound doctrine, correction, instruction in righteousness, and the preparation of God's people for every good work.

The divine inspiration of Scripture does not eliminate the responsibility to study, interpret, and apply it faithfully. Rather, it calls every believer, teacher, minister, and governing authority to handle the Word of God with reverence, diligence, humility, and integrity.

Section 3. The Eternal Word of God

John 1:1–5 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

We affirm that the Word existed from the beginning, that the Word was with God and was God, and that all things were made through Him. These verses reveal the divine nature and eternal existence of the Word, whom the Gospel of John further identifies as Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God.

John 1:14 (KJV)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We distinguish between the written Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and Jesus Christ, the eternal and incarnate Word. We affirm both the divine authority of the written Scriptures and the eternal deity and incarnation of Jesus Christ. These truths are essential to our confession of biblical Christianity.

Section 4. The Power and Discernment of the Word

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We affirm that the Word of God is living and powerful, exposing the thoughts, motives, intentions, and spiritual condition of the human heart. The Scriptures instruct, convict, correct, and equip believers to walk in truth and righteousness.

Therefore, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL shall uphold the faithful reading, teaching, interpretation, and application of Holy Scripture in its worship, discipleship, ministerial training, leadership development, educational ministries, and ecclesiastical governance.

The Word of God shall be applied not only to the lives of congregants but also to those entrusted with leadership. Ministers and governing authorities must remain willing to receive biblical correction and shall not use their office, influence, or spiritual claims to evade accountability.

Section 5. The Final Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture

We declare that the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, is the final written authority for the faith and practice of REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL.

All doctrines contained in this Declaration of Faith and Doctrine shall be understood and evaluated in accordance with the whole counsel of Scripture. Every minister, teacher, officer, governing body, ministry division, and educational institution operating under the authority of REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL shall remain accountable to this standard.

No officeholder or governing authority shall be considered exempt from the authority of God's Word. All church policies, administrative decisions, ministerial practices, and institutional activities shall be consistent with this Declaration, the Corporation's governing documents, and applicable law.

We affirm the sufficiency of Holy Scripture as the divinely appointed foundation and governing standard for Christian doctrine, salvation, godly living, and the mission of the Church. Historical study, education, scholarship, and other legitimate resources may assist understanding, but none shall supersede or contradict the authority of Scripture.

Section 6. The Interpretation and Sufficiency of Scripture

We affirm that Holy Scripture shall be interpreted faithfully, with due consideration given to its historical setting, literary form, immediate context, intended meaning, and the testimony of Scripture as a whole.

We reject the misuse of isolated passages, the distortion of biblical meaning, and interpretations that disregard the context or purpose of the sacred text. We encourage diligent study, prayerful consideration, sound theological instruction, and the responsible use of historical and linguistic resources to understand and apply the Word of God faithfully.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Luke 24:27 (KJV)

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

These passages establish the importance of allowing God's Word to guide the believer, recognizing Christ throughout the Scriptures, examining teaching diligently, and rightly dividing the Word of truth.

We therefore affirm that responsible biblical interpretation requires more than quoting individual verses. It requires careful study, attention to context, respect for the meaning of the text, and a willingness to bring our own assumptions and conclusions under the authority of Scripture.

Section 7. The Testing of Spiritual Revelation and Doctrinal Teaching

We affirm that the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through the Church, granting spiritual gifts and enabling believers to serve according to the will of God. Nevertheless, every claimed prophecy, dream, vision, spiritual impression, teaching, or revelation shall be tested and discerned in accordance with Holy Scripture.

No claimed spiritual revelation, prophetic utterance, personal experience, ecclesiastical tradition, or ministerial pronouncement shall be elevated above the written Word of God or accepted as authority to contradict its teaching.

We affirm that spiritual gifts are to be exercised in a manner consistent with biblical truth, spiritual discernment, holiness, love, order, and the edification of the Church. Ministers, teachers, and governing authorities shall be accountable for their doctrine and conduct and shall not claim exemption from biblical examination or ecclesiastical accountability on the basis of spiritual office or personal revelation.

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV)

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (KJV)

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 14:26–33 (KJV)

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 (KJV)

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 John 4:1 (KJV)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

These Scriptures establish both the reality of the Holy Spirit's gifts and the responsibility of the Church to exercise discernment. We shall neither despise the genuine work of the Spirit nor accept every spiritual claim without examination.

Prophecy and other spiritual manifestations must be evaluated according to Scripture and exercised in a manner that builds up the Church. The presence of a claimed gift, revelation, or supernatural experience does not by itself establish the truth of a doctrine or the integrity of the person claiming it.

Accordingly, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL shall encourage the faithful exercise of spiritual gifts while maintaining the authority of Scripture as the final written standard by which doctrine, prophetic claims, and spiritual manifestations are evaluated.

Formal Doctrinal Declaration

We believe the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, the revelation of His truth and will, the foundation of sound doctrine, and the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

We affirm the eternal Word of God revealed in Jesus Christ, the sufficiency and authority of Holy Scripture, the necessity of faithful biblical interpretation, and the responsibility to test all doctrine and claimed spiritual revelation according to the written Word of God.

We commit ourselves to proclaiming, teaching, obeying, preserving, and faithfully applying the truth of Holy Scripture in the worship, discipleship, ministry, education, missionary work, and governance of REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL.

The Holy Scriptures shall remain the supreme written authority governing the doctrine, faith, and practice of REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL.