Echad Ministries are founded on the principles of the Logos which is the though of God and a vernacular given to Moses in Deuteronomy “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord”
Christianity is based on the Bible alone. We believe that the Bible is God’s “word” (communication to us) written by men, but directed and inspired by God through the Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Ghost). It contains no errors, and is the complete, final, and only authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (See 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; and 2 Peter 1:20,21.)
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God Himself, and that He became completely man. Conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life, and chose to die as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. He was bodily resurrected from the dead and appeared to many people. He now sits at the “right hand of God” (the highest place of honor and power), interceding (standing in to provide protection) for the sins of His people (those who accepted him as Savior and Lord). He will come in glory to righteously judge all people based on their acceptance or rejection of Him. Jesus is the only way to bridge the gap of sin between God and people, thus He is the only way to have a relationship with God now, and eternal life with God in heaven. (Matthew 16:16,17 and 25:31-46; Mark 14:61,62; Luke 1:34,35 and 2:7; John 1:1 and 1:14 and 5:22-30 and 10:30 and 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22-24.)
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is received in full when someone gets right with God through Jesus, so all true Christians “have the Holy Spirit.” He is the power that Christians have that enables them to live a Christ-like life (as God leads them). The Holy Spirit is our pledge (or “down-payment”) of eternal life. (John 16:8-11; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 John 3:24.)
Water Baptism
We believe that all believers should receive water baptism, as a demonstration of our faith, and in obedience to the commandment of our Lord. This act represents a commitment by the believer, and should be accompanied by a renewal and sanctification via the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an outward symbol of spiritual identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.
(Matthew 28:18-20) (Mark 1:4-11)
Holy Spirit
Jesus declares in John’s Gospel, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus later explains, to be born again means to be born of the Spirit, where the Spirit of God dwells in the believer. God Himself takes up residence inside our earthly body, God’s Spirit guiding our spirit (Romans 8:26-2). Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit, which would result in power. The Holy Spirit not only transforms us into a new creation, we receive power to do the work at hand.
1 Corinthians 3:16 – We are a temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us.
1 Corinthians 6:19 – Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in us because we are bought with a price. Everyone who has been purchased (redeemed) by the blood of Christ also has the Spirit of God dwelling in him. Romans 8:9 – We should be led by the Spirit of God. If the Spirit of God (Christ) does not dwell in us, we do not belong to God. Clearly the Spirit does dwell in people today. In fact, the Spirit dwells in ALL true children of God, and He begins to dwell in us at the moment we become God’s children (not at some later point). [See also Acts 2:38; 5:32; James 4:5; Rom. 5:5; Eph. 5:18.]
Holiness
We believe in sanctification. While sanctification is initiated in regeneration and consummated in glorification, we believe it includes a definite, instantaneous work of grace achieved by faith subsequent to regeneration (Acts 26:18; 1 John 1:9). Sanctification delivers from the power and dominion of sin. It is followed by lifelong growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Peter 3:18).
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation. We believe that the supreme task of every believer is to glorify God in his life. The believer should live blamelessly before the world, be a faithful steward of his possessions, and seek to obtain for himself the full stature of maturity in Christ. (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 6:6-9; 1 Pet. 1:14-15)
Resulted from such principles on sanctification we are determined to maintain holiness unto the Lord as a lifestyle. Completely binding ourselves to Him in devotion, and dedicating our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirt which is our reasonable service of worship to God. We believe that Christian living should supersede the tradition of church attendance and one that offsets true worship to a God who accepts no less than true worshippers to worship Him in spirt and in truth John 4:24.