We accept all the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith based on the Bible and adhered to by all evangelical churches as the foundation of our faith. No “evelation” today can violate these basic doctrines.
Yet we believe that God has restored truths to the church that were previously lost after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. In the twentieth century God restored truths of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, worship and praise, five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:11), the unity of the Body of Christ and others.
We accept that the renewal of the past several years sometimes referred to as the“new wine renewal”or“laughter revival”has on the whole been of God. It has resulted in widespread renewed passion for Jesus, miraculous healings, power manifestations and church growth worldwide. It has also had a profound impact on tens of millions of Chinese believers.
Yet we acknowledge there have been excesses, some of the leaders have taught questionable doctrines, been overly obsessed with raising funds and have neglected the message of the cross, which is central to the Christian message. We certainly do not want to be identified with doctrines and practices that are against sound Biblical doctrine.
We accept the doctrine of the physical return of Christ to this earth, the translation of the church and a millennium rule.
Yet we maintain nobody can be absolutely certain about end-time events. We do not agree with the dogmatic teaching that center on “worldwide antichrist conspiracies”,“imminent worldwide economic collapse” (in which people are told to put all their assets in gold and silver), various doomsday scenarios (Y2K bug, etc) extreme pro-Israel teachings (such as trying to rebuild the temple, restoring the priesthood), UFO’s with alien conspiracies, and other such speculative prophetic teachings.
According to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15, this is not the Gospel. Any teaching that turns people against their government, their society, their families, and other churches or believers must not be accepted. Many ministries and churches have been severely damaged by adhering to these radical, speculative teachings and prophecies.
An example was the prophecy of war between Taiwan and China that was to take place in 1995, which hurt Taiwan’s church. Another was the prediction that Hong Kong would lose freedoms and we would no longer be allowed to minister to China after the handover in 1997. This caused many churches and organizations to stop ministry and pull out of the territory.
We accept that in the official“Three-Self Patriotic Church”in China, there are many true Christians and pastors. Where possible we are willing to work and fellowship with them. Most of those attending these churches are truly born again.
Yet we maintain that what is referred to as the“house-church movement”in China is the only“church movement”that is based on the New Testament Biblical pattern. This church with its tens of millions of members is the hope of China.
We are willing to support them, if they so request. However we will never consider setting up our organization or structure in China. We do not believer that foreign denominations should return to China. We must not be ashamed to stand with the persecuted church. Due to liberal theological doctrines of the official church, they cannot be a voice for all the Chinese Christians.
SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE ACCEPTED BY THE BODY OF CHRIST MUST ALWAYS BE MAINTAINED!
