The Doctrine of Empty Vessel Ministries

The Scriptures:  The bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our perfect guide in matters regarding conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21).

The Godhead:  Our God is one, but manifested in three Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being coequal (Deuteronomy 6:4; Philippians 2:6).  God the Father is greater than all; the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 11:14).  The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from the Father and He testifies of the Son and is eternal (John 14:16; John 15:26).

Man, His Fall and Redemption:  Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s disobedience and fall, sin came into the world.  The Bible says “… all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” and “…there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10 and 3:23).  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His Blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Romans 5:14; 1 John 3:8). Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Eternal Life and the New Birth:  Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that causes repentance.  The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life (2 Corinthians 7:10; John 3:3-5; 1 John 5:12).

Water Baptism:  Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only.  The act of baptism is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).

Baptism in the Holy Spirit:  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers and is received following to the new birth.  This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).

Sanctification:  The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord.  We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the new birth and continuing until Christ’s return (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30).

Divine Healing:  Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is brought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands.  It is provided for the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today.  It is also God’s power which proves His existence and the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ.  (James 5:14-15; Mark 16:18; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24)

Resurrection of the Just and the Return of the Lord:  The angels said to Jesus’ disciples, “… This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven.”  His coming is imminent.  When He comes, “… The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…”  (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 5:10 and 20:6).

Hell and Eternal Retribution:  The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting.  The lake of fire is literal.  The terms “eternal” and “everlasting,” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20).