http://abbasdelight.com/what-we-believe-faith-doctrines/ 28 January 2014
http://abbasdelight.com/what-we-believe-human-sexuality-platform/ 28 January 2014
What We Believe – Faith Doctrines
We believe in the eternal and everlasting God, the Creator of all things, living and dead; who functions in the mystery of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Three in One and One in Three.
We believe the Bible is the inerrant written Word of God, containing the Old Testament and New Testament books, set forth by humans inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. We look to these Scriptures as the final authority for truth, doctrine, instruction and correction for godly living.
We believe mankind is created in the image of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to live life in relationship with Them to love, honor and serve Them for eternity.
We believe sin entered into the world through man’s disobedience to God, and that this sin separated all mankind from God eternally.
We believe God sent the Son, Jesus, miraculously born of a virgin, to earth as the ultimate expression of His love for mankind, to be the blood sacrifice for the sin of mankind, suffering torture and death, as payment for mankind’s sins.
We believe that in life, Jesus was fully God and fully man, living a sinless existence, though tempted in every way as mankind is. We believe Jesus learned obedience through the things which He suffered, and He laid down His life to the point of death on a cross.
We believe God’s power raised Jesus from the grave to ascend into heaven where He has taken His rightful place on His throne at the right hand of the Father for eternity, once and for all conquering Satan, sin, and death.
We believe we are declared guiltless, and that by accepting into our lives personally Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection, we are saved and become born again spiritually, becoming adopted sons and daughters into the family of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the active Agent of God indwelling our lives. He leads and guides His sons and daughters in all Truth, and does the work of transforming us as we live our lives in obedience to Him by His grace, the power to do His will.
We believe Jesus is Savior, Lord and King and that He will return again to the earth to judge the living and the dead. We believe those who have rejected Jesus and his offer of eternal salvation will condemn themselves to hell for eternity, and those who have accepted Jesus’ offer of eternal salvation will spend eternity with Him as co-heirs of His Kingdom.
We believe God created man and woman as separate and distinct beings, made in Their (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) image as part of His original design and intent. We acknowledge that our bodies belong to God, not ourselves.
We believe sexuality is a gift from God, not a right. Like everything in life, that gift should be stewarded carefully for His glory and honor.
As Biblically stated, we believe expressions of sexuality according to God’s plan are reserved for married couples; that is, one man married to one woman. Therefore, any other sexual expression, whether individually or with another person, is outside of God’s will, and constitutes sin, whether the other person is of the same sex or the opposite sex.
We believe homosexual acts fall outside of God’s will for Biblical sexuality.
We believe no one chooses to be same-sex attracted, just as no one chooses to be opposite-sex attracted. Attractions just are! However, we also believe that our God-given free will allows us to choose how we will use our gift of sexual expression either to follow His plan, or reject His plan. We believe one way leads to life, the other to death.
We do not hold to a genetic link being a possible cause for homosexuality. Though scientific studies have been made, there has been no definitive proof to surface whatsoever. Therefore, we believe the claim “I was born this way,” to be a deception.
We acknowledge that demonic activity over a Christian believer can influence one towards sinful behaviors, which can become addictive, especially in the area of sexuality. However, Abba’s Delight does not practice deliverance ministry or exorcisms.
We believe gender development, whether homosexual or heterosexual (or other variances), occurs as a part of a child’s early development process, between healthy relating with one’s own gender, starting with his or her parents then further developing or further hindered in peer relationships.
We believe that change is possible, and that there are many kinds and degrees of change as one journeys towards sexual purity. We acknowledge that often those looking for change are looking to be turned from homosexual to heterosexual with no lingering effects. Though I have personally never met anyone who fits this exact description, I certainly wouldn’t wish to put God in a box and make the claim that He could not bring it about.
We believe the goal for our sexuality should be holiness and purity, regardless of our marital status or at what point we are along the journey.
We do not seek to change an individual’s attractions or orientation, and we will not make promises that such will happen.
But we also believe that finding sexual purity is available to those who submit their lives and wills to God’s leading for Him to begin His process of change however He sees fit, according to His plan and purpose for each individual. Practical steps such as confessing your sin; repentance; being open, transparent, honest and truthful, and accountable; seeking the Lord to find identity in Him; God will use all these things to bring maturity to the believer’s life, including the area of sexuality.
