Mark Shell Ministries
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

1. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, that it was written by holy men of God under the direction and inspiration of God Himself by His Spirit.

References:
2 Tim. 2:15
I Peter 2:2
II Peter 1:19,21
II Tim. 3:16-17


2. The Godhead

We believe there is one true and living God: that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three. Equal in attributes, but executing distinct harmonious offices.

a. God the Father - the creator of heaven and earth and all that is therein, sent His only Son to redeem and reconcile the world to Himself
b. God the Son - Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost, became flesh and dwelt among us, the only Mediator between God and man.
c. God the Holy Spirit - the third Person of the Trinity, omnipresent, omnipotent, fulfilling on earth the office of reprover of sin, righteousness and judgement, the comforter, leader and guide to all who yield themselves to His ministration.

References:
Matthew 28:19
Matthew 1:23
Gen. 1:1
I Tim 2:5
John 1:14,18
John 15:26
II Cor 13:14
John 16:7,14
Isaiah 43:10


3. The Fall of Man

We believe man was created in the image of God, but by voluntary transgression, fell from edenic holiness and purity, and his only hope of redemption is through Jesus Christ, God's Son.

References:
Gen 1:26-31
Rom 3:5,16,19
Rom 5:12,21


4. The Plan of Redemption

We believe that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and that His death was by Divine appointment of the Father as the atonement for man's sin. We believe that upon simple faith and acceptance of this sacrificial life and death of the Lord Jesus, all that call upon Him may be justified by faith through His precious blood. Salvation is by faith through grace and not by our works.

References:
I Peter 1:18-20
Titus 2:14
John 1:29, 6:47
Eph 2:8-9
John 6:37
Romans 6:23, 3:23, 5:1-2


5. The New Birth

We believe in the new birth as a definite experience of salvation and conversion from a life of sin to a life of righteousness and true holiness by Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of all Making.

References:
John 3:3
II Cor 5:17
Rom 6:11,18
I Cor 1:30


6. Daily Christian Living

We believe that having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we should desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we might grow thereby to the degree of receiving the meat of the Word for the purpose of walking humbly in love and faith seeking on a daily basis the will of God for our lives to be used for the building of the Kingdom of God, and reflecting the power of the Christ within.

References:
I John 1:6,7
I Cor 7:1
I John 2:6
Isaiah 35:8
I Thess 5:23
Rom 8:5


7. Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a command of our Lord and is vital to our identity as believers on the Lord Jesus as Savior, although it in itself is not salvation of the believer but does offer an outward sign of an inward work taking place as a type of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus. The reminder of the death to self and resurrection gives the believer an unction to walk in the newness of life.

References:
Matt 28:19-20
Rom 6:4
Acts 2:41


8. The Lord's Supper

We believe that the Lord's supper is a memorial of His suffering and death. The broken bread used in it's commemoration is a type of the Bread that came down from heaven, even Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us. The wine reminds us of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior, This ordinance is to be carried out for the duration from Calvary to the catching away of the Church and should be enjoyed by every believer of the Church of the Lord Jesus.

References:
Mark 14:22-24
I Cor 11:23-30


9. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite work of the Spirit subsequent to the New Birth. This endowment of power is to be expected after the same manner in which He came on the Day of Pentecost upon both Jews and Gentile alike in Apostolic days.

References:
Matt 3:11
Acts 2:4
John 14:17-18
Acts 8:17
Acts 1:4,8
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 17:6
I Cor 3:16


10. The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit has definite Spiritual Gifts to bestow upon every believer in the church of Jesus Christ. These gifts are given to the believer as the Spirit wills and the occasion for witness demands. We believe every believer should desire to be used of God to witness of His delivering power through the use and demonstration of these gifts.

References:
I Cor 12:1-11
Gal 5:22-23
I Cor 14:12
Rom 12:6-8


11. Sanctification

We believe the Scriptures teach a life of holiness, without which no man shall see God. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command, " Be ye holy for I am holy ". Entire sanctification is the will of God for every believer and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to god's Word on a daily basis.

References:
Hebrews 12:14
I Peter 1:11,16
I Thess 5:23-24
I John 2:6


12. Divine Healing

We believe that the atonement through the work of Jesus Christ provides every believer deliverance from sickness and disease and is the privilege of every participating believer.

References:
Exodus 15:26
Acts 4:29-30
Isaiah 53:4-5
James 5:14-16
Matt 8:17


13. The Second Coming

a. The Rapture of the Church - We believe in the resurrection of those fallen asleep in Christ and those who are alive and living in Christ will be translated, hence caught away, to meet the Lord in the air. This is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.

References:
I Thess 4:16-17
I Cor 15:51-52
Rom 8:23
Titus 2:13

b. The Revelation of the Church - We believe the Lord will return with His saints to set up His millennial reign on earth. It is the promise of God and the world's only hope.

References:
I Thess 1:7
Rev.19:11-14
Rev. 10:1-7


14. Heaven

We believe heaven is the prepared place for the saints of God who have believed on Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The reward in heaven among many other is everlasting life and joy in the presence of God Himself.

References:
Rev 7:14-17
Rev 21:4
Rev 22:5