Statement of Faith
The programs and activities of
Rory Synoground Ministries International shall be based upon and at all times be
consistent with the following beliefs.
I. The Bible is the mind of
Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is the only infallible, authoritive
Word of God. The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our
infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.
II. There is one God manifested in
three personalities: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is greater
than all, the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter. (John 14:28; John
1:4) The Son is the Word Flesh covered, the One begotten and has existed with
the Father from the beginning. (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 1:18) The Holy Spirit
proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal. (John 14:16
15:26)
III. Man is a created being, made
in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression 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."
(Rom 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. (Eph 2:8-10)
IV. Mans first step toward
salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to
all men, and when experienced produces eternal life. (2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 5:12;
John 3:3-5)
V. Baptism in water is by
immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The
ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His
death, burial, and resurrection. (Matt 28:19; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; Acts 8:36-39)
VI. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost
and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all
believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This
experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues
as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Matt 3:11, John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;
Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4)
VII. 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
time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at
Christ's return. (Heb 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil
3:12-14)
VIII. Healing is for the physical
ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of
faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of
Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today. (Mark 16:18;
James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; Matt 8:17; Isa 53:4-5)
IX. We believe in the resurrection
of the just and the return of our 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 Thess 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. (Rev. 5:10; 20:6)
X. 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 dammed 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. (Heb 9:27; Rev 19:20; Rev 21:8)