Doctrinal Statement
Our doctrinal statement outlines very specifically where Harambee Church stands on traditional church issues.The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (II Tim 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:20,21; Matt 5:18; John 16:12,13).
The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-eternal in power and glory, equal in attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14).
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).
The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. We believe He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27 Romans 3:22,-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by repentance and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19).
Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Gal 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer's responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We believe that all the gifts are functioning, and can be used by God, but none of the particular spiritual gift(s) are essential, nor do they prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are they an indication of deep spiritual experience (I Cor. 12:7, 11,13 & Eph, 4:7-8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith--in accordance with His own will--for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7 & I John 5: 14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Rom 12:1-8; I Cor. 13; I Peter 4:10-11).
The Church
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born again of the Holy Spirit of God (Eph 1:22,23; 5:25-27; I Cor 12:12-14; II Cor 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27, 18:22, 20:17; I Tim 3:1-3 & Titus 1:5-11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Rom 16:1,4; I Cor 3:9, 16; I Cor 5: 4-7, 13; I Peter 5:1-4). We recognize believer's baptism and the Lord's supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 18:8; I Cor 11:23-26).
Christ’s Return
We believe in our Lord’s imminent return in power & glory (Matt 24:29-51, 25:31-33; Acts 1:9-11; Rev 21:1-7).