Our Beliefs

Many ask what Petra believes doctrinally - we are happy to answer your questions!  

We believe in the Word of God and subscribe to Apostolic Doctrine.  Our fundamental beliefs are summarized as follows:

01. The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason.   We recognize that the Bible in English is a translation from its original Hebrew, Greek, and Latin text, and as such, we believe in studying the Word to verify the text and language so as not to develop our own private interpretation.   

02. There is only ONE God

The One True God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed "I AM.”  All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was and is the image of the invisible God. 

03. Redemption

Man was created well and upright, for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."  Man fell by voluntary transgression and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ. 

04. Salvation

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23). The penalty for sin is death.  (Rom. 6:23).  We need delivered!   the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   (Rom. 6:23).   Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and the bondage of sin.   Salvation is not earned - it is a gift of grace, acquired through faith. 

Faith is not expressed in audible words, such as “I accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior”; rather, faith is demonstrated by obedience to the will of God (Matt. 7:21) and to the gospel (the gospel is the power of God unto salvation).  Rom. 1:16).

Petra believes salvation and deliverance from sin is possible only through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.   Relationship - not religion.  

05. Proclamation of Good News

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the proclamation of good news to those who are destitute or distressed.  It is good news of: (a) healing for the brokenhearted; (b) deliverance for the captive; (c) recovering of sight to the blind; (d) the setting at liberty those who are bruised; and (e) preaching the acceptable year of the Lord.  (Luke 4:18-19).  

06. Biblical Repentance

Repentance is a conscious effort, through the help of Jesus Christ, to turn away from the path which leads to destruction and separation from God, and take the path towards becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.   According to scripture, we are to “deny” ourselves, take up our “cross daily,” and “follow” Jesus.  (Luke 9:23).   

07. Water Baptism

Water baptism by full immersion is a commandment of scripture and a requirement for our salvation.  The purpose of baptism is the forgiveness of sins.  (Acts 2:38).  The proper method of baptism is complete submersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Petra does not baptize in the titles “Father,” “Son,” or “Holy Ghost,” as these “titles” encompass who Jesus Christ is.  (Col. 2:9).   We baptize in Jesus' Name based on the Bible - not religion (Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:14-16; Acts 10:44-48); Acts 19:1-6; Acts 22:16).  

08. Birth of the Spirit

To be born again, we must be filled with the Holy GHost.  (John 3:3-8).  The Holy Ghost is an experience available to every person.  (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:38-39).  Without it, we do not even belong to Jesus!  (Rom. 8:9).  He is not our Lord without the Spirit!  (1 Cor. 12:3). 

A genuine birth of the Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in testimony and service, as well in spiritual maturity.  (Isaiah 28:11-12; John 3:7-8; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-6).  

09. Biblical Holiness

By the power of the Spirit we are able to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy."  Holiness is defined Biblically as cleanliness.  We are to follow God’s Word so we maintain purity and cleanliness.  Holiness is not a uniform standard of apparel, nor is it a call to isolation.  We are to exhibit holiness in all of our behaviors.  (1 Pet. 1:15).   The church is instructed to avoid conformance to anti-Christ values, systems, or lifestyles.  (Rom. 12:1-2). We are called to be a light for those around us.  Because God is holy, God has the absolute authority to declare what is holy for us.  We can only understand and live in His holiness through our intimate relationship with Him.  

10. The Church

The “church” is not a building, an organization, or an event. The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of what is commonly referred to as the “Great Commission.” – i.e., impartation of the gospel to every creature.  Each person living a repented life, who has been baptized in Jesus’ Name for the remission of their sins, who has received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (i.e., born of the Spirit), and who is striving to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him is a “member” of the “Church.”

 

11. Ministry

Each “member” of the “body of Christ” is called to be a “minister.” Petra does not adopt or subscribe to the traditional view that ministry is limited to public ministry, such as pulpit ministry, music, etc. The very purpose for being born again is to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We, as members of the body, are each called to preach the gospel and to preach the kingdom. We are baptized in Jesus Name, and therefore are invested with the authority of Jesus Christ. We are filled with His Spirit, and therefore are invested with miraculous power. This authority and power are to operate together so we can minister to one another and make disciples.