Precious Stones- First Things First Series

Precious Stones

First things First!

12/14/2006 - Marsing, ID

Ricardo Rodriguez – pastor_rr@yahoo.com

Joshua 1:9

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

“Mira que te mando que te esfuerces y seas valiente: no temas ni desmayes, porque Jehová tu Dios será contigo en donde quiera que fueres.”

The Church

Economic System

Holiness

Only One God

Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit

Water Baptism

It takes a real man and a real woman to serve God. God wants us to be strong and of good courage. Not to be afraid, not to faint at the darts of the enemy and darts of this world.

Matt 11:12

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

“Desde los días de Juan el Bautista hasta ahora, al reino de los cielos se hace fuerza, y los valientes lo arrebatan.”

MILITARY SERVICE

The Apostolic Assembly recognizes human government as ordained by God (Romans 13:1-2). Therefore, the Apostolic Assembly admonishes its members to affirm loyalty to their country. As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christians must obey His precepts and commandments as follows: “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39 ). “Follow peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14 ). (See also Romans 12:19; Matthew 26:52; James 5:6; Revelation 13: 10). Given these scriptures, it is believed and interpreted that the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ shall neither destroy someone else’s property nor take someone’s life.

It is considered a sin to participate in acts contrary to those recommended by the Holy Word of God, after having received the knowledge of the truth and having been made new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 6:4-9, 10:26-27).

All members, therefore, are advised to follow their conscience in freely serving their country, whether in time of peace or war, and in any capacity no matter how hard or dangerous it may be, as long as it is of NONCOMBATANT CHARACTER. Doctrine teaches us to pray that we may always have men of God in authority. It teaches us to pray for them that they may receive divine guidance so that we as a nation might steer clear of any war and live continually in honor and peace (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

CHURCH AND STATE

We believe in the separation of Church and State and that neither should intervene in the internal affairs of the other since this fulfills the biblical precept “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17 ).

Christians should participate in civil activities according to their abilities and political inclinations, always reflecting their own personal ideas and opinions, and not those of the Church. The Apostolic Assembly is always neutral and has room for men of all political creeds. Nevertheless, all Christians must obey civil authorities and the laws and ordinances issued by these authorities, unless these laws contradict religious principles or force Christians to act against their conscience (Romans 13:1-7).

THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe in the literal practice of the Lord’s Supper, which He himself instituted (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

This ordinance shall make use of unleavened bread that represents the sinless body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and unfermented wine that represents the blood of Christ, which consummated our redemption.

The object of this ceremony is to commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and to announce the day in which He shall return to the world, at the same time to give testimony of the communion that exists among believers. No person shall participate in this ceremony who is not a faithful church member or is not in full communion; if a person does participate without fulfilling these requirements, he or she will be unable to discern the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:15-17, 11:27-28; 2 Corinthians 13:5).

After partaking of a supper with His apostles, the Lord washed their feet, an act that marveled them at that moment. When He was done, the Master explained to His Disciples the significance of this act, and recommended that they wash one another’s feet. The Church practices this act in combination or indistinctly with the Lord’s Supper as an act of humility and Christian fellowship (1 Timothy 5: 10 ).