TORCH of CHRIST ministries

MISSION STATEMENT

TORCH of CHRIST MINISTRIES is an evangelistic and missionary organization dedicated to changing the world one soul at a time by taking the light of Jesus Christ into the darkest and most dangerous places on earth.

Our primary charge is to declare the full counsel of God's Word through bold open-air preaching, intentional street evangelism, and strategic global missions. We believe that every true expression of the Gospel must couple a firm declaration of truth with tangible acts of love--feeding the hungry, caring for orphans, and making disciples where others refuse to go. We do not seek the approval of men or the security of comfort; we go where the Lord directs to ignite a fire of revival, equip local believers, and push back the forces of spiritual darkness.

CORE BELIEFS

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, serving as the ultimate guide for faith and conduct.

THE DEITY OF CHRIST

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and rose bodily from the dead.

SALVATION BY GRACE

We believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from human works.

THE GREAT COMMISSION

We are commanded to preach the Gospel to every nation, making disciples and transforming lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

THE TRIUNE GOD

We believe in one eternal God who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the present-day ministry of the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live godly lives and exercise spiritual gifts.

FULL DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

I. THE AUTHORITY AND SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE

We believe the Bible—comprising the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments—is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. It is the supreme and final authority for all matters of Christian faith, doctrine, and living (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Ultimate Standard: Scripture is the absolute truth by which all human conduct, creeds, and

religious opinions must be tested (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5).

Absolute Rejection of Error: Because God’s Word is final, any spiritual experience, personal prophecy, supernatural manifestation, or theological teaching that goes clearly and directly contrary to the plain text of Scripture must be wholly rejected and dismissed as false (Galatians 1:8, Isaiah 8:20).

II. THE TRIUNE GOD & THE DEITY OF CHRIST

We believe in the one true and living God, eternally existing in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The Distinction: Jesus Christ is fully God, but He is not the Father; He is the eternally begotten Son

(John 1:18, John 14:28).

The Incarnation: He took on human flesh, being fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, lived a

sinless life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of the Father (John 1:1, John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

III. SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

We believe that salvation is a free gift of God, received entirely by grace through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).

Regeneration & Fruit: True salvation inevitably results in a transformed life. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces a lasting change in the believer, bearing fruit unto righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-23). A claim to faith that produces no change and no fruit is a dead faith (James 2:17, James 2:26). Genuine salvation is evidenced by a heart turned toward God and away from sin, resulting in a transformed life that seeks to obey His commands (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

IV. THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER & APOSTASY

We believe that all true believers are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. However, we also recognize the biblical warnings against falling away, the hardening of the heart through the deceitfulness of sin, and the absolute necessity of enduring in faith and holiness until the end to inherit eternal life (John 10:28; Hebrews 3:12-14; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2:10).

Eternal Security & Rebellion: We reject the doctrine of unconditional eternal security. We believe that a Christian possesses the free will to willfully depart from the faith, fall away, and return to a life of unrepentant sin and rebellion (Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Peter 2:20-22). If a person dies in a state of active apostasy and rebellion away from God, they will be reserved for what Scripture calls outer darkness (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 25:30, Hebrews 10:26-29).

V. THE BAPTISM & GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the power of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct, empowering experience for the believer to witness boldly (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4).

Cessationism Rejected: We staunchly reject cessationism. We believe that all the spiritual gifts outlined in Scripture—including prophecy, physical healing, and speaking in tongues—are actively available and intended for the Church today (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Hebrews 13:8).

The Operation of Tongues: We believe in the reality of speaking in tongues, though we do not believe it is a mandatory requirement for salvation (1 Corinthians 12:30). Scripture reveals that tongues operates in a multifaceted capacity:

Private Devotion: As an individual, private prayer language between the believer and God to edify their own spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20).

Corporate Edification: As a public corporate gift to deliver a prophetic message to the congregation, which strictly requires an interpretation so that the entire church body may be edified and instructed (1 Corinthians 14:5, 14:13, 14:27-28).

Evangelistic Sign: As a supernatural missionary sign to nations and unbelievers. In these occurrences, the Holy Spirit empowers a believer to speak or preach in tongues so that foreign listeners miraculously hear, comprehend, and receive the Gospel proclaimed clearly in their own localized native dialects and home languages--mirroring the apostolic wonder of Pentecost (Acts 2:4-11, 1 Corinthians 14:22).

VI. CHURCH ORDER AND SPIRIT-LED EXPRESSION

While we operate in deep reverence, awe, and submission to the Holy Spirit—knowing He has complete liberty to move, interrupt, and do whatever He desires during a service—we believe that true spiritual expression reflects the character of God (Psalm 2:11, Habakkuk 2:20).

Spirit-Led Emotion: We fully support and encourage the open display of deep affection, passionate

worship, tears, and joy during corporate gatherings, provided it is genuinely led by the Holy Spirit

(Psalm 47:1, Luke 10:21). True spiritual fervor is deeply personal and emotional.

Orderly Worship: We distinguish between genuine, Spirit-led expression and fleshly, manufactured

emotionalism or chaos designed to draw attention to man. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, and all things must be done decently and in order to edify the body

(1 Corinthians 14:32-33, 1 Corinthians 14:40).

Discernment: We explicitly reject the false teachings, structural errors, and unbiblical authority

structures associated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement

(1 John 4:1, Matthew 7:15-16).

VII. SPIRITUAL WARFARE & DELIVERANCE

We believe that deliverance is a vital ministry that belongs to the children of God

(Mark 16:17, Luke 4:18).

Infiltration vs. Possession: Just as sinful desires can still dwell within the physical body of a believer after salvation, a Christian can also become spiritually oppressed or demonized by evil spirits through open doors of sin, un-forgiveness, and disobedience (Ephesians 4:27, 2 Timothy 2:25-26). Christians cannot be "possessed" in the sense of losing ownership of their eternal souls, but they can be severe targets of demonic strongholds that must be cast out and broken in the name of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:4, James 4:7).

Manifestations in Corporate Gatherings: We recognize that when the Holy Spirit moves in power,

deliverance can break out during a corporate service. These strategic encounters can involve intense spiritual warfare and may temporarily give the external appearance of disorder as unclean spirits manifest (Mark 1:23-26, Luke 4:33-35). Because tearing down demonic strongholds is of sensitive, urgent, and eternal importance, these moments are sometimes unavoidable and vital for freedom. We do not suppress the liberating work of the Spirit out of a false sense of decorum, but handle these occurrences with pastoral wisdom, keeping the ultimate focus on the authority of Jesus Christ.

VIII. WATER BAPTISM & IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE

We believe in the commandment, spiritual power, and structural importance of water baptism

(Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16).

Distinction from the New Birth: We do not believe that the physical act of water baptism is what

regenerates a person or makes them born again. The new birth is an instantaneous, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit received entirely through faith alone (Acts 10:44-48, Ephesians 2:8-9).

Immediate Obedience: While water baptism is not the cause of salvation, it is the immediate command for the saved. It should not be delayed by mandatory, months-long church classes or probationary periods, but performed as soon as a person repents and believes (Acts 8:36-38, Acts 16:33). When believers walk in immediate obedience, academic debates over its necessity disappear—because every true convert will be baptized without delay, keeping faith and public confession unified as Scripture intends (Acts 2:38-41).

The Formula: While we recognize the scriptural validity of declaring the titles Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit, our conviction and practice is to baptize explicitly in the Name of Jesus Christ

(Acts 2:38, Acts 19:5). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to His name, and it is by the power and authority of that name alone that the work is sealed (Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 3:17).

IX. THE SECOND COMING AND FINAL JUDGMENT

We believe in the personal, imminent, visible, and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ to this earth to judge the living and the dead. (Acts 1:11, Titus 2:13, Revelation 1:7).

The Sovereign Judge: Upon His return, he will execute ultimate justice, judging both the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5).

Eternal Rewards and Punishment: Those who are found in Him will inherit eternal life and reward, while those who rejected Him and died in their rebellion will face final, righteous judgment and eternal separation from the presence of God (Revelation 20:11-15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto eternal life in the presence of God, and the lost unto eternal punishment in the lake of fire (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46).

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