AFFIRMATIONS & DENIALS
THE MANIFEST SONS OF GOD THEOLOGY
We Affirm all born-again believers will be “manifest” as sons of God after the second coming of Christ.
We Deny that we will experience the fullness of our inheritance as sons of God before Jesus returns.
Explanation: Some uphold the false teaching that in this age believers can have faith that will enable them to attain to qualities of life that are reserved only for believers in the resurrection.
THE LATTER RAIN
We Affirm that the Church will experience the greatest outpouring of the Spirit in history before Jesus returns (Joel 2:28-32). This outpouring will result in a great ingathering of souls and a renewing of the Church so that it walks in godliness as declared in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:1-7:28). We affirm the presence of the fivefold ministry for the equipping of the saints (Eph. 4:11-13).
We Deny the distinctive doctrines that go beyond Scripture that are often associated with the Latter Rain theology that was popularized in the 1950s.
DOMINION THEOLOGY
We Affirm that God’s purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His kingdom rule over all the earth. After the second coming, the saints will rule the earth under the leadership of Jesus Christ when He sets up His government on earth in the millennial kingdom (1 Cor. 6:2; Rev. 5:10; 20:3-6). We believe that believers in this age are called to serve Jesus in politics and to help establish righteousness and justice in legislation. We do not have the assurance that all laws and governments will be changed until after the second coming of Jesus to establish His millennial kingdom.
We Deny that the Church will take over all the governments of the earth before the return of Christ.
Explanation: Some believe and teach that all governments on earth will be transformed by the Church before the second coming of Jesus.
JOEL’S ARMY
We Affirm that the army in Joel 2:1-11 was an ungodly Babylonian army that destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. We believe that this passage has a double fulfillment in that it also points to the Antichrist’s army that will attack Israel at the end of the age. We affirm that Joel was prophesying of the lifestyle of godly believers in Joel 2:12-17.
We Deny that Joel 2:1-11 describes the end-time Church as an elite militant force.
Explanation: In the House of Prayer context, “Joel’s army” has been used to signify the people who walk out the principles of prayer with fasting as taught in Joel 2:12-17. The term has been used much like “Joseph Company,” “Gideon Band,” or “David Company” to signify the people who embraced the godly qualities that Joel taught about prayer, fasting, and wholehearted obedience. Though there are erroneous teaching concerning Joel’s army we affirm that the reference to Joel’s army does not refer to the destroying army mentioned in Joel 2:1-11, but to people who walk out the Joel 2:12-17 lifestyle. To help aid in this clarity this house will avoid the use of the term without explanation.
THE USE OF PROPHECY
We Affirm that the Bible is the inerrant and sole objective source of direction and wisdom for the life of a believer. We believe in the operation of the prophetic ministry as a source of edification, exhortation, and comfort from the Lord (1 Cor. 14:3). We believe that the subjectivity of the prophetic ministry must be vigorously tested against the inspired and infallible Scriptures that God gave for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
We Deny that subjective prophetic experiences are equal to the inspired Word of God. In other words, all personal prophecy must uphold and honor the Scripture.
Explanation: Simple prophecy is limited to edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). It is to enrich our spiritual life, rather than give direction in the domestic areas of our life. Edification speaks of spiritually building or edifying someone’s spirit by confirming their destiny or God’s purpose for their life. The most common way to edify through simple prophecy is to give a Scripture that has been previously important to them. Exhortation includes calling people to persevere and not give up on their promises to God in hard times, and not give in to sin. Comfort speaks of making known God’s perspective in a great disappointment or setback in a person’s life by giving God’s perspective in telling them that God has a plan in their time of pressure.
We urge people to avoid giving others prophetic direction in the domestic areas of their life. This includes issues related to spousal designation, bearing children, changing jobs, moving, buying or selling (i.e. house), or leaving one church for another, etc. We may give godly counsel to one another in domestic areas without presenting it as a prophecy. Personal prophecies should be given with others as witnesses (we request that prophecies be recorded when possible). Some people have an over-reliance on dreams for direction in their domestic lives. God never intended to direct people mostly by dreams. Yes, God does use dreams to give some direction; however, dreams are not to be a substitute for gaining wisdom from Scripture. Some people rely on dreams for decisions because it absolves them from responsibility and lacking wisdom if the decision turns out to be wrong (Eccl. 5:3, 7).
THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID
We Affirm that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating a global worship and prayer movement that will operate in great authority (Lk. 18:7-8; Mt. 21:13; Rev. 5:8, 8:3-5, 22:17; Isaiah 62:6-7; Joel 2:12-17, 32). This prayer movement will operate in the spirit of the tabernacle of David.
We Deny that the restoration of the tabernacle of David is the same as the end-time prayer movement.
Explanation: In the days of King David, he established a tabernacle that had singers and musicians who ministered to the Lord night and day. Today, the prayer movement is in the spirit of David’s tabernacle. This means that the prayer movement will have some components of the tabernacle of David, specifically pertaining to singers and musicians.
The promise of the restoration of the tabernacle of David refers to the governmental restoration of David’s international rule as part of the restoration of national Israel in the millennial kingdom.
The context of Amos 9:11-12 is the governmental rule of Jesus over all the nations from Jerusalem. In Acts 15:13-18, James referred to Amos 9:11 declaring that Gentiles should be accepted into the predominantly Jewish Body of Christ, without needing to convert to Judaism. The apostles understood that in the end times, God would re-establish the Messianic kingdom over all the nations. God had just visited the Gentiles with salvation at Cornelius’s house (Acts 10). This was in agreement with Old Testament prophecy. James quoted Amos to prove that many Gentiles will be saved in the context of the restoration of the Davidic dynastic reign. This restoration will, of course, include David’s heart for worship and prayer. Though Amos 9:11 is not prophesying primarily about 24/7 intercessory worship, it will be a foundational reality in the release of Jesus’ worldwide rule over the nations. The practice of worship and intercession is not, in itself, the actual restoration of David’s tabernacle.
HUMAN PHYSICAL RESPONSES TO GOD’S PRESENCE
We Affirm that the expressions of the Holy Spirit within a believer allows a believer to have a sense of freedom to respond in many various ways. Speaking in tongues, resting or laying in the Spirit, (sometimes referred to as slain in the spirit with old time Pentecostals), lifting of hands, shouting, dancing, manifestations of joy, etc.
We deny that one is possessed beyond their control by the Holy Spirit and are forced into certain manifestations. We also deny the manifestation of being drunk in the Holy Spirit and displaying attributes associated with worldly drunkenness (slurring of speech, stumbling, silliness, etc.) as evidence of God moving. We also deny the pursuit of levitation and other forms of so called ecstatic mysticism.
Explanation: Although not all of these expressions are mentioned in the Bible neither are they denied; nor do they need to be explicitly found in scripture to be accepted. (ie. there is no healings of cancer in the Bible but we know God heals cancer) There were many people in both the Old and New Testaments that manifested unexpected activity when they were in the Spirit. If the Spirit moved on people in biblical times, He can certainly move on people in unique ways today. But physical responses, not explicitly normative in scripture, displayed in a corporate setting must be tested and discerned whether they are of God, a human response, or a spirit or influence of dis-unity.
Regardless, the fullness of the Holy Spirit must be welcomed, nurtured, and taught and the Spirit should not be quenched to avoid these teachable moments.
We Affirm all born-again believers will be “manifest” as sons of God after the second coming of Christ.
We Deny that we will experience the fullness of our inheritance as sons of God before Jesus returns.
Explanation: Some uphold the false teaching that in this age believers can have faith that will enable them to attain to qualities of life that are reserved only for believers in the resurrection.
THE LATTER RAIN
We Affirm that the Church will experience the greatest outpouring of the Spirit in history before Jesus returns (Joel 2:28-32). This outpouring will result in a great ingathering of souls and a renewing of the Church so that it walks in godliness as declared in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:1-7:28). We affirm the presence of the fivefold ministry for the equipping of the saints (Eph. 4:11-13).
We Deny the distinctive doctrines that go beyond Scripture that are often associated with the Latter Rain theology that was popularized in the 1950s.
DOMINION THEOLOGY
We Affirm that God’s purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His kingdom rule over all the earth. After the second coming, the saints will rule the earth under the leadership of Jesus Christ when He sets up His government on earth in the millennial kingdom (1 Cor. 6:2; Rev. 5:10; 20:3-6). We believe that believers in this age are called to serve Jesus in politics and to help establish righteousness and justice in legislation. We do not have the assurance that all laws and governments will be changed until after the second coming of Jesus to establish His millennial kingdom.
We Deny that the Church will take over all the governments of the earth before the return of Christ.
Explanation: Some believe and teach that all governments on earth will be transformed by the Church before the second coming of Jesus.
JOEL’S ARMY
We Affirm that the army in Joel 2:1-11 was an ungodly Babylonian army that destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. We believe that this passage has a double fulfillment in that it also points to the Antichrist’s army that will attack Israel at the end of the age. We affirm that Joel was prophesying of the lifestyle of godly believers in Joel 2:12-17.
We Deny that Joel 2:1-11 describes the end-time Church as an elite militant force.
Explanation: In the House of Prayer context, “Joel’s army” has been used to signify the people who walk out the principles of prayer with fasting as taught in Joel 2:12-17. The term has been used much like “Joseph Company,” “Gideon Band,” or “David Company” to signify the people who embraced the godly qualities that Joel taught about prayer, fasting, and wholehearted obedience. Though there are erroneous teaching concerning Joel’s army we affirm that the reference to Joel’s army does not refer to the destroying army mentioned in Joel 2:1-11, but to people who walk out the Joel 2:12-17 lifestyle. To help aid in this clarity this house will avoid the use of the term without explanation.
THE USE OF PROPHECY
We Affirm that the Bible is the inerrant and sole objective source of direction and wisdom for the life of a believer. We believe in the operation of the prophetic ministry as a source of edification, exhortation, and comfort from the Lord (1 Cor. 14:3). We believe that the subjectivity of the prophetic ministry must be vigorously tested against the inspired and infallible Scriptures that God gave for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
We Deny that subjective prophetic experiences are equal to the inspired Word of God. In other words, all personal prophecy must uphold and honor the Scripture.
Explanation: Simple prophecy is limited to edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). It is to enrich our spiritual life, rather than give direction in the domestic areas of our life. Edification speaks of spiritually building or edifying someone’s spirit by confirming their destiny or God’s purpose for their life. The most common way to edify through simple prophecy is to give a Scripture that has been previously important to them. Exhortation includes calling people to persevere and not give up on their promises to God in hard times, and not give in to sin. Comfort speaks of making known God’s perspective in a great disappointment or setback in a person’s life by giving God’s perspective in telling them that God has a plan in their time of pressure.
We urge people to avoid giving others prophetic direction in the domestic areas of their life. This includes issues related to spousal designation, bearing children, changing jobs, moving, buying or selling (i.e. house), or leaving one church for another, etc. We may give godly counsel to one another in domestic areas without presenting it as a prophecy. Personal prophecies should be given with others as witnesses (we request that prophecies be recorded when possible). Some people have an over-reliance on dreams for direction in their domestic lives. God never intended to direct people mostly by dreams. Yes, God does use dreams to give some direction; however, dreams are not to be a substitute for gaining wisdom from Scripture. Some people rely on dreams for decisions because it absolves them from responsibility and lacking wisdom if the decision turns out to be wrong (Eccl. 5:3, 7).
THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID
We Affirm that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating a global worship and prayer movement that will operate in great authority (Lk. 18:7-8; Mt. 21:13; Rev. 5:8, 8:3-5, 22:17; Isaiah 62:6-7; Joel 2:12-17, 32). This prayer movement will operate in the spirit of the tabernacle of David.
We Deny that the restoration of the tabernacle of David is the same as the end-time prayer movement.
Explanation: In the days of King David, he established a tabernacle that had singers and musicians who ministered to the Lord night and day. Today, the prayer movement is in the spirit of David’s tabernacle. This means that the prayer movement will have some components of the tabernacle of David, specifically pertaining to singers and musicians.
The promise of the restoration of the tabernacle of David refers to the governmental restoration of David’s international rule as part of the restoration of national Israel in the millennial kingdom.
The context of Amos 9:11-12 is the governmental rule of Jesus over all the nations from Jerusalem. In Acts 15:13-18, James referred to Amos 9:11 declaring that Gentiles should be accepted into the predominantly Jewish Body of Christ, without needing to convert to Judaism. The apostles understood that in the end times, God would re-establish the Messianic kingdom over all the nations. God had just visited the Gentiles with salvation at Cornelius’s house (Acts 10). This was in agreement with Old Testament prophecy. James quoted Amos to prove that many Gentiles will be saved in the context of the restoration of the Davidic dynastic reign. This restoration will, of course, include David’s heart for worship and prayer. Though Amos 9:11 is not prophesying primarily about 24/7 intercessory worship, it will be a foundational reality in the release of Jesus’ worldwide rule over the nations. The practice of worship and intercession is not, in itself, the actual restoration of David’s tabernacle.
HUMAN PHYSICAL RESPONSES TO GOD’S PRESENCE
We Affirm that the expressions of the Holy Spirit within a believer allows a believer to have a sense of freedom to respond in many various ways. Speaking in tongues, resting or laying in the Spirit, (sometimes referred to as slain in the spirit with old time Pentecostals), lifting of hands, shouting, dancing, manifestations of joy, etc.
We deny that one is possessed beyond their control by the Holy Spirit and are forced into certain manifestations. We also deny the manifestation of being drunk in the Holy Spirit and displaying attributes associated with worldly drunkenness (slurring of speech, stumbling, silliness, etc.) as evidence of God moving. We also deny the pursuit of levitation and other forms of so called ecstatic mysticism.
Explanation: Although not all of these expressions are mentioned in the Bible neither are they denied; nor do they need to be explicitly found in scripture to be accepted. (ie. there is no healings of cancer in the Bible but we know God heals cancer) There were many people in both the Old and New Testaments that manifested unexpected activity when they were in the Spirit. If the Spirit moved on people in biblical times, He can certainly move on people in unique ways today. But physical responses, not explicitly normative in scripture, displayed in a corporate setting must be tested and discerned whether they are of God, a human response, or a spirit or influence of dis-unity.
Regardless, the fullness of the Holy Spirit must be welcomed, nurtured, and taught and the Spirit should not be quenched to avoid these teachable moments.