Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Manna House Fellowship based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
The One True God
There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who is infinitely perfect (Matthew 5:48), existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (Philippians 2:6–11). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34–38). He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), as a substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9), and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood (Romans 5:9). He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures (Acts 2:23–24). He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High Priest (Hebrews 8:1). He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness and peace (Matthew 26:64).
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God who applies the saving work of Jesus Christ to sinful human beings (John 14:15–18), sent to indwell, guide, teach, empower the believer(John 16:13; Acts 1:8), and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7–11).
The Fall
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) : he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23) , are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians15:20–23). The portion of the unrepentant and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment (Revelation 21:8); and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss (Revelation 21:1–4). Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God (Titus 3:4–7).
The Promise of the Father
All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
The Church Body
The Church consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22–23), which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–47).
End Times
We are pre-millennial in our eschatology. This means we believe in Christ's imminent return for His church (the rapture) ushering in seven years of worldwide tribulation. At the end of this period Christ will come to restore the nation of Israel, and set up His millennial kingdom. After this He will judge all mankind (Matthew 13:39-42; 24:36-44; Luke 21:25-35; 1 Corinthians 3:11‑15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:1)
Marriage
God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2:22-24; Matt 19:5-6).
Baptism
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4).
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).