Statement of Faith | Japan Gospel

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Statement
of Faith

Faithfully teaching God’s Word and sharing the Gospel in Japan.

One Faith. One Gospel. One Mission.

At Japan Gospel, our desire is to faithfully teach the Word of God, openly communicate what we believe, and work in unity with brethren who share a commitment to biblical truth. We believe Christians should strive to “speak the same thing” and have “no divisions” among us (1 Corinthians 1:10).

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and is fully sufficient to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Scripture is our final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, worship, and Christian practice. We seek biblical authority for what we teach and practice, doing all things in the name and by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17).

God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who fully possess the divine nature and are eternal (Matthew 28:19). Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine, who came in the flesh and gave Himself for mankind (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9).

We believe the Holy Spirit revealed God’s Word through inspired men and works through that revealed Word today. Miraculous gifts such as prophecy, tongues, miraculous healing, and direct revelation served to reveal and confirm the Gospel during the apostolic age and ceased when that purpose was fulfilled (1 Corinthians 13:8–10; Hebrews 2:3–4; Jude 3).

Salvation

We believe salvation is made possible only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. In response to the Gospel, a person must:

Hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
Believe in Jesus Christ (John 8:24)
Repent of sin (Luke 13:3)
Confess Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10)
Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
Remain faithful to Christ (Revelation 2:10)

We believe biblical baptism is the immersion of a believing, repentant person in water. Scripture describes baptism as a burial with Christ and connects it with forgiveness of sins and entrance into Christ (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21).

We do not believe Scripture teaches salvation through a “sinner’s prayer” or that a person is saved before baptism. When a person obeys the Gospel, the Lord adds that person to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

We also believe Christians must continue faithfully in Christ and that Scripture warns believers against falling away from the faith (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12).

The Church

We believe Jesus established one church, described in Scripture as His body (Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:4–5). Christ alone is the head of His church (Colossians 1:18).

Local congregations are autonomous and are to be overseen by qualified elders, with deacons serving alongside them and the saints carrying out the work of the congregation (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9).

Worship

We seek to worship according to the pattern revealed in the New Testament. The assembled church participates in:

Prayer
Preaching and teaching
Congregational singing
Giving
The Lord’s Supper

(Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2)

We believe Christians are instructed to sing and make melody in the heart and therefore do not use instrumental music in congregational worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16–17).

We observe the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week in remembrance of the death of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29).

Christian Life and Conduct

We believe Christians are called to holiness in every area of life and should submit their conduct to the teaching of Scripture.

Women are vital members of Christ’s church and serve in many important areas of ministry, teaching, encouragement, and service. We also believe Scripture reserves spiritual leadership over the assembled congregation—including the work of elders and preaching or teaching over men—for qualified men (1 Timothy 2:11–12; 3:1–7; Titus 2:3–5).

We believe God designed marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). We accept Jesus’ teaching concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage, including His stated exception concerning sexual immorality (Matthew 5:31–32; 19:3–9).

We believe Christians should abstain from the recreational or social consumption of intoxicating alcohol, while recognizing the limited medicinal use described in Scripture (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 5:23; 1 Corinthians 6:10).

Fellowship and Faithfulness

We believe Christians should seek unity based upon truth rather than personal preference. We must not compromise revealed doctrine, nor should we bind personal opinions where God has allowed liberty (Romans 14:1–4; 2 John 9).

When disagreements arise, we seek to address them biblically, personally, patiently, and with the goal of reconciliation (Matthew 18:15–17). Christians have a responsibility to correct doctrinal error with Scripture and in a spirit of love (2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 6:1).

We also believe the church has a responsibility to practice biblical discipline when a Christian persistently refuses to repent, always seeking restoration and faithfulness to Christ (1 Corinthians 5:11–13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).

Judgment and Eternity

We believe Jesus Christ is presently reigning as King and will return one day (Acts 2:34–36; 1 Corinthians 15:25). At His return, the dead will be raised and all people will stand before Him in judgment (John 5:28–29; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Those who are faithful to Christ will enjoy eternal life with Him, while those who remain outside of Christ will face eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 21:8).

We do not believe Christ will return to establish a future earthly kingdom. At His return will come the resurrection, judgment, and the completion of His redemptive reign (1 Corinthians 15:24–26; 2 Peter 3:10–13).

Our Mission

We believe the mission of the church is to seek the lost, preach the Gospel, make disciples, and teach them to observe everything Christ has commanded (Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:19–20).

That mission is at the heart of Japan Gospel.

We are committed to teaching Scripture faithfully, handling God’s Word accurately, and remaining accountable to the brethren and congregations who work alongside and support this effort. Our sermons, classes, teaching materials, and doctrinal positions are open to examination in light of Scripture.

We welcome sincere questions and are always willing to sit down together, open the Bible, and study what God has revealed (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).