Everything we do is rooted in God’s Word. We believe in the truth of Scripture, the power of the Gospel, and the calling to live out our faith in community. Our beliefs shape how we worship, serve, and grow together as followers of Jesus.
Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures (the completed canon of 66 Old and New Testament books) are the inerrant Word of God. We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures. By verbal, we mean that the original writers were guided by the Holy Spirit in the exact choice of words yet respecting and reflecting the personality, style and vocabulary of each writer. By the word plenary, we mean that this divine verbal inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original manuscripts – historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical – so that every word is both infallible as to truth and final as to divine authority. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 10:35; 2 Peter 3:16; John 5:39) We affirm the literal method of interpretation which gives to each word the same exact basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage, whether implied in writing, speaking or thinking. We believe that the greater part of the Bible makes sense when interpreted literally; that it is the only sane and safe check on the imaginations of man and that it grounds interpretation in fact. This approach does not blindly rule out figures of speech, symbolism, allegories and types, but if the nature of the sentence so demands, it readily yields to the second sense. Therefore, when the plain meaning of the Scriptures makes common sense, we would seek no other meaning but rather take every word in its primary, ordinary, literal, usual sense unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The following two principles are prerequisites to a proper interpretation of the Scriptures. First, one must be born again and have an utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit to guide and direct. Second, one must interpret according to the immediate context as well as according to the larger context, such as the scope or the design of the book itself, and then by comparing Scripture with Scripture. (John 16:7-14; 1 Corinthians 2:7-16)
Triune God
We believe in one God who is a personal and eternal Spirit, perfect and unchangeable in all his attributes. This one God eternally exists in three persons, impossible of division but capable of distinction as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All have precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 45:56; Matthew 3:16-17; 16:16; 28:1819; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-14; Luke 11:13, 22:70;; John 10:30; 14:10-11, 1617; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father
We believe in God the Father as creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We marvel and rejoice that he concerns himself mercifully and lovingly in the affairs of mankind; that he hears and answers prayer and that he saves from sin, its power over our life, and from spiritual death. He also takes the fear out of physical death for all who come to him through faith in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 34:6; 147:5; John 1:3; 3:36; 6:27; Romans 1:18-20; 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 15:2-4; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 1:5; 2:1-2; 4:8; Revelation 3:20; 19:6)
God the Son
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, God the Son. We believe that he was pre- existent and is eternal, that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary, and is fully God and fully man. His death on the cross was substitutionary and representative and a sufficient propitiation for the guilt of all men. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he now carries on a ministry as advocate and intercessor for the saints. We believe in his imminent, personal and bodily return to the earth. (John 1:1, 14; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:6; Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9-10)
God the Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity and personality of God the Holy Spirit and that he is said to be eternally “proceeding” from the Father and the Son. We teach that the Holy Spirit was the agent in the revelation and the inspiration of the Scriptures, and the one who bears witness to the Scriptures, assuring believers of the truthfulness of God’s written Word. The Holy Spirit performs the work of regeneration in the heart of believers, baptizing them into the body of Christ, sealing, indwelling and filling them. He also bestows spiritual gifts upon them, empowering them for works of service. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16; Ephesians 4:30; John 15:26; 16:13-14; 16:7-8; Ephesians 1:13; 3:16; Genesis 1:2; 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 5:3-4; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 12; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 5:18)
Satan and Angels and the Spiritual Dimension
Their Origin
The angels were all created by God as a great host of sinless spirit-beings, most of whom kept their first estates of holiness and presently worship God and serve his purposes. (Psalm 148:2-5; Matthew 26:53; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:14)
The Fall of Some
One of the angels, Lucifer, fell through the sin of pride, thereby becoming Satan, and influenced a large company of angels to follow him, who thereby became demons. (Isaiah 14:12-17; 1 Timothy 3:6; James 2:19; 2 Peter 2:4)
Satan’s Work
The work of Satan and the demons is the attempted subversion and supplanting of the work of God. By a subtle suggestion, Satan accomplished the moral fall of the progenitors of the human race, subjecting them and their posterity to his own power. (Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:12; 2:6; Ezekiel 28:13- 15; Zechariah 3:1-2; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2) Satan continues as the enemy of God and the accuser of God’s people and persistently seeks to counterfeit the work of God and distort the truth of God. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:12, 16; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10) We believe that Satan was judged at the cross, and that at the second coming of Christ, Satan will be bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years. After the thousand years, he will be loosed for a short season to deceive the nations into rebelling against Christ; at that time he will be defeated by God and “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,” where he shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. (John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:1-3, 10)
Concerning Man
Man His Original Nature
Man was directly and immediately created in the image of God immutably as male and female, free from sin. He was created an immortal being with a rational nature, high intelligence and moral responsibility to God. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 3:9)
His Original Purpose
He was originally created with the divine intention that he should glorify God, enjoy his fellowship and fulfill his will and purpose in the earth. (Genesis 1:26-30; Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11)
His Subsequent Sin
Man subsequently fell into sin by a voluntary act of personal disobedience to the revealed will of God. (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; 1 Timothy 2:13-14) His
Present Condition
As a consequence, man became subject to the wrath of God, inherently corrupt, and incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace.Thus he is hopelessly lost apart from the salvation which is in the Lord Jesus Christ. The fall of man was an historical and non-repeatable act, the effects of which are transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ excepted. All people thus are sinners by divine pronouncement, nature, and deed, and thus face God’s wrath and judgment. (John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8; Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19; James 2:10)
Marriage and Family
We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Almost every good institution found in society is first found, in principle, in the family. Family is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Sin has deeply damaged marriage and the family. We believe that the divine power provided in salvation enables believers to restore and fulfill God’s original intentions in creating marriage, rather than remake marriage as egalitarian, genderless, or as a same-sex union. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for life. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and his church and to provide for men and women the framework and boundaries for intimate companionship and sexual pleasure; the means for the procreation of the human race; and a relationship where each gender complements and completes the other for each other’s holiness and maturity. (Matthew 19:6; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:23-24; Proverbs 18:22; 19:14; Hebrews 13:4) The husband and the wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship reflects how God relates to his people. A husband is to love and lead his wife and family as Christ sacrificially loves and leads the church. His leadership should be clear, God-honoring and servant-like, and never passive or dominating. His wife is to submit herself of her own free will to his loving, servant-like leadership even as the church freely submits itself to Christ. No human submission is absolute, but is as appropriate in the Lord. Submission is given to husbands who seek to bless, to serve and to otherwise enrich according to scriptural principles. A wife has a God- given responsibility to respect her husband and to be his faithful helper in this life, managing the affairs of their household and nurturing the next generation. (Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:24-25, 33; Titus 2:4-5; 1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:18) Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and a heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children moral and spiritual values and to lead them, through their lifestyle combined with loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth and to obey and honor their parents. (Psalms 139:13, 16; Proverbs 1:8; 22:6, 15; Colossians 3:20)
Sanctity of human life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.)
Salvation
We believe salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who by his death obtained eternal salvation for the believer. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ and his work. Salvation begins with divine regeneration and includes justification, sanctification and glorification. (John 1:12; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 2:4-10) Regeneration, or new birth, is a work of God whereby he makes believers alive toward him. It is a change of heart that evidences itself in a conviction of sin, repenting of unbelief and immorality, the restored ability to believe God and what he has done for the sinner in Christ. (John 1:13; 3:5-6; Ephesians 2:4-5) Justification is God’s gracious, full acquittal upon principles of his righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ and repent. Justification is not based on the believer’s righteousness, but on Christ’s righteousness attributed by God to him as an abiding gift. (Romans 3:24; Acts 13:38-39) Sanctification is the life, beginning at regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes so that he might glorify God through a life of fellowship and service. Since sinful desires are never fully eradicated in this life the believer must always turn from his sin, confess it to God and humbly and diligently seek ways to make no further provision for sin. (Titus 2:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10) Glorification is the culmination of salvation, which includes the resurrection of the body and the perfecting of a believer’s reason, emotions and will and is the final blessed and abiding state of the believer. (Romans 8:30; Revelation 20:6; 21:4)
The Church
Its Nature
We believe that all who place their faith in Christ are united together immediately by the Holy Spirit in one spiritual body, the church, of which Christ is the head. The church was prophesied by Christ, born on the day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for his own. In addition to the spiritual union and communion which extends to the entirety of the body of Christ, the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies of believers. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:4-5; 2:46-47; 11:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19- 22; 3:4-6; 5:25-27; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:25)
Its Mission
We believe the church has a three-fold mission:
Edification: The church is to build up, strengthen, and encourage believers in their faith through the teaching of the Word of God and mutual, loving care of each member for one another. (1 Corinthians 12; 14; Colossians 1:28; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2)
Evangelism: The church is to be a light for God and the gospel in a dark world. The final command of Christ was for his followers to make disciples of all nations. The church thus has a worldwide mission to spread the gospel to all peoples and nations. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:3-6)
Worship: The church is a body of believer-priests worshiping and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. New Testament worship includes prayer, praise, the Lord’s Supper, the sacrifices of finances for others, and the offering of our lives to Christ. (John 4:23-24; Acts 2:42; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Hebrews 13:15-16; Revelation 5:13)
Organization and Relationships
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government to administer order, discipline, and worship according to Holy Scriptures. We affirm that it is biblical for true, believing churches to cooperate with each other for gospel outreach and united prayer for the community. (Acts 14:23; 20:28, 32; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 5:1- 4) We teach it is the local church’s divine responsibility to exercise discipline, as prescribed in the New Testament, of any member living in unrepentant sin. (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
Offices
We teach that there are two biblically designated offices in the church serving under Christ: elders and deacons. The elders are the pastors of the church (also called bishops, overseers, or shepherds in the Scriptures). Some of the elders serve in a full-time capacity and others are self-supporting pastor-elders. There is no one pastor called the senior pastor. Only Christ is acknowledged as senior Pastor of the church. The elders jointly teach, lead and protect the church under Christ, the chief Shepherd. The elders are also responsible for initiating and directing church discipline. The church is to submit to their God-given leadership. Their leadership should be distinguished as pastoral, shared, male, qualified and servant-like. (1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17) The deacons are the servants of the church. Their ministry is to provide official, responsible care for the physical welfare of needy members of the church and thus relieve the pastor-elders so that they can give priority time and attention to teaching the Word and prayer. (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Corinthians 5; Acts 20:17, 28; I Timothy 5:17-18; I Peter 5:1-3; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-12)
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that every member of the body of Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts are given in order to serve others, build up the body of Christ, promote unity and advance the gospel worldwide. (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Acts 2; 1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 2:1-4) *See Addendum A for expanded clarification.
Gender Roles
We believe that all believers in Jesus Christ, whether male or female, are full members of the body of Christ enjoying complete equality in personhood, dignity and worth. We teach that both men and women should use their spiritual gifts to their fullest potential. (Galatians 3:28) We also affirm that God created men and women differently to fulfill distinct gender roles, and that these differences are to be understood and enjoyed. In the formal gathering of the entire local church, women should not teach or exercise authority over men, but men should lead the church’s public worship in prayer and ministry of the Word. Since the biblical order is male headship in the home, the local church family should do all in its power to consistently support and display this pattern in both its official and unofficial meetings. Women with teaching or evangelistic gifts have many opportunities available for teaching other women or children. (1 Timothy 2:8, 11-15; 1 Corinthians 14:33-36)
Baptism
We believe that water baptism is commanded by Christ for those who have believed in him, and that immersion was practiced and taught by the New Testament church. Water baptism is not regenerative, but is an outward sign and confession of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-4, 6; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:4- 6; Acts 2:38-41; 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21)
The Lord’s Supper. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s body, which was broken for us, and of his blood that was shed for our sins. There are two requirements that should be met before a person partakes of the supper. First, a person should be born again. Second, a Christian should examine himself or herself to determine if he or she is in fellowship with the Lord. We believe it is the Lord’s table and as such is open to all believers. Not only is the Lord’s Supper a memorial of what Christ has done on the cross, but it also shows our faith in that past work and faith in his anticipated return. (Luke 22:19, 22; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-30)
Last Things
The Intermediate State
At death the spirits of believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ and there remain in joyful fellowship. The soul is then united with a resurrected body at the Rapture. The souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades. Here they remain until the second resurrection when both body and soul are cast into eternal damnation. (Luke 16:22-23; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23)
The Rapture of the Church
The next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the personal, bodily coming of Jesus Christ in the air to receive to himself those who have died in Christ and all those who are alive at his coming. At that exact moment, every believer will be transformed into his image. This event is the blessed hope set before believers in Scripture and we are encouraged to be constantly looking for it. During this time with Christ, two significant events occur; believers will be judged according to their works and will participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. (John 14:1-3;1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 19:7-10)
The Tribulation Period
After the removal of believers from the earth, the wrath of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. This period will last for seven years and will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth, at which time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will also be raised. This is known as the first resurrection. Satan and his angels will be bound for a thousand years. (Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 6; 19:11-21; 20:2)
The Millennium
After the seven-year tribulation period and the judgment of Christ upon the earth, Christ will establish his earthly messianic kingdom in which he will reign with his saints over Israel and all the nations of the earth for one thousand years. After this thousand-year period, Satan will be loosed from the abyss and lead a worldwide, final rebellion against Christ. At this point he will be destroyed and cast into the lake of fire. (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 11:1-16; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Revelation 20:1-10)
The Eternal State
Finally, the unsaved dead will be raised and judged and committed to eternal punishment. This is the second resurrection and the Great White Throne Judgment. The saved will enter the new heavens and the new earth to live with Christ eternally. Having fulfilled his redemptive and kingdom missions as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father that the triune God may reign forever with his people. (Mark 9:43-48; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-4; 22:5, 11)
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
The doctrinal statement does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Barn Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our elders are the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.
Addendum A
Explanation of View and Usage of Spiritual Gifts
We believe that a primary role for the elders at Barch Church is to equip the Saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-16). This involves helping each member better understand, identify, and begin using their spiritual gifts to edify (build up) the church and proclaim the Gospel. As well as, to walk in the works and calling the Lord has for each believer (Eph. 2:8-10).
Definition of Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts, according to the Apostle Paul, are “manifestations of the Spirit” given to each believer for the building up and edification of the local church body (Romans 12:4-13, 1 Cor. 14:12). Spiritual Gifts might be defined as capacities or abilities imparted to Christians by the Holy Spirit to enable them to exceed the limitations of their finite humanity in order to serve other believers to the glory of God. These manifestations of God’s Spirit in and through us represent God’s design to mutually strengthen, encourage, care for and minister to one another in the local church body. Additionally God may use them in us to promote and advance the Gospel message. Every believer has at least one Spiritual Gift. A believer cannot obtain additional gifts that they have not received from the Holy Spirit. 26 spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and Romans 12:6-8 are: Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Apostleship, Evangelism, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Administration, Service, Apostles, Prophets, Pastor-Teachers, Evangelists, Help, Encouragement, Celibacy, and the Gift of Healing.
Controversy Regarding “sign or miraculous gifts”
Over the course of church history there has been tremendous debate and disagreement about the continuation of the “sign or miraculous” gifts in the church today. The list of these specific gifts in question are healing, prophecy, tongues, and apostleship also included in this document are the measured practice regarding casting of demons and the spiritual realm. These disagreements have resulted in two primary camps of doctrinal positioning. The first camp (Cessationists) argues that the sign and miraculous gifts have ceased after the Apostolic period and were given for a limited time and limited purpose to establish the early church. The second camp (Continuationist) argues that these gifts remain in full force today.
We see and recognize there are very strong and solid arguments from very well respected and faithful men and teachers of God’s Word in both camps. For example, men like John Macarthur, B.B. Warfield lean heavily in the camp of Cessationist. In the other camp of Continuationist are great and faithful Bible scholars like John Piper and D.A. Carson.
The view of Barn Church is that we would be a “Measured” church in this discussion and in its position. We believe that there is strong evidence to show that some gifts have ceased or have been throttled down as shown through church history and because of the limited purpose they served. One example of a gift that has ceased is often called the Office of Apostleship, there appears to be other gifts which may be limited, throttled or relegated for use in uncommon places or limited settings. For example, we do not see an increase in the gift of handling snakes or drinking poison as Jesus indicated some followers would have the ability to do. (Mark 16:15-18) Thus, there is scriptural evidence that not all gifts, at all times, are active in and in full force in every day or age.
Additionally, there has been a mishandling of spiritual gifts throughout church history and those abuses have had devastating impacts on individuals and the Church. Much of Paul’s writing to the church in Corinth was given to correct and admonish the abuses that were occurring within this body of believers. Sadly, the abuse and misuse of certain spiritual gifts has continued today. Therefore, it is important to give clarity on our view of certain gifts as well as proper uses and best practices regarding these gifts.
The Office of Apostleship and the Gift of apostleship
We believe the gift of Apostleship or more specifically the Office of Apostleship is a gift that has ceased. To be clear this is a gift and an office given to specific men and carried the requirement that they had been commissioned personally by the risen Lord (1 Cor. 9:1, Rev. 21:14). An “A”postle or one who held the “Office of Apostleship” was unique and stand alone from the concept of a believer with the spiritual gift of apostleship. These 12 men were championed with the mission of establishing the first church and as a result their gifting and office was affirmed with unique gifts and powers such as, casting out demons, raising people from the dead, healing certain infirmities, and in some instances were given direct revelation and inspiration of scripture and prophecy. Today, we view the gift of apostleship as being best defined as a "sent one," chosen and gifted by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel and establish Christian communities. This gift today does not guarantee the ability to cast out demons, raise people from the dead, perform healings or receive direct revelation or hear the audible voice of the Lord.
Gift of Tongues
The gift of tongues might best be defined as the gift of languages. It is understood that this gift was a gift by an individual to speak a known language yet, not known or understood by the person with this gift. This gift was used primarily in the establishment of the early church and used to share the gospel in a setting where others might understand the gospel in their own native language. This gift is to be used only if it is accompanied by another person who has the ability to interpret the message given in tongues. The Apostle Paul, is clear in his instructions that if there is no interpretation available the speaking in tongues is to stop.
Additionally, some also believe that the gift of tongues may include the ability to speak in a private prayer language as described in 1 Cor. 14:1-25. This is a very contested and debated topic with each of the two camps making strong and commendable arguments both for and against this use of this gift in this fashion.
Finally, there are some who believe that the gift of tongues are to be manifested at the moment of one's profession and true conversion of faith.
In a measured approach to this Gift, we first believe that the gift of tongues and the debate surrounding it, is what we call an open-handed topic vs certain topics and doctrines that would be considered close-handed and not open for varying debate. We acknowledge and understand not every member of Barn Church will hold the same view. Thus, we believe setting out the best practice for the use of this gift is the most loving and responsible approach.
Gift of Prophecy
In the Old Testament, prophecy served as God's way of speaking to his people, offering guidance, encouragement, and warnings about both their current situation and future events. Prophets acted as messengers, communicating God's will through various means like visions, dreams, and verbal pronouncements. Their messages often included rebuke, promises of restoration, and calls to repentance. Prophecy was not solely about predicting the future; it also involved revealing God's character and plan for his people. In a similar way prophecy continued through the New Testament until the fulfillment of God’s Inspired Word was completed. Our measured approach to the gift of prophecy sees the gift of prophecy through two lenses. First, some prophecies involve “foretelling” specific future events, the other lens is limited to "forthtelling," or proclaiming and preaching the substance of God's revealed truth.
We don’t not believe that prophecy as described as foretelling is active and present today. We would not permit foretelling prophecies as an activity of Barn Church by any member or believer. We see God’s written Word as our source for God’s direction, instruction, and information for our lives and future events. We believe the Canon is closed and there are no new prophecies or predictive events given by God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit or an audible voice from God.
We do believe and affirm the gift of prophecy as understood as forthtelling. This should involve applying biblical principles to contemporary situations, providing biblical insights and biblical guidance for believers. The New Testament gift of prophecy is not about predicting the future but about proclaiming God's message and fostering a deeper understanding of His will as He has given in his Word. All forthtelling should be rooted and grounded in the truth of scripture. We believe all forthtelling should be careful not to convey that it has been received as a special or unique inspiration directly from God or the Holy Spirit but rather based on God’s Word and instruction found in the Bible. This is best practice to prevent one from giving or following advice that may be in error or incongruent with God’s Word and to prevent one from assuming a position of authority that is not healthy in the church or in another's personal life. Best practice is to communicate that one might have a word of encouragement, word of wisdom or word of discernment as prompted or directed by the Holy Spirit instead of stating one has “received a word from the Lord.” We believe this is best practice as it again shows love and sensitivity to other church members who hold a different view on this gift. It keeps clear guardrails in place, in that, there is no confusion that this gift is being directed by God’s Word through the prompting and directing of the Holy Spirit and not by one’s belief they are receiving and giving special revelations outside of scripture. We would not support the practice of pursuing “Shama” words from the Lord. We believe that God has given all the instruction and revelation we need in the pages of his written Word. 2 Timothy 2:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Gift of Healing
We believe that any and all healing of any physical or mental alignment is the work of the Lord. Even those in scripture who displayed the gift of healing were dependent on God’s ultimate healing hand to do the work. Our measured approach and best practice regarding the gift of healing is to Pray for healing but not perform healing. We believe that God’s healing power is still at work today. Yet we do recognize and affirm that not all will be healed or spared illness or affliction according to God’s will. We believe that some illness may be a result of the fallenness of man, an individual's habitual sin, or as a result of God’s purpose and plan to grow us in Christlikeness through affliction and difficulties. We do not believe that one might find healing as evidence, proof, or a display of their faith. In other words, we do not believe one person is healed because they have a greater or better faith than one who remains ill, but only as a mercy given us by God. We also recognize that the gift of healing is not always demonstrated by one’s ability to “cause” miraculous healing results. The gift of healing is clearly displayed in many health care workers, nurses, and doctors who have the unique ability to care for and show deep empathy and a Christlike love for those who are afflicted with illness.
Casting Demons and the Spiritual Realm
The casting out of demons as found in the Gospels and during the early church was unique in that this gift or ability was given to affirm the authority both Jesus and the Apostles’ had in establishing the New Covenant and The Church. Thus, much of their interaction and involvement with demons and the spiritual realm was unique and not necessarily given to us as a model to follow today. Jesus and his Apostles primary ministry activity was to preach the Good News of the Gospel. Their ability to cast out demons showed the authority by which they came to preach. Today we stand on the authority of God’s written and inspired Word for all things. That said, we affirm and believe in the spiritual realm, spiritual beings, and the spiritual warfare that is being waged on the world daily. The Bible is clear that the spirit world is every bit as real as the physical universe (Ephesians 6:12). There is an unseen battle taking place around us every moment between God’s holy angels and the forces of darkness (Daniel 10:12-14; Ephesians 6:10-17; Jude 1:9). If we are vigilant as the Lord commands, we will not be caught unprepared by Satan’s attacks (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11). And we have the promise of God that His Holy Spirit is stronger than any of Satan’s schemes (1 John 4:4). God has given His children everything we need to stand firm against any spiritual attack of our enemy. The apostle Paul calls this the "armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11).
The spirit world is very real, but an unbalanced focus on demonic powers is not healthy and does not glorify God. The Holy Spirit is the only Spirit we should ever invite into our lives, and He has all the power we need to overcome anything Satan may use to try to defeat us (Isaiah 54:17). Our measured and best practice would be to not practice or perform the casting of demons in any organized Barn Church setting. We would encourage praying over, laying on of hands, and scripture reading for believers who might be oppressed or for a non-believer who might be possessed by dark forces. We would encourage and affirm a ministry that focused on deliverance from the bondage of sin, dark forces, and spiritual attacks. Again, this activity should primarily involve the reading and teaching of God’s Word, prayer, and encouragement from the church body. Best practice would not typically include speaking directly to demonic forces or proclaiming we can bind Satan. In fact, scripture explicitly warns us against teachers who excessively focus on the demonic realm or proclaim exceeding power over the dark forces. (Jude 1, 2 Peter 2:10-12) Instead we are to follow the instructions as found in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Final Thoughts
This addendum is not an exhaustive statement on all signs or miraculous gifts and activities. The eldership, as the shepherds of this local congregation, shall discuss, pray and determine the best measured approach and best practices to any unnamed gift or activities.
All Church members regarding the spiritual gifts or other areas of disagreement are encouraged to study the Bible, pray, read, discuss, and when ready, humbly pursue unity, peace and sensitivity to all others. And above all else pursue the greatest gift, Love for one another.