What we believe shapes everything we do. Our Statement of Faith reflects our core biblical convictions, providing the spiritual foundation for our teaching, mission, and ministry here at AndrewDuarte.com.
A. The Scriptures: I believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, entirely without error in their original manuscripts, and serve as the infallible rule of faith and practice.
B. The Triune God: I believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—equal in power and glory. This triune God created all things, upholds all things, and governs all things.
C. God the Father: I believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. I believe He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
D. God the Son–Jesus Christ: I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. I believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings; His substitutionary atoning death; His bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven; His perpetual intercession for His people; and His personal, visible return to earth.
E. God the Spirit–The Holy Spirit: I believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Christ for ministry. I believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ as an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. I affirm the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the ongoing exercise of all Biblical spiritual gifts.
F. Humanity & Salvation: I believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice and are therefore under condemnation. I believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, regenerates those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. I believe that Jesus Christ baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for witness and service.
G. The Church: I believe in the universal Church (the Ekklesia)—the living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated believers are members.
H. The Ordinances: I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the local Church: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I practice baptism by immersion and observe communion, which is open to all believers.
I. Ministry & Laying on of Hands: I believe in the laying on of hands for the baptism and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and the prayer for healing and spiritual gifts.
J. The Last Things (Eschatology): I believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. I believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the conscious, endless separation of the wicked.
Note:
I am neither a Five-Point Calvinist nor an Arminian in my theology. I adhere firmly to the biblical truth of both God’s absolute sovereignty and humanity’s genuine responsibility. I avoid human theological systems that go beyond scripture, manipulate or ignore passages to fit a framework, or unnecessarily divide the body of Christ.
I do not hold to, endorse, or practice:
- “Positive Confession” — the Word-of-Faith belief that God can be commanded to heal or perform miracles according to human will.
- Extra-Biblical Prophecy — claims of modern human prophecy that equal, supersede, or override Holy Scripture.
- Replacement Theology (Supersessionism) — the view that the Church has permanently replaced or fulfilled all of God’s distinct covenants and promises to national Israel.
- Dominion or “Kingdom Now” Theology — the belief that the Church must establish temporal authority over earthly political and societal systems prior to Christ’s return.
- Secular Integrationism — the incorporation of humanistic or secular psychology into sound biblical counseling and teaching.
- Experientialism — an overemphasis on spiritual gifts, subjective experiences, signs, and wonders to the neglect or exclusion of faithful biblical exposition.
- Demonic Possession of Believers — the assertion that a true, Holy Spirit-indwelt Christian can be demon-possessed.