About Us
Wednesday—February /18 / 2009
ARTICLES OF FAITH
TRIUNE GOD
We believe in only one God eternally existent and infinite, Sovereign of the universe. That he alone is God, Creator and Administrator, a Holy by nature, attributes and purposes. That he as God, is Triune in his essential being, revealed as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, that He eternally is one with the Father; who was incarnated by the work of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin maiden named Mary, so that the two natures, perfect and whole, the Divine and the Human, were united into one Person, true God and true man, the God-Man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that he truly arose from the dead and took again his body, together with all pertaining to the perfection of human nature, with which he ascended to heaven and from where he intercedes for us.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Divine Trinity, who is always present and effectively active in the Church of Christ, who together, convincing the world of the sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying the believers and providing guidance of all truth according to Jesus Christ.
SACRED SCRIPTURES
We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures from which we understand the sixty six books of the Old and New Testament, given by divine inspiration, revealing the infallible will of God with respect to us in all that is necessary for our salvation; so that nothing not contained in them may be imposed as an Article of Faith.
ORIGINAL SIN OR DEPRAVATION
We believe that original sin, or depravation, is that Corruption of nature of all the sons of Adam, reason for which all human beings have been put aside from the original justice, in other words, the state of purity of our first fathers at the moment of their creation; which is adverse to God, without spiritual life, and inclined to evil and is continuously so; and that this depravation continues to exist in the new life of man until it is washed by the blood of our lord Jesus Christ.
PROPITIATION
We believe that Jesus Christ, by his suffering, upon shedding his precious blood and by his meritorious death on the cross, enjoyed a full propitiation; that this propitiation is the only base for salvation, that it is sufficient for any individual of the race of Adam. The propitiation is benevolent efficient for the salvation of the irresponsible, and for children in their innocence, but those who arrive at an age of responsibility, it is only effective for their salvation when they repent and believe.
FREE WILL.
We believe that the creation of man in the image of God, included the capacity to choose between good and evil, and that by this, was made morally responsible; that by the fall of Adam he became depraved, to such an extent, that he cannot by his own natural strength and work, repent and prepare for the faith and to invoke God. But, the grace of God through Jesus Christ is given freely unto all men, enabling all who want to turn away from sin onto justice, to believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and cleaning of sin, and to follow all the good works, acceptable to His sight. We believe that man, although he possesses the experience of regeneration, and of the total sanctification, can fall from Grace and stray away, unless he repents of his sin he will eternally be lost and without hope.
REPENTANCE
We believe that the repentance, is a complete and sincere change of the mind with respect to sin, with the recognition of the personal fault and the voluntary separation of the sin, is required from all those who by action or purpose, have become sinners against God. The Spirit of God offers to all those who desire to repent the benign assistance of constriction of heart, and the hope of mercy, so that they might believe in forgiveness and attain spiritual life.
JUSTIFICATION, REGENERATION AND THE ADOPTION
We believe that the justification is that benign and judicial act of God, by which He concedes the full pardon of all sin, the complete remission of the offense for all the sins committed, and the acceptance as justified for those who with faith receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication to God; (Romans 12:1-2; 1st Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Sacred Scriptures show a sanctity of life without which “no one will see the Lord”, (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we have the capacity to obey the commandments of: “Be ye holy, for I am holy”; (1st Peter 1:15-16). Sanctification is realized in (becomes effective) the believer by his recognition and identification with Christ in this death and resurrection and by the daily confidence in that union and by the continual offering to the domination of the Holy Spirit of all faculties. (Romans 6:1-13; 8:1, 2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13).
THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who sleep in Christ and their joint transfer with those of us who live and await the arrival of the Lord, is the eminent and blessed hope of the Church. (1st Corinthians 15:51-52). The Second Coming of Christ includes the abduction of the saints, which constitutes the blessed hope of the believer, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on the Earth for a thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:25-30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6).
The kingdom of the millennium will bring the salvation of Israel as a nation (Ezekiel 37:21-22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4). There will be a final judgment in which all the wicked dead will raise and be judged according to their works; and he who is not found in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to an eternal punishment in the lake of burning fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11,15; 21:8). We in accordance with his promises, hope for new heavens and a new earth where justice dwells. (2nd Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
12. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
THE BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is ordered in the Scriptures. All those who repent and believe in Christ as the Savior and Lord have to be baptized. The Biblical baptism by immersion is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and is testimony of the new birth in the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In this manner, witness is given to the world that he has died with Christ, and that together with him has risen to the newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements: bread and the fruit of life, is the symbolic expression that denotes our participation of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd Peter 1:4); and a prophecy of his Second Coming (1st Corinthians 11:26). It is an ordinance for all believers, “until his return”. Being that Baptism a witness of a new birth, and the Lord’s Supper is a witness to the development of a Christian life, the only participants may be those believers who have been baptized by immersion.
13. DIVINE HEALING
We believe in the Biblical Doctrines of the Divine Healing and we caution our people that they endeavor to offer prayers of Faith for the healing of the sick. Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel, the liberation of all sickness has been provided for us by the expiatory sacrifice of Christ (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 17:16-18; James 5:14-16). The doctors and providential agencies must not be rejected when they are necessary.
14. THE CHURCH
A. The Church is the Body of Christ, the home of God through the Spirit, divinely established for the compliance with his Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly or Church of the First Born, whose names are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22). The purpose of God with respect to man, is to look for and save what has been lost, be worshiped by man and to construct a body of believers to the image of his Son, the primordial reason of the existence. JRod Ministries as a part of the Church is:
1. To be a Corporal body in which man can worship God (1st Corinthians12:13).
2. To be an agency of God for the evangelism of the world (Acts. 1:8; Mark 16:15).
3. To be a channel by which the purpose of God to construct a body of saints perfected in the image of his son so that this may be effectuated. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1st Corinthians 12:28; 14:12).
B. JRod Ministries exists expressly to offer a continuous emphasis to the reason for its existence, in an apostolic neo-testamentary manner, teaching and stimulating the believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
1. Offers them the capacity to evangelize in the Power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the supernatural signs (Mark 16:15, 20; Acts 2:3- 4; 4:29-31).
2. Adds a necessary dimension to the adorable relation with God (1st Corinthians 2:10-16; 12:13, 14).
3. Capacitates them to respond to the total works of the Holy Spirit, expressing the fruit, contributions and ministries, such as in neo-testamentary times, for the building of the body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-26; 1st Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians. 4:11-12; 1st Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:28-29).
15. DAY OF REST
The first day of the week is for physical rest, for the worship and brotherhood, where only those works of necessity and mercifulness may be performed. (Matthew 28:1; Acts 20:7; 1st Corinthians 16:21; Revelation 1:10).
16. THITES AND OFFERINGS
God orders the believers to pay their offerings for the maintenance of the ministry and to give offerings for the diverse expense in the works of the Lord, as well as to offer help to the poor, the widows and the sick. (Genesis 14:19-20; 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30-31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9; Hebrews 7:1-8).
17. MARRIAGE
The marriage is a union for life between a man and a woman. Taking into account the person’s sex at birth as the basic reason to validate who is a man or a woman. In accordance with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, there exists only one reason for divorce: fornication. (Matthew 19:9). We believe that a believer should not marry while former wife still lives (Mark 10:11-12). And we declare ourselves against the marriage between a believer and a nonbeliever. Although there may be other reasons and conditions such that may justify a divorce in accordance with the civil law, only adultery may be used as a base for divorce and only adultery offers the base where one of the parties may again marry. (Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9). JRod Ministries does not recognize nor accept a marriage or matrimonial union between two persons of the same sex.
18. GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD
We believe that the governments of the world are permitted by God and we are grateful that in their constitutions they consecrate the liberty of worship and human rights. On the other hand we believe that the Bible teaches “do not kill”, “to love your neighbor as your self, and not take vengeance, because “vengeance is mine”, saith the Lord, “I will pay” (Romans 13:1-4). We declare ourselves ready to serve our country gladly in any service as a “non-combatant”.
19. ATTIRE
We believe that a man and a woman should dress honestly and that it is shameful to show nudity (1st Peter 3:1-7; 1st Timothy 2:9-11; 3:2-13).
The woman should dress in a feminine manner and the man in a masculine manner (Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-27).
We believe that a Christian woman should not cut her hair because it dishonors her (1st Corinthians 11:6-15). We believe it is dishonest that a male should let his hair grow (1st Corinthians 11:14).
We believe that neither men nor women should depend upon jewelry or the artificial painting of the limbs of the body, nor use pearls or unnecessary adornments. (1st Peter 3:1-7; Isaiah 3:16-24; Romans 13:14).
It is not the custom of JRod Ministries that its Members of the Ministerial Body practice the use of beards.
20. GAMBLING
We believe that once a person is saved, in the abstention of participating in gambling games such as, bingo, lottery, raffles, and others because this demonstrates a lack of confidence in the providence of God as stated in Psalm 23:1.
21. OCCULTISM
We believe in not participating with the spiritualists, fortune tellers, and beliefs related to the occult, and not praying to the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 8:19-22; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Practice of the occult is condemned by the Scriptures (1st Chronicles 10:13, 14; Leviticus 20:6; 2nd Kings 21:6-12).
22. HOMOSEXUALITY/LESBIANISM
Inverted sexual orientation, attraction or sexual relations between individuals of the same sex, said sexual act deprives the gift of life.
Biblical Base:
Created as a man or woman with a reproductive purpose, Genesis 1:27-28 and
Genesis 5:2.
Divine Mandate for the sexual relation approved and ordered by God,
Genesis 2:22-24.
Divine Prohibition, Leviticus 18:22.
Leviticus 20:13 Is Abomination.
Other quotes: (Romans 1:18-32; 1st Corinthians 6:9-10; 1st Timothy 1: 9-10).
In as much as homosexuality and lesbianism are practices prohibited by God by his Word, we reaffirm being against such practice. Although we affirm there is pardon and liberty in Jesus Christ for those who resign to such practices and believe in Him.
23. DONATION OF ORGANS
Since we do not have a biblical base to approve or disapprove the donation of organs, we abstain of approving or disapproving such action, leaving it to the personal discretion and manifest the following: The transplant of organs is not morally acceptable if the donator or his representatives have not given their consent in a conscious manner.
The transplant of organs is in conformity with the Moral law and may be meritorious if the physical dangers and risks, or psychological effects supervened by the donator are provided for the purposes looked for in the recipient. It is morally inadmissible to provoke in a human being any mutilation that may leave them an invalid or provoke death, even if this should be to delay the passing away of other persons.
24. EUTHANASIA
An easy death, free of severe pain. Is the act or omission that by its nature is the object or intention of provoking death (or causing death) to put an end to pain and/or suffering. It is a question of intention and method.
Biblical Base: Euthanasia is morally and biblically inadmissible for the following reasons:
Because it is a violation of Divine law.
Because it is an offense to the dignity of a human being.
Because it is a crime to human life.
Because it is an attack on the human race.
It is criminal to deprive a person directly of a time when it could be decisive for eternal salvation.
Quotes: Genesis 2:7; Exodus 20:13 Deuteronomy 5:17; 1st Samuel 2:6; Leviticus 19:16; Job 27:8; Matthew 5:21; Luke 18:20; 1st Peter 4:15
25. ABORTION
Is the premature expulsion or extraction of the zygote, embryo, or fetus. Abortion has medical, legal, theological, ethical and personal ramifications. The law of God is strongly against the moral malice of all provoked abortion that is desired as a purpose or means. Being God the giver of life and preserver of same, has entrusted unto us, mankind, the dignified mission of conserving life. For this it is our duty to protect life with the most precious of care from conception, whereby, all infanticide and abortion that is carried out with evil and premeditation are abominable crimes.
Biblical Base:
a. Prenatal care by God: (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5)
b. Legality of God over life: (Deuteronomy 27:25; Job 10:8-12; Psalm 71:6; 119:73; Isaiah 46:3-4).
Note: All those pregnancies that are the product of sexual abuse or incest, the victim must be oriented and assisted professionally, and if the victim should not want to remain with the fruit of the sexual encounter, it must be given in adoption. It is preferable to give in adoption any infant than to provoke an abortion.
26. SEXUAL PROMISCUITY
Is the condition, capacity or instinct characterized by an uncontrollable desire or appetite for sex, be it with one or more persons indiscriminately.
The sexual act between a man and a woman out of wedlock is strongly contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality, naturally ordered for the good of the spouses as well as for the generation of their children.
The deliberate and uncontrolled use of the sexual faculty in and out of wedlock is contrary to its purpose, be it for what ever motive determined. (1st Corinthians 5:1, 2, 11, 13; Hebrews 13:4)
27. CREMATION
The action or process of incinerating a body (a dead body) and converted into ashes. We consider that the body of a dead person merits the dignity of bring buried in the best possible manner without being cremated, as this is a Judeo-Christian practice. The Bible offers us a variety of examples of such practices (Genesis 35:29; 49:29-31; 50:7, 14; Deuteronomy 34:5-6, Joshua 7:25-26; Matthew 27:57-61; Acts 2:29).
28. INCEST
It comes from the Latin, Incestum, not caste. It is the product of a carnal act between persons united by parental ties. The carnal relation between relatives, with blood ties. The carnal relation between relatives within blood ties where marriage is prohibited. God established laws over marriage; it is true that at the commencement of the human race there were marriages between brothers and sisters because there were no other persons to marry with. Once the race was established, God prohibited the marital union between persons of the same blood relation. For example, under the Mosaic Law a man could not marry with his sister or the sister of his mother, or with his daughter in law. These same prohibitions in general predominate the current world. Even in those non-Christian societies: (Leviticus 18:6-20; 20:17, 19-21; Deuteronomy 22:30; 1st Corinthians 5:1-5).
29. SECULAR HUMANISM
It is the system of doctrines and practices that rejects all forms of religious faith or worship. We reject secular Humanism since it is against the relation between man and his Creator elevating man to such a level where God is not a necessary factor in the life and salvation of man. We recognize the intrinsic values of human life. Biblical Base: (Job 33:12; Psalm 14:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Ezekiel 28:9; Romans 1:20-21, Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 4:13; 2nd Peter 1:4-8).
TRIUNE GOD
We believe in only one God eternally existent and infinite, Sovereign of the universe. That he alone is God, Creator and Administrator, a Holy by nature, attributes and purposes. That he as God, is Triune in his essential being, revealed as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, that He eternally is one with the Father; who was incarnated by the work of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin maiden named Mary, so that the two natures, perfect and whole, the Divine and the Human, were united into one Person, true God and true man, the God-Man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that he truly arose from the dead and took again his body, together with all pertaining to the perfection of human nature, with which he ascended to heaven and from where he intercedes for us.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Divine Trinity, who is always present and effectively active in the Church of Christ, who together, convincing the world of the sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying the believers and providing guidance of all truth according to Jesus Christ.
SACRED SCRIPTURES
We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures from which we understand the sixty six books of the Old and New Testament, given by divine inspiration, revealing the infallible will of God with respect to us in all that is necessary for our salvation; so that nothing not contained in them may be imposed as an Article of Faith.
ORIGINAL SIN OR DEPRAVATION
We believe that original sin, or depravation, is that Corruption of nature of all the sons of Adam, reason for which all human beings have been put aside from the original justice, in other words, the state of purity of our first fathers at the moment of their creation; which is adverse to God, without spiritual life, and inclined to evil and is continuously so; and that this depravation continues to exist in the new life of man until it is washed by the blood of our lord Jesus Christ.
PROPITIATION
We believe that Jesus Christ, by his suffering, upon shedding his precious blood and by his meritorious death on the cross, enjoyed a full propitiation; that this propitiation is the only base for salvation, that it is sufficient for any individual of the race of Adam. The propitiation is benevolent efficient for the salvation of the irresponsible, and for children in their innocence, but those who arrive at an age of responsibility, it is only effective for their salvation when they repent and believe.
FREE WILL.
We believe that the creation of man in the image of God, included the capacity to choose between good and evil, and that by this, was made morally responsible; that by the fall of Adam he became depraved, to such an extent, that he cannot by his own natural strength and work, repent and prepare for the faith and to invoke God. But, the grace of God through Jesus Christ is given freely unto all men, enabling all who want to turn away from sin onto justice, to believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and cleaning of sin, and to follow all the good works, acceptable to His sight. We believe that man, although he possesses the experience of regeneration, and of the total sanctification, can fall from Grace and stray away, unless he repents of his sin he will eternally be lost and without hope.
REPENTANCE
We believe that the repentance, is a complete and sincere change of the mind with respect to sin, with the recognition of the personal fault and the voluntary separation of the sin, is required from all those who by action or purpose, have become sinners against God. The Spirit of God offers to all those who desire to repent the benign assistance of constriction of heart, and the hope of mercy, so that they might believe in forgiveness and attain spiritual life.
JUSTIFICATION, REGENERATION AND THE ADOPTION
We believe that the justification is that benign and judicial act of God, by which He concedes the full pardon of all sin, the complete remission of the offense for all the sins committed, and the acceptance as justified for those who with faith receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication to God; (Romans 12:1-2; 1st Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Sacred Scriptures show a sanctity of life without which “no one will see the Lord”, (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we have the capacity to obey the commandments of: “Be ye holy, for I am holy”; (1st Peter 1:15-16). Sanctification is realized in (becomes effective) the believer by his recognition and identification with Christ in this death and resurrection and by the daily confidence in that union and by the continual offering to the domination of the Holy Spirit of all faculties. (Romans 6:1-13; 8:1, 2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13).
THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who sleep in Christ and their joint transfer with those of us who live and await the arrival of the Lord, is the eminent and blessed hope of the Church. (1st Corinthians 15:51-52). The Second Coming of Christ includes the abduction of the saints, which constitutes the blessed hope of the believer, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on the Earth for a thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:25-30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6).
The kingdom of the millennium will bring the salvation of Israel as a nation (Ezekiel 37:21-22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4). There will be a final judgment in which all the wicked dead will raise and be judged according to their works; and he who is not found in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to an eternal punishment in the lake of burning fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11,15; 21:8). We in accordance with his promises, hope for new heavens and a new earth where justice dwells. (2nd Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
12. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
THE BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is ordered in the Scriptures. All those who repent and believe in Christ as the Savior and Lord have to be baptized. The Biblical baptism by immersion is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and is testimony of the new birth in the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In this manner, witness is given to the world that he has died with Christ, and that together with him has risen to the newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements: bread and the fruit of life, is the symbolic expression that denotes our participation of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd Peter 1:4); and a prophecy of his Second Coming (1st Corinthians 11:26). It is an ordinance for all believers, “until his return”. Being that Baptism a witness of a new birth, and the Lord’s Supper is a witness to the development of a Christian life, the only participants may be those believers who have been baptized by immersion.
13. DIVINE HEALING
We believe in the Biblical Doctrines of the Divine Healing and we caution our people that they endeavor to offer prayers of Faith for the healing of the sick. Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel, the liberation of all sickness has been provided for us by the expiatory sacrifice of Christ (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 17:16-18; James 5:14-16). The doctors and providential agencies must not be rejected when they are necessary.
14. THE CHURCH
A. The Church is the Body of Christ, the home of God through the Spirit, divinely established for the compliance with his Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly or Church of the First Born, whose names are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22). The purpose of God with respect to man, is to look for and save what has been lost, be worshiped by man and to construct a body of believers to the image of his Son, the primordial reason of the existence. JRod Ministries as a part of the Church is:
1. To be a Corporal body in which man can worship God (1st Corinthians12:13).
2. To be an agency of God for the evangelism of the world (Acts. 1:8; Mark 16:15).
3. To be a channel by which the purpose of God to construct a body of saints perfected in the image of his son so that this may be effectuated. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1st Corinthians 12:28; 14:12).
B. JRod Ministries exists expressly to offer a continuous emphasis to the reason for its existence, in an apostolic neo-testamentary manner, teaching and stimulating the believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
1. Offers them the capacity to evangelize in the Power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the supernatural signs (Mark 16:15, 20; Acts 2:3- 4; 4:29-31).
2. Adds a necessary dimension to the adorable relation with God (1st Corinthians 2:10-16; 12:13, 14).
3. Capacitates them to respond to the total works of the Holy Spirit, expressing the fruit, contributions and ministries, such as in neo-testamentary times, for the building of the body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-26; 1st Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians. 4:11-12; 1st Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:28-29).
15. DAY OF REST
The first day of the week is for physical rest, for the worship and brotherhood, where only those works of necessity and mercifulness may be performed. (Matthew 28:1; Acts 20:7; 1st Corinthians 16:21; Revelation 1:10).
16. THITES AND OFFERINGS
God orders the believers to pay their offerings for the maintenance of the ministry and to give offerings for the diverse expense in the works of the Lord, as well as to offer help to the poor, the widows and the sick. (Genesis 14:19-20; 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30-31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9; Hebrews 7:1-8).
17. MARRIAGE
The marriage is a union for life between a man and a woman. Taking into account the person’s sex at birth as the basic reason to validate who is a man or a woman. In accordance with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, there exists only one reason for divorce: fornication. (Matthew 19:9). We believe that a believer should not marry while former wife still lives (Mark 10:11-12). And we declare ourselves against the marriage between a believer and a nonbeliever. Although there may be other reasons and conditions such that may justify a divorce in accordance with the civil law, only adultery may be used as a base for divorce and only adultery offers the base where one of the parties may again marry. (Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9). JRod Ministries does not recognize nor accept a marriage or matrimonial union between two persons of the same sex.
18. GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD
We believe that the governments of the world are permitted by God and we are grateful that in their constitutions they consecrate the liberty of worship and human rights. On the other hand we believe that the Bible teaches “do not kill”, “to love your neighbor as your self, and not take vengeance, because “vengeance is mine”, saith the Lord, “I will pay” (Romans 13:1-4). We declare ourselves ready to serve our country gladly in any service as a “non-combatant”.
19. ATTIRE
We believe that a man and a woman should dress honestly and that it is shameful to show nudity (1st Peter 3:1-7; 1st Timothy 2:9-11; 3:2-13).
The woman should dress in a feminine manner and the man in a masculine manner (Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-27).
We believe that a Christian woman should not cut her hair because it dishonors her (1st Corinthians 11:6-15). We believe it is dishonest that a male should let his hair grow (1st Corinthians 11:14).
We believe that neither men nor women should depend upon jewelry or the artificial painting of the limbs of the body, nor use pearls or unnecessary adornments. (1st Peter 3:1-7; Isaiah 3:16-24; Romans 13:14).
It is not the custom of JRod Ministries that its Members of the Ministerial Body practice the use of beards.
20. GAMBLING
We believe that once a person is saved, in the abstention of participating in gambling games such as, bingo, lottery, raffles, and others because this demonstrates a lack of confidence in the providence of God as stated in Psalm 23:1.
21. OCCULTISM
We believe in not participating with the spiritualists, fortune tellers, and beliefs related to the occult, and not praying to the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 8:19-22; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Practice of the occult is condemned by the Scriptures (1st Chronicles 10:13, 14; Leviticus 20:6; 2nd Kings 21:6-12).
22. HOMOSEXUALITY/LESBIANISM
Inverted sexual orientation, attraction or sexual relations between individuals of the same sex, said sexual act deprives the gift of life.
Biblical Base:
Created as a man or woman with a reproductive purpose, Genesis 1:27-28 and
Genesis 5:2.
Divine Mandate for the sexual relation approved and ordered by God,
Genesis 2:22-24.
Divine Prohibition, Leviticus 18:22.
Leviticus 20:13 Is Abomination.
Other quotes: (Romans 1:18-32; 1st Corinthians 6:9-10; 1st Timothy 1: 9-10).
In as much as homosexuality and lesbianism are practices prohibited by God by his Word, we reaffirm being against such practice. Although we affirm there is pardon and liberty in Jesus Christ for those who resign to such practices and believe in Him.
23. DONATION OF ORGANS
Since we do not have a biblical base to approve or disapprove the donation of organs, we abstain of approving or disapproving such action, leaving it to the personal discretion and manifest the following: The transplant of organs is not morally acceptable if the donator or his representatives have not given their consent in a conscious manner.
The transplant of organs is in conformity with the Moral law and may be meritorious if the physical dangers and risks, or psychological effects supervened by the donator are provided for the purposes looked for in the recipient. It is morally inadmissible to provoke in a human being any mutilation that may leave them an invalid or provoke death, even if this should be to delay the passing away of other persons.
24. EUTHANASIA
An easy death, free of severe pain. Is the act or omission that by its nature is the object or intention of provoking death (or causing death) to put an end to pain and/or suffering. It is a question of intention and method.
Biblical Base: Euthanasia is morally and biblically inadmissible for the following reasons:
Because it is a violation of Divine law.
Because it is an offense to the dignity of a human being.
Because it is a crime to human life.
Because it is an attack on the human race.
It is criminal to deprive a person directly of a time when it could be decisive for eternal salvation.
Quotes: Genesis 2:7; Exodus 20:13 Deuteronomy 5:17; 1st Samuel 2:6; Leviticus 19:16; Job 27:8; Matthew 5:21; Luke 18:20; 1st Peter 4:15
25. ABORTION
Is the premature expulsion or extraction of the zygote, embryo, or fetus. Abortion has medical, legal, theological, ethical and personal ramifications. The law of God is strongly against the moral malice of all provoked abortion that is desired as a purpose or means. Being God the giver of life and preserver of same, has entrusted unto us, mankind, the dignified mission of conserving life. For this it is our duty to protect life with the most precious of care from conception, whereby, all infanticide and abortion that is carried out with evil and premeditation are abominable crimes.
Biblical Base:
a. Prenatal care by God: (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5)
b. Legality of God over life: (Deuteronomy 27:25; Job 10:8-12; Psalm 71:6; 119:73; Isaiah 46:3-4).
Note: All those pregnancies that are the product of sexual abuse or incest, the victim must be oriented and assisted professionally, and if the victim should not want to remain with the fruit of the sexual encounter, it must be given in adoption. It is preferable to give in adoption any infant than to provoke an abortion.
26. SEXUAL PROMISCUITY
Is the condition, capacity or instinct characterized by an uncontrollable desire or appetite for sex, be it with one or more persons indiscriminately.
The sexual act between a man and a woman out of wedlock is strongly contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality, naturally ordered for the good of the spouses as well as for the generation of their children.
The deliberate and uncontrolled use of the sexual faculty in and out of wedlock is contrary to its purpose, be it for what ever motive determined. (1st Corinthians 5:1, 2, 11, 13; Hebrews 13:4)
27. CREMATION
The action or process of incinerating a body (a dead body) and converted into ashes. We consider that the body of a dead person merits the dignity of bring buried in the best possible manner without being cremated, as this is a Judeo-Christian practice. The Bible offers us a variety of examples of such practices (Genesis 35:29; 49:29-31; 50:7, 14; Deuteronomy 34:5-6, Joshua 7:25-26; Matthew 27:57-61; Acts 2:29).
28. INCEST
It comes from the Latin, Incestum, not caste. It is the product of a carnal act between persons united by parental ties. The carnal relation between relatives, with blood ties. The carnal relation between relatives within blood ties where marriage is prohibited. God established laws over marriage; it is true that at the commencement of the human race there were marriages between brothers and sisters because there were no other persons to marry with. Once the race was established, God prohibited the marital union between persons of the same blood relation. For example, under the Mosaic Law a man could not marry with his sister or the sister of his mother, or with his daughter in law. These same prohibitions in general predominate the current world. Even in those non-Christian societies: (Leviticus 18:6-20; 20:17, 19-21; Deuteronomy 22:30; 1st Corinthians 5:1-5).
29. SECULAR HUMANISM
It is the system of doctrines and practices that rejects all forms of religious faith or worship. We reject secular Humanism since it is against the relation between man and his Creator elevating man to such a level where God is not a necessary factor in the life and salvation of man. We recognize the intrinsic values of human life. Biblical Base: (Job 33:12; Psalm 14:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Ezekiel 28:9; Romans 1:20-21, Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 4:13; 2nd Peter 1:4-8).