The Pneuma Ministry Institute and Ministerial Association Statement of Faith
The Pneuma Ministry Institute and Assoication stands within the historic orthodox Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. We affirm the essential doctrines of historic Christianity as faithfully revealed in Scripture and preserved by the Church across generations.
While rooted in historic orthodoxy, the Pneuma Ministry Institute and Association also embraces the ongoing empowering work of the Holy Spirit and the active ministry of the Church in carrying the mission of Jesus into the world today.
1. The Scriptures
We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. Scripture is the final standard for doctrine, spiritual formation, leadership, and Christian living. Scripture must be interpreted responsibly in context and through the lens of Jesus Christ, who is the fullest revelation of the Father.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16–17 2 Peter 1:20–21 Psalm 119:105 Hebrews 4:12
2. The One True God
We believe there is one eternal God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, co-eternal, and fully God, perfectly united in nature, purpose, and glory.
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 ; John 1:1–3
3. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, revealed the Father, performed miracles, died as the atoning sacrifice for sin, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit and will return again in power and glory. Jesus is Lord, Savior and Head of the Church.
Scriptures: John 1:14 ; Colossians 1:15–20; Isaiah 53:4–6; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ; Acts 1:9–11
4. Humanity and Sin
We believe all people are created in the image of God and therefore possess inherent dignity, value, and purpose. Through sin, humanity became separated from God and subject to spiritual death. Every person is in need of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Scriptures: Genesis 1:26–27 ; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3
5. Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Through His death and resurrection the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and new life are made available to all who repent and believe.
Salvation includes justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the ongoing transformation of the believer into Christlikeness.
Scriptures: John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9 ; Romans 10:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Titus 3:4–7
6. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and actively present in the world today. He convicts of sin, regenerates believers, reveals truth, empowers holy living, and equips the Church to fulfill the mission of Christ.
We believe every believer is called to live in continual dependence upon and partnership with the Holy Spirit. We further believe the empowering work of the Holy Spirit described in the New Testament remains available today. We affirm the baptism in the Holy Spirit as an empowering work of God for witness, ministry, and kingdom effectiveness.
We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue today and are to be exercised in accordance with Scripture, under wise spiritual oversight, and in love for the edification of the Church and the advancement of the gospel.
Scriptures: John 14:16–17; John 16:13 ; Acts 1:8 Acts 2:1–4 ; Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12–14 ; Galatians 5:16–25; Mark 16:17–18; Hebrews 2:3–4
7. Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
We believe every follower of Jesus is called to a lifelong journey of discipleship, growing in intimacy with Christ, obedience to His Word, and participation in His mission, learning His ways, obeying His teachings, and being transformed into His likeness.
Spiritual formation is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, transforming believers into the likeness of Christ through the renewal of the mind, healing of the heart, freedom from bondage, authentic community, faithful obedience, and the practice of spiritual disciplines.
Followers of Jesus are called to live holy, humble, loving, and Spirit-led lives.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 12:1–2; Luke 9:23; Colossians 1:28–29
8. The Church of Jesus
We believe the Church (ecclesia) is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers, called to worship God, disciple believers, demonstrate kingdom life, and make Jesus known in the world.
We believe the New Testament ecclesia is a Spirit-formed people living as the family, household, and mission of God. Every believer is called to ministry and to participate in a disciple-making ecclesial community that is under the watch and care of Godly elders.
Scriptures: Matthew 16:18–19 ; Acts 2:42–47; Ephesians 2:19–22 ; 1 Peter 2:9–10
9. The Fivefold Ministry and Leadership Equipping
We believe Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ.
We affirm the ongoing need for mature, Spirit-led leadership that equips believers, protects doctrine, cultivates health, and advances the kingdom mission.
We believe Christian leadership must be marked by integrity, accountability, servanthood, emotional maturity, and submission to biblical truth. The evidence of spiritual maturity is not merely gifting or influence, but Christlike character.
We believe the Holy Spirit distributes gifts and ministry callings according to His will, and that God calls and empowers both men and women for kingdom ministry, leadership, and service according to biblical character, gifting, and spiritual maturity.
We believe that leadership should be recognized based on calling, fruitfulness, character, competency, and faithfulness rather than status, gender, platform, or personal ambition.
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 2:17–18; Galatians 3:28 ; Romans 16:1–7 ; Titus 1:5–9
10. The Kingdom Mission
We believe the mission of the Church, and therefore every believer, is to make disciples of all nations, proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom, demonstrate the love and power of Jesus, and participate in the renewal of individuals, communities and cultures.
Every believer is called to live missionally as a witness of Jesus in daily life.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20 ; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Matthew 6:10