Scriptures
The Holy Bible (both Old and New Testament) is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and are the revelation of God to mankind and serve as the foundation of the faith and practice of Transcend Church.
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
God the Father, Jesus Christ the son and the Holy Spirit always existed from beginning. Jesus is described as the eternal “Word Of God” who was always with God in creating all things (John 1:1-3). Spirit of God was hovering over the waters when God created all things through His “word” (Jesus Christ) by speaking creation as in Genesis 1:3 when God said “Let there be light”.
The “word of God” became flesh (Jesus Christ) and dwelt among men. (John 1: 14)
When Jesus was baptized by John, we can see all the three persons of God in action. When Jesus was getting baptized; Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus and Father God spoke from heaven. (Luke3:21-22)
Other references: Gen. 1:1; John 10:30; Luke3:21-22, John 4:24; John5:19-23, John14:10,16-17, John15:26, John1:18, Deut 6:4; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14)
Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 3:6 NKJV 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:23-24 NKJV 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Romans 5:12 NKJV 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
Romans 3:23 NKJV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Salvation (by faith through Jesus Christ)
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.
Romans 6:23 NKJV23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 NKJV16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:13 KJV 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3:3 NKJV 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 2:4-9 NKJV 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Jesus Christ (Life, Death & Resurrection)
Jesus Christ is the eternal “word of God” who was transformed as flesh and was born of virgin Mary. At age 30, he was baptized in water and anointed by the Holy Spirit and performed many signs and miracles to show that He is the promised Messiah. Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah. He was crucified on the cross, thus becoming the sacrifice for all mankind and redeeming mankind from death into life. After 3 days, He rose again from the death and appeared to over 500 people in the span of 40 days. After that He ascended into heaven and is currently seated on the right hand of God. He established His church on earth through apostles and by sending the Holy Spirit as an ever-abiding Comforter for all believers. Jesus will return back as an eternal ruler over all heaven and earth.
Matthew 1:23 NKJV 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
John 1:14 NKJV 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Acts 2:22 NKJV 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
Luke 3:21-22 NKJV 21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Luke 24:6-7 NKJV 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’
Acts 1:8-11 NKJV
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Holy Spirit (Our comforter)
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. He, equally with the Father and the Son, is God. Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as a divine person. He thinks and knows (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). He intercedes (Romans 8:26–27), makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), and comforts and counsels (John 14:16, 26; 15:26). Because the Holy Spirit is personal, we can know Him and fellowship with Him; because He is divine, we can worship and obey Him; because He is active, we can rely on His perfect work in our lives.
Mathew 1:18-20 Jesus in womb, is the child of Holy Spirit
Mathew 3:11 Jesus will baptize you with Holy Spirit
Mathew 3:16 Spirit descended like a dove
Mathew 4:1 Jesus led by the Spirit into wilderness
Mathew 10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Luke 1:15 John the Baptist, Filled with Holy Spirit from his womb
Luke 1:41 Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit
Luke 1:35 To Mary, Holy Spirit will come upon you
Luke 1:67 Zacharias was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied
Luke 2:25-27 Simeon, Holy Spirit was upon him. Revealed by Holy Spirit. come by Holy Spirit
Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
John14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15: 26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Acs 2: 1-4 2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
New Life in Christ (Sanctification)
Holy Spirit permanently indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30. The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the believer (John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5). He baptizes believers into the Body of Christ (Romans 6:3). The Spirit fills believers with “all joy and peace” as they trust the Lord; the result is that believers “overflow with hope” (Romans 15:13).
The Holy Spirit is involved in the sanctification process of believers (1 Peter 1:2). The Spirit leads believers away from the desires of the flesh and into righteousness (Galatians 5:16–18). He produces fruit that makes every believer more like Christ (Galatians 5:19–26). He “fills” those who yield themselves to His control (Ephesians 5:18).
The Church (New Covenant)
The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head.
Ephesians 1:22–23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. The universal church consists of everyone, everywhere, who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The local church is a local body of believers who gather together to worship and fellowship as mentioned in Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 NKJV 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Baptism of Holy Spirit was foretold by John the Baptist where he mentioned Jesus would baptize with Holy Spirit and fire. Prophet Joel prophesized about the outpouring of Holy Spirit which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the witnessing Jesus Christ to all the world.
Luke 3:16 NKJV 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Acts 1:4 NKJV 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
Acts 1:8 NKJV 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 8:14-17 NKJV 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-47 NKJV 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Gifts of Holy Spirit are needed for the church to operate in the same anointing as Jesus operated. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit before they would carry on the mission of the Great Commandment of winning souls.
Gifts of Holy Spirit are outlined in detail in 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14. The gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. Paul encourages all believers to desire spiritual gifts. Operations of gifts of Holy Spirit should always be done with true love as detailed in 1 Corinthians 13.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Acts 2:43 NKJV Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ promised that He will come back for His church and will rule over all the earth. He promised a new heaven and a new earth. As believers we are encouraged to look for His return and His eternal kingdom.
John 14:1-3 NKJV “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Matthew 24:30 NKJV Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Acts 1:9-11 NKJV 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
2 Peter 3:13 NKJV Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Revelation 21:1-5 NKJV 21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”