ARTICLE XI

END TIMES APOSTASY

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims, and teaches that the Holy Scriptures warn of perilous times and a departure from the faith in the last days. Scripture foretells that some will abandon sound doctrine, give heed to deceiving spirits, embrace teachings contrary to the truth of God's Word, and pursue their own desires rather than submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL affirms its commitment to the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative foundation for Christian faith, doctrine, worship, conduct, and ministry. We stand upon the faith delivered to the saints and preserved in the apostolic witness of Holy Scripture. We reject false teaching, moral corruption, deception, exploitation, partiality, and every practice that contradicts the righteousness, holiness, justice, and love of God.

We oppose the misuse of Christian liberty as a justification for licentiousness, the distortion of Scripture to accommodate human desires, and the elevation of human philosophy, cultural pressure, or personal preference above the revealed Word of God. We further affirm that the defense of biblical truth must itself be governed by biblical truth. Therefore, our opposition to error must be exercised with humility, discernment, courage, love, and accountability before God.

We reject lying, cheating, stealing, manipulation, murder, oppression, and the showing of partiality in the name of the Christian faith. No profession of faith, spiritual gift, ministerial office, or ecclesiastical position excuses conduct contrary to the commands of Jesus Christ. We affirm that genuine Christian faith must be demonstrated through obedience to God's Word, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love for one's neighbor, and a commitment to righteousness and truth.

We believe that the Church is called to remain watchful, steadfast, and faithful in times of apostasy. We shall continue to preach the Word of God, teach sound doctrine, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ until the Lord returns. By the grace of God, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL resolves to remain faithful to Christ and His Word, to equip believers for spiritual discernment, and to call all people to repentance, holiness, and enduring faith.

SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS

1. 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 — The Supremacy of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (KJV)

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

2. 1 Corinthians 14:22–34 — Spiritual Gifts and Order in the Church

1 Corinthians 14:22–34 (KJV)

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.”

3. Hebrews 2:1–4 — The Danger of Neglecting Salvation

Hebrews 2:1–4 (KJV)

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

4. 1 Timothy 4:1–3 — Departure from the Faith

1 Timothy 4:1–3 (KJV)

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

5. 2 Timothy 3:1–17 — Perilous Times and the Authority of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:1–17 (KJV)

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

6. 2 Timothy 4:1–4 — The Command to Preach the Word

2 Timothy 4:1–4 (KJV)

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

7. Jude 3 — Contending for the Faith Once Delivered

Jude 3 (KJV)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

8. Colossians 2:8 — Guarding Against Deception

Colossians 2:8 (KJV)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

FORMAL DOCTRINAL DECLARATION

Therefore, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL declares its unwavering commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture, the preservation of sound doctrine, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the faithful practice of Christian holiness. We reject apostasy, deception, licentiousness, and every teaching or practice that contradicts the revealed truth of God.

We affirm that spiritual gifts and manifestations must be exercised in accordance with Scripture, in love, in proper order, and for the edification of the Church. We further affirm that no minister, leader, or believer is exempt from biblical correction, moral responsibility, or ecclesiastical accountability.

In times of doctrinal confusion and spiritual decline, we will continue to preach the Word, teach the truth, contend earnestly for the faith, and demonstrate the character of Jesus Christ through holiness, justice, mercy, and love. By God's grace, we shall remain faithful until the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead and bring His redemptive purposes to completion.