Marathon Church of God Core Beliefs
Bible
We believe the Bible to be the complete Word of God.
- That the 66 books of the Old and New Testament were inspired by the Spirit of God as originally written
- That the Bible is inerrant
- That the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct 2 Timothy 3:16
God
We believe in one God, Creator of all, holy, sovereign, eternal, existing in three equal Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ
We believe in the absolute and essential deity of our Lord Jesus Christ
- In His eternal existence, with the Father in pre-incarnate glory. (John 1:1)
- In His virgin birth, sinless life, His vicarious death as the only sacrifice for the sin of the world, and His bodily resurrection from the dead. (Matthew 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, Luke 24:39)
- In His triumphant ascension, mediatorial ministry. (Ephesians 1:20-23, Hebrews 7:25)
- In His future return in glory, 1st to rapture the church, 2nd to establish His kingdom on earth. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Rev. 20:6)
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the absolute and essential deity, and in the personality of the Holy Spirit and His baptism
- His baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:4, 19:1-6)
- His baptism results in the power to witness and gifts for ministry. (Acts 1:8)
- His baptism results in a deeper expression of spiritual fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- His baptism results in a greater growth in Christ-likeness. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- His baptism results in a more effective prayer life. (Romans 8:26-27)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is only in Christ, by the sovereign grace of God
- All have sinned. (Romans 3:23)
- That salvation is by faith alone in the all-sufficient sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-17)
- Repentance is commanded of God. (Matthew 4:17, Acts 3:19, Luke 15:10)
Sanctification
We believe in the continual sanctification (spiritual development) or every believer.
- Sanctification is by the Holy Spirit and involves daily dying to sin and living righteously. (Romans 6:1-23)
- Sanctification is expressed in a holy life, as holiness is God's standard for His people. (1 Thessalonians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:13-16)
- Sanctification will culminate at the return of Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:2-3)
Divine healing
We believe in Divine healing
- Through Jesus Christ, by way of His cross for our total being; spirit, mind, and body. (Isaiah 53:5)
- Appropriated in the believers life through faith-filled prayer. (James 5:13-15)
Sacraments
We believe in the sacraments of the church established by Jesus christ
- Water baptism by immersion and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. ( Matthew 28:19)
- The Lord's supper. (Matthew 26:26-30)
- Washing the Saints feet as a show of servanthood. (John 13:2-5, 12-16)
resurrection
We believe in the resurrection from the dead
- 1st the righteous to eternal life, 2nd the ungodly to eternal damnation. (John 5:28-29)