What We Believe
Education at SOWM is about equiping all believers who sense the call of God to serve as ministers. It teaches the importance of constructive questioning and a sense of responsibility with compassion, confidence and creativity to touching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faith
We believe that by faith, every promise of the scripture from Genesis to Revelation can be appropriated by the believer, for it to become a reality in his lifetime. That all promises in His word are inspired by God, and are profitable; there is a promise in the scripture targeted to address every human problem, difficulty or misfortune. No matter the need of the person, he can find an appropriate scripture to address it. And by faith appropriated scripture carry enough power to solve the human problem. Heb. 10: 35, 36; Heb. 11: 1, 2, 4, 5; Heb. 4:2; Rom 4:18-22
The God Head
We believe that, the Godhead consists of three separate, distinct, and recognizable personalities and qualities, perfectly united in one. The father, the son and the Holy Ghost are different persons in the Godhead, not merely three names for one Person. Matt. 3: 16, 17; 2 Cor. 13: 14; Matt. 28: 19, 20.
The Virgin Birth
We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, the only begotten son of God: the crucifixion, the death, the burial and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Isa 7: 14; Mt 1: 18-20; Romans 1: 4; 1 Corinthians 15: 3, 4
Sin
We believe in the total depravity, sinfulness and guilt of all men since the fall, rendering them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; Rom 3: 23; Rom 5: 12-17; Mk 7: 21-23; Eph. 2: 1-2.
Repentance
We believe that, repentance is a complete turning away from all sins and its deceitful pleasures and this is required for every sinner, before he can truly and effectively believe Jesus with saving faith. Pro. 28: 13; Isaiah 55: 7; Ezek. 18: 21-23; Mk 1: 15; Lk. 24: 46, 47; Act 2: 38/3: 19, 21; 2 Cor. 7: 10
Restitution
We believe that, the restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow men, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back what one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man. Gen 20: 1-8, 14-18; Ex. 22: 1-7; Lev. 6: 1-17; Num. 5: 6-8; 2 Sam. 12: 1-6; Pro 6: 31; Ezek. 33: 14-16; Lk. 19: 8-9; Acts 23: 1-5/24: 16.
Justification
We believe that, justification (or regeneration) is the act of God’s grace for one who received forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus, standing before God as though he had never sinned. Ps 32: 1, 2; Isa 1: 18; John 3: 3-8; Acts 13: 38, 39; Rom 3: 24-30.
The New Birth
We believe that, the new birth is a mandatory experience for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. The new birth is a guaranteed work of the Holy Spirit, for all those who verbally confess Him as their resurrected Lord. It is the supernatural regeneration of the human spirit by the Spirit of God. Without this experience, no one can enter into the kingdom of God. Ezek. 36:25-28; John 3:3-8; Titus 3: 5.
Water Baptism
We believe that, water baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God. Water baptism is one immersion (not three) “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” as Jesus commanded. Mt. 28: 19; Mt. 3: 13-17; Mk 16: 15; Acts 2: 38, 39; Acts 19: 1-6; Rom 6: 4, 5.9
The Lords Supper
We believe that, the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ so that all believers (all members of the family of God) might partake thereof regularly, to “show the Lord’s death till He comes.” The emblem used is “unleavened bread” and juice of the” fruit of the vine.” Anyone who eats and drinks unworthily brings damnation or punishment upon himself. Mt. 26: 26-29; Luke 22: 17-20; 1 Cor. 11: 23-30.
Sanctification
We believe that, the entire sanctification process is a definite act of God’s grace subsequent to the new birth, by which the believer’s heart is purified and made holy. It cannot be attained progressively by works, struggle or suppression, but it is obtained by the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life and the purity of heart is central to Christian living. Lk 1: 74, 75, John 17: 15, 17; 1 Thess. 4: 3, 7, 8/5: 22-24; Eph. 5: 25, 27; Heb. 2: 11/10: 10, 14/13: 12; Tit 2: 11-14; 1 John 1: 7; Heb. 12: 14.
Holy Ghost Baptism
We believe that, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is the endowment of power from on high upon the sanctified believer. It is “the promise of the Father” and when one receives the “gift of the Holy Spirit,” it is accompanied by the initial evidence by speaking a language unlearnt previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance. Mt 3: 11; Acts 1: 8; Luke 3: 16/24: 49; John 1: 30-33/7: 37-39/14: 16, 17, 26/16: 12-15; Acts 1: 5-8; Mk 16: 17; Acts 2: 1-18; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19: 1-6. We do not teach or instruct how to speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit gives utterance. We also stress the necessity of purity with power. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today. 1 Cor. 12: 1-31/14: 1-40
Prosperity
We believe that, God did not create any man or woman to be poor. And that poverty is aberration of God’s plan. That, the prosperity of the believer with its attendant expression of wealth and riches, is God’s will. It is part of the believer’s redemption to be rich in all areas of life, including material things. God is not glorified in poverty but rather gives all those that are financially faithful to Him, the power to get wealth. God is the source of all wealth to empower His people to perform all good work, including helping those who are less fortunate. 2 Cor. 9: 6-8; Rom 11: 12; Phil 4: 19; Rom 8: 32; 2 Cor. 8: 9-11; Deut. 8: 18
Redemption
We believe that, redemption from the curse of the law, which includes: healing from sickness and diseases as well as continued health, is provided for all people through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Ex 15: 26; Deut. 7: 15; Ps 103: 1-5; Pro 4: 20-22; Isaiah 53: 4, 5; Mt 8:16, 17; 1 Pt 2: 24; Mk 16: 15-18; John 14: 12-14; Acts 10:38; John 5: 14-16; 1 John 3: 8; Gal 3: 13, 14.
Spiritual Gifts
We believe that, every true believer in Jesus Christ and every true child of God is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit by the anointing of God, manifests Himself in the believer through nine supernatural gifts. That, the nine gifts of the Spirit mentioned in the 1 Cor. 12: 7-11, is given to every child of God to profit everyone. These are the manifestations of the sons of God. Romans 8: 19; 1 Corinthians 6:19.
Deliverance
We believe that, deliverance from sin and all the effects of sin, come from God through His word for every believer. That, deliverance from the powers of darkness is part of the heritage of a child of God. That, deliverance is a part of the redemption of the blood of Jesus Christ. That, the deliverance we have in Christ is a fact as stated in the Holy Word, yet becomes a progressive reality through discovering the truth in Christ Jesus, that sets us free. That, the Holy Spirit is the main agent for liberating the child of God from every expression of the powers of darkness in every area of his being. Rom 8: 21; Col 1: 13; 2 Cor. 3: 17; John 8:32-36; Luke 11: 17-22
Evangelism
We believe that, personal evangelism is a God-given ministry for every believer. Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a passionate and fruitful soul winner, bringing others to Christ. Mt 28: 19-20; Mk 16: 15; Luke 24: 46-49; John 17: 18; Acts 1: 8; Acts 8: 1-4; Ps 126: 5, 6; Pro 11: 30; Dan 12: 3; Ezek. 3:17-21.
The Five Fold Ministry
We believe that, God in his wisdom has given the body of Christ, the fivefold ministerial offices. The fivefold ministry of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher is given by God for the building of the body of Christ. That all these fivefold ministerial offices are equally legitimate before God; equally anointed by God. Eph. 4: 11-12; Eph. 2: 20; 1 Cor. 12: 23
Marriage
We believe that, marriage is binding for life. Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God’s perfect will and institution. The Bible forbids a believer marrying an unbeliever. Also, under the New Testament dispensation, no one has a right to divorce and remarry while the first companion lives. When a person becomes converted, necessary restitution, along this line, must be done without delay if he has married wrongly. Gen 2: 24; Deut. 7: 1-4; Josh 23: 11-13; 2 Co 6: 14-18; Pro 31: 10-31; Mal 2: 14-15; Rom 7: 2-3; Eph. 5: 31-33; Mt 5: 31-32; Mt 19: 3-9; Mk 10: 2-12; Luke 16: 18; John 4: 15-19; Gen 20: 3, 7
