Manifesto
From EJ Hill & Friends
MANIFESTO a.k.a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
by EJ Hill (1977-)
Because, belief requires a response.
Reason
First, and foremost, I DO WHAT I DO FOR MYSELF - FOR MY OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH, and FOR MY OWN CONSCIENCE'S SAKE.
Apart from the above, I ALSO SHARE WHAT I'VE LEARNED with those amongst my family, friends, and acquaintances; ENLIGHTENED, HONEST, FAITHFUL, AND BRAVE ENOUGH - TO FOLLOW CHRIST REGARDLESS.
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same COMMIT THOU TO FAITHFUL MEN, WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO." (2 Tim. 2v2, AKJV, p.528)
Intentions
PROCLAIMING AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY. (Pr. 14v5; 1 Jn. 5v1)
Authority
ESTABLISHING THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE. (Ps. 19v7-11, 119v54, v160, 138v2; Is. 66v2; 1 Cor. 2v13-14; Col. 3v16-17; 2 Tim. 3v16-17; 1 Pt. 2v2; 2 Pt. 1v19-21; Jude v3)
Investigation
OBJECTIVELY INVESTIGATING THE VALIDITY OF ANY DOCTRINE (1 Th. 5v21; 2 Tim. 2v15) by considering the vast body of evidence as documented both within the established (or institutional) church, as well as external sources: encyclopedia, historians, skeptics, and the world wide web.
Some have asked whether "objective sources" would not be more reliable than Church history, since they are "unbiased". In the words of Ralph O Muncaster, "'Unbiased' sources are really very biased! Any complete investigation demands (the) analysis of both sides of an issue." [1]
Correction
RESISTING SERIOUS DOCTRINAL ERROR, when THREATENING THE CREDIBILITY OF THE GOSPEL or UNDERMINING THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE. (1 Tim. 6v20; 2 Tim. 2v16; 1 Pt. 3v15)
Development
Seeking a deeper joy and trust in God through a better understanding of His glories.
Dedication to constant change. (Ph. 3v21)
Abiding in prayer.
Guidance
Performing through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 14v26, 16v8, v13-14; 2 Cor. 1v21-22; Gal. 5v16, v22-23; Ep. 4v30, 5v18; 1 Th. 5v19; 1 Pt. 4v10-11; 1 Jn. 2v20, v27; Jude v20)
Cooperation
PARTNERING IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL, WITH REGENERATE BELIEVERS ONLY. (Deut. 22v9-11; Hos. 4v17; Mt. 5v44; Jn. 17v14-19; Rom. 8v7-8; 1 Cor. 5v6-13; 2 Cor. 2v17, 4v2-3, v5, 6v14-7v1; Ep. 5v8-12; 2 Th. 3v14-15; Tit. 1v15-16; 1 Jn. 2v15-17)
"HE THAT WALKETH WITH WISE MEN SHALL BE WISE: but A COMPANION OF FOOLS SHALL BE DESTROYED." (Pr. 13v20, AKJV, p.295)
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER therefore WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD." (Js. 4v4, AKJV, p.537)
Participating with ambassadors of Christ, to fulfill their God-given privilege. (Jn. 13v13-15; Rom. 12v10-11; Gal. 5v13; Ph. 2v1-4; Col. 1v28-29; 1 Th. 2v3-4)
We reject, therefore, Ecumenism.
Evangelism
RECOVERING THE CHURCH'S MISSION MANDATE. (Mt. 28v19-20; Mk. 16v15; Lk. 24v47)
"The single most important hindrance to world evangelism right now is THE LACK OF TOTAL INVOLVEMENT BY THE BODY OF CHRIST." [3]
Evangelizing a lost world, beginning with nominal (non-evangelical) church-goers, such as Roman Catholics and liberal protestants. (Mt. 28v19-20; Mk. 16v15; Jn. 24v47)
Fellowship
Establishing bible-based fellowships of believers, where none exist. [2]
MAINTAINING ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH. (Mt. 18v15-20; Acts 2v42-47; Gal. 6v1-2; 1 Th. 5v12-13; Heb. 10v24-25, 13v7, v17; 1 Pt. 5v1-4)
Nurturing believers in spiritual growth and personal development, regardless of age, gender, nationality, social or ethnic background.
PRODUCING AN AWE-INSPIRING VIEW OF GOD. (Ps. 29v1-2, 111v10, 115v1; Is. 42v8; Jn. 1v14, 17v1-5; Rom. 11v33-36, 16v25-27; 1 Cor. 10v31; Ep. 3v20-21; Ph. 2v9-10; 1 Tim. 1v17; Jude v24-25; Rev. 4v8, 11, 5v12)
Provision
Providing access to ministry resources without financial hindrance. (Mt. 6v24-34, 10v8-10; Acts 20v33; 1 Cor. 9v14-18; 2 Cor. 11v7-8; 1 Th. 2v5, v9-10; 2 Th. 3v7-9; 1 Tim. 6v5-10)
Justice
Protecting the affections of our lives (Amos 5v21-24; Jn. 14v15; 1 Cor. 5v6-13; 2 Cor. 2v17, 4v2-3, v5; 2 Cor. 6v14-7v1; Ep. 5v8-12; 2 Th. 3v14-15; Tit. 1v15-16; Js. 4v4; 1 Jn. 2v15-17), and the innocent. (Ex. 23v7; Deut. 19v10; Ps. 72v14; Is. 5v20)
Obtaining impartial justice for all. (Ps. 82v2, 140v12)
Pleading our cause against an ungodly nation. (Ps. 43v1)
Persecution
Suffering persecution for the sake of the Kingdom. (2 Cor. 4v10-11)
Blamelessness
Being ABOVE REPROACH IN ALL OUR ENDEAVORS. (Ps. 15v2-5; Mt. 5v16, v37; 1 Cor. 6v1-3, v6-7; Ph. 2v14-15; Col. 3v16-17; Tit. 2v7-8, 3v1-2; 1 Pt. 2v12-18)
Conclusion
We are also in support of the Trinity Foundation's "Reformation Day Statement" and Steve Camp's "107 Thesis". [4]
We are committed to holding together two things that are often considered as being mutually exclusive: a commitment to sound doctrine and a passionate pursuit of the presence of God. It's what we call "impassioned orthodoxy".
Bibliography
1 Ralph O. Muncaster; How to Talk About Jesus With the Skeptics in Your Life (Examine The Evidence™); Harvest House Publishers®, Eugene, Oregon, 97402; p.18. ISBN 0-7369-0609-6
2 We call this Misgav Ladach, a Hebrew term meaning "shelter for the oppressed".
3 Dr. K.P. Yohannan; Revolution In World Missions; GFA Books™ (a division of Gospel for Asia®), 1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, TX 75010, USA; p.85. ISBN 1-56599-991-6
4 Steve Camp; Declaration of Ministry; Audience One®; http://a1m.org/page.php?page=template10.php&pageid=6c78b1f48415dab2b277bc7c0eee6342
