What We Believe
Uplink Statements of Beliefs
1. We believe that the church’s primary reason for existence is twofold: I. Save the lost (Mt. 28:19) II.Equip the saints (Eph. 4:12) To use a fishing term, we could say that the church is to be a place of “catch & release”. First we “catch” them, (get them saved), and then we work hard to “release” them into their calling, (equipping and !preparing them to walk in the fullness of their calling). 2. We believe that in order to accomplish both reasons for existence as shown in point #1, we must embrace and practice the 5 fold ministry as described in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:11). These 5 fold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers), are not to just be offices or titles but rather they must stem from giftings which are evidenced by walking in the anointing of the Spirit. 3. We believe that in order to accomplish both reasons for existence as stated in point #1, the church must teach and put !into practice the Word of God. As a fully functioning End Times church, we must embrace and practice both the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16) and the Power of God (2Tim 3:5). Giving mere lip service to either is not what we believe we are to do. Neither the Word nor the Power is to be relegated to a small group at some other time than the main meeting. Teaching and preaching must accompany both. 4. We believe the church must rediscover the anointing, what it means and how to walk in it. (Ex 40:15, Acts1:4-5, Acts 10:38 38, Luke 3:22, Luke 4:1, Luke 4:14 Luke 4:18-19, 1Jo 2:20, 1Jo 2:27) 5. We believe in the equipping of the saints by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and that it is for all believers. Although we believe that we receive the Holy Spirit when we receive Jesus as Lord, We also believe that there are available, (and needed!), subsequent infillings of the Spirit. The church must teach and provide avenues for the saints to be equipped with these infillings. (Joh 1:33, Ac 2:4, Ac 4:8, Acts 11:16-17, Joh 20:22, Ac 1:8, Ac 7:55, Ac 10:44, Ac 19:2, Ac 19:6) 6. We believe the church must rediscover signs and wonders. In these last days, we must realize the importance of this powerful tool of God and teach their place & purpose. (Ac 4:30. Ac 5:12, Ac 15:12,. 2Co 12:12, Heb 2:4 Mk. 16:17-18 7. We believe the church must rediscover the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are to teach about and equip the saints by showing the place and purpose for these tools from God. Both the practical, (i.e. administrative, hospitality), and the edifying, (i.e. tongues, prophecy), as well as the rest are to be as fully as God grants, utilized. (1Co 12:28, Rom.12:6-8, 1Pet.4:10-11) Note: We believe that at this late date the anointing, signs & wonders, and both the gifts and the baptism of the Holy Spirit can no longer be viewed as optional or that they can even be called “disputable matters”. Whereas in the past there have been abuses and possible attitudes of “make me feel good, God”, & what some have called “charismatic chaos”, We now believe that we are in a very serious time in which the church needs to discover the biblical, God given, place for these things. We must be going after God for all that He offers for us to come into the “fullness” He desires. (Eph. 3:17-18 17* so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18* may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19* and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 8. We believe the church is to shake off any presumption that we can trust in anything else than putting our faith in God. By this we mean that we are to not trust in our natural abilities, education, or feelings. As soon as we start trusting in and giving greater credence to these things, we are in danger of doing things in our own strength and not in God’s power. (1Co 2:4, 2Co 12:9, Ga 3:5) 9.We believe the church as well as individuals are to be expecting God to move. (i.e. Salvations, Healings, Deliverance, Miracles) (Ps 27:14, Ps 42:5, Ps 69:6, Isa 30:18, Isa 40:31, Jas.1:6-8, Lu 12:40) 10. We believe in the priesthood of all believers and all that implies. (1Pet2:5, 1Pet2:9, 1Cor 1:24, 1Cor.1:26, Eph.1:18) 11. We believe the church is to be particularly interested and aware of what the term “New Wineskins” means and implies. (Mt 9:17, Isa 43:19, Acts 13:41) 12. We believe the end times, last days church is to walk in and be looking for an increase in revelation and power that has never been seen or understood by generations of past. (Dan.12:4, Eph.3:8-10, Col 1:26, Lu 7:28, Joh 14:12, Joel 2:28-29) 13. We believe Preaching, (differing from teaching), is to have a special anointing and power both when directed to the saints as well as the lost. (Ro 15:19, Ac 5:42, 1Co 1:21, 1Co 2:4, 1Th 1:5) 14. We believe there is to be a God given authority in place in the church. We also believe that in order for the people to “line up” !or “be under” that authority, that authority is to be defined by the Latin meaning: “To help others to grow, to express loving care through responsibility, to empower others through inspired vision” (Luke 22:23-27, 2Co 1:24, 2Co 13:10, Mt 23:24) 15. We believe that the gift of healing is vital and imperative to the working of the local church. It is to hold a special place of importance primarily because that is what Jesus modeled... it was what He spent a large part of His ministry time doing. Why not the church? Added 03-17-2014: 16. We believe that the church should model valuing the things that Jesus and the Word values i.e. : 1 Cor 1:26-31... 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d] Matthew 5:3-12... 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Based on these and other verses, our call is to model this in our meetings and lives. How do we create a “safe” place and atmosphere for the meek, the weak, the mourning? The traditional church has promoted the “Type A’s” and relegated many others to the pews and sidelines. As mentioned above, our hearts desire is to live out, demonstrate and value the people Jesus values. |
2 Corinthians 12
I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses…. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth…. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |