Salvation, the Fall of Man and Redemption, Eternal Life, and the New Birth

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that humanity was created in the image of God, perfect and in harmonious fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27). However, through willful disobedience in the Garden of Eden, humankind fell into sin, introducing spiritual death—separation from God—and corrupting the entire human race with a sinful nature inherited by all (Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 3:23; 5:12). This fall resulted in bondage to sin, rendering people incapable of restoring themselves to God through their own efforts, and deserving of eternal judgment apart from His presence (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 6:23).

In His infinite love and mercy, God initiated a plan of redemption to reconcile fallen humanity to Himself. He offers salvation exclusively through His Son, Jesus Christ, who, being fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, and rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin, death, and Satan (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 2:13-15). This redemptive work provides forgiveness, justification, and restoration to all who repent and believe, not by human merit or works, but by God’s grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7).

Salvation is received when a person acknowledges their sin, turns from it in repentance, and places their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, confessing Him openly (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:19). At that instant, the Holy Spirit regenerates the believer, imparting a new spiritual birth—often called being “born again”—transforming them from spiritual death to life, creating a new nature in Christ, and indwelling them as a seal of God’s ownership (John 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Titus 3:5). This new birth marks the beginning of a transformed life, evidenced by obedience to God’s Word, pursuit of holiness, and the fruit of the Spirit, as the believer grows in likeness to Christ (Matthew 7:24; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:22-24).

Those who experience this salvation and new birth are granted eternal life—a present reality of intimate fellowship with God that extends into eternity in His presence, free from sin, sorrow, and death (John 10:28-29; 17:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:3-4). Conversely, those who reject God’s offer of salvation through Christ remain in spiritual death, facing eternal separation from God in judgment (John 3:18, 36; Revelation 20:11-15). Assurance of salvation is both objective and subjective: objectively, it rests on the unchanging, granite-solid facts of Christ’s finished work—our justification, adoption, and sealing by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 1:13; John 10:28-29)—facts that stand firm regardless of feelings. Subjectively, the Holy Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16), stirring a deep, personal “yes” in the heart, crying “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). This divine co-witness is not fickle emotion but God’s intimate illumination, making the objective truth come alive and personal. When trials dim the feeling, believers cling to the facts—and the Spirit fans the flame of joy anew. We proclaim this Gospel with urgency, inviting all to receive the abundant life Jesus promises, and we commit to nurturing believers in the assurance and joy of their eternal inheritance as children of God (John 10:10; Romans 8:15-17; 1 John 5:11-13).

The Scriptures Inspired: The Authority of the Bible

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God. The Bible, in its entirety, is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit—plenary and verbal—meaning God superintended the human authors so that every word accurately conveys His revelation without error in the original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). This theopneustos (“God-breathed”) process makes the Scriptures the very utterance of God Himself, not merely elevated human thoughts, but directly from the Holy Spirit who moved (“bore along”) holy men without overriding their intellect, personality, or style, even guiding the precise words to match spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 2 Peter 1:21).

As the inspired revelation of God to humanity, the Bible is infallible and serves as the supreme and final authority for all Christian belief and practice. It is the all-sufficient rule of faith and conduct, guiding believers in truth, correcting error, equipping for every good work, and revealing God’s character, will, and redemptive plan through Jesus Christ (Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12). No other source—tradition, human reason, experience, or cultural trends—holds equal authority; the Scriptures stand alone as God’s unchanging Word (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; 24:35).

We believe the Bible is without error in the original autographs, being fully trustworthy and true in everything it teaches, including its historical accounts, scientific implications, and prophetic promises, when properly understood in its original context and style (John 10:35; Psalm 119:89). While translations faithfully convey this truth to modern readers, and minor copyist variations do not affect essential doctrines, the authority rests in the God-breathed original text.

In receiving the Word as God’s own—not as the word of men—we give thanks without ceasing, welcoming it with expectant faith that it effectively works (energeo) in us who believe, producing transformation, power for holy living, and hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 10:17). In a world of competing voices and shifting opinions, we joyfully proclaim the Bible as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the heart and transforming lives (Hebrews 4:12). It is our guide for worship, discipleship, evangelism, and holy living, and we commit to teaching, studying, obeying, and proclaiming it with reverence and delight, that all might encounter the God who speaks through His Word and find abundant life in Christ (Psalm 119:11; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 20:31).

This conviction anchors En-Joy Ministries in the timeless truth of Scripture, empowering us to live out our five-fold mission of worshiping God, edifying believers, evangelizing the lost, serving others, and fostering fellowship—all under the supreme authority of God’s inspired Word.

The One True God and the Deity of Jesus Christ

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that there is one true and living God, eternally self-existent as the great “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of humanity (Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 8:58). He has revealed Himself in Scripture as one God in three distinct yet inseparable Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who share the same divine essence, co-eternal, co-equal, and co-powerful, yet personally distinct in their relationships and roles (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17; Luke 3:21-22). This triune God is the only God—there are no other gods, and all rival claims or demonic pretenders are finite created beings, not divine (Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

We believe in the full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; all things were made through Him, and in Him was life and light (John 1:1-3, 14). He has always been and will always be fully God, never ceasing to be divine. At the incarnation, He took upon Himself full humanity without diminishing His deity, becoming the God-Man—fully God and fully man in one Person (Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3; 2:14-17).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, born of her without a human father (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:35). Through this miraculous conception, He was related to humanity through the flesh—sharing our human nature, temptations, and experiences—yet His blood was not tainted by the sin nature inherited from Adam, making Him sinless and His blood precious for atonement (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 5:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He lived a sinless life, performed miracles as evidence of His divine authority, died on the cross as a penal substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all humanity, was buried, and rose bodily on the third day in the same glorified body in which He lived and died (Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 4:25).

By His death, He provided atonement sufficient for all people, yet this redemption is applied only to those who repent and believe in Him (John 3:16-18; Romans 3:23-25; 1 John 2:2). He ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where He now sits exalted as Lord, functioning as our great High Priest, ever living to make intercession for believers (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:9-11).

We joyfully proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father, calling all to know Him as the only Savior and Mediator, to love God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to teach this truth diligently to the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 22:37; Acts 4:12). In a world of many voices and false gods, we bear witness that Jehovah is God alone, and through Christ we find life, redemption, and abundant hope (Isaiah 43:10-12; John 14:6; Romans 10:9). This conviction fuels our mission to worship, edify, evangelize, serve, and fellowship—all centered on the triune God revealed in Jesus Christ.

God’s Finished Work in Christ

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that God is the sovereign Master Planner, whose eternal purposes are unchanging and perfect. Before the foundation of the world—before creation itself—God foreknew humanity’s fall into sin and planned the redemption of His people through the sacrifice of His Son (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20). The Lamb was “slain from the foundation of the world,” not in the sense of a literal pre-creation death, but because Christ’s atoning work was eternally decreed and certain in God’s mind. Creation, incarnation, and the cross are inseparably connected in God’s strategic plan: He created humanity knowing sin would enter, yet He had already purposed to redeem and restore through Jesus, fulfilling every prophecy and overcoming the crisis of sin before it even arose (Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:2).

The Lord Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a perfect, sinless life in obedience to the Father (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). Had He sinned even once, He could not have risen by His own divine power or offered an acceptable sacrifice. Instead, in perfect love and submission, He freely and willfully laid down His life—no one took it from Him (John 10:18). On the cross, He cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30)—a triumphant declaration that His redemptive mission was fully accomplished. This finished work includes:

• Atonement: Jesus bore the full penalty of sin as our penal substitute, satisfying God’s justice and wrath (Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Redemption: He purchased freedom from sin’s bondage and death’s power for all who believe (1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 1:7).
• Reconciliation: Through His blood, He bridged the chasm between holy God and sinful humanity, making peace and restoring fellowship (Colossians 1:19-22; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
• Fulfillment of prophecy: Every Old Testament shadow, type, and promise found its complete realization in Him (Luke 24:44; Acts 3:18).
• Victory over sin, death, and hell: By His death and resurrection, He defeated every enemy power, triumphing gloriously (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

This finished work provides complete salvation, forgiveness of sins, imputed righteousness, and every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:9-10). Nothing remains to be added or completed by human effort—salvation is fully secured and applied by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Believers are invited to rest in this completed accomplishment, ceasing from self-reliant works and living transformed lives by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:9-10; Romans 5:1-2). We proclaim this good news with joy: the debt is paid in full, the victory is won, and abundant life is available to all who trust in the finished work of Christ (John 10:10; Romans 8:1). This truth anchors our worship, fuels our mission, and brings unshakable assurance to every believer in God’s family.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Initial Physical Evidence

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct and subsequent experience to salvation, promised by the Father and commanded by Jesus Christ for all believers (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Jesus’ instructions before His ascension were clear and purposeful: He commanded the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for “the promise of My Father,” assuring them they would be “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). There was no detailed preview of what would unfold, yet Jesus knew exactly what would happen at Pentecost—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with visible, supernatural evidence. As the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), He not only commissioned His followers as witnesses but promised the enabling power to fulfill their mission. They were not to begin until they received this promise (Acts 1:8), and this call to ask, wait, and expect empowerment applies to all believers for all time. Just as Jesus taught, “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13), we are invited to earnestly seek this filling, trusting God to supernaturally equip us for service and witness.

This empowering immersion, where Jesus baptizes the believer in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; John 1:33), is separate from the new birth—where the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)—and from water baptism performed by disciples (Matthew 28:19). It equips believers for victorious Christian living, effective witness, and impactful ministry, enduing them with power from on high to fulfill the Great Commission and demonstrate God’s kingdom through signs, wonders, and spiritual gifts (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).

The pattern in Scripture is clear: believers are saved, water baptized and then baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 8:12-17; 10:44-48; 19:1-6). On the Day of Pentecost, the 120 disciples were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues as the initial physical evidence (Acts 2:1-4). In Samaria, new converts received the Spirit through the laying on of hands, with a visible manifestation evident even to Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:14-19). At Cornelius’ household, Gentiles spoke in tongues and magnified God upon receiving the Spirit, confirming God’s acceptance without distinction (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-17; 15:7-9). In Ephesus, Paul’s question—”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”—led to the laying on of hands, resulting in tongues and prophecy (Acts 19:1-6). These narratives demonstrate that speaking in tongues is the consistent biblical initial evidence of this baptism, a supernatural sign confirming the Spirit’s indwelling and empowerment.

This experience brings an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, deepened reverence for God, intensified commitment to His work, and a more active love for Christ, His Word, and the lost (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:31). It includes the release of spiritual gifts for ministry, such as prophecy, healing, and miracles, enabling believers to live as Spirit-empowered disciples who grow from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 2:43; Mark 16:20). Praying in the Holy Spirit, including in tongues, builds up the believer’s faith and provides perfect intercession when words fail (Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-17). As Jude exhorts, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20), this includes Spirit-prompted prayer in known languages, groanings too deep for words, and tongues unknown to the speaker—edifying the individual and strengthening their inner being. We personally experience this as a deeper connection to God, bringing empowerment, intimacy, and renewal; however, like any spiritual practice, one’s prayer language can grow “rusty” if neglected, underscoring the need for regular exercise in private devotion.

In corporate worship, speaking in tongues glorifies God and edifies the body when accompanied by interpretation, stirring communal praise and conviction (1 Corinthians 14:5, 13-17, 26-28; Acts 2:11). Without interpretation, it may disrupt and fail to build up others, as Paul instructs—tongues in public must be orderly and aimed at edification (1 Corinthians 14:21-25, 39-40). When interpreted, it functions like prophecy, directing hearts upward in worship and serving as a sign to unbelievers of God’s presence.

We joyfully proclaim that all believers are entitled to this promise and should earnestly seek it, as it was the normative experience of the early Church (Acts 2:38-39). In a world hungering for authentic power, the baptism in the Holy Spirit ignites passion for God, equips for service, and fosters unity in our five-fold mission—worshiping, edifying, evangelizing, serving, and fellowshipping—all under the dynamic leading of the Spirit for abundant life in Christ (John 10:10; Ephesians 5:18).

Divine Healing

At En-Joy Ministries, we affirm that divine healing is an integral part of the gospel, provided through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Atonement refers to Christ’s suffering and death on the cross, which reconciled humanity to God by paying the penalty for sin and securing forgiveness, wholeness, and restoration (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24). Just as salvation is received by faith, deliverance from sickness and disease is a privilege available to all believers through this same atoning work, fulfilling the prophecy: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17). This New Testament divine healing covenant is not conditioned on perfect obedience to the law, as in the Old Testament (Exodus 15:26), but is rooted in grace through faith in Christ’s finished work, encompassing holistic ministry and whole-person care: emotional health, the stewardship of our bodies, discernment, intimacy with God, and deep fellowship with others, as described in scriptural imperatives such as Mark 12:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. These two passages describe a unified human and spiritual flourishing, where we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), and pray for total sanctification: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

God heals in various ways: supernaturally through miracles, naturally through the body’s design, providentially through medical means, or ultimately in eternity where all pain ceases (Revelation 21:4). The prayer of faith, offered by believers or elders with anointing of oil, invites God’s intervention: “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:14-16). Psalm 91:9-10 promises divinely protected health for those who make the Lord their refuge and dwelling place—a position of trust and intimacy with Him—declaring, “Because you have made the Lord… your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” We approach God with humility, as seen in Naaman’s story (2 Kings 5), surrendering our expectations and obeying His guidance, whether through simple acts or profound miracles.

Yet, in His sovereignty, not every believer experiences physical healing on earth. The Bible teaches that “it is appointed for man to die once” (Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 3:2), a consequence of the Fall (Romans 5:12). Suffering may serve purposes such as discipline (Hebrews 12:6-11), character development (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4), displaying God’s glory (John 9:3), or drawing us closer to Him (Job 42:5). We trust God’s higher ways, even when they differ from ours (Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 3:5-6), knowing that for believers, death is not defeat but a gateway to ultimate healing: “absent from the body… present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). In times of unanswered prayer, we lean on His faithfulness, finding comfort in His presence and the hope of resurrection.

We joyfully proclaim that God is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26), and encourage all to seek Him fervently in prayer, standing on His promises while resting in His sovereign plan. This truth empowers our mission: worshiping in faith, edifying one another through compassionate intercession, evangelizing with testimonies of His power, serving the hurting, and fostering fellowship where hope thrives amid trials—all for abundant life in Christ (John 10:10; Psalm 34:18).