WHO WE ARE
We Are
A CHURCH FOUNDED IN
THE WORD OF GOD
The Main Objective
The Evangelical Christian Spiritual Church (IECE) has as its main objective the preaching and propagation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PREACHING
And daily, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.”
Acts 5:42
PROPAGATION
But those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4
"And there they preached the gospel"
Acts 14:7
Evangelical Christian Spiritual Church (IECE)
statement of principles
In Doctrinal Material
1
2
THOSE WHO MAKE UP THE CHURCH
The IECE is made up of people washed and redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have made a profession of faith by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according to the apostolic order, Acts 2:38, and therefore live being guided and sustained by the fundamental principles of Christian doctrine; which, having begun to be published by the Lord, has been confirmed to us by those who heard him; God also bearing witness to them by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3,4.
OUR FOUNDATION
The IECE's teaching is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20. It practices the doctrine preached by our Lord Jesus Christ and continued by the Apostles at his command. Mark 16:14-18. Christianity was established from that time, with the brothers in Antioch being the first to be called Christians. Acts 11:26.
3
4
5
6
7
OUR MISSION
The IECE's purpose is to continue the work begun by our Lord Jesus Christ and carried on by the apostles, until the gospel reaches every corner of the earth, according to God's purposes. Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8.
THOSE WHOM GOD RECEIVES
In accordance with the word of God, the IECE welcomes into its fold all people who, aware of their responsibility before God by virtue of His gospel, accept the form of doctrine we profess, regardless of their nationality or language, because God shows no partiality. Acts 10:34-35.
THE FORM OF DOCTRINE
The IECE accepts as its doctrine what the Holy Bible teaches, from which our Articles of Faith, Assembly Agreements and current Regulations originate.
The Bible we use
The IECE accepts the old Holy Bible, 1909 version, for official use.
respect for governments
The IECE teaches respect for governments, recognizing constitutional laws and national symbols. 1 Peter 2:13-15.
Our Principles of Faith
ARTICLES OF FAITH THAT THE
Evangelical Christian Spiritual Church
ACCEPTS AS DOCTRINE NORMS:
I - THE CHURCH 1 - We believe that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is one, universal, and indivisible. Ephesians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 12:13 2 - We believe that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ today is the continuation of the Church that began on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, its members live and move, guided and sustained by the principles of Christian doctrine, which, having been first proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ, has been confirmed to this day by those who heard it; God bearing witness to them with signs, wonders, various miracles, and the distribution of the Holy Spirit according to his will. Hebrews 2:3-4, Hebrews 2:1-43
II - THE DIVINITY 1 - We believe in the existence of one God. Creator of all that exists, visible and invisible. Eternal and infinite in power, holy in His nature, with attributes and purposes, possessing absolute and indivisible Divinity in His being, and indescribable in His essence; known only by Himself, He has no body, nor parts; and therefore is free from all limitations. Deut 6:4, Jn. 1:1, Deut. 4:39, Isa. 42:4, Isa. 43:10-12, Isa. 44:6, Isa. 45:5-6, Isa. 45:14, Isa. 45:18, Isa. 45:21-22. He has manifested Himself to the world in different forms throughout the ages. Gen 18:1-5, Ex. 3:1-6, Heb. 1:1 He has revealed himself as Father in creation. Gen. 1:1, Jn. 1:2 As Son in the redemption of humanity. Rom. 5:10, Gal. 4:4, 1 Tim. 3:6 And as the Holy Spirit poured out into the hearts of believers who form his Church. Jn. 14:5-20, Acts 2:1-21, Titus 3:5-6 2 - We believe that Jesus Christ was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that he is the one true God. Matt. 1:20, Luke 1:30-35, Rom. 9:5, 1 Jn. 5:20 The same God of the Old Testament took human form. Isa. 60:1-3, Jn. 1:14, 1 Tim 3:16 In Jesus Christ, the divine and the human were perfectly and incomprehensibly fused. Through the woman in whose womb He took form, He was human. Through the Holy Spirit, who conceived Him, He was God. Therefore, He is called the Son of Man as the Son of God. This is why we believe that Jesus Christ is the only God who exists, and that in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9 3 - We believe that the Holy Spirit is the only God, that the Godhead is one and indivisible, and that in the revelation of the Holy Spirit through His work, He is the Almighty God and Creator, and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of humanity. Gen 1:2, Jn. 4:24, 1 Pet. 1:11, 2 Pet. 1:21, Acts 5:3-4.
III - THE PERFECTIONS OF GOD 1 - We believe that God is perfect in Himself, in His nature, and in all His actions, and that His perfection is infinite and incomprehensible. Job 11:7, Matthew 5:48. 2 - We believe that God is Holy in Himself and in His nature. He is an infinitely pure being; no human being can see Him and live. He is far removed from all evil in action and intent, and far removed from all wickedness. 1 John 3:3, Leviticus 11:44-45, Exodus 33:2, John 1:18, James 1:13, Psalm 5:4. And He is worthy of the praise of all His creatures. Exodus 15:11, Isaiah 6:3-4, Revelation 15:3-4 3 - We believe that God is Almighty and Omnipotent, the reason why all created things exist to this day. Job 37:23, Genesis 35:11, Psalm 33:9. And He sustains all things by the word of His power, and by Him all things hold together. Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:7. The Scriptures present God's prerogative as Creator and Omnipotent. Nehemiah 9:6, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26. And that by His power He will triumph in all His judgments. Revelation 19:1-6. 4 - We believe that God is the Creator, that all things were created by Him and for Him, and that without Him nothing that is made was made. Genesis 1:1, John 1:3, Isaiah 45:7-11, Colossians 1:16. 5 - We believe that God is the Preserver, because all things created by Him He preserves to this day according to His purposes. Hebrews 1:3, 2 Peter 3:7, Acts 17:24-25. He also protects His people from all danger. Psalm 121:2-3, Psalm 121:7-8, Proverbs 2:8, John 10:27-28 6 - We believe that God is faithful and true, in all His actions and promises, because He has fulfilled them all according to His word. He knows future things, and there is faithfulness and truth in all His words, so it is impossible for Him to lie in His words and actions. Deuteronomy 7:9, Matthew 24:35, 2 Timothy 2:13, Revelation 19:11. 7 - We believe that God is omnipresent, because He has the prerogative of being everywhere at all times. There is no place on earth, in heaven, or in space where He is not present at the same time. Psalm 139:7-12, John 3:13, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 28:20 8 - We believe that God is Omniscient, because He knows all things past, present, and future, hidden things, and the thoughts of men, and He searches hearts and understands every imaginable thought. 1 Chronicles 28:9, Acts 15:8, John 21:17, 1 John 3:20, Revelation 2:23, Psalm 37:18, Job 42:2, Isaiah 46:9-10, Daniel 2:22, 1 Corinthians 3:20. 8 - We believe that God is Omniscient, because He knows all things past, present, and future, hidden things, and the thoughts of men, and He searches hearts and understands every imaginable thought.
IV - THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 1 - We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the word of God; because they are the source of knowledge of His very revelation, inspired by God to instruct and teach man in every good work so that he may know His ways and serve Him. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:21, 1 Cor. 14:37, Acts 1:16. 2 - We believe that the best interpreter of the word of God is the Bible itself, because in it we find the unfolding of the eternal plan for the fulfillment of His purposes, whether these are for the work of creation, the redemption of the world, or for the future. John 5:39, 2 Pet. 1:20. We believe that the word of God is interpreted by His own word. 1 Cor. 2:12-14, Acts 2:16, Luke 4:20-21.
V - DOCTRINES TEACHED BY THE BIBLE 1 - We believe that upon the death of a believer, their spirit returns to God and their body to the dust of the earth. The Holy Scriptures teach this doctrine: When Abraham breathed his last, he was reunited with his people. Genesis 25:8-9, Luke 16:22 When Stephen was stoned, he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:59 We believe that the words written in Ecclesiastes are affirmative. Ecclesiastes 12:7. 2 - We believe that the soul is immortal, both of the righteous and the unrighteous, because it is the immaterial part of the creation of man. We believe that life is spiritual (the soul) in man because it is the breath of life given by God and cannot die, being a spirit created by God. The soul of the righteous returns to God their Creator, and the soul of the unrighteous goes to a place awaiting the day of judgment. (Numbers 16:22, Numbers 27:16, Job 12:10, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 22:32, Isaiah 66:24, Revelation 6:9-10, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 20:4, Luke 16:19-23) 3 - We believe that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous who have died in the Lord will be resurrected to enter eternal life, to live forever. They will be clothed with a glorified body, and mortality will be absorbed by immortality. (John 5:29, Acts 24:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Isaiah 5:29) 26:19, Hosea 6:2, 1 Corinthians 15:35, Job 19:25-27, Psalm 17:15, Matthew 25:46, John 5:29, Revelation 20:5-15, Daniel 12:2 4 - We believe in the existence of a place of punishment commonly called hell, where all those who have done wrong and have not obeyed the Gospel to be saved will be confined. We believe that this eternal place is where all the wicked will be cast, along with Satan, the angels who rebelled in heaven, death, and the grave (Psalm 9:17, Matthew 5:22, 2 Peter 2:4). We believe that, meanwhile, the redeemed will enter into glory where Christ is (Ephesians 1:16). 2:6, Col. 3:4 Satan and all his followers will be thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:7-15 5 - We believe in Divine intervention manifested in human actions, whether for blessing or for punishment. We believe that in the interventions God has made, He has taken part in the affairs of His kingdom on earth. As Sovereign over all things and knowing all, He has intervened in the actions of men to bless some and to punish others. Among His actions for blessing, He has opened people's hearts to believe in the Gospel of Christ. Acts 16:14-15 He has guided His servants to proclaim His gospel. (Acts 8:29-38) Among His actions for punishment, He has thwarted the counsels. 2 Sam. 17:14 He has hardened the hearts of men. 1 Kings 11:11-14, 1 Kings 12:14-15 He has cut off the lives of those who have left him, 1 Sam. 2:30-34
VI - CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 1 - We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day, as the Evangelists recount. Matthew 27:60-64, Matthew 28:1-9, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:1-9, Luke 24:36-46, John 14:3, Acts 1:10-11. We believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was fulfilled according to prophecy, Psalm 16:8-11, Psalm 17:15, Isaiah 53:10. And that it is the foundation of our faith and justification, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 4:25, Hebrews 9:28. 2 - We believe that in matters of teaching, the Church is founded on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). We also believe that the Apostles were called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be with him (Mark 3:13, Matthew 10:16, Luke 6:13-16, Luke 9:1-2). And to preach his Gospel to the nations (1 Peter 2:5-6). 3 - We believe in salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is a free gift, a present bestowed by God upon humanity on the sole condition that we accept the sacred merits of Christ's sacrifice and, at the same time, accept him as our Savior (Ephesians 2:4-8). We believe that Christ himself gave the commandment to preach his Gospel (Mark 16:15-16, John 16:16). 3:18, Acts 8:36-37, Acts 16:31, Rom. 10:8-10 4 - We believe that Christian baptism should be administered in the name of Jesus Christ. Water baptism should be by immersion and by a minister who possesses the qualifications established in the Word of God. Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16, 1 Tim. 3:2-7, Titus 1:5-9 We believe that baptism by immersion represents the death of man to the world and to sin, and his resurrection to a new life in Christ, similar to His death, burial, and resurrection. Rom. 6:1-6, Gal. 3:27. 5. We believe in the forgiveness of sins through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, freely granted to those who truly repent and accept Him as their sufficient and only Savior. We believe that when God forgives humanity, He treats them as if they had not committed any offense, because of the atonement and mediation of Christ, who personally suffered the punishment the sinner deserved. (Acts 5:31, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Ephesians 1:7, Romans 3:23-25, Hebrews 9:9-28, Isaiah 53:4-10) 6. We believe in the justification of the believer through faith in the righteousness of God, manifested in Christ. We believe that we are considered righteous before God solely through the merits of Jesus Christ, by faith in His holy name, and not by our own works or merits. We believe that from the moment a believer accepts Christ as their Savior, justification is as perfect as the infinite value of the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that justification, in addition to the remission of sins, freeing humanity from punishment, includes entry into the eternal enjoyment of God's favor. (Acts 13:39, Rom. 5:1, Rom. 3:26-31, Gal. 2:16, 2 Pet. 1:1) 7. We believe in the sanctification of the believer. Sanctification is the work by which perfect consecration for the service of God our Lord is made. The blood of Christ's atoning sacrifice cleanses, purifies, and consecrates the human heart to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. What was once unclean and sinful is now holy and pure. The believer is purified from the corruption of their nature; their soul is washed and purified by the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice to consecrate and sanctify a people worthy of His holy name. 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 2:11, Hebrews 9:11-14, Hebrews 10:10-14, Jude 1:1. 8. We believe in the regeneration of the believer. We believe that regeneration is the new birth, a work of the Holy Spirit by which one who was dead in sin and transgression, alienated from the knowledge of God, is created anew in Christ, in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. They receive the impulse of supreme love for Him and selfless love for their neighbor. John 3:3-7, Ephesians 4:24, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:3.
VII - DOCTRINES PRACTICED BY THE CHURCH 1 - We believe that all believers in Christ Jesus must be holy because they have been consecrated for His service. The holiness of the believer comes from the work of the Holy Spirit and the filial relationship with God, a holy seed. The believer's holiness begins in the heart and is characterized by outward acts that demonstrate inner purity in their conduct. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 2 - We believe in the evidence of the Holy Spirit, promised by God in the Old Testament prophecies, according to the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 And in the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ in John 14:16-18. 14:26 And that it was poured out after the glorification of Christ on the day of Pentecost. We also believe in the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is manifested in the believer through the gift of tongues, a specific sign given by our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples and all who believe in His holy name. Mark 16:17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15-16, Acts 19:6. 3 - We believe in the healing of the physical body in response to the prayer of faith. We believe that God has the power to heal all our physical ailments, if it is His will, and that divine healing is the effect of Christ's sacrifice, which is described in Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:16-17. The healing of the physical body is in response to the believer's prayer and the power of the name of Jesus Christ invoked upon the sick person. We also believe that the sick should be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord, through whom God has appointed as Minister in the Church to dispense this blessing. Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15, Matthew 9:27-30, Matthew 8:6-8, Matthew 9:20-22, 2 Kings 20:5. 4 - We believe that love for our brothers and sisters is the greatest manifestation of our love for our Lord Jesus Christ, because He first loved us. No one can love God and hate their brother or sister. There must be consistency in this feeling. If we love one another, it is evident that God is in us and His love is perfect. And the unmistakable proof that we are in Him is if we love our brothers and sisters as if we loved the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. 1 John 4:10-11, 1 John 4:19 and 21, John 13:34. 5 - We believe in the distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The qualities that a believer, or certain individuals within God's people, possess, such as a vocation to perform certain tasks, are gifts that God bestows upon those He chooses for the perfection of His people and all that is directly related to His work. Every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights. James 1:17, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Hebrews 2:4.
VIII - ESCHATOLOGICAL DOCTRINES THAT THE CHURCH SUSTAINS 1 - We believe in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The most faithful testimony that Christ will return is that He himself said before the high priest: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matt 26:64 The above words are consistent with the words expressed by the angels to the disciples when Jesus ascended to heaven: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11; and John 14:3. We believe that Christ will return for the second time and His second coming will be personal, visible and glorious, His coming will not be to the eyes of the faith, but visible to all the creatures that are waiting for Him for salvation, from heaven as well as from earth. The fulfillment of this glorious event is the main goal of our aspirations; the glorious hope of the believer in Jesus Christ. Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Titus 2:13; and James 5:7-8. 2 - We believe in the lifting of the Church. The dead in Christ will resurrect first, and in the moment of the glorious manifestation of Christ when He comes for His Church the faithful that are on earth will be transformed into a glorious body and will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thess 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; and Matthew 24:40-41. 3 - We believe that all the redeemed will go to live with God forever. The place where the redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ will live for eternity is heaven, before the presence of our blessed Savior. John 12:26; John 17:24; Philippians 1:23; and Philippians 3:20-21. 4 - We believe in the reestablishment of the people of Israel, because God has commitments with this people that He will fulfill in the future, once the preaching of the gospel of Christ is finished and the voice of redemption by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus has reached unto the utter- most part of the earth. After the lifting of the Church, God will gather from the ends of the earth the seed of Israel for the fulfillment of the promises made to them and establish the kingdom where God (who is from the seed of David) will gird the crown of a kingdom of peace and He will be the King and Lord of all the earth. Isaiah 30:18-19; Jer 23:3-8; Rom 11:25-26; and Isaiah 25:7-9. 5 - We believe that the keeping of the Sabbath Day was and continues to be a sign between God and the people of Israel. The keeping of the Sabbath Day was given as a specific sign to the people of Israel, sanctifying them as His people from among the other people of the earth. Exodus 31:13-16; and Ezekiel 20:12-20. 6 - We believe that there will be a day in which God will judge the world with righteousness. We believe that this judgment will be the end of the time, after the millennium when he will hold the great battle against Gog and Magog, and Satan is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are. In this judgment, God will judge the world with righteousness rendering to each man according to his deeds. Isaiah 40:10; Matthew 16:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:5- 9; and Rev 20:11-15. 7 - We believe that this world will be destroyed and before this happens, the world will be warned by a series of events as a manifestation of the wrath of God. There will be great disturbances on the earth before the judgments, such as the day of the Lord and the destruction of the earth. Isaiah 66:15-16; Matthew 24:8; Luke 21:25-27; and 2 Peter 3:10-12.
statement of principles
The Evangelical Christian Spiritual Church (IECE) presents a brief summary of our history in order to establish the events that, throughout the years, have shaped our Church.
Brother Joseph Stewart Hall
The history of our church (IECE) recognizes the “ARRIVAL” of the Gospel among us, since the foundation had already been laid by our Lord Jesus Christ: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). The instrument God used to bring His Gospel to us was our brother Joseph Stewart Hall, a minister of Jesus Christ who, at an early age, experienced full salvation in his native land of Northern Ireland and devoted his life to the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Missionary Work
Joseph Stewart, mighty in word and deed, preached with great fervor salvation through Jesus Christ and called sinners to repentance. His journey throughout Mexico included places such as González and Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas; Linares, Montemorelos, and Monterrey, Nuevo León; San Pedro de las Colonias and Torreón, Coahuila; the state of Chihuahua; La Armenta, Altamira, Tamaulipas; Los Reyes, Michoacán; and finally Guadalajara, Jalisco, where God called him into His presence on November 1, 1926.
Biblical Foundation
We believe that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in these times is the continuation of the Early Church that began in the city of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:15; 2:1). We believe that the Church was founded by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:20) and that throughout the ages, God has used ministers of the Word to preach His Gospel (Luke 24:47). One of the characteristics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it combats sin and urges believers to live holy lives in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Arrival of the Gospel in Mexico
Joseph was the man whom God had chosen according to His purpose to carry the message of the Gospel to different countries throughout the world, including Mexico. Brother Joseph’s work in preaching the Gospel took him to Scotland, Spain, Egypt, Gibraltar, South Africa, Argentina, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
On January 6, 1924, he arrived at the port of Tampico, Tamaulipas, where he preached the powerful Word of God and as a result, 27 souls believed the Gospel in that place.
Fruit of the labor
The fruit of the labor of our missionary brother Joseph Stewart was not destroyed when he died, for the Word of God teaches that when a work is of God, it cannot be overthrown (Acts 5:39).
The years have passed, and the work of God remains faithful, for thousands upon thousands of hearts have believed the Gospel, and each day, more continue to embrace this glorious and holy doctrine that grants full salvation.
For more information about the history of the Church, you can find additional information in "The History of the IECE" book.
