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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| The Way International |
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| ADDRESS: Box 328 New Knoxville, OH 45871 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: The Way; The Way Ministry. LEADERSHIP: L. Craig Martin Dale, President. MEMBERSHIP: Although there is no formal membership, The Way reports there are people fellowshipping on a weekly basis in all fifty states and in forty other countries throughout the world. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: The origin of The Way International goes back to 1942, when Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille began a quest to find the keys to powerful, victories living in the Bible the Word of God. Dr. Wierwille studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary where he was awarded the Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed work for his Doctor of Theology degree. For sixteen years, Dr. Wierwille served as a pastor in northwestern Ohio. During these years, he studied with many Biblical scholars and theologians in his quest for Biblical enlightenment. In 1953, he began teaching classes on Power for Abundant Living, the Biblical research class, which is the primary outreach of The Way International BASIC BELIEFS: The Way International summarizes its beliefs thusly: |
| Christ, his ascension into heaven, and his seating at the right hand of God. 7) We believe in the blessed hope of Christ's return, the personal return of our living lord and saviour Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him. 8) We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust. 9) We believe in the receiving of the fullness of the holy spirit, the power from on high, and the corresponding nine manifestations of the holy spirit, for all born again believers. 10) We believe it is available to receive all that God promises us in His Word according to our believing faith. We believe we are free in Christ Jesus to receive all that he accomplished for us by his substitution. 11) We believe the early Church flourished rapidly because they operated within a Root, Trunk, Limb, Branch and Twig setup, decently and in order. |
| 1) We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were Theopeustos, "God breathed," and perfect as originally given; that the Scriptures or the Word of God are of supreme, absolute, and final authority for believing and godliness. 2) We believe in one God, the Creator of the heavens and earth; in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son and our lord and savior, whom God raised from the dead and we believe in the working of the holy spirit. 3) We believe that the virgin Mary conceived Jesus Christ by the holy spirit; that God was in Christ is "the mediator between God and men" and is "the man Christ Jesus." 4) We believe that Adam was created in the image of God, spiritually; that he sinned and thereby brought himself immediate spiritual death, which is separation from God, and physical death later, which is the consequence of sin; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature. 5) We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitute for us; and that all who believe that God raised him from the dead are justified and made righteous, born again by the Spirit of God, receiving eternal life on the grounds of His eternal redemption; and thereby are the sons of God. 6) We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus |
PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: The Way is a fellowship of the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ for the manifestation of the more abundant life. A follower of The Way is filled with and manifests power from on high, holy spirit, and freely avails himself of fellowship meetings for spiritual nurture and growth. The Way fellowship is cemented together by the Spirit of God with each individual believer being transformed by the renewing of his mind according to the Word of God. Holiday observances are not required. Pentecost, Christmas, and Easter commemorate significant Biblical events. Each summer, followers of The Way International gather for the "Rock of Ages," an international festival sponsored by the group. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Way International is patterned after the structure of a tree. The Way International Headquarters constitutes the Root. There is a board of trustees; a president, a vice president, and a secretary treasurer for the organization. They oversee the International Headquarters and all of the facilities of the Biblical research, teaching and ministry. An individual country is referred to as a Trunk. States are called Limbs, and state leaders are referred to as Limb leaders. City units are called Branches, and neighborhood fellowships are called Twigs. ROLE OF MINISTERS: The Way International endeavors to pattern its ministry of service along the principles of the first century "followers of the way." Those believers met in the home, establishing a way of life being together, fellowshipping on a daily basis. The Way International is primarily a home fellowship ministry. Research groups meetings in homes are available throughout the week. Usually, such fellowships are coordinated by a member of the family in that home. In addition, The Way International has men and women who are ordained and served in various capacities. These ministers carry out the functions stated in Oafishness 4: 11 and 12. Generally, ministers are graduates of The Way Corps, a four year leadership training program. WORSHIP: Twig fellowships are available throughout the week. Usually, such fellowships are led by a Twig coordinator. Those participating in home fellowships do so freely of their own volition. There is no obligation. There is no membership. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: No restrictions. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: None. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions. OTHER: The Way International does not take a position on service in the armed forces; such service is regarded as a matter of individual decision. The Way International is evangelical in its outreach. New followers of The Way come primarily from the witness of other followers and through the Biblical research class on Power for Abundant Living. The Way International is nondenominational and nonsectarian. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Wierwille, Victor Paul. Are the Dead Alive Now? New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1982. 303pp. Jesus Christ Is Not God (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1984). 180pp. Jesus Christ Our Passover (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1980). 527pp. Receiving the Holy Spirit Today (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1972). 360pp. Studies in Abundant Living Series. New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press: Volume I. The Bible Tells Me So. 1971. 196pp. Volume II. The New, Dynamic Church. 1971. 242pp. Volume III, The Word's Way. 276pp. Volume IV, God's Magnified Word 1977. 266pp. Volume V, Order My Steps in Thy Word. 1985. 300pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Public Relations Officer P.O. Box 328 New Knoxville OH 45871 (419) 753-2523 |
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