Who We Are?
ABOUT HERBERT JOHNSON
Herbert Johnson grew up in Jamaica, and as a child, he snuck out from his home to listen to evangelists from the US who held crusades and tent meetings there. He gave his life to Christ at ten when a missionary from the US visited his hometown of Falmouth, Jamaica. From that time, he was drawn to listen to Billie Graham on the radio each night because of the evangelistic call on his life. He relocated to the US in 1984 and served for years at Crenshaw Christians Center, the Body Christ Church, and World Changers Church International as an usher, security, prison volunteer, and in other various areas. He currently attends River Rock Church and serves in different capacities there. He started and facilitated a Bible study at Delta, where he worked for 24 years, in Los Angeles and in Atlanta. The Lord told Herbert to retire early from Delta to attend Charis Bible College. He is a 2014 graduate of Charis and a 2015 graduate of the Ministry School. Herbert has a zeal and love for people that compel him to share the gospel and love of God with everyone he encounters. His open, friendly demeanor draws people to him, and then he points them to Jesus. He and his wife, Ebony Johnson, travel to other countries ministering the gospel and have seen many lives changed through the power of God.
Statement of faith
The Scriptures:
We believe that all of Scripture (i.e. both the Old and New Testament) is verbally inspired by God, and is our final authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The Bible is the Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
God:
We believe in only one true God; One in essence, nature, and attributes, but existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are eternally self-existent, and self-revealed. Jesus Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Jesus Christ:
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, of His shed blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, of His bodily resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand. We do not believe that He is a way to the Father, but rather the only way through which we can receive righteousness, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. He is, in fact, our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
Holy Spirit:
We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit, expressed with speaking in tongues according to Acts 1:8; 2:4; 9:17; 10:44-46; 11:15-16; and 19:6. We believe this experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the new birth, and can be received by faith (Galatians 3:2). We believe in the present day outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Believers can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues, and the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church to be used in the present time. Acts 2:4,17.
Salvation:
We believe that all who, in repentance and faith, receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord are born again (Acts 20:20-21; Romans 10:9-13). Man was created innocent, but through Adam’s transgression, sin came upon all men. Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty of man’s sin through His shed blood, so that all men can be saved by faith in Him. Salvation is by grace through faith. Grace may be simply stated as God doing for man what he could not do for himself in the person of Jesus Christ. Faith may be simply stated as man’s positive response to God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:8-10.
Divine Healing:
We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross has provided healing for the human body (Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4; 1 Peter 2:24). We believe that divine healing is the right and privilege of every believer, and it was provided for the church in the atonement. Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24.
Water Baptism:
We believe that every believer should be baptized in water following Christ’s example and in obedience to Christ’s command. Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16
The Resurrection:
We believe in the resurrection of the just and the unjust; one to everlasting life and one to everlasting damnation (Matthew 25:46).
The Second Coming: We believe in a literal, physical second return of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17). We believe that Jesus Christ will return for His church as is recorded in the scripture. John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.
The Church:
We believe that the universal church is comprised of all true believers who have received salvation through Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). We also believe in and encourage fellowship with a local church (Hebrews 10:25).
Gifts of the Spirit:
We believe that spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are for the common good and building up of others today
(1 Corinthians 12:7).
Heaven and Hell:
We believe in heaven and hell. Heaven will be the eternal resting place for all believers after their death. All unbelievers (who do not repent and believe on Christ in this life) will eventually be cast into the lake of fire and spend eternity there. Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-8.
Receive jesus
Deciding to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you’ll ever make! Nothing comes close to this decision; not your career and surely not your wife. It will change your life now and your eternal destiny. There is no decision that could be made that is like it. It would be very sad for me to teach you that Jesus was and is God and not give you an opportunity to repent and to receive Him into your heart as your God and Savior. Will you accept Him as God not just another good man like some believe and say?
God has promised, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
By His grace, God has already done everything and His part to provide for your salvation. Your part is simply to believe and receive. It is the easiest decision. This is a heart decision, not a head decision. Now is the acceptable time, today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Why wait?
Pray this prayer and mean it sincerely from your heart:
Jesus,
I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation, now. Thank You for saving me!
The very moment you commit your life to Jesus Christ, the truth of His Word instantly comes to pass in your spirit. Now that you’re born again, you are brand new on the inside of you. God has created in you a new spirit and a new heart.
RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Living a Christian life is not just a difficult thing to do but an impossible thing. You need help. So, because it is impossible to live a victorious, Christian life without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Lord wants to give you the supernatural power you need to live this new life. We receive power when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
It’s simple as asking and receiving. When we ask for the Holy Spirit, the Lord will give Him to us (Luke 11:10, 13). All you have to do is ask, believe, and receive!
Pray:
Father,
I recognize my need for Your power to live this new life. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive Him right now! Thank You for baptizing me. Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life.
Congratulations! Now you’re filled with God’s supernatural power. Some syllables from a language you don’t recognize will rise up from your heart to your mouth (See 1 Cor. 14:14). Go ahead and speak those syllables. As you speak them out loud by faith, you’re releasing God’s power from within and building yourself up in the Spirit (See 1 Cor. 14: 4). You can do this whenever and wherever you like.
It doesn’t really matter whether you felt anything or not when you prayed to receive the Lord and His Spirit. If you believed in your heart that you received, then God’s Word promises that you received. “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). God always honors His Word—believe it!
