```Our Ministry
Water Baptism
WATER BAPTISM
We believe that Water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ in St. John 3:5, However, we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation but is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to "SPRINKLING" , because immersion corresponds more closely to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord (Colossians 2:12). It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism. We believe that we should use the Baptismal Formula given us by Christ for all "...IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST." (St. Matthew 28:19)
First Sunday Communion
THE LORD'S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION)
The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ. The Lord's Supper-The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of TREE OF LIFE MINISTRIES OF CHICAGO, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming. (1) The Lord's Supper shall be observed once a month at, preferably on the first Sunday of each month. (2) The pastor, church staff, and deacons shall be responsible for administration
Our Church Name
THE CHURCH NAME
Our ministry is founded on Revelation 2:7 and 22:2 “The Tree of Life” therefore the name of our Church is TREE OF LIFE MINISTRIES OF CHICAGO, Our Church is design to be of assistance in meeting the needs of the human community, as they search for answers on how to reach their Spiritual and Natural needs in Life. The Church forms a spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. It professes one faith, shares one hope, and serves one King. It is the citadel of the truth and God's agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of knowledge. The word "CHURCH" or "EKKLESIA" was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 16:18.
The Bible
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this Word.
2nd Coming of Christ
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
W e believe in the second coming of Christ; that He shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; St. Matthew 16:27; 24:30; 25:30; Luke 21:27; John 1:14, 17; Titus 2:11) and that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians, 4:16-17). We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure.
Divine Healing
DIVINE HEALING
The TREE OF LIFE MINISTRIES OF CHICAGO believes in and practices Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles (St. Mark 16:18). Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to His disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith (St. Luke 9:40-41). Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James' writings in his epistle encourage Elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up.
