RELATED MINISTRIES
Zion Fellowship India is affiliated with Zion Fellowship International, a nondenominational, Pentecostal organization devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and the end-time revival. ZFI is a worshiping and teaching fellowship that oversees the following:
- Worldwide missions program
- Resident Bible schools in many countries
- Distance education programs
- Distribution and publication of Christian books, study manuals, and magazines
- Leadership seminars in the United States and throughout the world
For more information visit www.zionfellowship.org.
Zion Ministerial Institute
ZMI is a Spirit-filled Bible institute located at the Zion Fellowship International headquarters in Waverly, New York. ZMI is a two-year residential program of study that is focused on equipping Christian leaders to be effective ministers of God’s Word. The purpose of the curriculum is to foster godly character, enhance ministry skills, and emphasize the most important aspect of ministry, an ever-growing relationship with the Lord.
For further information visit: www.zmi.edu.
Zion Christian University
Zion Christian University is an undergraduate school of theology located in Clearwater, Florida, providing programs of theological study through distance education to students around the world. The mission of Zion Christian University is to encourage students to pursue spiritual maturity by teaching the truth of God's Word, promoting the adoption of a heavenly vision, seeking to cultivate godly character, and endeavoring to prepare students to be leaders God can use for His glory.
For further information visit: www.zion.edu.
Statement of Faith
- We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is the Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible.
- We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ; that Jesus existed eternally with the Father, became Man by the miracle of the incarnation, in no degree ceasing to be God. He is co-Creator of the world and man, only Savior, and coming Judge.
- We believe the whole canon of scripture (both Old and New Testaments) as originally given, to be the inspired and authoritative word of God, of supreme and final authority in all that it teaches and declares.
- We believe that all men are lost apart from the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; that sin is cleansed only through personal repentance and faith in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; that water baptism by immersion should follow receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.
- We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing for the body as well as for the mind, soul, and spirit of man; that Christ has an answer for every problem man has, physical or spiritual.
- We believe that miracles and all gifts of the Spirit are available to the Church today for the edifying and perfecting of its members.
- We believe that God will visit His Church in unusual ways and bring many multitudes into the kingdom before Christ’s second coming, for which cause we are preparing ourselves.
- We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues according to Acts 2:4, is promised to all who desire it, ask for it, and obey God.
- We believe that everyone will be resurrected (saved and unsaved) and give an account to the Great Judge, whose judgment is final and eternal.
- We believe that divorce and remarriage to another person is contrary to God’s will and purposes. Therefore, the pastor shall not solemnize such remarriages.
- We believe that man should live a moral life according to the standards set forth in scripture. This includes: living a holy life; being full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance and faith (Gal. 5:22-23).
- We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the Church; 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His word.
- We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local Church financially.
Our Vision
Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Why is one man willing to sell all and invest everything that he has to buy this field? Because, he sees something that others do not see. This hidden treasure is not the message of salvation; it is a message to those within the kingdom. This is why Jesus spoke in parables; He was looking for those who had ears to hear the mysteries.
The kingdom of God is always represented in three levels: The parable of the leaven hidden in the three measures. The parable of the thirty-fold, sixty-fold and one hundred-fold are examples of this. In the Old Testament, Moses Tabernacle was to be a pattern or figure of heavenly (spiritual) truths. The tabernacle was represented by three divisions: the outer court, the holy place, and the Holy of Holies. The outer court basically speaks of salvation, the baptism of water, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Although, this is a part of our vision and message, our desire is to bring people into the deeper truths that will enable them to inherit glory. To be a part of the glorified Church that will do the greater works!
The desire of Christ was to bring many sons to glory (Heb. 2:10). The Glory of God was not in the outer court of the tabernacle. The glory was in the Holy of Holies behind the veil. Our forerunner, The Lord Jesus Christ, showed us the way in through His crucifixion. [See Heb. 6:19-20.] The true message of sonship will ultimately enable us to say, as the Apostle Paul: “I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." The reason Paul could demonstrate the power and the glory was because Paul had experienced the cross!
The Apostle John also categorizes the Church into three groups: Little children, young men, and fathers. The fathers (spiritually) represent those who manifest the nature and character of Christ – these will teach the nations! The little children are those in the outer court, their sins are forgiven.
To make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17)
The message of the hour is to prepare a people… to establish, to perfect a people that God can use in the final outpouring of His Spirit. We believe that the greatest revival is yet to be seen. This revival will bring the Church to completion! The final Church (the latter house) shall be filled with the Glory of God, as Solomon’s Temple was. The Feast of Pentecost initiated the Church age. The Feast of Tabernacles will climax the Church age. Solomon’s Temple was dedicated during the feast of Tabernacles, it is also called: the feast of glory!
In Summary
To summarize our vision, let us consider Mount Zion. Mount Zion (spiritually) speaks of the high calling of God. It is the dwelling place of God. It is the place where the Ark of the Covenant sat (David era). Mount Zion speaks of the rent veil (the ark was housed there in an unveiled tent). It also speaks of the reality of the New Covenant – the law written upon the heart. Mount Zion speaks of the overcomer, or the saint. It speaks of a certain spiritual posture; it represents the position of those whom God fights for, or defends.
In these days of trouble and uncertainty, there is a rest to God’s people, and it is our desire (as a church) to lead people into this rest (Isaiah 4:5-6). The covering wings of the mercy seat are positioned in the secret place (within the veil).
Mount Zion also represents God’s government, or leadership. During David’s time, David organized the forthcoming government upon Mount Zion. Mount Zion is for those who hear the call and prepare their hearts for that call. These are those whom shall teach the nations the ways of God during the final revival. The book of Acts clearly tells us that the heavens must receive Christ until all is restored. The church must come into order before Christ returns, and it shall be a glorious church. May we, by the grace of God, have a part in restoring the church to God’s original plan and purpose. Amen!
“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." – Acts 3:21
Scriptural Worship
Often times, visitors are offended with the worship in a Full Gospel Church simply because they have never been taught scriptural worship. The most common argument is that the New Testament does not substantiate expressions of worship or praise such as: lifting hands, clapping, dancing, prophetic songs, etc. Whilst it is true that most of the physical manifestations of praise are found in the psalm department of the Bible; the Apostle James points us back to the David era, and says that the Church must restore back to the Davidic worship.
Acts 15:16-17 says, “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." Clearly, from this text, the Church must come back to the precedence that David established for a short interim during the Old Testament. After David had brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Mount Zion, he experienced (in a figure) the New Testament priesthood, the rent veil, and ministry in the presence of The Lord.
1. Praise awaits for Thee in Sion… – Psalm 65:1
There is a difference between praise and worship, however, I am using the word worship to incorporate all of the expressions of praise. (We shall differentiate on the terms later.) There are many exhibitions of praise or laudation found in the psalms. They are expressions of the soul. David said, “Bless the Lord O my soul and let all that is within me bless his holy name." This does not sound like one passively sitting on the pew with his mouth closed!
2. Lifting hands
“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name" (Psa. 63:4).
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD" (Psa. 134:2).
“Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psa. 141:2).
“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens" (Lam. 3:41).
Lifting of the hands expresses many things: It can be an expression of faith as we pray. It can symbolize surrendering your heart. It can be an extension of worship or blessing. When Moses held up his hands the enemy was defeated. It can symbolize reliance upon God, etc. Any of these expressions of lifting hands when they are in accord with the Spirit of God can be powerful! Someone had a vision once of a cloud of incense going up as the people were lifting their hands.
3. Clapping Hands
“O clap your hands, all ye people…" (Psa. 47:1). Clapping the hands is a declaration of jubilation and victory – as it was in this psalm. It can also be a demonstration of judgement against the enemy. (See Ezekiel 21:17.) Another shared a vision about a congregation that was clapping triumphantly, and that clapping was actually buffeting the demonic power that was trying to subdue them.
4. Dancing
“Let them praise his name in the dance" (Psa. 149:3). The Lord is extolled in the dance. When the ark came into Jerusalem, the congregation was dancing. The only one that was offended by this was smitten with barrenness! When Jesus came into Jerusalem, (the triumphal entry) they were dancing. When the prodigal son returned, they were dancing. When Israel is restored in the last day, they are dancing!
Allow me to share a story about a friend of mine who attended a bible school in the Adirondacks region (1974). As the school was terminating for term break, the president of the school said: “I had an unusual vision of Jesus dancing in the midst of his people." When the next term began, the dancing began. There was such an outbreak of joy that it could not be contained. The students danced through the whole semester, and then it ended as abruptly as it had started. (Incidentally, the dancing is before the Lord, not with one another.) One might ask, what did it accomplish? It brought unity, healing, and release of spiritual gifts and a triumph over the enemy. It brought an impartation of things most Christians never see!
5. Rejoicing
“Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King" (Psa. 149:2). Once again, here is an expression of the soul that has many variations. Some of them could include leaping, and spinning about. (See 1523 in the Hebrew concordance.) There are times when the spirit of rejoicing comes; and there are times when we must stir ourselves to rejoice. The enemy cannot stand before those who are rejoicing in their God! Mt. Zion is a place of rejoicing. (Incidentally, the word used at the marriage supper for rejoice, means to leap for joy! Rev. 19:7.)
Note: Sometimes the word joyful, transliterates into the same Hebrew word as, rejoice: [e.g.] “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" (Zec. 9:9). “…let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." (Psa. 149:2b).
6. Shouting
“…shout unto God with the voice of triumph…" (Psa. 47:1b). The expression: “Shout for joy" is used on numerous occasions in the psalms. Shouting can also be a legitimate manifestation of praise to God. Shouting, like any other form of exultation can bring release in the Spirit. The walls of Jericho came down with a shout! They were in tune with heaven.
Praise
“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me…" (Psa. 50:23a). It is interesting that the word “praise" is only used seven times until you get to the David era. The psalms record the word praise, 160 times. The word praise basically means to extol, or glorify the Lord. It is generally expressed by singing, shouting, or with instruments. Many people do not realize how destitute the Church world was during the dark ages. There were no instruments in the church. There was no song in the church of the dark ages. Maybe a chant, or some kind of dirge.
Singing
The word sing is used at least seventy times in the psalms. Singing is one of the most powerful forms of praise and adulation. In fact, battles have been won by singing. For example, Jehoshaphat’s battle with the mixed multitude, 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." Paul and Silas sang praises from the inner prison at midnight. Talk about bringing release… Their chains fell off, their stocks fell off, and the prison doors were opened. They actually released a revival in the prison by singing praises. (See Acts 16:24-30.)
Thanksgiving
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving…" (Psa. 100:4a). This psalm gives us the correct format to approach our God. Thanksgiving is one of the essentials of the worship service. (The word thanksgiving is mentioned about 30 times in the psalms.) Giving thanks actually releases faith. Paul said to make your supplications known to God, with thanksgiving. We are thanking him in advance! (See Phil. 4:6.). David appointed courses of Levites to give thanks; it was part of the service. (See 1 Chr. 16:4, 35, 23:30, 25:3.) Testimony services are always nice. However, it is also pleasant when the thanksgiving comes spontaneously. Perhaps, during an interlude in the song service. I have noticed at times, even a prophetic impulse as people gave thanks for things yet to be! Thanksgiving can create an atmosphere for the Spirit of God to move.
Laughing
“Then was our mouth filled with laughter…" (Psa. 126:2a). Here is another expression of victory or triumph. Psalm 2:4a says, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh…" (referring to the Christ), however, David penned this psalm as he sat upon Mount Zion, and as the Lord gave him the dominion over his enemies. I believe David experienced sitting (as it were) in heavenly places, far above his enemies. David experienced the holy laugh of triumph. I was once in a country where the Church had experienced a real breakthrough in the Spirit. This Church, at times would experience waves of laughter, which brought physical healing to many. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…" (Prov. 17:22). Laughing can be a witness of the Spirit of God!
Davidic Instruments
“…and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith" (1 Chr. 23:5). All of the later revivals came back to the Davidic instruments and worship. Some of the instruments you will find associated with David:
● Flutes
● Cornets
● Varied pitched harps
● Varied stringed instruments
● Varied pitched cymbals
● Timbrels
● Psalteries
● Organs [wind-reed instruments]
● Trumpets
There is definitely an emphasis on the instruments of David. I believe this is because there are problems associated with instruments. The percussion section can be a problem. The wrong beat or rhythm can taint the worship and in some cases bring in the wrong spirit. Often, this is a concern on the mission field; getting the paganistic mixture out of the worship. I was once in one of these primitive village churches, where the drummer was beating on a barrel. There was no anointing upon their worship! Drums can be legitimate in the right setting. The Salvation Army band playing militant or marching type of anthems can actually be quite inspiring. Snare drums building up to a crescendo in certain exultation’s can be very anointed. Obviously, there are many more instruments around in the 20-21 centuries, but our main concern is that they are producing the same anointed affects as the David instruments. Some instruments are designed to the minor key. The minor key can also drag the service down, perhaps cause a depressing mood. (Not always the case.)
* We need to divide soul from spirit in our music departments.
The Musical Scale
Pastor James Shaffer wrote a book on “Bible Numerics, and Music." In his book, he explains some of the numerical vibrations on the piano. He also shows how that the musical scale reveals the seven dispensations:
1. C-major The creation.
2. D-minor The fall of Adam.
3. E-minor The Flood.
4. F-major The birth and ministry of Christ.
5. G-major The birth of the Church. (Pentecost)
6. A-minor The antichrist reign.
7. B-diminished The Millennial reign. (There is still sin in the Millennium.)
8. C-major The new heaven, and the new earth. (The eighth note is the same as the first note, only a complete octave higher. The new heaven and earth is greater than the Eden creation!]
What this scale shows us, is that we do not want to major in the minor!
Worship
“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." (Psa. 99:5). “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker" (Psa. 95:6). There is a procedure to come into His presence. The outer court represents thanksgiving and praise, however, worship (in its truest form) is what takes place before His throne. When the Lord is coming down the street there is jubilation, rejoicing, and dancing; yet, when the Lord is on his throne, the order changes to worship. Worship has the sense of falling upon your face. In many of our fellowship churches, it is common to see people, bowing, or kneeling, or even lying prostrate. True worship is absolute surrender. In the garden of Gethsemane, unregenerate man had to fall backward in the presence of the “I Am." However, after Christ was resurrected, His disciples fell at his feet in worship. (Compare John 18:6 & Matthew 28:9.) It is in the true expression of worship where we are changed. We are changed into His image as we behold Him (2 Cor. 3:18). We are changed from glory to glory in this place of worship. The psalmist said that we become like the object of our affection. (See Psalm 135:18.)
In conclusion, let us consider several verses in 2 Chronicles 1:3-4, “So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem." The ark was in the Tabernacle of David.
The Golden Altar Moves Within The Veil
The Apostle Paul, in his explanation of “Moses Tabernacle", takes the liberty of moving the golden altar into the Holy of Holies. Hebrews 9:3-4a, “And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold…" Paul actually moves the golden altar within the veil, by the Spirit [the altar was always on this side of the veil]. The golden altar speaks of prayer and praise. Do you see the significance? The New Testament calling is to minister within the veil! The worshippers at Gibeon were going through the legitimate forms of worship in the outer court; but the object of their worship (symbolized in the ark) was in the Tabernacle of David upon the holy hill.
Salvation
Man attributes all of life’s ills and woes to an endless list of rationale: bad environment, lack of education, lack of things – usually on the grounds that man was deprived of something. The Bible totally refutes that theory from page one. Man was actually set into an absolute paradise, endowed with every attribute and blessing that he could ever hope for. In fact, man was created saved, created in the image of God, crowned with glory and honor and given dominion over everything.
Adam actually chose to be unsaved, (as it were) he chose death over life! Thus, it is through “one man" that the curse of sin and death came, and that curse would ever descend upon his offspring. Maybe that does not seem fair. Perhaps had we been in Adam’s place, we would have stood the test? Actually, mankind has had a choice ever since. Man can still choose eternal life and still has the prospects of returning to the paradise.
God made a provision for every generation to be redeemed. From the time of Adam and Eve, there were prescribed sacrifices and rituals given whereby sins could be atoned for. Although there was no power in those sacrifices to take away sin, they were acceptable to God for that present time. The only way a man could approach to God was through a sacrifice. The animal was taking the place of the offender. The blood was shed, the appeasement was accepted, and man could be forgiven. However, the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were only a figure of the “Once for all Sacrifice" that was to come.
John 3:16 states,"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In Scripture, Christ is called “The Second Adam." The first Adam was of this earth and because of him we all must die. However, through the Second Adam who came from heaven we all can live!
● 1 Corinthians 15:47, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven."
● Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.."
● Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Salvation is not complicated. Our first father sinned, bringing judgment upon the whole human race. Our Father in Heaven sends his Son, (The Lord Jesus Christ) who also becomes a man by being born through a woman. (God cannot die, therefore he had to become a man so that He could die.) The whole purpose of this God/man coming was to die, to become the sacrifice, to become the once for all appeasement on the cross. “…that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! We are justified through Him alone!
1. By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Rom. 5:19).
2. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever… (Heb. 10:12).
3. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Heb. 10:14).
4. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). (He rose from the dead and ever lives to intercede for us!)
5. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Let us again consider what we have said; All men are doomed because of what one man did. Yet, man can be restored because of what another man did, the Man Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ was not just an ordinary man. He was the Co-Creator of the universe, The Son of God. To reject this offering is to choose eternal death.
The Bible speaks of two births and two deaths: A physical birth takes place when we are born into this life. A spiritual birth takes place when faith enters our heart to believe on Jesus the Son of God. [See John 3:5-6.] A physical death takes place when this body that we dwell in dies. However, there is going to be a resurrection of both the believer and the non-believer. For all of those who have not experienced the second birth, there shall be a second death where the immortal body is sentenced to hell forever! [See Rev. 21:8.]
God so loved the world that He gave His Son… O, hear His voice today! If you have never received His gracious gift of pardon and forgiveness, do it now! Receive Jesus into your heart; receive the words of His book into your heart. Let Him set a new course for your life. Salvation is just the beginning of a new journey.
Prayer: My dear Father in Heaven, I believe your word, I see my need as a lost sinner, and I want to receive your gracious provision of salvation found through the cross of Christ. I pray now for Your faith to enter my heart that I might know that I am your child, and that you have forgiven my sins. I also pray that Your Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, might enter my heart, and enable me to follow in the steps of my Lord, according to Thy Word. Amen!
Bible Training Programs
Bible training certificate is a curriculum designed to bring Bible training to local churches & Individuals anywhere in the world. Because many people desire to receive biblical instruction, but are unable to attend a traditional school, this program is an excellent opportunity to learn the same life-changing truths.
BTC is available to churches of any cultural or denominational background. The main focus of this program comes from the portion of Isaiah 33:6 which states, “Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation.” It is our prayer that the courses in this program will provide spiritual substance for church members and will be used by God to instill wisdom and knowledge that strengthens every open heart and helps prepare the church for the end times.
Bible Training Certificate provides a complete package of Bible Training for the local churches and to the individuals who have enrolled on distance education including:
● 12 Text books
● 12 Test Papers
● Video & Audio Teachings (Where applicable)
● Online Teaching sessions
● At the completion of the course certificates will be awarded from Zion Christian University, USA
In addition to these items, the program includes the BTC Handbook, and all the forms & processes to operate this program in your church.
Bible Training offers the following programs:
Bible Training Certificate (BTC) – 12 months
This program consists of the completion of the following 12 courses:
1. Steps to spiritual growth
2. Foundations of Faith
3. True Christianity
4. Moses Tabernacle
5. Journey of Israel
6. Philippians
7. Galatians
8. Romans
9. Hebrews
10. Holy Spirit
11. Victory over self-centred life
12. The Second Coming
Bible Training Diploma (BTD) – 12 months
This program consists of the completion of the following 12 courses:
1. Acts
2. Colossians & Philemon
3. Daniel
4. The Lives of David & Solomon
5. Genesis
6. Pillars of faith
7. The Gospel of John
8. Glory to Glory
9. Marriage and Family
10. Anointed Music & Worship
11. Epistle of peter
12. Revelation
The above is only a suggested order of courses for study. Additional courses are available beyond these programs for continued studies. The Bible Training Program is currently available in both English and Telugu.
Announcements
Greetings!
Our next teachers training program True Christianity will be as per the schedule mentioned below .
ZOOM ID: 741 794 2671 (NO PASSWORD REQUIRED)
Saturday, 17th July 2021
Timings:
INDIA – 13:30
UK : 09:00
ISRAEL: 11:00
Saturday, 24th July 2021
Timings:
INDIA – 13:30
UK : 09:00
ISRAEL: 11:00
Saturday 31st July 2021
Timings:
INDIA – 13:30
UK : 09:00
ISRAEL: 11:00
For more information on Teacher’s Training Program please contact Pr.Sandhya on +44-7592508318(whatsapp)