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But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Printed copies of the new Statement of Faith are available from the AC Bookstore.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Our faith and all we believe is grounded in him. As the way, we follow him in everything. As the truth, we root our every belief in him as the Word made flesh. As the life, our lives are lived in him and none other. 

 

The following statements of faith are the words of men attempting to capture simply the most basic of beliefs that arise from this fundamental grounding, and in their reading, we point all back to Jesus to find the way, the truth, and the life.

What we believe

  • 1. There is one eternal God, the Creator of all things, who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
    • God has always been. He is not dependent on anything or anyone. He was not created and is the Creator of all things. (Acts 17:24-25)
    • God is one God with one mind, one will, and one divine nature. There is no other true and living God. (Deut. 6:4) 
    • God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who equally deserve our worship and obedience. (Matt. 28:19; John 17:24; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:5, 8)
    • Jesus is the divine Son of God who was born as a baby, fully human and fully God. (John 1:9, 14; Heb. 2:16)
    • God is perfect and infinite in his attributes, including knowledge, power, presence, love, light, life, and many others. (Psalms 115:3, 139:7-16, 147:5; Jer. 32:17; John 5:26; Rom. 11:33-36; 1 John 1:5, 4:8)
    • It is beyond the human mind to fully understand God, yet he invites his creation into relationship with him. He reveals many things about himself so that everyone can sufficiently know him, delight in him, and have life in him. (Psalms 16:11; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14; 2 Peter 1:3)

  • 2. The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God and serves as the true and timeless basis for the doctrine of the church. It reveals God’s love, character, and will.
    • The Bible is the written revelation of God through his apostles and prophets (2 Peter 1:20–21). It consists of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament received by the church. (Luke 24:27, 45) 
    • The Bible is infallible and inerrant in revealing who God is, what he has done, how we might be saved, and what our responsibility is to God (John 10:35; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:14–17). Copies, translations, and interpretations of Scripture are true to the extent they faithfully represent God’s intention in what was originally written. (Matt. 22:29; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Tim. 2:15)
    • Because God has all authority, his written word is the supreme authority for the doctrine and practice of the church (Matt. 5:17-19; Mark 7:1-23). God has faithfully worked through the church to preserve the Bible and preach its message throughout the ages. (Luke 16:17; 1 Thess. 2:13)

  • 3. Mankind was created in God's image but became separated from God by sin. All who reach an age of accountability are responsible for their sinful deeds.
    • God made humans in his image and proclaimed his creation very good (Gen. 1:27, 31). As bearers of God’s image, every human has worth and dignity that cannot be lost. (Gen. 2:7, 9:6) 
    • In Adam, the first created man, humanity rebelled against God and worshiped the creature more than the Creator. Ever since the first sin, each person is corrupted and experiences an inclination towards sin and self and away from God. Humans and the world stand under the power and consequences of sin and death that came from sin. (Gen. 3:17; Hosea 11:7; Rom. 1:21, 25, 5:12, 6:23)
    • Sin is missing the mark and therefore is in violation of God’s law. It ranges from ignorant neglect to outright rebellion, with many shades in between. Sin is first and foremost against God. (Num. 15:22, 30; Psalms 51:4)
    • Sin separates us from God. This does not mean God is absent, but that we cannot fully experience his presence. (Gen. 3:8; Isaiah 59:2)
    • We cannot avoid responsibility for sin by blaming Adam, our upbringing, or our circumstances. Becoming accountable for sin does not happen at a universal age and may be realized gradually. (Prov. 8:17; Rom. 14:12; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 3:15)

  • 4. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and willingly died on the cross. His atoning blood was shed for the forgiveness of the sin of all people. He was buried, rose again the third day, and ascended to heaven. He is our high priest and intercessor and will one day gather all believers to live with him in eternity.
    • Jesus was tempted in all manner as humans are today, but lived a sinless life. (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15, 7:26; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22; 1 John 3:5)
    • Christ accomplished atonement for sin through shedding his blood in death that allows us to be forgiven and reconciled to God. His work on the cross of Calvary is complete and sufficient for all people, for all time, and is accessed by faith. (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:22; 1 Peter 3:18)
    • After Jesus’ resurrection, he ascended to heaven and is now our high priest, sitting at the right hand of God. (Acts 1:9-11; Heb 4:14-16, 8:1; 1 John 2:1)
    • Jesus promised he would come again to reclaim his own. (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16, 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10)

  • 5. (a) God calls all people to believe in Christ's redemptive work and turn to him in repentance. Believers are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and born again as children of God. The fruits of repentance include a humble and contrite heart, prayer, godly sorrow, confession of sin, renouncing sin, and a forgiving spirit.
    • Our response to Christ’s work on the cross is to believe by grace through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. The grace of God draws us to him, and through faith we confess him and believe that God raised him from the dead. These simple acts of trust and obedience apply Christ’s atonement to us individually. (Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9)
    • Repentance is the turning away from sin and self with remorse for our sin, and turning to God. As a response to the application of Christ’s atonement to us, our lives bear fruit according to God living within us. These fruits include sorrow, confession of sin, turning away from sin, making restitution with those we have wronged, and a forgiving spirit toward others. (Matt. 3:8; 2 Cor. 7:10-11)
    • Scripture entreats us to confess (acknowledge) our sins to God and to each other. The church practices confession to God in the presence of man to bring sin to light, expose Satan, and for the easing of the conscience. This is typically practiced by confessing to someone in ordained leadership. (Lev. 5:5; Ezra 10:11; Matt. 3:6; Acts 19:18; 1 John 1:9)

  • (b) By God's grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit, new believers experience a conversion of heart, mind, and way of life. This spiritual rebirth is evidenced by restoration of peace with God, a pursuit of peace with all people, the fruit of the Spirit, and obedience to God's Word.
    • Conversion means to be spiritually born again. When we are first born, we have a fleshly nature. But through conversion, we are born again spiritually and become a new creature in Christ. (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23)
    • This new creature is evidenced by a transformed walk of life, reflecting the power of Jesus living within us, bringing every thought and action under his will. (Rom. 6:4; Eph. 2:6-8; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 10:5-7)
    • We follow Christ’s teachings in all that we do, striving to reflect the Holy Spirit living within us in our daily interactions. (Gal. 5:22-26)
    • Our lives reflect Christ’s love by the love we show for one another. (John 13:35; Rom. 2:11, 12:9-12; 1 Cor. 13:13)

  • 6. Believers are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit following a testimony of their faith and conversion.
    • Baptism should follow repentance, public profession of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a covenant of faithfulness. (Acts 2:38, 8:13, 36-39, 10:47-48, 16:14-15, 31-33, 18:8, 20:21; Eph. 4:4-5)
    • Baptism is a biblical command that should be carried out for all believers. (Matt. 28:19)
    • Although baptism should not be viewed as optional, circumstances may not afford the opportunity as we see in Jesus’ exchange with the dying thief on the cross. (Luke 23:39-43)
    • We perform baptism by immersion as demonstrated by New Testament examples. The English word “baptism” is taken directly from the Greek noun “baptisma,” which means immersion. (Matt. 3:16; Acts 8:39)
    • We practice baptism by sprinkling when health issues or physical circumstances preclude immersion. 
    • Based on New Testament examples, following baptism, an elder lays his hands on the believer and offers a prayer of consecration. (Acts 8:15-17, 9:17, 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:2)

  • 7. The Holy Spirit lives in a believer and provides comfort, conviction, direction, and the power to overcome sin. His presence enables a vibrant, living faith which results in spiritual growth and ongoing sanctification.
    • God promises the Holy Spirit, a helper and comforter, to all who believe. (John 14:16; Eph. 1:13-14)
    • The Holy Spirit directs and teaches us. By his work in our hearts, our actions and thoughts reflect the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-25)
    • A believer's daily spiritual life and discipleship include prayer and confession to God. Confession to others is encouraged for accountability and the easing of one’s conscience. (1 John 1:9)
    • The fruit of the Spirit is reflected in a lifestyle of separation from evil and unrighteousness. (1 John 2:15)
    • The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is ongoing. The word of God calls us to a life of submission to the Spirit and of obedience to the teaching of our Father’s word. This process includes humbly repenting for any sin and being cleansed by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our advocate, and the propitiation for our sins. (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 10:19; 1 John 1:7-9, 2:1-2)

  • 8. God's gift of eternal life and assurance of salvation is a present possession of every true believer. It is possible for a believer of their own free will to renounce their faith and reject Christ, and consequently forfeit eternal life with Jesus.
    • The believer’s greatest model of perseverance is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 12:2-3). Biblical perseverance requires the whole armor of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the safety we find in a multitude of counsellors. (Prov. 11:14; Eph. 6:13,18; 2 Tim. 3:16)
    • A believer who returns to a life of sin, refuses to repent, and rejects faith in Christ forfeits salvation. (Heb. 10:29; 2 Peter 2:20-22)
    • Believers are encouraged to a life of obedience to the Word, trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and daily denying our own self-will; all of which is pleasing to God. (Matt. 16:24; Luke 11:28; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19)

  • 9. The saved will be resurrected unto eternal life, and those who reject Jesus Christ unto eternal damnation. God desires that all be saved.
    • Ample warning is given to the sinner to change his ways and to avoid the eternity of the lost. God does not desire that anyone should perish but rather that all would repent. (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:7-9)
    • Heaven and hell are real places. Followers of Jesus Christ will spend eternity with him in heaven. (Matt. 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4)
    • Hell is the place God created for Satan and his fallen angels to be punished for their rebellion against him. Unbelievers who die in their sins will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels. (Matt. 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8)

How we live

  • 1. Jesus Christ's love for us is the foundation and motivation of our lives. Our response is to love and worship God and to love all people.
    • Our primary identity is that of a child of God through Jesus Christ, and is manifested in all aspects of our earthly walk of life. (John 13:34-35; Col. 3:3)
    • We freely give as we have freely received, recognizing our lives and resources belong to God. (Matt. 10:8; 2 Cor. 9:7)
    • We foster a healthy personal relationship with God as we serve others, seeking to do all for his glory and not our own, without comparing ourselves to each other. (Col. 3:23-24; 2 Cor. 10:12)
    • We joyfully and obediently respond to the Holy Spirit as we humbly give and receive, bearing each other’s burdens when there is physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual need. (Gal. 5:22-25, 6:2)
    • We are called to do good to all people, including those who would disagree with or want to harm us, and express this through prayer, hospitality, and deeds of service. (Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21)

  • 2. By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, the believer strives to live a sanctified life and is not conformed to the world. We seek to be like Jesus in thought, action, and character.
    • We daily become more like Jesus by nurturing our relationship with him through prayer, learning and obeying his Word, listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and spending time with fellow believers. (Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:19; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 10:24-25) 
    • We follow Jesus’ path of self-sacrificial love and humble service. We interact with all people in kindness, mercy, truth, and forbearance. (John 13:14-15; Phil. 2:3-8)
    • We forgive others as Christ forgave us. (Eph. 4:32)
    • We maintain and teach consistent biblical principles on matters of male and female sexuality and identity, and in the pattern of Jesus offer love, compassion, and acceptance to all those struggling in sin. (Matt. 19:4; Rom. 12:9; 1 Cor. 13:13)

  • 3. God calls us to present his gospel to all people. We encourage and teach believers and grow together as disciples of Christ.
    • As witnesses of Jesus Christ, we embrace his desire that all people would be saved and inherit eternal life. (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)
    • The Holy Spirit equips us to willingly share the gospel with love, gentleness, and respect while trusting God to convert souls. (1 Thess 1:5; 1 Peter 3:15)
    • When souls respond to God’s call, we nurture and disciple them as they experience repentance, conversion, and baptism into and throughout their new life in Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38)
    • We value the diversity of spiritual gifts and talents in one another as vital to a healthy church body and show loving esteem for all. (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Rom. 12:4-6)
    • We teach and maintain biblical truth while being sensitive to the unique aspects of every individual, culture, and ethnicity. (Col. 4:5-6; 2 Tim 4:2)

  • 4. We apply spiritual discernment to our daily decisions based on the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit’s direction, and godly counsel from fellow believers.
    • We seek to be faithful stewards of the gifts and resources entrusted to us by God—with integrity, redeeming the time by striving to live all aspects of our lives in thankfulness, simplicity, and modesty. (1 Cor. 4:2; Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Tim. 6:6-8)
    • We exercise discretion in engaging with advances in technological innovation or changing cultural norms, focusing on the associated content and its potential effect. (Prov. 4:25-27; 1 Thess. 5:21)
    • As God’s image bearers, we value his creation of every human life (beginning at conception) as sacred and seek to make decisions related to the sanctity of human life based upon the truths of God’s principles. (Gen. 1:27; Psalms 139:13-14)

  • 5. As believers, we are first citizens of God’s eternal kingdom. We see God’s value in each individual and joyfully reflect Jesus’ peaceful spirit. We peacefully respect and obey earthly authority when it does not conflict with scripture.
    • As citizens of the heavenly kingdom, we do not strive for earthly gain or position. We are willing to suffer material or relationship loss, not seeking vengeance, but trusting in God’s provision and providence as our reward. (Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17-19) 
    • We speak the truth in love. We do not swear oaths but rather affirm the truth as an expression of honesty and integrity. (Matt. 5:37; Eph. 4:15, James 5:12)
    • We live peaceable, non-violent lives. We respect and pray for others while using discretion if engaging in societal issues or political situations. We choose not to voluntarily enlist in the military but only serve in times of forced conscription as a noncombatant or in alternative service as a conscientious objector. (Rom. 12:18; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)
    • We are willing to lay aside our own desires for the spiritual welfare of others. (Rom. 15:1-2; Phil. 2:3-4)

  • 6. Scripture honors singleness and marriage equally. Single believers display a unique and wholly devoted union with Christ while married believers demonstrate the union of Christ to his Church through a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. Both the single and married are valued and needed in carrying out the mission of the church.
    • We are called to bear fruit regardless of our station serving the Lord with our whole life. (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 7:17, 35, 12:27) 
    • Marriage is a lifelong union ordained of God in which a man and a woman of like mind and faith are united in the Lord in holy matrimony. (2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-35)
    • There are many biblical examples, including Jesus and Paul, of single individuals whose ministries were not diminished, but rather helped by their singleness. (1 Cor. 7:7)
    • Marriage and family are limited to this life, yet the relationship that extends into eternity is the one we have among us as brothers and sisters as the Bride of Christ to our beloved Savior. (Matt. 22:29-30)

The role of the Church

  • 1. We seek to reflect the New Testament church as a fellowship of converted men and women (known as brothers and sisters), with Christ as Head. We contend for the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Word.
    • Those who are born again by faith in Jesus are called the children of God and live as a spiritual family that has deep fellowship and kinship with one another, removing boundaries between race, language, social status, gender, and culture. (1 Cor. 12; Gal. 3:28; Eph 4; Col. 3:11; 1 John 3:1-2)
    • We share each other’s griefs and joys. (Rom. 12:15)
    • A pure relationship of love and mutual esteem can only endure if built on the foundation of truth found in Jesus. Love for Jesus and one another motivates us to vigorously work to maintain (contend for) the purity of Christ’s teachings as they were taught by the Apostles. (Matt. 24:24; Gal. 1:6-11; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 3)

  • 2. We disciple and care for one another as a closely-knit, committed body of believers. We encourage and apply the full range of biblical discipline—from Spirit-led self-correction to church discipline—for the purpose of helping the soul struggling with sin and for the preservation of the church.
    • Discipline is an expression of God's love for his children and is designed to keep us in a right relationship with him and each other. (Deut. 8:5; Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:3-12; Rev. 3:19)
    • Accountability is taught by scripture and is a hallmark of genuine love. The Holy Spirit enables self-discipline to figuratively crucify our human desires and live a holy and sanctified life, just as Jesus did. (Rom. 8:1-8)
    • When we sin, the Holy Spirit calls us to confess that failure and repent. (James 5:16; 1 John 1:5-10)
    • When the church family observes a member living an unrepentant and ungodly life, love motivates gentle, corrective action by the church to return the individual to the way of Jesus. (Gal. 6:1)
    • If this gentle approach fails to bring about godly repentance and a changed life, the church family is instructed to be firmer. This may include withholding fellowship for a time to help bring the individual to repentance so their spirit can be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 5:1-13, 2 Cor. 2:6-8)

  • 3. Brothers and sisters are equipped and encouraged to fulfill their biblical roles in the church to further the gospel to all people. Brothers who are sound in faith, doctrine, and example are chosen from the congregation to serve as elders and ministers.
    • We believe membership and full participation in the local church and in our international brotherhood is important for encouragement, accountability, and connection. (Eph. 4)
    • Our ministers and teachers are committed to diligently study and rightly preach and teach the full counsel of God’s word. (2 Tim. 2:15, 4:2)
    • We respect God-ordained church leaders and uphold them in prayer. We interact with church leaders in mutual humility and transparency and embrace biblically based, Spirit-led decisions. (1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:17)
    • As a church, we strive to encourage and equip each other for spiritual growth through diligent study of the Word, prayer, and counseling together. (Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24-25)

  • 4. As believers, we honor the work of salvation through holy sacraments such as baptism and Holy Communion. As a church body, we adhere to biblically based practices that encourage Christ-like expressions of our collective faith. For example, a holy greeting portrays an uncommon love among the brethren and an appropriate covering during prayer and worship represents biblical headship.
    • Baptism involves two important aspects of the believer’s conversion. The first is that of spiritual cleansing. Baptism itself does not cleanse our hearts from sin; this is done only by Jesus’ blood which was shed on the cross and which takes place by God’s grace and through our faith in Jesus’ blood. (Acts 2:38; Heb. 10:22)
    • The second aspect of baptism is one of identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and the born-again life of a believer. A converted soul has died to self and put off the old man. Baptism represents the burial of this old man and rising to a new life in Jesus. (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21)
    • Through the practice of Holy Communion, the church commemorates the redemptive work of our Savior Jesus Christ, and remembers his atoning, sacrificial death until he comes again. He gave his life and shed his blood on the cross of Calvary on our behalf. (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:26)
    • The emblems of communion—bread and wine— represent Christ’s broken body and shed blood on the cross. After self-examination, each member partakes of these emblems, while considering Jesus’ sacrificial life and shedding of innocent blood for our redemption. (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
    • The holy greeting, a kiss of charity, is an expression of love and respect shared by the body of Christ among all believers, regardless of background. It was referenced by the apostles, specifically Paul and Peter, and was observed and exercised in the early church. (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14)
    • Appropriate covering during prayer and worship, uncovered heads for men and veils for women, symbolizes authority and respect in our worship and relationship with God. It reminds us of the oneness of the triune God as well as God’s ordained order. (1 Cor. 11:3-16)

  • 5. Our church is part of the glorious Church, the Bride of Christ, including all saints of all ages, to be manifested fully at the return of Christ Jesus.
    • The mystery of the relationship between followers of Jesus across the world and across the various branches of Christianity has been wrestled with for many generations. We believe that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be at the throne of God after the second coming of Christ. (Rev. 5:9, 7:9, 14:6) 
    • We don’t understand every aspect of how God sees the church through the ages and across the world in our time but embrace it as true. (Deut. 29:29; Rom. 12:5) 

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