|
ACF's Doctrinal Statement
Last Updated December 2009
Aletheia Christian Fellowship holds fast to the essential, historically orthodox doctrines of the universal Church, defined further as the clear teachings of Scripture (2 Thess. 2:15, 1 Tim. 4:16).
Regarding secondary, often debated doctrinal issues, we are a community that encourages freedom of perspective, learning and healthy debate, but never at the cost of love and respect (Prov. 27:17, Prov. 15:22, 1 Tim. 1:3-7, 1 Cor. 8:1, Titus 3:9-11, 1 Cor. 12:4-6, Rom. 14:5-7).
Though not an exclusive list, these tenets of faith are intended to outline what Aletheia Christian Fellowship holds to be essential doctrines:
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The canonical Scriptures (both Old and New Testament) are the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to mankind, written by men in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, and are the authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Tim. 3:15, 17, 1 Pet. 1:23-25, Heb. 4:12).
2. THE ONE TRIUNE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as self-existent, eternal, unchanging, omnipotent, omnipresent, holy, righteous, personal, and loving. We affirm that this one God has been made known in Scripture as three co-existent persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4, Mark 12:29, Isa. 43:10, 11, John 1:1-3, 18, John 10:30, Phil. 2:5-6, Col. 1:15-20, Col. 2:9, Matt. 28:19).
3. MANKIND: CREATION, FALL, AND REDEMPTION THROUGH JESUS
Mankind was created good, in the image of God, but by voluntary transgression became spiritually dead. Since the Fall of humanity into rebellion against God, all humans have inherited a propensity toward sin. Our only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, who, being fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life and offered himself up for us as an atoning sacrifice. We believe that after Christ died for our sins, he rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father (Gen. 1:26-31, Gen. 3:17-19, Rom. 5:12-21, 1 John 2:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15, Acts 2:32-33).
4. THE SALVATION OF MANKIND
A. Means of Salvation
Humans are saved by grace, through faith (active trust) in the work of Jesus Christ. This salvation is a gift from God, not based on our own righteousness (Eph. 2:8-9, John 3:16-18, 10:9-13). However, repentance always accompanies true salvation (Acts 2:38, 2 Timothy 2:19, Luke 13:5).
B. Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness (Rom. 8:16, 1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim.1:9, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Tim. 5:12-13).
5. BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism in water should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and have sincerely believed in Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world, among other things, that they have died with Christ and have been born again into new life in the Spirit (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:4, John 3:1-8).
6. THE LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION)
The observance of the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements (bread and fruit of the vine) is conducted in memory of Jesus’ suffering and death, recognizes Christ’s ongoing presence among us, and celebrates our fellowship with other believers brought about by Christ’s sacrifice. Communion is to be partaken of only by repentant Christians, as Scripture entreats (John 6:48-51, 53-57, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Cor. 11:23-32).
7. SANCTIFICATION
By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to live holy, blameless lives. Though God loves us as we are, and none of us can claim to be completely without sin, sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and holiness is to be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word (1 John 4:19, 1 John 1:8, Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Cor. 1:2, 1 Thess. 5:23-24, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 5:3).
8. SEXUALITY
9. THE CHURCH
The church is the holy Body and Bride of Christ, the dwelling of God through the Spirit, sharing in His authority for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the Church community. Believers in Christ are instructed by the Word of God to meet together with other believers on a regular basis for the strengthening of the Church (1 Cor. 14, Rev. 21:2,10, Heb. 10:25, Matt. 28:18-20, John 20:23, Matt. 16:19, Matt. 18:18).
10. MINISTRY
The Church is divinely called and scripturally ordained in order to witness of Christ to the world, to make disciples of all nations, to be of practical good to those in need, and to strengthen the existing Body of Christ (Matt. 28: 18-20, Eph. 4:11-13, Matt. 6:10, James 1:27).
11. LAST THINGS
We look forward to the Lord’s final return, the resurrection of all the dead, the judgment by Christ of all mankind, and the final establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth as the home of those made righteous through Christ. We believe that at the Last Judgment those who have been saved by Christ will receive everlasting life, but those whose names are not written in the book of life will be separated from the presence of God. (Acts 1:11, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Rev. 20:11-15, Rev. 21-22:6).
|
