What We Believe / Statement of Faith
In the Divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible making the KJV Bible perfect. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalms 12:6-7)
In One God eternally existing in three distinct persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19)
That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead; that He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Mediator and Intercessor. (John 3:16, Matthew 1:18, Romans 8:34)
That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that repentance and faith is commanded and necessary for the unmerited gift of salvation / forgiveness of sins. (Romans 3:23, Acts 17:30, Mark 1:4)
That we have been justified freely by His grace, apart from works, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. And We are born again/regenerated through the Word of God and Spirit of God through Faith. (Romans 3:25, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
That we are sanctified simultaneously during the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word; and by the Holy Ghost. (Hebrews 10:14, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Corinthians 6:11)
That willful sin, otherwise known as presumptuous sin, is a breach in the New Testament Covenant and forgiveness from God is necessary to restore the believer back to right standing with God. Christians live free from sin. (James 5:19, Hebrews 10:26, Psalm 19:13, Numbers 15:27-28)
Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people. (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15)
All who repent and believe should be baptized, which means submerged in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost as the commandment of the Lord Jesus. (Matthew 28:19)
Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement. (Isaiah 53:5)
In the Lord’s supper (Communion) and washing of the Saints’ feet (Discipleship). (Matthew 26:26-28, John 13:15)
In the premillennial second coming of Jesus after the Tribulation. First to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living Saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth one thousand years. (Revelation 20:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)
In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked. (Philippians 3:20-21, John 5:28-29)
In dressing in modest apparel for men and women. (I Timothy 2:9-10)
In a literal 6 24 hour day creation and on the 7th day God rested. (Exodus 20:11)
We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is an evangelizing church. And everyone, male and female, has an obligation to confess and profess Christ Jesus before men as believers. (Matt. 10:32-39, Romans 10:9-10, Mark 16:15-18)
1. Inspiration of scripture 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Promise to preserve His WordPsalms 12:6-7 6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
2. The Triune God 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The Triune God Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
3. Virgin Birth Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Christ at the right hand of God interceding for us Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
4. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
God commands all to repent Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Repentance and faith are pre-conditions for salvation Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5. Romans 3:24-2524Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Saved by grace through faith unto good works Ephesians 2:8-9 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Born again by the Word of God 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
Born again by the Spirit of our God 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6. Sanctified at the surrender of our will Hebrews 10:8 8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Sanctified by the offering of Christ Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.
The church is sanctified and cleansed through the word Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
We are sanctified and Justified as Believers 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
7. If a believer backslides through sin he must be restored James 5:19 19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Willful Sins Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Presumptuous Sins Psalms 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Rules of Atonement Numbers 15:27-28 27And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. 28And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
True Christians are free from sin Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
8. Holiness is a requirement Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Through grace we must be Holy is all of our conduct 1 Peter 1:13-16 13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
9. Matthew 28:16-20 16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
10. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
11. Matthew 26:26-28 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (We believe washing feet represents discipleship.)
12. We believe in a literal 1000 year reign after the tribulation Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
We believe the Day of the Lord / 2nd Coming of Christ is after the tribulation 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. 4He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
13. Believe in a bodily resurrection Philippians 3:20-21 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
There are two resurrections, 1 resurrection for the Just and 1 for the unjust John 5:28-29 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
14. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (We believe men should be modest all the same.)
15. Confessing Jesus comes at a cost Matthew 10:32-39 32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Confession with your mouth is part of salvation Romans 10:9-10 9That 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. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Open your mouth and tell people about your savior. )
The great commission Mark 16:15-18 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (You have a part to play in the great commission. Whether you are one on the front line or one who is supporting those doing so you are an important part of the body. Take your role in the Kingdom of God seriously!)
Statement of Faith / What We believe
Why is the statement of faith important to the local church? Here are Five Reasons!
1. The statement of faith summarizes the church’s uncompromising position on primary doctrinal subjects.
2. The statement of faith highlights the foundational truths of the Gospel message and in turn protects the church from heresy.
3. A legitimate statement of faith unites the believers in the true common faith! And professing this faith together promotes harmony and peace within its members.
4. A statement of faith helps keep and ensure stability in the future of the church. A statement of faith helps everyone to know what we stand for and what the church is all about. Without it being emphasized regularly there runs a risk of the beliefs and values of the church to be lost through the generations.
5. A statement of faith connects the church with its historical roots. We are standing on and suffering for the same biblical truths the original church did!
Since salvation comes through belief in the truth it is to the utmost importance that we are believing the true word of God. The statement of faith is certain major truths of the Bible that protect the people from damnable doctrines. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. And man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God! So a statement of faith should be reiterated regularly in the local church to stay fresh on the biblical truths that the devil is attacking. Furthermore, in order to have proper faith we must have a proper understanding of God’s Word. Doctrine helps put these truths in order and show that all of God’s Word fits together like a puzzle. There are no contradictions. Also, it’s crucial for every church to stake down salvational beliefs that your church is built on. Because it is these beliefs in which each individual within that local body will build their life. Today we will be going over our foundational statement of faith for our church Antioch Fellowship of the Elect.
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