Bay Area Agape Fellowship Articles Of Faith
1. The Bible – The Word Of God
The Bible, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, originally written, were given to men by inspiration from God’s Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
The Scripture, the written Word of God, are divine revelations and, thus, infallibly true. John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18; Ephesians 1:13
The Written Word of God, the Bible is the supreme, everlasting authority and guide for all doctrine and conduct, for all of life and living.
Psalm 119:105; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Romans 16:26; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 12:48 God’s Word is powerful, piercing and discerning the souls and hearts of men Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is the Word of Life
Matthew 4:4; Philippians 2:14-16
The Bible is not to be handled deceitfully, not added nor taken away 2 Corinthians 4:2; Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy12:32; Revelation 22:18-19
2. God
We believe in the One True God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-identical in essence, co-equal in power and glory.
Jeremiah 10:10; Ephesians 4:6; Genesis 21:33; Job 36:26; Revelation 1:4; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 28:19
3. The Trinity
We believe there is one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is expressively glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. We believe that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in all the divine attribute and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of creation and redemption.
Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 28:18- 20; 1 John 5:7
4. God the Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. The Maker and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ
Luke 10:21-22; 3:22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; 5:19; 12:49-50; Romans 1:7; 11:33; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 17; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6; 19:6; Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 4:6
As the only absolute and Omnipotent ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. In His sovereignty, He is neither author nor approver of sin, nor does He waive the accountability of His creature. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own, not based on anything we have done, but according to His own good pleasure.
Genesis 1:1-31; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; John 8:38-47; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:8-9
5. God the Son – Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His Virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. He is the mediator between God and man, the prophet, priest and king, head and savior of the church, the heir of all things, and the judge of the world. We believe in His substitutionary, propitiatory death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible bodily return to earth. We believe Jesus being equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit is infinite, eternal, all powerful and all knowing. He also created the world and the universe, upholding and governing all things.
Matthew 1:18-25; 20:28; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; 20:28; 20:30-31; Romans 8:34; 9:5; 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; Hebrews 1:8;7:25; 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Ephesians 1:4
We believe that in the Incarnation – God becoming man, Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind.
Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9
We believe that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness. Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9
We believe that on the basis of the efficacy (effectiveness) of the death and resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, every genuine believer is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he/she is declared righteous (justification), given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God.
Romans 3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Hebrews 1:1,2,3; Mark 1:11
We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, God the Father displayed to His creation the deity of His Son and gave proof that He accepted the propitiatory work of Christ on the cross.
Isaiah 53:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Mark 1:1
6. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is equal with God the Father and God the Son. He indwells every believer.
John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:9-14
We believe that the Holy Spirit is supernatural and sovereign. He is infinite, eternal, all powerful and all knowing. He was active in creation. He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is the agent in the New Birth who seals, endues, guides, teaches, comforts, witnesses, sanctifies and help the believers conform to the image of Christ. The Holy spirit’s primary ministry is to glorify the LORD Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; John 16:14; Galatians 5:22-26; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 2:15- 20; Hebrews 10:15-16; Ephesians 1:13; Genesis 1:2
“But the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and brings all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26; Romans 8:11
The Work of the Holy Spirit is to:
- Convict men of the sin of unbelief (John 16:9)
- Convict men that Jesus is the righteousness of God (John 16:10; Romans 10:3-4)
- Convict men that the power of Satan has been broken (John 16:11) d. Regenerate the believer (John 3:5; Titus 3:5)
- Indwell the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- Seal the believer (Ephesians 1:13,14)
- Baptize the believer (Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
- Infill the believer (Ephesians 5:18)
- Empower the believer (Acts 1:8)
- Lead the believer (Galatians 5:16-18)
- Administer spiritual gifts to the believer (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
- The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love
“Love is manifested in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
– Joy is love’s strength
– Peace is love’s security
– Patience is love’s endurance
– Kindness is love’s conduct
– Goodness is love’s character
– Faithfulness is love’s confidence
– Gentleness is love’s humility
– Self-control is love’s victory
A Holy Spirit-controlled man needs no law to cause him to live a righteous life.
7. Angels
We believe in the existence of angels who were created by God to serve Him and bring honor and glory to His name. Angels who have chosen to follow God are ministers for Him on behalf of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and LORD. Sadly, some angels (1/3 of them) chose to follow Satan when he rose up against God. They are now called demons and are presently functioning Satan’s counterfeit system as rulers of darkness, to be resisted by the believer through the armor provided by God.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 17:18; Ephesians 2:2; 6:11-13; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 1:12; 5:8-9; Jude 6; Revelation 19:16-20; 20:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:14
Satan and his Demons
We believe that angels were created by God to worship, serve and honor Him. But Lucifer, a high-ranking angel, chose to rebel against God. With great pride he desired to be equal and even above almighty God and was thrown from heaven with a great host of other angels that followed him. Lucifer is now referred to as Satan and the fallen angels are now referred to as demons.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Psalm 34:7; Ephesians 2:2; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9; Job 38:7
We believe Satan, the “god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air” is currently the power of all darkness and evil. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions and the chief power behind the present apostasy in our world. He is the lord of the antichrist and the author of all the followers of darkness who are destined for final defeat at the hand of God’s Son, and for the judgment of the eternal Lake of Fire, a place prepared for Satan and his angels.
Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:7-9; 19:16-20; 20:10; Zechariah 3:1-2; Hebrews 1:14 Satan is – the god of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4)
– the prince of this world (John 14:30)
– the prince of the devils (Matthew 12:24)
– the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)
– the power of darkness (Luke 22:53)
– we wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high place.
(Ephesians 6:12)
Satan is – the power of death (Hebrews 2:14)
– the power of grave and death (Hosea 13:14)
– the tempter (Matthew 4:1,3)
– the wicked one (Matthew 13:28)
– the first of all liars (John 8:44)
– the devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world, he was cast out into the earth, and his angels cast out with him (Revelation 12:9)
– a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44)
– perverter of the Word of God (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:2-5)
– under God’s check and government (Job 1:7-9)
– inevitable judgment and destruction (Genesis 3:14-15)
– the devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever and ever (Revelation 20:10)
Satan’s Demons
– Demons believe in God but hate and reject Him (James 2:19)
– Demons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Luke 4:41)
– Evil spirits instigate treachery (Judges 9:23; Matthew 8:29)
– When the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 18:11; 19:9-10)
– A lying spirit can influence the mouth of all the prophet (1 Kings 22:21-23) – Demons can be cast out by divine power and authority (Matthew 4:24) – Jesus gave His disciples power against unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1) – In Jesus name, the believers shall cast out devils (Mark 16:17)
8. Mankind or Humanity
Creation – We believe in the Genesis account of creation. We believe that account is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively. Also, we believe mankind was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness. Mankind’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through periods of time from lower to higher form. In addition, we believe that all animal and vegetable life was also created by God, for His established law was that they should bring forth only “after their own kind”.
Genesis 1; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6
Humanity – We believe that humanity was directly and immediately created by God in His own image and likeness, free from sin, with a rational nature, intelligence, and volition, yet with a moral responsibility to the God that (who) created him.2
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 15-25; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9
We believe that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Fear God, and keep His commandments.
Isaiah 43:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11
o So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27)
o For Adam was first formed, then live (1 Timothy 2:13)
o And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman (Genesis 2:20-23)
o A living soul (Genesis 2:7)
o Made in the image of God (Genesis 1:24-27)
Fallen into depravity
We believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, humanity lost its innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Thus, every human being is utterly depraved and, having no recuperative power to enable him to rescue himself, is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is, therefore, wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:10-11, 23, 5:12; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; 1 John 1:8
We believe that because all humanity descended from Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all the humanity (Jesus Christ, having no human father, being the only exception). All of humanity is thus sinful by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration, spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins, and by nature, children of God’s wrath, desperately in need of divine salvation.
Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:17-18
9. The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of God’s Grace. Jesus, God’s own Son, submitted to the Father, and freely took upon human nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death on the cross made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. Jesus’ atonement consisted not in setting up an example by His death as a martyr but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, “the just dying for the unjust”. “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the cross, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose
stripes you were healed.” Jesus is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Savior.
2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 7:25; 12:2; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2
10. Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus died for the whole world and that salvation of sinners is divinely initiated, wholly of grace of God, and accomplished only through the work of Christ. We believe that nothing prevents the salvation of the meanest sinner on earth but his own inherent wickedness and voluntary rejection of the Gospel.
Acts 4:12; 13:39; 15:11; 16:13; John 3:16; 10:28,29; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 1:6; 2:7
All religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that is God’s way; and God’s way is a person, and that person is His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. John 14:6
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces, brought about in our souls by the Spirit of God. Being deeply convicted of our guilt, helplessness, and the judgment to come, and realizing the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine repentance, confessing our sin and receiving the LORD Jesus as our personal Savior. When a person receives Christ as his personal LORD and Savior, he is born again, regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit and becomes the recipient of a new nature.
We believe God’s salvation is three-folds:
First, Christ came down from heaven to this earth to save us from the penalty of our sin, by putting away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross. (Hebrews 9:26)
Second, Jesus appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after His resurrection, to save us from the power of sin. (Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1,2)
Third, Jesus will appear again on this earth, the second time, as “LORD of Lords and King of kings” to save us from the very presence of sin (Hebrews 9:28)
We believe the seven facts of salvation, with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to our soul:
(1) It is a fact that God loves us. (John 3:16)
(2) It is a fact that we are sinners. (Romans 3:23)
(3) It is a fact that we are now dead in sin. (Romans 6:23)
(4) It is a fact that Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
(5) It is a fact that you can be saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. (Acts 16:30- 31; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8)
(6) It is a fact that you can be saved and know it. (1 John 5:10-13)
(7) It is a fact that we are now a child of God and we are to obey Him. (Acts 5:29)
We believe that Christ secures salvation to all who put their trust in Him. Romans 3:24 states, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Our justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of Christ’s righteousness. It is not given to us for any works of righteousness, which we have done, but solely through faith in our Redeemer. Jesus Christ’s righteousness is given to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states “For God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 13:39; 15:11; 16:31; John 3:16; 10:28-29; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 1:6; 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7,11; 1 John 4:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3,22; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 3:24-25; 5:1,9; 8:1,35-39; 5:12,19; 6:6,16; Jude 1
11. Repentance
We believe God desires “truth in the innermost being” (Psalm 51:6), and commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). The sinner must repent before he can become the recipient of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8,9). The saved must practice repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God. (Job 42:1-6)
Repentance is granted by God. (Acts 5:31; 11:18) The kindness of God leads you to repentance (Romans 2:4). The kindness of God is not merited; therefore, the results of His kindness which is repentance is a gift. This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed (Acts 2:27, 38; John 16:7,11). The results: repentance toward God and faith in our LORD Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21), faith that Christ died for our sins; and that He was buried and that He rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
We believe repentance qualifies a man for salvation, but it takes faith in Christ to acquire it. True repentance is always coupled with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not repent. “Repentance toward God and faith in our LORD Jesus Christ” are essential and inseparable in salvation.
Faith without repentance is the ultimate hypocrisy, and repentance without faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is sheer folly.
– Repentance defined in 2 Peter 3:9 “The LORD is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
– Repentance preached in Mark 1:1-4
– Repentance from dead works (Hebrews 6:1)
– Repentance and God (Hebrews 7:21)
– Repentance, impossible to renew (Hebrews 6:4-6)
– Repentance, the importance of repentance (Acts 17:30) “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent.”
– Repentance, the evidence of repentance (Acts 26:19-20)
12. The New Birth
We believe it is of the utmost importance that we have a clear understanding of what Jesus meant when, speaking with Nicodemus. He said, “You must be born again.” The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is as much a birth as the natural birth; it is not a figure of speech. The first birth is of the seed of man. The second birth is of the seed of God. (1 Peter 1:23) Therefore you cannot become a child of God by joining the church. The only way to become a child of God is to be “born again” (John 3:3); “not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding Word of God”.
What is the New Birth?
– The new birth is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
– The new birth is a spiritual resurrection (Ephesians 2:1-9)
– The new birth is regeneration (Titus 3:5)
– The new birth is partaking of the divine nature of God (2 Peter 1:4)
– The new birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD, by faith (John 1:12)
– The new birth is being made the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
– The new birth is compulsory if you are to become a child of God: “You must be born again.”
– Jesus and the two births (John 3:1-8)
– The New birth issues a new sinless nature (1 John 3:9)
– The New birth is imperishable (1 Peter 1:23)
– The new birth – its means (John 3:14-18)
– The new birth – its threefold proof (1 John 5:1-2)
13. Eternal Security
We believe all people who have exercised personal faith in the LORD Jesus Christ are completely pardoned (of all sins) and justified (declared righteous) and in possession of eternal life, which is eternally secure. We believe that all people who are truly born again are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
The new birth is a one-time event just as physical birth is a one-time event. Eternal life is the result of being born into the eternal family of God. Eternal security is not based on how a person acts or feels towards God, but the doctrine of eternal security is founded on justification. When a person trust in the LORD Jesus Christ to save him, he is justified by the blood of Christ, and saved from the wrath of God through Christ. (Romans 1:4; 4:25; 5:8-10)
We are saved by God’s grace, not by our works, therefore, we cannot possibly keep our salvation by our works.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:6; 8:35-39; 16:25; Philippians 1:6; Jude 24; John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 10:28-29; 11:25-26; 12:46; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 21-23; 1 Peter 1:5, 18-23; 2:24; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:11-13
14. The Eternal State of the Saved and Unsaved
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous (saved) and the wicked (unsaved). People who trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior are justified (declared righteous) in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ; sanctified by the
Spirit of our God and are truly righteous in His esteem. But everyone who continues in sin and unbelief are in God’s sight wicked and remain under the curse of sin.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. The souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the LORD where they consciously await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and new body are reunited forever glorified with the LORD in heaven. The souls of the unbelievers after death remain in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with spirit, soul, and body reunited, they shall appear before the Great White Throne Judgment. After the Great White Throne judgment, all unbelievers will be cast in the lake of fire, not to be annihilated but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment for their sins. The chief sin being rejecting Jesus as their personal Savior.
Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Matthew 25:34-41, 46; Luke 6:25; 16:19-26; John 5:28-29; 8:21; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; Philippians 1:23; 1 John 5:19; Romans 6:23
15. The Church – The Local Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the head and all regenerated, baptized believers are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, ministry and fellowship. We believe that the overflow of the worship of this glorious God will lead the members of the local church to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Acts 1:8; 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25
We believe that every child of God is baptized and sealed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the bride of Christ, of which Christ is the Head. We also believe that the bride of Christ includes Old Testament saints.
Isaiah 54:5-6; 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 19:7-8
We believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures and that the members of the one spiritual, universal body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies.
1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 20:17,28; Romans 16:1- 5; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1
We believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11)
The local congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7,17). The biblically designated officers serving the assembly under the direction of the elders are deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Both elders and deacons must meet biblical qualifications.
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18
We believe that these leaders who lead or rule biblically are worthy of honor before the church, but likewise, those who continue to sin in a manner contradictory to the biblical qualifications while holding the office and responsibility of an elder must be publicly rebuked before the congregation for the purpose of making the church fearful of sinning. (1 Timothy 5:17-22)
We believe in the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2) and mutual accountability of all believer to each other (Matthew 18:5-14), as well as the need for discipline of unrepentant members of the congregation in accordance with the standards of Scripture.
Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16
The ultimate mission of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission as given by our LORD in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”. “Go therefore and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy, of any individuals or organizations, and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit. We do believe it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. But each local church has the right to judge the measure and method of its cooperation with other churches. On all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41-42; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5;23-24; Colossians 1:18
16. The Ordinances – Baptism and the LORD’s Supper
We believe that the LORD Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the LORD’s supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, done in the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. We hold that baptism is one of the two ordinances that Christ gave to the local church. Thus, it should be performed under the authority of the local church. Likewise, baptism should only be performed on a person who has given a clear testimony of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior Jesus Christ. As Christ died, was buried and rose again, Christian baptism pictures the believer’s death, burial and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
We believe the LORD’s supper is the second ordinance given to the church by our LORD Jesus Christ. The Holy Communion is the commemoration of Christ’s death and a celebration of His risen life. The bread represents His body that was broken for us, and the grape juice represents His blood that was shed for us. Believers, before partaking of these elements, are called upon to examine themselves, “for he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the LORD’s body.” (1 Corinthians 11:29)
We believe the ordinances of Baptism and the LORD’s Supper were given by the LORD Jesus to the local church and are to be observed only under its authority. We are commanded to do these ordinances till our LORD returns.
Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
17. Mission
We believe that the command from our LORD Jesus to give and bring the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and the Great Commission was given to every Christian and local church. We believe this church (BAAF) shall be missionary in spirit and practice, contributing to the support of missions, home and abroad. Support for missionaries or mission projects shall be upon recommendation of the Mission Committee and upon approval by the Elder Board after careful research and scrutiny.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Romans 10:13-15
18. Marriage
Marriage is deemed a primary, early institution (Genesis 2:24) preceded only by the Sabbath, sanctified by God on the seventh day of creation. Marriage is a sacred relationship between one man and one woman for life. Scripture teaches that Christians should only marry Christians. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one spouse dies.
Genesis 2:18-24; Mark 10:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:22-23; Matthew 19:1-9
19. Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and woman. We also believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.
Genesis 2:24; 19:13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6,9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
20. Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred from fertilization throughout the entire natural human life; that human beings are created in God’s image and, as such are to be protected; that the weak, vulnerable, infirm, handicapped, pre-born, and needy deserve our respect, our care and our protection.
21. The Christian Life and Conduct
We believe that the Christian lives by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling the individual: “All things become new.”
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
A Christian is a New Creature and a new man with a nature with a new heart, mind and purpose.
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6)
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came man also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5)
Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:10). Christians are called to live lives that are “holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1) and exemplary Christian behavior that allows us to fully commit ourselves to serving the LORD is made possible as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who enables us to do the Father’s will (Romans 8:9). Indeed, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Christians are a chosen people, belonging to God so that we may declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9). To declare His praises, it is essential that we spend time in His Word not just so we can learn how to behave in Christian fashion, but also so we can battle against the scheme of Satan. Knowledge alone is not enough; we are called to do more than to know and believe, Christians are to be “doers of the Word.” (James 1:22)
The “actions” that glorify our Father in heaven are those that bear much fruit (John 15:8). This is, in fact, how we show we are His disciples. Indeed, the fruit of the Holy Spirit – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-
control (Galatians 5:22-23) – should be the hallmark of Christian behavior, all are manifestations of Love.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Only as we live in love can we fulfill the will of God in our lives. The believer must become love-inspired, love-mastered, and love-driven. Without the fruit of the Spirit – love – we are just a religious noise.
God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers.
Ezekiel 11:19 “I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.”
Joel 2:28 “And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.”
John 16:7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness and judgment.”
John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak of His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you.”
Christian behavior includes heeding Jesus’ call for us to be His witness to “the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We are to share the Gospel, which Paul defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The validity of our witness is in how we live our lives. In chapters 4-6 of the Book of Ephesians, Paul summed up Christian behavior in a few words “Be imitators of God”, “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and willingly gave Himself up for us.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Paul urged us in Romans 12:1 “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” This, ultimately, is the essence of true Christian behavior, surrendering our hearts and yielding our bodies to Christ, so He might continue God’s work through us. We are to be beacons of light in
a dark world, using our spiritual gifts to advance His kingdom. It is living here on earth the way Jesus lived when He was here. It also means living to please one and only Almighty God. We do this when we abide in His Word and then live it out as we are enabled by His Holy Spirit, just as our Savior did until He took His last breath. As He was dying on the cross, Christ look out at His executioners and asked His Heavenly Father to forgive them (Luke 23:24). Jesus was doing more than fulfilling prophecy and making “intercession for the sinners” (Isaiah 53:12). He was practicing what He preached (Luke 6:27-28). So shall we!
God’s Promises about our Hope and Future Glory
Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or peril, or sword?”
Romans 8:38 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.”
1 Corinthians 15:51 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the LORD. Hallelujah! Maranatha!”
22. Future Events. The End Times
We believe Christ will remove all born-again believers from the earth in an event known as the rapture at the end time.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the LORD Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air, and so we will always be with the LORD. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We believe at the judgment seat of Christ, every born-again Chrisian will be rewarded for good works and faithful service during their time on earth Or will lose rewards, but not eternal life, for lack of service and obedience. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
The Antichrist (the beast) will come into power and will sign a covenant with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:27). This seven-year period of time is known as the “Tribulation”. During the tribulation, there will be terrible wars, famines, plagues, and natural disasters. God will be pouring out His wrath against sin, evil, and wickedness. The tribulation will include the appearance of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the seven seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. (Revelation chapters 6, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18)
About halfway through the seven years, the Antichrist will break the peace covenant with Israel and make war against it. The Antichrist will commit “the abomination of desolation” and set up an image of himself to be worshiped in the Jerusalem temple (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10), which will have been rebuilt. The second half of the tribulation is known as “the great tribulation” (Revelations 9:14 and “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).
At the end of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist will launch a final attack on Jerusalem, culminating in “the battle of Armageddon”. Jesus Christ will return, destroy the Antichrist and his armies, and cast them into the Lake of fire (Revelation 19:11-21). Christ will then bind Satan in the Abyss for 1,000 years and Christ will rule His earthly kingdom for this thousand-year period (Revelation 20:1-6).
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released, defeated again, and then cast into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:7-10) for eternity. Christ then judges all unbelievers at the great white throne judgment, casting them all into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15) which is the second death.
Christ will then usher in a new heaven and new earth and the new Jerusalem – the eternal dwelling place of believers. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or death. (Revelation chapters 21-22; Matthew 22:8-14; 24; John 14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-53; Philippians 3: 20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ezekiel 14-21; Daniel 7- 12; Revelation 6; Zechariah 14; Acts 1:11; 2:29-36; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Mark 13; Isaiah 11; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32, 33; 21)
In the meantime, during these “end times” this world will hate and reject Christ and His followers. Nevertheless, He, the Son of God, prevails and His Word thrives, for belief on Him shall expand and take root throughout the earth, generation by generation, as a testimony of Christ’s eternal glory and power. (John 15:18-19; Matthew 24:9)
Christ instructed His followers to be true to His Gospel: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
Christ instructed His followers to be true to His Gospel: to be “light” and “salt” as they are led and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, before a dark and corrupt world, to show the world they are His disciples by their love for Him and one another. They shall do unto others as they would have other do unto them; that they overcome evil with good, that they go forth and be busy about the business of the Gospel, teaching all nations whatever He taught them. (Luke 6:22, 27; Luke 2:49; Luke 19:13; Romans 5:20)
“And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus Christs, God incarnate, submitted to a timetable, which speaks of a beginning and an end to the men and events of this world, on earth, His promised return marks an end to the history of this present world.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the LORD, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
“In My Father’s house are many rooms (mansions). If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)
“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)