Core Beliefs

The sole basis for our belief is the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired, the portal into God’s presence and the compass that guides our lives and transforms our faith. We believe that Scripture is entirely trustworthy and is our guide for truth, faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:105). Together the Scriptures form a complete story, or meta-narrative, which moves from chaos to order, from first creation to new creation, from covenant to renewed covenant, all fitting together in a way that none of the authors could have seen but which we, standing back from the finished product, can only marvel at.

We believe that Jesus is the perfect reflection of God’s heart, character, beauty and love. We believe God has spoken to the world through Jesus so that we may know of God’s way, truth and life (Hebrews 1:1-3, Romans 1:19-21). We believe that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and where his name is lifted up, he draws all humanity to himself (John 14:6). We affirm that salvation comes by God’s grace to sin-filled people, through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Jesus is our savior, baptizer in the Spirit, healer, and soon-coming King.

The Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ and equips believers for personal growth and service to His Church, transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ (John 16:5-15; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 12). The Holy Spirit works in our lives to teach us, convict us, speak to us and empower us so that we may reflect God’s character and purpose in our daily lives (John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7) are available to every follower of Christ. God delights in giving all of these gifts to His children. We also believe the power of the Holy Spirit is at work today through miracles, signs & wonders just like the church in its infancy stage.

We believe that all humanity is fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of God and designed to live in loving relationship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5). Woven into our being is a desire and longing to connect with our Creator, but humanity has fallen into sin and evil and become separated from God. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our separation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace - not human effort - and must be received personally by repentance and faith. (Romans 3:23)

The Church is a global and local expression of living out the way of Jesus through love, peace, sacrifice, and healing as we embody the resurrected Christ, who lives in and through us, to a broken and hurting world. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2:1-47, Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11-13, 5:25-30, 1 Corinthians 12:27). We believe that our most credible form of witness is the actual creation of a living, breathing, visible community of faith; a group of people devoted to living the life of Christ; a place where God is forming a family out of strangers; and a people who proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed. In this way the church acts as a signpost to the Kingdom of God.

We believe in the 'blessed hope', the personal, imminent, coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones and look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell and reign forever. We believe that the day is coming when Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly, in power and glory, to consummate his salvation and his judgment, bringing an end to injustice and restoring all things to God’s original intent (I Thes. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-6; I Thes. 1:10, 5:9; Rev. 3:10; Matt. 25:46; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 20:11-15; Rev. 21-22).

For more information about our beliefs check out www.ag.org