What We Believe

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This multi-site eMinistry is produced by Acts One Eight, Inc ... a Christian organization of disciplemaking and evangelism. The purpose of Acts One Eight is to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to teach others to do so in obedience to the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:18-20: “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." We have no members, dues, or buildings. We are pro-Church ... but are not affiliated with, nor promote, any specific local church, organization, or denomination. Our doctrinal beliefs are consistent with historic, conservative Christianity ... and are based on taking the Bible literally at what-it-says-it-says. We do not promote any different gospel, extra-Biblical customs, or strange teachings.  In our doctrinal statement below, simply point to the Bible icon following any reference to read it. Some verses have been truncated or abbreviated with ellipses for display purposes ... without compromising meaning. Please take the time to read this doctrinal statement. Reviewing the full context of the complete verses in your Bible would be beneficial as well.

Acts One Eight Doctrinal Statement

I. The Scriptures. We believe that the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments comprise the full, word-for-word, truthful, inspired, inerrant Word of God, which is the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. Isaiah 40:8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:20 -21But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21

II. The Trinity. We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity. Deuteronomy 6:4Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 48:16Come near to Me, listen to this: from the first I have not spoken in secret, from the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit. Isaiah 48:16, Jeremiah 10:10The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. Jeremiah 10:10, Matthew 28:19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19, John 10:30I and the Father are one. John 10:30, Acts 5:3-4Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit ... you have not lied to men but to God. Acts 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8Of the Son He says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His Kingdom. Hebrews 1:8

III. The Father. We believe that as the eternal Father, He is the Father of all men in the non -salvation Creator-creature sense, the Father of the nation Israel, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the spiritual Father of all who believe in Christ. He is the author of the Decree of God, the author of election, the One who sent the Son, and the disciplinarian of His children. Exodus 4:22Thus says the Lord, Israel is My son, My firstborn. Exodus 4:22, Psalm 2:7-9I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Psalm 2:7-9, John 5:37And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. John 5:37, Acts 17:29Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Acts 17:29, Galatians 3:26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 1:3-6Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3-6, Hebrews 12:9Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? Hebrews 12:9, 1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

IV. The Person and Work of Christ. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God, where as High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people. He is also the Head of the Body (His Church) for which He will personally and imminently return. John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1, John 1:14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14, John 1:18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18, Luke 1:35The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35, Romans 3:24-26Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith ... that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:25He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:25, 1 Peter 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-5

V. The Holy Spirit.  We believe that the eternal Holy Spirit restrains sin, and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He glorifies Christ. At the moment of salvation He permanently regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals every believer. Experientially, He fills, gives gifts diversely to, teaches, leads, assures, and prays for believers. John 14:26The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26, John 16:7-15It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment ... when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth ... He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:7-15, Acts 1:5John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5, Acts 2:1-4When the day of Pentecost had come ... suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4, Romans 8:14-16All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:14-16, Romans 8:26-27The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 12:7-13To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good ... but one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills ... for by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:7-13, Ephesians 1:13-14In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18, Titus 3:5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

VI. Angels and Satan.  We believe that angels are spiritual beings who were created as sinless personalities. They presently exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former including Satan and his demons, Luke 20:36They cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:36, Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14, 2 Peter 2:4God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment. 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6Angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Jude 6. We believe that Satan, a personal being, by his own choice the enemy of God and the people of God is the originator of sin, and that he led our first parents into sin and now rules as the god of this world. We believe that he was judged at the cross and will ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire. Genesis 3:1-15The serpent ... said to the woman, Indeed, has God said, You shall not eat from any tree of the garden? The woman said to the serpent, From ... the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die. The serpent said to the woman, You surely will not die! ... When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate ... God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate. ... God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you ...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. Genesis 3:1-15, Isaiah 14:12-14How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. Isaiah 14:12-14, John 12:31Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31, Hebrews 2:14Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 20:10The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

VII. Creation and Man. We believe that all things in heaven and earth were created by God and exist by His power, Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16-17For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17. We believe that the first man, Adam, was created out of dust, innocent and in the image and likeness of God, but that he sinned by acting independently of God, thereby disobeying Him, bringing both physical and spiritual death upon himself and his posterity. We believe that man has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God, and is in need of salvation. Genesis 1:27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:17-19To Adam He said, Because you ... have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it; cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 5:12-21Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned ... by the transgression of the one the many died ... judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation ... by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one ... through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men ... through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners ... as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:12-21, Ephesians 2:1-3You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:1-3

VIII. Salvation. We believe that all who receive Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit. This believing in Christ imputes Christ's righteousness to the believer. Without personal merit, man is saved on the basis of Christ's death and shed blood, John 1:12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12, John 3:5Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5, John 3:16For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ ... He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:8-9For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7. We believe that anyone who has received Jesus Christ and thereby has been born again is eternally secure, has everlasting life, will not come into condemnation, has passed out of death into life, and shall never perish. We believe that there is a bodily resurrection ... of the believers to everlasting blessedness ...and of the unbelievers to everlasting punishment. Daniel 12:2These to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31-46When the Son of Man comes in His glory ... the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ... He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels ... these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:31-46, John 3:36He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36, John 5:24I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24, John 10:28-29I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:28-29, John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26, Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39, Revelation 20:12-15I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened ... and if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15

IX. The Christian's Walk.  We believe that all believers are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the Spirit that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the flesh with its fallen Adamic nature, which in this life is never eradicated, being with us to the end of our earthly lives, needs to be kept by the Spirit constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. We believe that the qualities required of a spiritual leader are clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Romans 6:11-13Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:11-13, Romans 8:2 -13The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death ... for the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God ... you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit ... if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness ... we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh ... by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body. Romans 8:2-13, Galatians 5:16-23Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another ... the deeds of the flesh are evident ... but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:16-23, Ephesians 4:22-24Lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24, 1 Peter 1:14-16As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-13Refer to your Bible for the qualifications for leaders ... see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, James 3:1, & 1 Peter 5:1-3, Titus 1:5-9Refer to your Bible for the qualifications for leaders ... see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, James 3:1, & 1 Peter 5:1-3, James 3:1Refer to your Bible for the qualifications for leaders ... see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, James 3:1, & 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Peter 5:1-3Refer to your Bible for the qualifications for leaders ... see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, James 3:1, & 1 Peter 5:1-3

X. The Church. We believe that the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism, made up of all born again persons of this present age. We believe that the Church began at Pentecost and that a believer is placed into the Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. We believe that the universal Church consists of all believers everywhere, and the local Church consists of believers who assemble in one locality. 1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22-23He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:11-16He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ ... we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16, Ephesians 5:23Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:18

XI. The Great Commission.  We believe that those whom God has saved are sent into the world by Christ as He was by the Father. Those so sent are ambassadors, commissioned to go make disciples and make Christ known to the whole world. We also believe that everyone should have an opportunity to carefully examine the facts about Christ and have an opportunity to make an intelligent decision about Him. Matthew 28:18-20Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 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, John 15:8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8, John 20:21Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you. John 20:21, Acts 1:8You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14 -15How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things! Romans 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation ... we are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:24-26The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

(End of Doctrinal Statement)

 

 

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