Acts, statement of faith

1. The Bible: God spoke to Moses through the angel at Mount Sinai, giving him living oracles. God also spoke through the mouths of all His holy prophets, who bear witness to Jesus Christ. This message of salvation was intended first of all for the descendants of Abraham, but they did not recognize Christ or understand the prophets; thus they fulfilled the prophecies by condemning Christ. And so the word that went forth from the mouth of God accomplishes (and continues to accomplish) His purpose. It is man's duty to believe everything laid down by the Law or written in the prophets. (Act 7:38; 3:18,21; 8:35; 10:43; 26:22; 13:26,27; Isa 55:11; Act 24:14)
2. One God: There is one God, and no other, who made the earth and created man upon it, whose hands stretched out the heavens. He gives to all men life and breath and everything. His hope is that man might seek Him and find Him, for in reality He is not far from any of us, and we are His offspring. In Him we live and move and have our being. He is not like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. Instead, He is like us, for we are like Him, made originally in His image and likeness. Yet His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth. The one God has a definite plan and foreknowledge, which He brings to pass with His mighty power, or spirit. This He has done especially with Jesus of Nazareth, whom He anointed with His Holy Spirit. (Isa 45:5-8,12; Act 17:24-29; Isa 55:8,9; Act 2:22,23; 10:38)
3. Jesus the Son of God: Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, begotten of God Himself, to be His special servant, and the promised Savior. (Act 8:37; Psa 2:7; Act 3:26)
4. Jesus the man: Though he is the Son of God, Jesus was and is also a man, brought forth by God out of David's posterity, a prophet raised up out of Israel, appointed and attested to by God through mighty works and signs, but at the same time a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. (Act 13:23; 3:22; 7:37; Deu 18:15; Act 17:31; 2:22; Isa 53:3)
5. The sacrifice of Christ: God glorified His special servant Jesus, anointing him with the Holy Spirit and with power; and Jesus went about doing good and healing, for God was with him. The Righteous One was finally betrayed by his own people, and delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. He was despised and rejected, he suffered and was killed at the hands of lawless men, at the instigation of the Jews. Yet this Righteous One, God's servant, was being delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. In his sufferings he bore the grief and sorrows of others: he was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; with his stripes we are healed. It was the will of God to bruise Jesus: to make him a lamb led to the slaughter, an offering for sin. (Act 3:13; 10:38; 7:52; 3:13,18; Isa 53:3; Act 26:23; 2:23; 10:39; Isa 53:11; Act 2:23; Isa 53:4,5,7,10)
6. The resurrection of Christ: But God raised up Jesus, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. The prophet David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that he would not be abandoned to the grave, nor would his flesh see corruption. This Jesus was raised up by God, possessing the gate of his great enemy Death; of this all the apostles were witnesses. Jesus Christ was also exalted to sit at the right hand of God in heaven, as Lord over all, where he will remain until the time for restoring the kingdom to Israel, as God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets. His resurrection and glorification is God's assurance that He will one day judge the world in righteousness by this man. (Act 2:24; 26:23; 2:31; Psa 16:10,11; Act 2:32,33; 3:15; 10:40,41; Gen 22:17; Act 13:30,31; 2:36; 10:36; Psa 110:1; Act 7:55,56; 3:21; 17:31)
7. The mediatorship of Christ: Being exalted to God's right hand, Jesus has become a priest forever, in order to make intercession there for all transgressors, who have faith in him and pray to God through him. (Psa 110:1,4; Isa 53:12; Act 2:42)
8. The second coming of Christ: Christ will remain in heaven, until the time for restoring all things, including the kingdom to Israel. Then God will send him back to the earth, to make his enemies his footstool, and to send forth a mighty scepter from Zion. (Act 3:21; 1:6; Psa 110:1,2)
9. The resurrection and judgment: Christ will return to the earth to raise the dead. Both living and dead will be assembled to his judgment. Those who are unfaithful or unjust, who have not given heed to the word of God which he has spoken, will be destroyed. Those who are faithful will be reborn; they will be accounted righteous and will share an eternal inheritance with Christ. (Act 24:21; 26:8; 10:42; 24:15; 3:23; Deu 18:19; Psa 110:3; Isa 53:11,12)
10. The promises to Abraham: God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which is being and will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is Abraham's descendant: These promises include the blessing of all nations, and an everlasting inheritance in the land of Canaan for those who have faith in Christ. Indeed, the whole earth has been formed by God to be the eternal habitation of His people. (Act 26:6,7; 3:25; 7:2-5; 13:32,33; Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; Isa 45:18)
11. The promises to David: God also made a covenant with David king of Israel, which is being and will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is David's descendant: This is a steadfast and everlasting covenant involving blessing for David and his descendant Jesus, whom God will set on David's throne in Zion, to rule in the midst of the nations, and make the ends of the earth his possession. (Act 13:23; Isa 55:3,4; Act 13:34; 2:30; Psa 2:6-9; Isa 45:14)
12. Faith and baptism: In order to partake of God's promised blessings, men must believe the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ, and show repentance by forsaking their wicked ways and thoughts, and by turning to God and performing deeds worthy of repentance. By being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they may find forgiveness of their sins, and refuge with God. (Act 3:2; 10:36,37; Isa 55:6,7; Act 3:26; 13:24; 26:20; 2:38; 8:36-38; 10:43,47,48; 3:19; Isa 53:10; Act 13:38,39; Psa 2:12)
13. One body: All families and nations of the earth will be blessed on the same basis: faith in the Abrahamic covenant and faith in Jesus Christ, Abraham's descendant. God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. Gentiles along with Jews may receive forgiveness of sins and be sanctified by faith in Christ. All who are baptized into Christ should devote themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Gen 12:3; 22:18; Act 10:34-36; 26:17,18,20,23; 2:42)