Apostolic statement of faith

1. The Bible: The Bible is the Word of God, directly inspired by Him in all its parts. It is powerful to instruct man in righteousness, and to accomplish God's purpose in those who believe. Neh 9:30; Isa 55:11; Act 3:18,21; 7:38; 2Ti 3:16,17; Heb 1:1; 1Pe 1:23-25; 2Pe 1:21.
2. God: There is only one God, the Father, who created all things. He is the Eternal King, all-wise and all-powerful. He has a definite plan which He will bring to pass by His mighty power. He desires that man might seek Him and be saved. Deu 6:4; Isa 45:6,12; 55:8,9; Eze 33:11; Mar 12:29; Joh 17:3; Act 17:24-29; Rom 11:36; 1Co 8:6; Gal 3:20; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 1:17; 2:5; 4:10; 6:15,16.
3. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the power of God, the means by which He carries out His will. It is not a distinct "god" or "person", but is part of the Father Himself. Luk 1:35; Act 1:5-8; 8:18,19; 10:38; Eph 4:4.
4. Jesus, the Son of God: God -- in accordance with His eternal plan, and in His goodness and kindness and grace -- manifested Himself through a Son. Jesus of Nazareth is that unique and holy Son of God, begotten of the virgin Mary by the power of God, without a human father. He is not the second person of a "trinity" of "gods", and he had no pre-human existence except in the mind and purpose of his Father. Psa 2:7; Isa 7:14; Mat 1:18-25; 3:16,17; 19:17; Luk 1:26-35; Joh 14:28; Act 2:22-24,36; 8:37; 10:38; Gal 4:4; Phi 2:8; 1Ti 3:16; 2Ti 1:10; Tit 2:11; 3:4.
5. Jesus, the Man: Although he was the Son of God, Jesus was also truly and altogether a man; he shared our mortal nature, with all its sorrows and griefs. Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; 53:3; Mat 1:23; Act 2:22; 3:22; 13:23; 17:31; Rom 8:3; 2Co 5:21; Gal 4:4; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:14; 4:15; 1Jo 4:2; 2Jo 1:7.
6. Sin and Death: The first man was Adam, who disobeyed God and was condemned by Him. Adam was responsible for bringing sin and death into the world. Gen 2:7; 3:17-19; Psa 103:14; Rom 5:12; 7:24; 1Co 15:21,22; 1Pe 1:24; Jam 1:10,11.
7. The "Soul": There is no consciousness or other existence in death. The "soul" simply means the body, mind, or life; it is not immortal. Souls die. Jos 11:11; Psa 6:5; 89:48; 146:3,4; Ecc 3:19,20; 9:5,6; Isa 38:17-19; Eze 18:4,20; Act 3:23; 1Ti 6:16.
8. "Hell": "Hell" means the grave, or absolute destruction. There is no eternal torture for the wicked. The wages of sin is death. Psa 16:10; 31:17; 37:20,34; 116:3; Isa 66:24; Mat 10:28; Mar 9:43; Rom 6:23.
9. The Sacrifice of Christ: Although he was of our weak and sinful nature, Jesus was enabled, through faith in and love for his Father, to overcome all temptation and to live a righteous and sinless life. His crucifixion -- accomplished by wicked men but according to God's plan -- was the means by which he was saved, and by which those who believe in him may be saved, from sin and death. God was working in the sacrifice of His Son to express His love and grace and forbearance toward all men -- not His wrath against them. Isa 53:5; Joh 1:29; 3:16; Act 2:23; 7:52; 10:39; Rom 3:23-29; 5:6; Phi 2:8; 1Ti 1:15; 2:6; Tit 2:14; Heb 5:7,8; 7:27; 9:12,26.
10. The Resurrection of Christ: Because of his perfect righteousness, it was not possible for Jesus to be held by death. God raised him from the dead and glorified him. Later Jesus ascended to heaven. Gen 22:17; Psa 16:10,11; 110:1; Mar 16:19; Luk 24:51; Act 1:3,9; 2:24,31; 3:15; 5:30,31; 7:55,56; 10:40; 17:31; 26:23; Rom 1:3,4; 6:9; Eph 1:20; Phi 2:9-12; 2Ti 1:10; 2:8; Heb 13:20; Rev 1:18.
11. The Mediatorship of Christ: Being exalted to God's right hand in heaven, Jesus is the only priest and mediator between God and men. Psa 110:1,4; Isa 53:12; Joh 17:9; Act 4:12; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 4:14,15; 7:24,25; 1Jo 2:1.
12. The Second Coming of Christ: Christ will remain in heaven until the time for restoring all things, including the kingdom to Israel. Then he will return to the earth in glory -- personally and visibly -- to fulfill the hope of all true believers. Psa 110:1,2; Zec 14:3,4; Mat 16:27; Act 1:10,11; 3:20,21; Phi 3:20; Col 1:5; Tit 2:13; 1Pe 1:13; 1Jo 2:28.
13. Resurrection: After his return, Jesus will raise many of the dead, the faithful and the unfaithful. He will also send forth his angels to gather them together with the living to the great judgment. Dan 12:1,2; Joh 5:29; 11:24; 12:44-48; Act 10:42; 24:15,21; 26:8; Rom 14:10-12; 2Co 5:10; 1T 4:14-17; 2Ti 4:1.
14. Judgment and Reward: The unfaithful will be punished with a second, eternal death. The faithful will be rewarded, by God's grace, with everlasting life on the earth, receiving glorified and immortal bodies. Deu 18:15,19; Psa 110:3; Mat 5:5; 7:26; 8:12; 25:31-46; Luk 20:37,38; Act 24:15; 1Co 15:13,14, 53,54; Phi 3:20,21; 2Th 1:8; Tit 3:7.
15. The Promises to Abraham: The promises made to Abraham, confirmed to Isaac and Jacob, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, require a literal inheritance in the earth for Christ and all the faithful, who are the spiritual "seed of Abraham". The righteous do not go to heaven at death. Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 26:2,4; 28:13,14; Psa 37:9,11,22,29; Isa 45:18; Mat 1:1; Luk 13:28; Joh 3:13; Act 3:25; 7:5; 13:32,33; 26:6,7,18; Rom 4:13-18; 8:17; Gal 3:8,16,26-29; Tit 2:13; Heb 11:8,9,39,40; Rev 5:9.
16. The Promises to David: The promises made to David, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, require Jesus to sit on David's throne and rule over God's Kingdom, which is the kingdom of Israel restored. Jerusalem will be the capital of this kingdom. 2Sa 7:12-14; 1Ch 17:10-14; Psa 2:6-9; Isa 9:6,7; 24:23; 55:3,4; Jer 3:17; 33:15; Eze 21:27; Zec 14:16; Mat 1:1; 5:35; 19:28; Luk 1:30-33; Act 1:6,11; 2:29,30; 3:19-21; 13:23,34; 2Ti 2:8,12; Tit 2:13.
17. The Kingdom of God: Jesus will be assisted by his immortal brothers and sisters in ruling over the mortal peoples in the Kingdom of God. This kingdom will result in everlasting righteousness, happiness, and peace. Finally all sin and death will be removed, and the earth will at last be filled with the glory of God. The earth will not be literally burned up or destroyed. Psa 67:4-7; 72:4,17; 115:16; Isa 2:4; 11:1-5,9; 25:6-8; 32:1-6; Dan 2:44; 7:13,14,18,27; Mic 4:2; Hab 2:14; Luk 13:28,29; 22:30; 1Co 15:24-28; Rev 2:26,27; 3:21; 5:10; 11:15; 20:6; 21:4.
18. The "Devil": The "devil" is another name for sin in human nature; it is not a separate supernatural being or fallen angel. Christ overcame this "devil" in himself by defeating the tendencies to sin in his own nature. Therefore he can provide us with a covering for our sins. Joh 6:70; 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:3; 2Ti 3:3; Heb 2:14; 9:26; Jam 1:14,15; 4:7,8; 1Jo 3:5,8.
19. "Satan" and "Demons": "Satan" is a Hebrew word which means an adversary; it is used about people and circumstances which oppose God's will. "Devils" (Greek "demons") are not agents of any supernatural "devil" or "god" of evil. In New Testament times, people who had mental illnesses or disorders were referred to as having "demons". Isa 45:5,7; Mat 12:22; 16:23; 17:15-18; Mar 8:33; 9:17; Act 5:3,9; 17:18.
20. Justification by Faith: Man can obtain justification, or righteousness, only by the grace and mercy of God, through faith in Christ. Man cannot save himself by his own works alone, no matter how good or numerous. Rom 4:13,21-25; Gal 3:26; Eph 2:8,9; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:6,7; Heb 11:6.
21. Baptism: There is only one true gospel, which cannot be altered. Belief of this gospel, true repentance, and baptism (total immersion in water) are essential for salvation. In baptism we turn to God, our sins are forgiven, we become heirs of the promises to Abraham and his spiritual "seed", we identify with Christ in his life and death, and we are born again in him. The sprinkling of babies is not true Scriptural baptism. Mat 7:13,14; 22:14; 28:18-20; Mar 16:16; Joh 3:5; Act 2:38-41; 3:19; 8:12,36-38; 10:43,47,48; 22:16; 26:20; Rom 6:4; Gal 1:8; 3:27-29; Eph 4:5; 2Ti 2:11; 1Pe 3:21.
22. The One Body: Those who believe the gospel and are baptized into Christ become "brethren in Christ", without regard to nationality. They also become a part of the "one body", with Christ as their head. God calls them His children, and they become partakers of His grace and love. Psa 103:13-18; Joh 1:12; Act 10:34-36; 26:17-23; Rom 8:14-17; 12:4,5; 1Co 12:12-27; Gal 3:16-29; Eph 2:16; 4:4,12-16; Col 1:2; 2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jo 3:1.
23. The Breaking of Bread: The breaking of bread and drinking of wine, in remembrance of Jesus, was instituted by him for his true followers. It is a means of affirming their status as members of the "one body" of Christ. It is a commandment to be obeyed whenever possible. Luk 22:19,20; Acts 2:42; 1Co 10:16,17; 11:23-29; Heb 10:25.
24. The Jews: The Jews are God's chosen people. Though scattered because of disobedience, they will be purified (after repentance and faith), regathered, and made ready for the coming of the Messiah. Jer 31:33; Eze 37:12,22; Joe 3:2; Zec 8:23; 12:10; Act 3:19-21; Rom 1:25-29.
25. The Commandments of Christ: All those who believe these teachings should strive also to live godly, Christ-like lives. This involves the keeping of Christ's commandments, and separateness from the affairs of this world, including its politics and police and military service. The commandments of Christ, including those of his apostles, are therefore an important part of any Statement of Faith.