CORE BELIEFS OF ALL FOR ONE MISSIONS
CORE BELIEFS
NOTE FROM THE ELDERS
In essential beliefs we have unity, in non-essential beliefs we have liberty, and in all our beliefs we show love and grace.
As a local church we recognize that Christians exist around the world who do not agree on every detail of doctrine. Our unity as a church universal is based solely on the person and work of Jesus and not on absolute agreement of other doctrines outside the atoning work of Jesus. As a local fellowship of believers, we at AFOM hold to the following doctrinal beliefs (some of which other believers do not agree with) and ask that all incoming members agree with following statement of faith:
ABOUT GOD...
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co- equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST...
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, while upon the earth, was God revealed in the flesh. He was both fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, was resurrected bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, and currently sits at the right hand of God. He is coming again personally and visibly to claim His bride, the Church, and will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:12-53:12; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 20:28; 26:37-39; John 1:1-18;1:29-34; 10:30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13;Hebrews 4:14
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT...
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) when they are saved to be used in ministry to others. As Christians, we seek to live daily under His control.
John 16:7-13,14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25;Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
ABOUT THE BIBLE...
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13,3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS...
People are made in the spiritual image and likeness of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. However, through the original disobedience of the first humans, mankind fell from His creator and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death. He became corrupt in his whole nature through an attitude of disobedience God calls sin. Because every person is marred by sin, all of mankind is therefore separated from God and without hope apart from salvation in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21
ABOUT SALVATION...
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
John 1:12; 10:28,29; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
ABOUT ETERNITY...
Each individual will exist either forever separated from God by sin or in everlasting union with God through forgiveness and salvation that is found in Jesus alone. To be separated from God is hell. To be in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places as the Bible describes.
John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15
ABOUT THE CHURCH...
The church (composed of all believers throughout the world) is the spiritual organism of which Christ is the Head. The church universal is a collection of local churches that have unity not in every detail of philosophy and doctrine but in a common head, Jesus Christ, and a common mission. The local church (a portion of the body of Christ) is an autonomous (self-ruled) group of believers who have organized themselves to do the work of God's ministry. The Church exists to worship God, disciple and care for believers, and to evangelize a lost world. The two church ordinances in which all believers are to participate are water baptism (by immersion) and communion. God has appointed and called elders in each local church to give ultimate oversight, direction, and government to that local body of believers.
Matthew 3:13-17; 16:13-19; 28:18-20; Mark 14:22-26; Acts 2:38; 8:38-39; 18:8; 20:17-18,28;Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter5:12
OTHER IMPORTANT DOCTRINAL BELIEFS
As a church we recognize that many who may join our church come from a variety of Christian backgrounds, and we will not all agree on every doctrinal belief. We do not ask for nor expect complete agreement on every doctrinal matter. However, the leadership of this church desires that every person coming into membership know some of the other important beliefs of the leadership of this church that will be taught at All For One Missions. Though we do not believe that personal agreement on the following matters is necessary for membership, we ask that no member create disunity in these matters nor use any positions of leadership within the church to contradict them.
ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
THE MIRACULOUS/SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The church was founded by, has been sustained by, and continues to grow by the power of God working graciously and miraculously through His people. God continues to work in the world today in any way He chooses – both in ways seen explicitly in the Bible and in unique ways consistent with the principles of the Bible but not seen explicitly. One role of the Holy Spirit is to empower every believer for service to others by imparting spiritual gifts for the building up of His church. All the spiritual gifts seen in the New Testament church are active and available to present day believers through the enablement and choosing of the Holy Spirit. None of these gifts have ceased to exist nor have ceased to play a vital role in the mission of the church. All of the gifts are important to the church today, but each will cease to exist when Jesus returns for His church.
John 14:12-14; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13; Ephesians 4:11-14
MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY
We believe that men and women can fully honor God with their lives through either marriage or singleness. Marriage was created by God as a gift to humanity, and it is a station of life that is honored, encouraged, and celebrated at AFOM as God calls us into it. As a covenant union between a man and a woman, marriage is designed to be an incredible picture of our relationship with Christ that is intensely sacred and holy. It is an intentional commitment and promise that is genuine, serious, lasting, and deeply loving. Those who are married are called to remain faithful and pure to their spouse physically, emotionally, and spiritually (avoiding all forms of sexual perversion and pornography), and to diligently resist divorce.
In conjunction with this Biblical view of marriage, it is God’s design that romantic relationships be strictly heterosexual, and that all expressions of sexuality be reserved for a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. While AFOM strives to create an environment that is welcoming to all regardless of their past and present circumstances, we do not support or condone a lifestyle of sexual immorality (including but not exclusive to living together, homosexuality, swinging, and open marriages). Those who are currently living an unrepentant, sexually immoral lifestyle or other immoral activities are invited to participate at AFOM, but they must also understand they cannot become a member and will be encouraged and challenged towards the healing and freedom Jesus provides.
Gen. 2:24-25; Matt. 19:1-6; Eph. 5:22-31; Gen 19:1–11; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:26–27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim 1:8-10