ACWI Statement of Faith
The Holy Bible: and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority for determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, the Bible is inspired, infallible and inerrant (see Prov. 30:5; Rom. 16:25, 26; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21).
Trinity: There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus/Yeshua) and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal (see Gen. 1:26; Isa. 9:6; Matt. 3:16,17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; Heb. 3:7-11; 1 John 5:7).
Jesus Christ / Yeshua HaMashiach: Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for humankind and, thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory (see Isa. 9:6; John 1:1,14; 20:28; Phil. 2:5, 6; 1 Tim. 2:5; 3:16).
Virgin Birth: Jesus Christ/Yeshua was conceived by God the Father, throughput the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (see Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18,23-25; Luke 1:27-35).
Redemption: Humanity was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, it fell. Humanity’s only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ / Yeshua, the Son of God (see Gen. 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21).
Regeneration: For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (see John 6:44,65).
Salvation: We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ/Yeshua: His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human effort (see Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:16; 3:8; Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; Heb. 9:22).
Repentance: Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (see Acts 2:21; 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
Sanctification: Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (see Rom. 8:29; 12:1,2; 2 Cor. 3:18; 6:14-18; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1-3; Heb. 2:11).
Jesus’ Blood: The blood that Jesus Christ/Yeshua shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100 percent sufficient to cleanse humankind from all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (see John 1:29; Rom. 3:10-12,23; 5:9; Col. 1:20; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9).
Jesus Christ / Yeshua Indwells All Believers: Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to Him, thus making Jesus / Yeshua the Lord of their lives as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus / Yeshua accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead (see John 1:12; 14:17,23; 15:4; Rom. 8:11; Rev. 3:20).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Given at Pentecost, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. It was sent by Jesus/Yeshua after His Ascension to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth and follow Him in power. (see Joel 2:28,29; Matt. 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4,17,38,39; 8:14-17; 10:38,44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection and confirm the power of the Gospel. The lists of these gifts in the Bible are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters (see Rom. 1:11; 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-40; Eph. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:5-16; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 4:10).
The Church: The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the Body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (see John 17:11,20-23; Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23).
Two Sacraments: 1) Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38). 2) The Lord’s Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and juice (the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and to heal and reaffirm the original commitment to Him at the first Passover. (See Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12,36-38; 10:47,48; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-26).
Healing of the Sick: Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus/Yeshua, and included in the commission of Jesus/Yeshua to His disciples. It is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit (see Ps. 103:2,3; Isa. 53:5; Matt. 8:16,17; Mark 16:17,18; Acts 8:6,7; Rom. 11:29; 1 Cor. 12:9,28; Jas. 5:14-16).
God’s Will for Provision: It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to serve others. * Spiritual: (see John 3:3-11; Rom. 10:9,10; 2 Cor. 5:17-21).* Mental and emotional: (see Isa. 26:3; Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:7,8; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:11). *Physical: (see Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24). *Financial: (see Deut. 28:1-14; Josh. 1:8; Ps. 34:10; 84:11; Mal. 3:10,11; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; Phil. 4:19).
Resurrection: Jesus Christ/Yeshua was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. As a result, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected – they that are saved to the resurrection of life, and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (see Luke 24:16,36,39; John 2:19-21; 20:26-28; 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor.15:42,44; Phil. 1:21-23; 3:21).
Heaven: Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 5:3,12,20; 6:20; 19:21; 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:16; 1 Pet. 1:4).
Hell: After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels (see Matt. 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:8).
Second Coming: Jesus Christ/Yeshua will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (see Matt. 24:30; 26:63,64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Thess. 1:7,8; Rev. 1:7)
Israel: We as Christians are indebted and grateful to the Jewish people for preserving the scripture, that the patriarchs of our faith and ultimately our Savior come from the seed of the Hebrew people. We are ingrafted in to the rich root of Israel, (Romans 11:11-24).
We believe that Israel and the Jewish people are God’s chosen people. (Genesis 28:13). Israel is a blessing to the entire world, (Genesis 12:3, for His Glory, (Isaiah 43:7), and His witness to the nations, (Isaiah 43:10). God’s election of Israel is irrevocable. (Romans 11:28-29).
Our Charge: To pray for Israel and all her inhabitants. (Psalm 122:6). To be servants to our Jewish friends by putting feet to our prayers in action. To fulfill God’s call to the nations to ‘carry’ the Jewish people home. “Gentiles (nations) will bring your sons and daughters home, carrying them on their hips and shoulders.” Isaiah 49:22
To bless Israel spiritually through our love and materially through sharing our time, treasure and influence. “For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them in their material blessings.” Romans 15:27
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