Avon Community Church Statement Of Faith
(Articles X - XII)
Article X - The Autonomy Of The Local Church
We believe that the local church should be indigenous, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. We are an indigenous church which is self supporting, self governing, and self propagating. The local church is free under the Lordship of Christ and within the guidelines of Scripture, to organize and appoint leaders for the work of service (II Tim. 2:2).
Believers are instructed to submit to the leadership of their local assembly (I Cor. 16:16; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 5:5; Eph. 5:21). Disciplinary matters which may not be resolved on an individual level, should be handled by the official local church body (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:6-8).
Civil government is of Divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, Magistrates are to be remembered in prayer, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 13:1-7; I Tim. 2:1-3; I Pet. 2:12-17). Civil government must not interfere with the spiritual service of the local church.
Article XI - The Final Events of History
We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to receive to Himself those who are His own. This event is the blessed hope of the believer (Jn. 14:1-2; I Cor. 15:51-51; Phil. 3:20-21; I Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14).
At the close of this age, a time of great tribulation will be loosed upon the earth. This tribulation will serve to purify Israel as a nation and bring judgment upon the Gentiles (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6:1-19:21). The tribulation period will be climaxed by the personal, visible return of Christ to the earthly scene to defeat His enemies, to abolish Gentile authority, to bind Satan, to judge Israel, and to institute the millennial kingdom. (Deut. 30:1-10; Isa. 11:9; Ezek. 20:32-44; 37:21-28; Matt. 24:15-25, 46; Rev. 20:1-3).
We believe a literal, earthly millennial period will be established upon the earth following the tribulation period. This millennial period has as its foundation the great unconditional covenants of the Old Testament - the Abrahamic (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:4-17; 5:9-18; 17:1-9), the Palestinian (Deut. 30:1-10), the Davidic (II Sam. 7:10-16, Ps. 89), and the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34). Christ will be the King of the millennial or Davidic kingdom with the nation of Israel occupying and exalted position within the kingdom (Isa. 11:1-11).
Article XII - The Final Resurrection And The Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. This bodily resurrection of Chris was the beginning of God's resurrection program; and the resurrection at the great white throne judgment will conclude it (I Cor. 15:19-26; 51-57; Rev. 20:11-15).
When the thousand years have been completed Christ will deliver His millennial kingdom up to the Father (I Cor. 15:24), and thereby will the eternal state begin. The new earth and new heaven will be the scene of this eternal state (Rev. 31L1). All the just will be taken into eternal bliss, all the unjust will be ushered to their just reward in the everlasting lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). The eternal state will be the fulfillment of God's purpose and plan which has its goal the glory of God (Eph. 1:5-15; Phil. 1:23).
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Adopted as the official Statement of Faith for Avon Community Church at the mid-year congregational meeting held March 4, 1984. Passed by unanimous vote.
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