Avon Community Church Statement Of Faith
(Articles VI -IX
)
We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8-9) through personal faith in the substitutionary work of Christ (Matt. 20:28; I Pet. 2:24). No human effort, no personal integrity, no church relationship, nor any human institution can justify a man in the sight of God. (Isa. 64:6; Jn. 3:5; I Pet. 1:18-19, 23). Proclamation of the gospel of Divine grace is a test of orthodoxy (Gal. 1:6-12).
God has given sufficient basis for the assurance of His saints as to their salvation and relationship to Him. This assurance finds it basis in the Scripture promises, the integrity and perfection of God, the character of the written revelation of God, and the inner assurance of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:16; II Cor. 5:1; Heb. 10:22; I Jn. 5:9-12)/ The redeemed are kept by God's power, Habitual sin must be disciplined and God has authority to chasten His own (Jn. 6:27-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; I Cor. 11:27-32; Heb. 12:5-11).
God intends for His children to live daily in a holy manner before Him. A separated and dedicated life is evidence of Biblical faith or belief. The Christian must allow his life to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and his Spirit-controlled life will be a means of bringing glory to God and a testimony to man. The Christian must make every effort to live above reproach. (Rom. 6:11-13; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 4:22-24).
Judgment for the sin of believers took place on the cross (Jn. 5:24; Heb. 10:10). Believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ in order to be recompensed for their deeds in the body (II Cor. 5:10). Unbelievers will be finally judged for sin at the great white throne of judgment and sentenced to an eternity in the "Lake of Fire" (Rev. 20:11-15). God, who is righteous, must judge sin in order to fulfill His Righteousness.
We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.
Water baptism is an act of obedience to follow the new birth. It is the immersion of the believer in water as a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith and union to the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It is an outward symbol of an inward change and as such it identifies the believer with his Lord Jesus Christ. All believers are commanded to be baptized after salvation (Matt. 28:19; Rom 6:1-11).
The Lord's Supper is a memorial service in recognition of the death of Christ and its effect in the the life of the Christians. This ordinance is to be observed by the believer only and that after self examination. The Word of God warns of severe discipline for those who approach the Lord's Supper in an unworthy or irreverent manner (Lk. 22:19-20; O Cor. 11:17-34).
Article VIII - The Universal Church
We believe that all who are united by personal faith to the risen and ascended Son of God are members of the Church which is the Body and Bride of Christ, which began at Pentecost and is completely distinct from Israel. Its members are constituted as such regardless of membership or non-membership in the organized churches of earth. By the same Spirit all believers in this age are baptized into, and thus become, one Body - that is Christ's - whether Jew or Gentiles. (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 12:13).
The true Church is subject to Christ. All believers are spiritually united in the Body of Christ under the Lordship of Christ, who loves, cleanses, and nourishes His Church (Eph. 5:22-32). Christ promised to return for His Church (Jn. 14:2-3; Acts 1:11). The universal Church is not a temporal organization and will not be visibly assembled until Christ returns for His own.
We believe that the local church is a congregation of believers, meeting regularly for mutual encouragement (Heb. 10:23-25), associated by bond of faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His law of love, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges granted it. The commission of the local church is to take the gospel of Christ to all the world (Matt. 28:18-20).
God has given specific and individual gifts to His saints, and these gifts are to be exercised to the end that believers are edified and unbelievers are reached with the gospel message (Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11-13).
Concerning leadership in the local church, two offices are described. The office of overseer, bishop, or elder is to be held by a man of proven spiritual leadership ability. It suggest leadership by the communication of God's Word through life example and teaching (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). The office of deacon is one of spiritual service and support (I Tim. 3:8-13).
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