ambassador bible fellowship
What We BelieveThis statement of faith is the one which unites us as members at our church and with other churches in the EFCA denomination. This statement is silent in some areas in order to allow unity in the essentials of the Christian faith and diversity concerning some of the secondary issues of Christian theology and doctrine.
“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ.”
These distinctives do not need to be held by all of our members (except the first two), but we want to be upfront with everyone concerning our doctrinal positions on those secondary matters of the Christian faith. Any member who disagrees with these positions is asked to honestly state their theological views, and if they disagree with these official positions, members are asked not to teach anything contrary to these views.
This “What We Teach” document does not supersede our statement of faith but rather it compliments it. This document is intended to provide a comprehensive picture of the theological positions held by the leadership of the church and what will be taught by the pastors, elders and teachers of Ambassador Bible Fellowship. All the theological truths in this statement do not have to be agreed upon by every member of the church, but church members must be united on the above EFCA Statement of Faith.
EFCA STATEMENT OF FAITH
This statement of faith is the one which unites us as believers at our church and with other churches in the EFCA denomination. This statement is silent in some areas in order to allow unity in the essentials of the Christian faith and diversity concerning some of the secondary issues of Christian theology and doctrine.
God
We believe in one God (Dt. 6:4; Mk. 12:29
), Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1
; Ps. 33:6
; Jn. 1:3
; Col. 1:15-17
; Heb. 11:3
), holy (Ex. 15:11
; Isa. 6:3
; 57:15
), infinitely perfect (Dt. 32:4
; Job 1:7-10
; Ps. 18:30
; 50:2
; 90:2
; 145:3
; Matt. 5:48
), and eternally existing (Ps. 33:11
; 102:25-27
; 115:3
; Dan. 4:34-35
; Jn. 5:26
; Acts 17:24-25
) in a loving unity (Jn. 3:35
; 17:24
; 1 Jn. 4:8
,16
) of three equally divine Persons (Jn. 17:11
; Matt. 3:16-17
; 28:19
; 2 Cor. 13:14
; 1 Pet. 1:2
): the Father (Dt. 32:6
; Mt. 6:6
; Rom. 8:15
; 1 Cor. 8:6
), the Son(Matt.3:17
; Jn. 1:14
; 3:16
; Gal. 4:4
; Heb. 1:5
), and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16
, 17
, 26
; 15:26
; 16:7-15
; Rom. 8:9
, 26
; Gal. 4:6
). Having limitless knowledge (Ps. 139:1-16
; 147:5
; Isa. 46:10
; Jn. 21:17
) and sovereign power (Jer. 32:17
; Eph. 1:11
; Rm. 8:28
; 2 Cor. 6:18
; Eph. 3:20
; Rev. 1:8
), God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself (1 Cor. 2:7
; Eph. 1:11
; 3:10
,11
; 2 Tim. 1:9
; Tit. 1:2
; 1 Pet. 1:20
; Rev. 13:8
) and to make all things new (Matt. 19:28
; Acts 3:21
; Rom. 8:19-21
; Rev. 21
,22
) for His own glory(Ps. 19:1-2
; Isa. 43:7
; Jer. 13:11
; Col. 1:15-23
; Rev. 4:11
; 5:9-14
).
God
We believe in one God (Dt. 6:4; Mk. 12:29
), Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1
; Ps. 33:6
; Jn. 1:3
; Col. 1:15-17
; Heb. 11:3
), holy (Ex. 15:11
; Isa. 6:3
; 57:15
), infinitely perfect (Dt. 32:4
; Job 1:7-10
; Ps. 18:30
; 50:2
; 90:2
; 145:3
; Matt. 5:48
), and eternally existing (Ps. 33:11
; 102:25-27
; 115:3
; Dan. 4:34-35
; Jn. 5:26
; Acts 17:24-25
) in a loving unity (Jn. 3:35
; 17:24
; 1 Jn. 4:8
,16
) of three equally divine Persons (Jn. 17:11
; Matt. 3:16-17
; 28:19
; 2 Cor. 13:14
; 1 Pet. 1:2
): the Father (Dt. 32:6
; Mt. 6:6
; Rom. 8:15
; 1 Cor. 8:6
), the Son(Matt.3:17
; Jn. 1:14
; 3:16
; Gal. 4:4
; Heb. 1:5
), and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16
, 17
, 26
; 15:26
; 16:7-15
; Rom. 8:9
, 26
; Gal. 4:6
). Having limitless knowledge (Ps. 139:1-16
; 147:5
; Isa. 46:10
; Jn. 21:17
) and sovereign power (Jer. 32:17
; Eph. 1:11
; Rm. 8:28
; 2 Cor. 6:18
; Eph. 3:20
; Rev. 1:8
), God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself (1 Cor. 2:7
; Eph. 1:11
; 3:10
,11
; 2 Tim. 1:9
; Tit. 1:2
; 1 Pet. 1:20
; Rev. 13:8
) and to make all things new (Matt. 19:28
; Acts 3:21
; Rom. 8:19-21
; Rev. 21
,22
) for His own glory(Ps. 19:1-2
; Isa. 43:7
; Jer. 13:11
; Col. 1:15-23
; Rev. 4:11
; 5:9-14
).
The Bible
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures (Matt. 1:22; 4:4
; 19:4
,5
; Heb. 1:1-2
), both Old and New Testaments (2 Pet. 3:15
,16
), through the words of human authors (Lk. 1:1-4
). As the verbally inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16
; 2 Pet. 1:20
,21
), the Bible is without error in the original writings (Num. 23:19
; 2 Sam. 7:28
; Prov. 30:5
; Ps. 119:96
, 160
; Matt. 5:18
; Jn. 10:35
; 17:17
; Tit. 1:1
,2
), the complete revelation of His will for salvation (Lk. 16:29-31
; Gal. 1:8
,9
; 2 Tim. 3:15
), and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged (Jn. 17:17
; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
; 1 Pet. 1:23
; Ps. 119:44
,45
,165
). Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches (Matt. 22:29
; Rom. 15:4
; 2 Tim. 3:16
), obeyed in all that it requires (Matt. 28:20
; 2 Thess. 3:14
; 1 Jn. 2:5
), and trusted in all that it promises (Rom. 1:2
; 4:21
; Heb. 10:23
; 2 Pet. 1:4
; 3:13
).
The Human Condition
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1
; 9:6
; 1 Cor. 11:7
; Col. 3:10
; Jms. 3:9), but they sinned when tempted by Satan (Gen. 3:1-6
; Jn. 8:44
; Rom. 5:12-14
; 16:20
; 2 Cor. 11:3
; 1 Tim. 2:13-14
). In union with Adam (Job 14:4
; Ps. 51:5
; Jn. 3:6
; Rom. 3:12
; 5:12-14
; 1 Cor. 15:22a
; 1 Jn. 1:8
), human beings are sinners by nature and by choice (Gen. 6:5
; Jer. 17:9
; Isa. 6:5
; Rom. 5:15
; 8:5-8
; Eph. 2:1-2
; 4:17-19
), alienated from God (Rom. 5:10
), and under His wrath (Rom. 1:18
; 2:5
; 3:9-19
; 3:23
; Eph. 2:3
). Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ (Act 4:12
; 1 Tim. 2:5
) can we be rescued (1 Thess. 1:10
), reconciled (Rom. 5:1
,2
,10
; Col. 1:20
) and renewed (Rom. 8:29
; 2 Cor. 3:18
; Eph. 4:24
; Phil. 3:21
; 1 Jn. 3:2
).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:21; 16:18
) is God incarnate (Jn. 1:14
, 18
; 1 Jn. 4:2
), fully God (Isa. 9:6
; Jer. 23:6
; Jn. 1:1
; 20:28
; Rom. 9:5
; Col. 2:9
) and fully man (Matt. 4:2
; Lk. 2:40
, 52
; Jn. 11:35
; Heb. 5:7-8
; 1 Jn. 1:1-3
), one Person in two natures (Jn. 3:13
; 10:30
; 17:5
). Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah (Gen. 3:14-20
; 12:1-3
; 49:8-12
; 2 Sam. 7:11b-16
; Matt. 1:1
, 17
; Lk. 4:16-22
; 24:25-27
; Jn. 1:41
; 4:25-26
; Acts 2:36
; 13:23
,32
; Rom. 1:2-3
; 2 Tim. 2:8
,9
)—was conceived through the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18
; Lk. 1:34
,35
) and born of the virgin Mary (Isa. 7:14
; Matt. 1:20
; Lk. 1:34
,35
). He lived a sinless life (Rom. 5:19
; Gal. 4:4
,5
; Matt. 3:15
; Phil. 2:7
,8
; Heb. 4:15
), was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Dt. 21:23
; Ps. 16:10
; Matt. 27:26
; Mk. 15:15
; Lk. 23:16
; Jn. 19:16
; Acts 2:27
, 37
), arose bodily from the dead (Matt. 28:1-10
; Mk. 16:1-8
; Lk. 24:39
; Rom. 4:25
; 1 Cor. 15:20
, 44-45
; Col. 1:18
; Rev. 1:5
), ascended into heaven (Lk. 24:51
; Acts 1:6-11
; Eph. 1:20
; 4:8-10
; 1 Tim. 3:16
) and sits at the right hand of God the
Father (Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1
; Heb. 1:3
; 8:1
; 10:12
; 1 Pet. 3:22
) as our High Priest (Heb. 2:17
; 3:1
; 4:14
; 6:20
; 8:1
) and Advocate(Rom. 8: 34
; Heb. 7:25
; 9:24
; 1 Jn. 2:1
).
The Work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative (Gen. 2:15-17; Matt. 4:1-11
; Mk. 1:12-13
; Lk. 4:1-13
; Rom. 5:18-19
; 1 Cor. 1:30
; 15:45
, 47
; Phil. 3:9
) and substitute (Mk. 10:45
; Heb. 2:16-17
; 1 Pet. 2:24
; 3:18
), shed His blood on the cross (Lev. 17:11
; Mt. 26:28
; Heb. 9:14
, 22
; 10:19
; 1 Pet. 1:18-19
; Rev. 12:10-11
) as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice (1 Cor. 5:7
; Heb. 9:23-24
, 26
, 28
; 10:1
; 13:11
, 12
) for our sins (Isa. 53:5-7
, 12
; Jn. 1:29
; Rom. 3:21-26
; 2 Cor. 5:21
; Gal. 3:13
; 1 Jn. 3:5
). His atoning death (Rom. 3:25
; Heb. 2:17
; 1 Jn. 2:2
; 4:10
) and victorious resurrection (Col. 1:13
; 2:13-15
; Heb. 2:14-15
) constitute the only ground for salvation (Rom. 4:25
; 6:4
, 11
, 14
; 1 Cor. 6:14
; 15:20
; 2 Cor. 4:14
; Eph. 1:19-20
; 2:5-6
; 1 Pet. 1:3
).
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:14). He convicts the world of its guilt (Jn. 16:8
; 1 Cor. 2:14
). He regenerates sinners (Ezek. 36:25-27
; Jn. 3:3
, 5
; 1 Cor. 12:3
; 2 Cor. 5:17
; Eph. 2:5
; Col. 2:13
; 1 Thess. 1:4-5
; 2 Thess. 2:13
; Tit. 3:5
; Jms. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3
), and in Him they are baptized (Mk. 1:8
; Acts 1:5
; 1 Cor. 12:13
) into union with Christ (Rom. 3:24
; 5:15-21
; 12:5
; 1 Cor. 1:2
; 5:19
; 15:22b
; 2 Cor. 5:17
; Gal. 1:22
; 2:17
; 3:28
; Eph. 1:4
; 2:12
; 3:6
; 4:32
; 2 Tim. 2:10
; 1 Thess. 4:16
) and adopted as heirs (Rom. 8:15
, 23
; 9:4
; Gal. 4:5
; Eph. 1:5
; Tit. 3:7
) in the family of God (Matt. 12:49-50
; 2 Cor. 6:18
; Eph. 3:14
; 1 Jn. 3:14-18
). He also indwells (Jn. 14:17
; Rom. 8:11
; 1 Cor. 3:16
), illuminates (1 Cor. 2:2
; 2 Cor. 4:4-15
; Eph. 1:17-19
; Phil. 1:9-11
), guides(Jn. 16:13
; Acts 15:28
; Rom. 8:4
, 14
; Gal. 5:16
, 18
), equips (Rom. 12:4-8
; 1 Cor. 12: 4-10
; Eph. 4: 7-11
; 1 Pet. 4:10-11
) and empowers (Acts 1:8
; 10:38
; Rom. 15:13
; 1 Cor. 12:11
; Eph. 3:16
; 2 Tim. 1:7
) believers for Christ-like living and service (Acts 6:8
; Rom. 8:4-6
, 12-16
; 2 Cor. 13:14
; Gal. 3:3
, 5
; 5:22-23
, 25
; Eph. 2:22
; 4:3
; Phil. 2:1-2
).
The Church
We believe that the true church (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:28
; Eph. 4:4-6
; 5:25
; Heb. 12:28
) comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone (Ps. 103:12
; Isa. 44:22
; Jn. 3:16
; Acts 16:31
; Rom. 3:20-28
; 4:3
; 5:1
, 21
; 8:1
, 30
, 33-34
; 10:4
, 9
; 2 Cor. 5:21
; Gal. 2:16
; Eph. 2:8-9
; Phil. 3:9
; Tit. 3:7
; Heb. 10:14
). They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-27
), of which He is the Head (Eph. 1:22-23
; 4:15-16
; Col. 1:18
; 2:19
). The true church is manifest in local churches (Acts 9:31
; 20:28-30
; Rom. 16:5
; 1 Cor. 1:2
; 16:19
; 2 Cor. 1:1
; 1 Thess. 1:1
; Philem. 1-2
), whose membership should be composed only of believers (Matt. 18:15-20
; Acts 2:41
, 47
; 14:23
; 20:7
; 1 Cor. 1:2
, 9
; 11:20
; 12:13
; 14:40
; 16:1-2
; 1 Tim. 3:1-13
; 5:9
; Tit. 1:5-9
; Heb. 10:25
). The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism (Matt. 28:18-20
; Rom. 6:3-4
; Col. 2:12
) and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29
; Mk. 14:22-25
; Lk. 22:15-20
; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
), which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer (Jn. 6:55-56
; Acts 2:38
; 8:39
; 16:34
; 1 Cor. 10:16
; 11:29-30
; Col. 2:12
).
Christian Living
We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose (Matt. 7:17-18; 12:33
, 35
; Heb. 11:6
; Eph. 2:10
; 1 Cor. 10:31
; Col. 3:17
, 23
; 2 Thess. 2:13
; 5:23
; 2 Cor. 5:17
; 1 Jn. 2:29
; 3:9
; 5:18
; 2 Cor. 3:18
; Tit. 3:5
; 1 Cor. 6:11
; Rom. 6:11
, 14
; 1 Pet. 1:15
; Phil. 2:12-13
; Heb. 12:1
, 14
; Rom. 6
; 2 Tim. 1:9
; Js. 2:17; 1 Pet. 2:24
; 2 Pet. 1:3-11
). God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially (Dt. 6:5
; Lev. 19:18
; Matt. 22:37-39
; Mk. 12:30
; Lk. 10:27
) and to live out our faith with care for one another (Rom. 12:10
; 14:13
; 15:7
, 14
; Gal. 5:26
; Eph. 4:32
; 1 Thess. 3:12
; 5:11
, 15
; Heb. 10:24-25
; 1 Pet. 4:9
),compassion toward the poor (Dt. 15:11
; Psa. 82:3
,4
; Psa. 140:12
; Prov. 14:21
,31
; 19:17
; 22:9
,16
,22
,23
; 28:8
; 29:7
; 31:8
,9
; Jer. 22:16
; Gal. 2:10
; Js. 1:27) and justice for the oppressed (Ex. 23:6
; Lev. 19:15
; Psa. 82:3
,4
; 140:12
; Prov. 29:7
; 31:9
; Isa. 1:17
; Jer. 9:24
; Mic. 6:8
; Zech. 7:9
,10
; Matt. 23:23
; Luke 4:18
). With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name(Eph. 6:10-18
), we (Heb. 3:13
; 10:25
), are to combat the spiritual forces of evil (2 Cor. 10:3-5
; Eph. 6:11
, 12
; 2 Tim. 4:7
; 1 Jn. 5:3-4
). In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people (Matt. 28:19
; Jn. 20:21
; Rev. 7:9
), always bearing witness to the gospel (Acts 1:8
) in word and deed (Matt. 5:13-16
).
Christ's Return
We believe in the personal, bodily (Matt. 24:30; 26:64
; Acts 1:11
; Rev. 1:7
) and premillennial (Rev. 20:1-10
) return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:31
; Tit. 2:13
; 2 Thess. 1:6-8
; Rev. 19:11-21
). The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God (Matt. 24:36
; Mk. 13:32
), requires constant expectancy (Matt. 24:42-51
; Rom. 13:11-14
; 1 Thess. 5:1-11
; Js. 5:8,9; 2 Pet. 3:10-14
; Rev. 3:3
) and, as our blessed hope (Tit. 2:13
), motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission (2 Thess. 1:6-8
; 2 Tim. 4:8
; Tit. 2:14
; Heb. 9:28
; 1 Jn. 3:2-3
; 2 Pet. 3:10-14
).
Response and Eternal Destiny
We believe that God commands everyone everywhere (Acts 17:30; 20:20
) to believe the gospel (Mk. 1:15
; Jn. 6:29
; 8:24
; 11:26
; 14:1
; 20:31
; Acts 16:31
; Rom. 3:22
; 10:14
; Gal. 3:22
; 1 Tim. 1:16
; 1 Pet. 1:8
; 1 Jn. 3:23
) by turning to Him in repentance (Isa. 55:6-7
; Lk. 24:47
; Acts 2:37-38
; 3:19
; 14:15
; 17:30
; 20:21
; 26:17
,18
; Rom. 2:4
; 2 Cor. 7:9-10
) and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:12
).We believe that God will raise the dead bodily (Isa. 26:19
; Dan. 12:2
; 1 Cor. 15
; 1 Thess. 4:13-18
; Rev. 20:13
) and judge the world (Ecc. 12:14
; Matt. 12:36
; 26:31-32
; Acts 17:31
; Rom. 14:10
; 2 Cor. 5:10
; 2 Tim. 4:1
; Rev. 20:12
), assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment (Matt. 25:46
; Lk. 16:26
; 2 Thess. 1:9
; Rev. 14:11
; 21:6
,8
; 22:14
,15
), and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord (Matt. 25:34
, 46
; Jn. 14:2
; Rev. 21:1-3
), in the new heaven and the new earth (Isa. 65:17
; 66:22
; Rom. 8:19-21
; Heb. 12:26
;27
; 2 Pet. 3:13
; Rev. 21:1
; 22:3
), to the praise of His glorious grace (Eph. 1:6
, 12
). Amen.
EFCA DISTINCTIVES
“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ.”
The EFCA is a believers’ church—membership consists of those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The EFCA is a believers’ church—membership consists of those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The EFCA is evangelical—we are committed to the inerrancy and authority of the Bible and the essentials of the gospel.
The EFCA embraces a humble orthodoxy in partnership with others of like faith.
The EFCA believes in Christian freedom with responsibility and accountability.
The EFCA believes in both the rational and relational, i.e. the head and the heart, dimensions of Christianity.
The EFCA affirms the right of each local church to govern its own affairs with a spirit of interdependency with other churches.
The EFCA is committed to a congregational form of government as stated in our Articles of Incorporation: “The Evangelical Free Church of America shall be an association and fellowship of autonomous but interdependent congregations of like faith and congregational government…” Strong pastoral leadership coupled with discerning and well-equipped Christian lay people can produce spiritual growth as well as significant church growth. While the EFCA affirms the right of each local church to govern its own affairs, we also believe in the biblical values of interdependence and cooperation.
We are a movement of churches committed to working with one another in order to fulfill the Great Commission in the United States and abroad. This is only possible when there are strong ties with other EFCA churches, with local district organizations and with the national EFCA ministries.