At “First Antioch” this is what we believe:
About God
Our Creator - We believe that there is One God (Ephesians 4:5-6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 42:8). God is the Father and Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1).
AboutJesus
Our Redeemer - We believe Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Word of God and He is God who manifested Himself in flesh for the redemption of mankind (John 1:1-5, 14). We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now our Savior and Advocate.
About the Holy Ghost
Our Sustainer, Power for the Believer - We believe that the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Christ, which indwells the believer to comfort, convict, teach, guide, and empower. The Holy Ghost aids the believer in living an overcoming life (John 14:16-26, Acts 1:8).
About the Bible
Our School Master - We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inerrant and infallible, complete and inspired word of God, and is the divine and final authority for all life matters.
About Salvation
Grace and the Gift of God - We believe in salvation through Jesus Christ. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and his resurrection provide the only means of justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. (Romans 8:10, Ephesians 2:8)
About the Church
Body of Christ - We believe the church is not a building of believers, but a body of believers. The church is a place of exchange, giving to and receiving of God. It is a place of reverence, worship and praise. We believe that Jesus Christ alone is the head of the Church and that the Church is built upon Christ. We believe the church is a company of believers who have joined themselves together in common shared biblical faith, doctrine, fellowship, practices and purpose (Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:42,46).
About Prayer
Access and Communion with God - We believe that prayer, communicating with God, is a privilege given to the believer to access heaven to worship God and obtain mercy, strength, power, and favor.
About Baptism
Identifier - We believe in water baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28;19), which identifies us with God. Water baptism outwardly signifies our confession and belief in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 8), which identifies God with us. God seals our confession and faith with the indwelling of His spirit (John 14:23, Ephesians 1:13).
About Communion
Remembering the price of salvation - We believe that communion is a holy and sacred ordinance that is reserved for the body of believers. It is a reminder of the price of our salvation and the grace of God. Communion symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
About Stewardship
Seed Planting - We believe that the tithe signifies our trust and commitment to God's word, which commits God to His word concerning us. We believe that tithes and offering are an integral part of worship, releasing the favor of God on our lives and in our finances (Malachi 3:8-12, Luke 6:38).
About Miracles
Signs and wonders - We believe that signs shall follow those who believe. We believe that God continues to perform miracles as evidence of His deity and in answer to the prayers of believers, and that He empowers us to miraculously cast out devils in His name, speak with new tongues, and lay hands on the sick causing them to recover (Mark 16: 17-18, John 14:12).
About Worship
Intimacy with God - We believe that worship is not an activity or event, but it exudes from a lifestyle of intimacy with God (John 4:23-24).
About Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
Giving outside what is inside - We believe that ministry is the selfless act of giving of oneself for the express purpose of benefiting something or someone else (Ephesians 4:11-13). We believe that spiritual gifts are used in the spirit of love to aid in effective ministry. We believe that spiritual gifts are for the edification of the believer and the Body of Christ (the Church). We believe that God's spiritual purposes and the edification of God's people are accomplished in and through the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophesy, unknown and divers' (different) tongues, gifts of helps, teaching, preaching and administration. These gifts are all useful for the benefit of the individual, the body of Christ and all mankind (I Corinthians 12:4-11).
