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Ascension Life Fellowship Church
Statement of Faith and Practices
The following is a statement of our position of basic Christian doctrines. Note: There are certain basic Christian truths about which there must be agreement. On all other doctrines there should be LIBERTY. In ALL things there must be LOVE as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. It is our resolution to take an uncompromising stand on the essential doctrines of the Faith, and extend the right hand of fellowship to all who hold to them. It is also our resolution to protect the liberty of Christians to hold different perspectives on the non-essential doctrines.
Note: There are doctrines we may consider non-essential, but which are important. We therefore make known our belief on these, while presenting them with TOLERANCE toward those who may hold a different position. We are committed to truth and accuracy in doctrine, but also understand that one can hold right doctrines and still do damage to the body of Christ by causing divisions over the non-essentials. We therefore just as committed to the essential Christian character, believing that, in all things there must be love. As Paul the apostle stated, “The goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). That, too, is our goal and commitment as we promote the following teachings that we hold as truth:
On the Person of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Word (Logos) of God. The Word was with God in the Beginning, which states His pre-existence as one with God (John 1:1). By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth (Col 1:16), therefore making Him the Creator. Jesus Christ is the Purpose of God found in all creation. He is the Father’s delight and desire, and the Father is looking for the reflection of His Son in all created things (Heb 1:3). Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Rev 1:8). In the beginning, it was (and still is) the ultimate purpose of God for all things to be summed up in Christ (Eph 1:4-10).
Jesus Christ, Who pre-existed with God in the form of God, emptied Himself to become fully a man (Phil 2:6-9) that He might be the propitiatory (stand-in and only) sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Heb 2:17, 1 John 2:2). Through His propitiatory sacrifice made on the cross, all who believe in (trust in) Him and His sacrifice have their sins remitted (forgiven) and are restored to fellowship with God lost by man’s transgression (John 3:16, Rom 5:18-19, Rom 10:9-11). Jesus was born of a virgin, by the seed of the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20-23, Luke 1:35). His virgin birth is a testimony that only the Spirit can beget that which is Spirit. Those of the new creation are not solely of human origin, but are born from above by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 5:17, John 3:5-7). The resurrection of Jesus’ physical body after His crucifixion was literal (Matt 28:1-10), as will be the resurrection of both the just and the unjust on the Day of Judgment (Heb 6:1, Heb 9:27, Acts 24:15, 2 Cor 5:9-11).
There is only one God and one mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5). All who seek restoration and fellowship with God must go through the Lord Jesus Christ and cannot approach God through any work, person, church, spirit or doctrine (John 14:6). It is also a supreme presumption for any person or institution to seek to be mediator for others in place of the Lord Jesus Himself.
The apostolic commission was for His followers to labor until Christ was formed in His church (Gal 4:19), to present every person complete in Christ (Eph 4:11-16), and to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him (Jesus) in every place (2 Cor 2:14-15). When Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all peoples to Himself (John 12:32). We consider it the primary purpose of the Church to esteem and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in every way (Col 1:18). It is the focus and devotion of Ascension Life Fellowship Church to know and preach Him, and not ourselves (Col 1:28). We pray for the grace to continually respond to His call to return to our first Love (Rev. 2:4), and that we might passionately devote ourselves to pleasing Him in all things (Rev 4:11, Phil 2:13) while preparing for His return (Matt 24:42).
On Man
We believe that man was created by God from the dust of the earth (Gen 2:7), without sin or the knowledge of good or evil (Gen 3:22, Rom 5:12). The first man, Adam (1 Cor 15:45), transgressed the command of God (Rom 5:19), and as God had warned (Gen 2:16-17), the process of death entered him and all of his descendants because of that transgression (Rom 5:12-21). Therefore, all have sinned and are worthy of the sentence of death (Rom 3:23).
Because of original sin and our unrighteousness, we are unable to approach a Holy God, except through the atoning sacrifice (shed blood) of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-28, Eph 1:7). Through Jesus and His atoning sacrifice (Rom 5:1-2), we not only can come before the Throne of Grace (Rom 10:12), but we may approach it boldly (Heb 4:16, Heb 10:19) since our confidence is not in our religious performance and good works (Rom 3:23), but in the Lord Jesus and His atoning sacrifice. (Phil 3:3, Rom 8:1).
On the Atonement
Because all have sinned (Rom 3:23, Eccl 7:20) and are therefore under the sentence of death (Rom 5:12-21), all must trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Heb 9:22, Eph 1:7, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:2). There is no other way to reconcile with God or escape from eternal judgment, except through the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-26, Rom 5:8-9, Heb 9:11-15).
Those who trust in Jesus Christ have access to the Throne of Grace (Heb 4:16, Heb 10:19) by His sacrifice and by His sacrifice alone (Heb 7:25, Heb 10:11-14). Good works are acceptable to God, but only as a love offering given to Him because of His worthiness and have no bearing on our acceptance, standing or approval, all of which were accomplished by the cross.
Good works offered for the purpose of acceptance, standing or approval are therefore an affront to the cross by which all of these things were gained for us by Jesus (Rom 3:21-28, Rom 4:5, Rom 5:9, Gal 3:10-14). Good works are not offered for God’s approval, but for His joy and glory (Rev 4:11, John 15:8), and must be offered through the Son (1 Peter 2:5) in obedience to Him. Therefore, the goal of our service is obedience, not religious works (2 Sam 15:22).
On the New Birth
Believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and in His propitiation made for our salvation is a part of the regeneration and renewal process that constitutes our new birth into a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). Although this does not imply immediate perfection in our temporal life or lifestyle, it does mean that true faith will result in a radical change in us (James 2:14-20).
Being "born again" implies a new beginning, not an ending. Christian maturity in faith, truth and life is a process. Even so, this process must begin with spiritual regeneration or new birth (John 3:3). While it is possible to change our behavior without regeneration, changing our hearts requires the new birth, and it is our hearts upon which God looks (Rom 8:27).
On the Purpose of Faith
True faith is of the heart (Rom 10:8-10) and not just the mind (Acts 8:37). God's purpose in requiring faith for salvation is to raise our focus and concentration above the temporal to the One who is eternal (2 Cor 4:16-18). Therefore, the gospel that is able to save souls must be preached in the power of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:1-5). The gospel is not dependent upon human eloquence or persuasion that may change minds, but cannot change hearts.
On the Present Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that “Jesus Christ” is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8), and that His ministry in and through the Church by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit has not changed from the beginning. We accept, acknowledge, encourage and seek all of the biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:1-10, Eph 4:11, Luke 11: 5-13, 1 Cor 12:31, 1 Cor 14:39), including divine Healing and Deliverance (Matt 10: 6-8, Luke 10:19, Acts 4:29-30), as present and vital for the Church to accomplish Her full purpose today (Matt 28:19-20, Mark 16:15).
On the Authority of Scripture
We believe in the Divine inspiration and authority of the 66 books of the Holy Bible as the complete canon of God’s testimony to mankind. We are committed to esteeming Scripture as the very Word of God, inerrant in its original form. We do not accept any doctrine which contradicts Scripture (2 Tim 3:16).
We understand that there are many practices and doctrines that are considered orthodox, which do not contradict the Scriptures, but which are not directly addressed in His Word. We are committed to giving liberty in the belief and practice of these teachings (2 Cor 3:17), but we will endeavor to maintain the simplicity of the biblical testimony and its stated practices as we are given grace to perceive them.
We do not accept any spiritual experience as having its source in the Holy Spirit that does not have a precedent in Scripture. We do not accept any revelation, vision, dream, prophesy or discernment as truth, which contradicts Scripture, or cannot be verified by it. We do not believe that any other writings have the same authority as the canon of Scripture.
On the Lord’s Supper
We acknowledge the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus and as a testimony of our communion (common-union) with Him in His body, the Church (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:20-26). We consider it a holy ordinance, but we do not accept the teaching that communion is for the purpose of remitting sins, which Scripture testifies is based solely in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Heb 9:25-28).
On Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism should be by immersion and accomplished as soon as possible after commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our sin. This ordinance is a personal and public statement of faith (Matt 10:32), which is the ceremonial act of identifying with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. (Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38, Rom 6:3-4).
On the Church
The Church is the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27), the habitation of God through the Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the great commission (Matt. 28: 19-20). Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the Body of believers, and Church of the First-born, whose names are written in heaven (Eph 1:22-23, Eph. 2:22, Heb 12:23).
We also believe in and accept the Ascension Gifts (five-fold) ministries of apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, and evangelist for the perfecting and equipping of the saints (Eph 4:11-16, 1 Cor 12:28, Eph 2:19-20).
On the Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the literal, physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11, 2 Thess 2:1-12, Rev 1:7).
We believe that those who are alive and remain at the return of our Lord will be changed and caught up to be with Him in the air. Those who have died in the faith will be resurrected and precede those who are alive in being changed and caught up to be with Him (1 Thess 4:16-17, 1 Cor 15: 51-55).
We believe in the literal, physical resurrection of both the just and the unjust for the Day of Judgment (Acts 24:15, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Cor 5:10). For those who have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:28, Rom 5:1, Gal 2:16) and His sacrifice on our behalf, this resurrection is for Eternal Life in fellowship with God. Those who are not justified by faith in Christ Jesus are resurrected for an eternal damnation/punishment (John 3:18, John 5:28-30, Acts 24:15, 2 Peter 2:9, Jude 1:6).
Expressions of Praise, Worship & Celebration
Singing: (Psalm 81:1, Psalm 95:1, Eph 5:18-19) Dancing: (Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4, 2 Sam 6:14, Psalm 30:11 Clapping Our Hands: (Psalm 47:1, Psalm 98:8) Shouting: Psalm 35:27: (Psalm 47:1, Psalm 98:4) Making a Joyful Noise: (Psalm 66:1, Psalm 98:4, Psalm 100:1) Making Music on Instruments: (2 Sam 6:5, Psalm 150) Lifting Up Holy Hands: (Psalm 63:4, Psalm 134:2, 1 Tim 2:8) Laughter: (Psalm 126:2, Job 8:21) Thanksgiving: (Ezra 3:11, Psalm 69:30, Psalm 100:4) Speaking & Singing in Tongues: (Acts 10:46, 1 Cor 14:2, Eph 5:19) Banners and Flags: (Psalm 20:5) Standing: (Deut 10:8, 1 Chron 23:30, Neh 9:5) Kneeling: (Psalm 95:6, Eph 3:14, Phil 2:10)
