About ACTS Church Bahrain

THE BIBLE

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is composed of the 66 books of the Old Testament (39 books) and New Testament (27 books). It is without errors in its original documents, and the only final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Scripture References: 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16a; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Luke 24:44; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:16b-17.

GOD

We believe that there is only one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, existing eternally in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one in essence, having the same divine attributes, with each person fulfilling distinct roles.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6a; Jeremiah 10:12; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; Nehemiah 9:6b; Hebrews 1:3; John 3:16; John 14:26; John 16:10; Isaiah 48:16; Acts 2:33; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 1:2; Titus 2:13; Acts 5:3-4; Philippians 2:9; Luke 1:35.

JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was sent by the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinful men, and all who believe in Him are justified based on His shed blood. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to his Father’s right hand, as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.

Scripture References: Philippians 2:6-7; John 3:16; John 8:54-59; John 20:21; Luke 1:34-35; Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:20-23; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 2:9; Romans 5:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 8:1; Isaiah 9:6-7.

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit as God, sent to give spiritual birth, indwell, guide, teach, distribute gifts, empower and bear His fruit in every believer thus enabling everyone to lead a godly life. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:2; Acts 5:3-4; John 3:5-8; John 14:16-18; John 16:13; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 11; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23; John 16:7-11.

MAN

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin man fell, and thereby incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are under the just condemnation of God. Because of sin, man is alienated and separated from God and unable to remedy his lost condition. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:1-24; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 59:2; Colossians 1:21; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-10.

SALVATION

We believe that salvation has been provided by God through Jesus Christ. Those who repent and believe in Him as Savior are justified by grace through faith, born again of the Holy Spirit, delivered from the dominion of darkness, transferred into the Kingdom of God’s Son, granted the gift of eternal life, and adopted as the children of God.

Scripture References: John 3:16; Mark 1:15; John 14:6; 1 John 2:2; Romans 3:22-24; Titus 3:4-7; John 3:6; Colossians 1:13; Romans 8:14-16; John 1:12.

SANCTIFICATION

We believe sanctification is the ongoing process of being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to another. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 6:13, 19; Romans 8:13; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:5-8.

THE CHURCH

We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the universal church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 5:30; John 17:11, 20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:41-47.

THE RESURRECTION

We believe Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.

Scripture References: Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21; John 20:26-28; John 21:4; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 20-23, 42, 44, 51-57; Acts 24:15; John 5:29; Philippians 1:21-23; Philippians 3:21.

MISSION AND EVANGELISM

We believe that every follower of Jesus Christ is mandated to be a witness in sharing the good news of salvation and be instrument to bring about transformation in the lives of those who respond to the Gospel in obedience to the Great Commission.

Scripture References: Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20.

MARRIAGE

We believe that God created man and woman as the only two genders and God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage. Sex is holy and to be enjoyed only between biological male and female to complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between a male and a female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:22-24; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:5-6.

PRAYER

We believe that prayer is communication with God as modelled by Jesus Christ. Every believer develops intimate relationship to God by prayer because it is a means to enter the presence of God, to worship Him and listen to Him. Prayer is directed to the Father in the name of Jesus and with the intercession of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References: Luke 5:16; Matthew 26:36; John 16:23; John 14:14; Romans 8:26.

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

We believe God is the creator of human being according to His image and His workmanship. We believe that the commandment “Thou shall not kill” is a respect to the sanctity of human life and honoring God as man’s creator.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 2:10; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17.

SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent on a date undisclosed by the Scriptures. He will physically and visibly return to earth in glory for the second time to judge the nations and establish His Kingdom. This is the believer’s blessed hope and is a vital truth that is an incentive to holy living and faithful service.

Scripture References: Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31-34; Matthew 26:63-64; Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Hebrews 10:37; Titus 2:11-14.

FINAL NOTE

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of ACTS Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our pastoral team is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.