Introduction

We tried to make AE as open to all people as possible, so that Christians and non-Christians could dialogue about issues of eternity. One purpose of a Statement of Faith is so that Christians can recognize the sound nature of a particular entity to be recognized within the community as orthodox and genuine.

We hope that this statement sets ourselves apart from heterodox entities that deny these points of doctrine, revealing themselves to actually be outside of the Christian community. By this statement we foster the safety of the Christian community that uses AE and protect really the accuracy of the message transmitted to non-Christians from the Christian community at AE, showing also the cohesiveness of the Christian community.

We also hope that the wording of the points comprising the statement of faith are firm enough that persons from a different religion or faith than Christianity cannot affirm them, yet loose enough so that all Christians from throughout the Body of Christ may affirm this statement and feel comfortable residing at AE. We hope that by this openness to state and affirm what we believe we can gain your trust.

We believe

1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
2. That there is but one true God in all existence, in all places, and in all time, who is the Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons. God is a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ is presently true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
4. That Jesus will return bodily to this world to fulfill His ministry and calling as God and Lord.
5. That the Holy Spirit, like the Father and the Son, has a will, can grieve, love, hate, and is worthy of all worship and honor.
6. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict men, regenerate the sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
7. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost; and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. Further, that we have fellowship with other believers and not with the lost.
8. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation for all people. This justification and salvation is obtained by grace through faith alone 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.
9. 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 or necessary for salvation.
10. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head.
11. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment which will not end.
12. That the Lord and God possesses an exhaustive foreknowledge of all things potential as well as actual and that there is nothing God does not know.
13. That abortion and homosexuality are sins, as are adultery, pedophilia and bestiality.

If there are still any concerns or doubts after reading this statement, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss them.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3