What We Believe

The Bible

The Old and New Testament are the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. In the Word we find the revelation of God’s eternal and unchanging will for men of all ages. It is the Divine and final authority for the Christian Life.

God

There is one God, the Creator of all things who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus

Jesus Christ is the union of God and man. He is True God and True Man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven and is presently seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit dwells, guides, comforts, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service. The fruits of the Spirit are evidence of a Spirit-filled life and indicate spiritual maturity. The gifts of the Spirit are different manifestations of the Spirit to build up the church, and they must be exercised in an orderly and loving way.

Man

Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, which resulted in his spiritual death or separation from God. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. This process of regeneration called “born again” in the Word, takes place through a combination of faith and confession. As a person makes the decision to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then confesses with his mouth the Lordship of Jesus in his life, a miracle of regeneration by the Holy Spirit takes place. A new Christian is born into the Kingdom of God – for him old things are passed away and all things are new!

The Resurrection

There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord and of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal punishment.

Evangelism

Every born-again believer is charged with the responsibility of going into the world, telling others the “Good News” and making disciples of all nations. The Church has been commissioned to do this and to support those who are sent out.

Prayer

Prayer should be a way of life for the believer. They should consistently pray with their understanding and in the Spirit.

Faith

Without faith it is impossible to please God. The Word tells us that the just (those who have been justified by the Blood of Jesus) shall live by faith. The redemptive work of Jesus provided salvation for the believer, as well as healing and prosperity for our spiritual, soulish, and physical man. We are redeemed from the curse of the law (poverty, sickness, oppression, etc.). Our lives can be prosperous and healthy in every realm as we walk in the light of this redemption by faith in God’s Word.

Ordinances

Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are not, however, to be confused with or regarded as a means of salvation. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds of justification and salvation.

The Church

The Universal Church is composed of all those who are born-again. Through this new birth we are united together in the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and has provided leadership for the local church through the ministry gifts, which only He can give. Every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.

Christ’s Return

The pre-millennial second coming of Jesus Christ is two-part in nature. He will come in the air to resurrect the righteous dead and catch away the living saints. He will then come to the earth to establish His physical kingdom, and begin his thousand year reign.

Abundant Life Church, River Falls, Wisconsin