The American Christian Association agrees with the core beliefs that unite us as followers of Jesus Christ.  Members must acknowledge acceptance and belief in the following core statements:

The Bible

The Bible, consisting of Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God delivered by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, all Scripture is authoritative, infallible, and inerrant.  All Christian beliefs should fully align with inspired interpretation of Scripture of both the Old and New Testament, with no other book, letter, or writing having the same value or authority as the Holy Scriptures.

(Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32)

God

There is one living and true God who eternally exists in three persons that are equal in every divine perfection.  These three persons, the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit, execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:5-6)

Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin, the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is depraved totally and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Salvation through Jesus

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.  He is both fully God and fully man and is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. He perfectly fulfilled the law and suffered and died by the hands of man for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, defeated death, rose on the third day, and ascended to His Father at whose right hand He forever lives to make intercession for His people.  Salvation granted through Jesus’ conquering of death and sin is the only way for man to live in eternity with God, and there is no further work required of man for attainment of salvation apart from placing Christ as the Lord of one’s life.  Salvation is open and available for all that accept Jesus as their Lord.

(Isaiah 53:10-12; John 1:1-14; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 3:21-26, Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 7:25)

Sanctification

Believers are saved into a life-long process of being made more and more like Christ which includes a progressive growth in the knowledge and understanding of God, good works, repentance of sins and a putting to death the deeds of the flesh, and a deep love for God and others. Because sanctification is progressive, no one will ever arrive at perfection before death, but every believer should be growing towards Christlikeness.  The effort to “ be holy as our heavenly Father is holy” is an effort that every Christian should strive to attain at all times in their life.

(Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:13-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:3-11)

Discipleship

We believe that it is the role of every mature Christian to “make disciples” of other younger Christians in order to sharpen their understanding of God’s Word and to empower them to take the gospel to “all ends of the Earth.”  Discipleship should be a priority for all Christians, and is best practiced through a personal connection with another believer or believers.

Mathew 28:18-20; Luke 14:27; John 8:31-32; Luke 6:40

The Church

The Church is the foundation of the Kingdom of God on Earth.  Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, which is composed of all of His disciples. Christians are to associate themselves into local bodies for the purpose of worship, work, and fellowship. Christ has given the authority to the Church for administering order, discipline, and worship.  God has laid upon the members of the Church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

(Matthew 28:18-20; John 10:16; Acts 20:17, 28; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17-18; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 18:15-19)