What we believe at Beals ACC

THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

The Bible, as originally written, containing the books of the Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God.  Being fully God-breathed, the Bible as a whole and in all its parts is true containing nothing erroneous, false, or misleading.  The words of Scripture, as originally written by the human writers are the very words of God.  These writers were prepared by the providence of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, without the suppression or subversion of their God-given skills, knowledge, or insight in the writing of the Scriptures.  Therefore, as God's inscripturated speech, the Bible is true in all matters to which it speaks; in matters pertaining to salvation and ethics, etc., as well as in matters relating to cosmology, history, science, etc. The Bible remains the only trustworthy authority and guide for Christian faith and practice.  2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Matt. 5:17-19

 

THE NATURE OF GOD

1. There is only one God, who is self-existent and self-sufficient having life in Himself.  The true and living God, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, does not change but is eternal, transcending both time and space and is perfect in His knowledge, wisdom, truth, goodness, holiness, righteousness, will and power.  God as Spirit is a personal being without bodily parts.  Though transcendent and exalted above all creation, God is Himself the Creator and Sustainer of all things being present with and involved in creation.  Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 40:13, 14; John 5:26; Exo. 3:4-6 Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6; Ps. 93:2; 139:7-10; 147:5; Job 9:4; Heb, 6:18; Ps. 100:5; Isa. 6:3; Ps. 89:14; Dan. 9:14; Rev. 4:11; Eph. 1:11; Ps. 115:3; 33:11; Jer.32:17; 18:27; John 4:24; Deut. 4:15-19; Isa. 57:15

 

2. The living and true God eternally exists in three different persons; each of whom is a distinct center of self-consciousness and who share personal fellowship and loving communion within the unity of the Godhead.  These three unique persons the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, are one God equal in essential nature, attributes, power, and glory, with distinct and harmonious roles in the great work of redemption.  Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:6; John 1:1-18; 17:5 14:16-17; Acts 5:3,4; Eph. 1:3-14

 

THE NATURE OF MAN

Man and woman were created in the image of God for fellowship with God.  Through Adam’s one sin fellowship with God was lost.  Another consequence of Adam's sin is that all people are guilty of sin and inherit a corrupt and sinful nature.  The moral corruption of sin extends to every part of our personalities; in our corruption we continually sin; unable to change our preference for sin to love for God.  Because of our sinful state and condition, we deserve the just wrath and punishment of God.  Gen. 1:26-27; Jam. 3:9; Gen. 3:1-24; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10; Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. 15: 21,22; Ps. 51:5; 58:3; Rom. 3:9-12; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Rom. 1:18-32; 1.Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:3,4.

 

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

In sovereign and unconditional love, God elects and predestines in Jesus Christ those who will be saved from the guilt and power of sin to become His people.  God's election of a people for His own possession is not because of any attractiveness or worthiness in the elect, nor is God’s election based on who would believe the Gospel.  God's election is not the result of human freewill or strength but is a gift of God.  Eph. 1:4,5,1 1; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 8:28-30; 9:1-26; John 15:16, Acts 5:3 1; 11: 18; 16:14; 18:27; Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 2:25,26; Deut 7:6-11

 

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST: The Accomplishment of Salvation

1. God's plan of salvation was accomplished through the incarnation, obedience, death, and resurrection of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man.  Jesus is equal in being with God and through the incarnation and virgin birth, God the Son became a man.  Jesus did not cease to be God, rather He took on a human nature but without the corruption or guilt of sin.  John 1: 1, 18; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:3,8; Col. 1:22; Titus 2:13; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 21:6; John 1: 14; Gal 4:4; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Rom. 1:2-4; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5.

 

2. The Lord Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, is the perfect mediator between a Holy God and sinful men and women.  His work as a mediator is fulfilled in the salvation, which Jesus Christ accomplished for sinners.  Jesus did this once and for all by perfectly obeying the Law of God; by suffering and dying as a perfect sacrificial substitute for His people, thereby making full atonement for sinners, providing propitiation (the removal of God’s wrath) for sins; and by His resurrection from the dead, in which He defeated the powers of death and Satan, thereby putting into effect the benefits of His obedience and sacrificial death.  These benefits come to God’s elect, those that have faith in Jesus.  Isa. 42: 11; 52:13; 53:12; John 6:38,39; 10: 17, 18; 17:4, 5; Matt. 5:17; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 5:12-19; Heb. 2:17,18; Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4: 10; Heb. 10:5-7; 12-14; 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 20:28.

 

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Application of Salvation

The Holy Spirit is fully God; equal in being with God and Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is a distinct person within the Godhead, who for the purpose of salvation is sent by God through Jesus to apply the redemption accomplished by Christ to the lives of God's people.  John 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Rom. 8: 16,26; Eph. 4:30; 1 Cor. 12: 11; Luke 12:12; Acts 8:29; 5:3,4; 8:29; 1 Cor. 3:16; 12:11; Heb. 9:14; John 3:5,6; Titus 3:5; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14

 

 

 

EFFECTUAL CALLING AND REGENERATION

Through the sharing of the Gospel, God graciously calls people out of sin, causing them to be born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.  Regeneration results in genuine conversion, which is repentance of sins and faith in the person and work of Christ as Savior and Lord.  2 Thess. 2:14; Rom. 8:30; 9:24; Gal. 1: 16; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 2:9; John 3:3-8; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 John 4:2-7; 5: 1 -11; Heb. 10: 15, 16; John 1: 13; Ezk. 36:25, 26; 2 Cor. 5:17.

 

UNION WITH CHRIST

1. Having been called by God into union with Christ and through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, the believer is sealed for the day of redemption and God guarantees the sanctification and perseverance of the believer.  Eph. 1:13; 4:30, 1 Thess. 5:23; Phil. 1:16; Col. 1:10-12, 2 Cor. 1:21-22

 

2. God has called the believer into union with Christ by uniting them with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; thereby dying to the tyrannical rule of sin.  This reality for the believer is spoken of in Scripture as a transfer from one kingdom into another kingdom; from the rule and dominion of sin to the rule and dominion of God's Son.  The Holy Spirit indwells the believer bringing them toward holiness in thought and action.  It is by virtue of this faith/grace union with Jesus Christ that all the benefits that Christ won for the elect become theirs.  These benefits of grace include justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and future glorification.  1 Cor. 1:9; Rom. 6:1-10; 1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Col. 1:13; 1 Cor. 2:14, 15; Rom 7:22, Rom 8:29-30, Gal 1:3-5

 

JUSTIFICATION

As the sinner hears the Gospel, accepting it as truth and trusting in Christ for salvation from the wrath of God, that person is at that moment justified by God.  Justification by grace through faith is the very heart of the Gospel.  The basis of justification is the righteous obedience of Christ, which is given to the believer not because of what they’ve done or earned but by grace.  A sinner receives Christ's righteousness unto justification by faith alone in Christ alone.  When a sinner puts faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, God credits Christ's righteousness to the believer.  Thus the believer is judged and declared by God to be righteous in Christ and no longer stands under the condemnation of God.  Rom. 1:17; 3:21-30; 4:3-24; 5:1; 10:3,4; Gal. 2:16; 3:8,9; 5:4,5; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 5:17-19; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 8:1

 

RECONCILIATION AND ADOPTION

Because the wrath of God no longer abides upon the believer in Christ, they are reconciled to God.  This means God no longer views the believer as His enemy but as His adopted child.  2 Cor. 5:18, 19; Col. 1:20; Rom. 5: 1, 10; John 1: 12; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15-16; 1 John 3:1, 2; John 20:17; Heb. 2:13; Rom 5:3-5.

 

SANCTIFICATION

1. Though the believer no longer lives under the rule and dominion of sin but under the rule and dominion of Christ, sin still dwells within the believer.  The goal of the Spirit's work of sanctification is the removal of indwelling sin by slowly putting to death the believer's sinful thoughts and habits, bringing the believer into greater conformity to the image of Christ.  The goal of sanctification is holiness.  God has called His people to be holy. Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:13-26; 1 Thess. 4:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1: 15, 16

 

2. While God is the one who sanctifies the believer by the direct work of the Holy Spirit, this does not mean that the believer is passive in the process of sanctification.  God is working and the believer is to work in the power of the Holy Spirit, putting to death sinful thoughts and deeds, aspiring toward holiness in every area of life.  (scriptures of practical holiness: Matt 5-7, Titus 2, Eph 5:1-6:9 for example)  1 Thess. 5:23; 4:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13; Phil. 1:6; 2:12, 13; Luke 9:23; Heb. 12:14, 17; James 1: 19-27; 2:14-26; 3:13-18; 2 Pet. 2:5-11 3:14-18; 1 John 3:1-3.

 

PERSEVERANCE AND ONGOING REPENTANCE

1. Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, called into union with Christ, born again by the Holy Spirit, so they might repent of their sins and trust in Christ for their justification, will not only grow in holiness but will persevere as the saints of God until the day of Christ Jesus.  Rom. 8:28-30; Phil. 1:6; Eph. 1: 13; 4:30; John 10: 28, 29; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19.

 

2. Many people appear to have true saving faith.  However, not everyone in the church has saving faith.  The true test of whether a person has trusted in Christ is if they endure to the end, abiding in Christ and continues in the Word of God.  Matt. 13: 1-23; Luke 8:11-15; Acts 5: 1-10; 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 2:20, 21; Matt. 10:22; John 8:31, 32; 15: 1-17: Heb. 4:14.

 

3. It is by the power of God that the saints are shielded until the coming of Christ.  They are kept as they persevere in doing what pleases God and brings glory to His name.  1 Pet. 1:4, 5; Jude 24; John 6:39, 40; 2 Tim. 1:2.

 

4. Saving faith may be different in degrees from believer to believer, weak in some and strong in others.  Saving faith may be attacked and weakened, but it gets the victory.  Heb. 5:13, 14; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19, 20; 2 Pet. 1: 1; Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5; Heb. 6:11, 12; Col. 2:2; Heb. 12:2.

 

5. The saints must never view God's grace and keeping power as a license to live as they please.  This would be to presume upon the grace of God.  Believers are called to persevere out of gratitude and love for what God has first done for them in Christ.  Heb. 10:19-39; 11:24-27; 1 John 4:7-21.

6. No one is without sin.  Believers often fall into sins.  Yet God has mercifully promised that believers who sin and fall be renewed through repentance and confession of sins.  Eph. 4:22; Luke 22:31, 32; Acts 3:19; 2 Chr. 7:14; Joel 2:13; 2 Cor. 7: 10; I John 1:8-10.

 

7. Repentance is God’s grace, where a person is made aware by the Holy Spirit of their sin, and in Christ is humbled with godly sorrow and hatred of the sin.  Turning to God in prayer the believer confesses sin, seeking God's grace and the help of the Holy Spirit to walk again before God to please Him in all things.  Zech. 12:10; Acts 11:18; Ezek. 36:31; 2Cor. 7:11; Ps. 119:6,128.

 

8. Repentance does not remove our sin, that is an act of God's free grace in Christ, but repentance is so necessary that no one can expect reconciliation to God or assurance of salvation without it.  Ezek. 36:31,32; 16:61-63; Hos. 14:2,4; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 17:30,31.

 

THE PLACE OF GOOD WORKS

1. Good works done in obedience to God's commands, from a heart of gratitude for His grace in Christ, are the fruit and evidence of a true and living faith.  By them believers show their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify fellow believers, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of adversaries, and glorify God.  In this way, believers give evidence that they are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for them to do.  James 2:18, 22; Ps. 1 16:12, 13; 1 John 2:2, 5; 2 Pet. 1: 5-11; Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 6: 1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:2; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 6:22.

 

2. A believer's ability to do good works is not because of one's own strength or moral power but wholly attributed to the Holy Spirit.  A believer is strengthened to do good works by the grace they have already received, and by the influence of the Holy Spirit.  John 15:4, 5; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11, 12; Isa. 65:7.

 

3. We cannot by our good works earn God's favor because we will never be perfect as God requires.  We can never satisfy the debt of our sins.  However, since a believer is accepted in Christ, their good works are also accepted in Christ, because God looking on them in His Son is pleased to accept and reward the sincere works of the believer.  Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 4:16; Luke 17:10; Gal. 5:22,23; Isa. 64:6; Ps. 143:2; Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5; Matt. 25:21-23; Heb. 6:10.

 

THE CHURCH

1. The church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all people who have been called of God out of the darkness and the bondage of sin, being born again by the Holy Spirit to trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.  Eph. 1:23; 2:19-22; 4:15; 5:23-32; Col. 1: 18; I Tim. 3:5, 15; 1 Cor. 3: 18; I Pet. 2:5,9; 4:17.

 

2. God's church is an organized community with spiritual structure and order, cared for by the stewards and under shepherds who submit to Jesus Christ.  The officers of the church are responsible before God to see that the ministry of the church is being carried out.  The body of Christ (the church) has various parts operating for the good of the whole.  Each member is to faithfully do their God given job so the entire body is able to grow in the unity of the Spirit.  I Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 2:42; 20:28; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-31; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11.

 

3. The church is under the care of elders and deacons, who are responsible that the ministry of the church continues in an orderly and effective manner and that the saints are equipped in ministering and using their gifts for the good of the church and the sharing of the Gospel.  The entire church is given the task of ministry.  All members are called to make disciples in a lost and dying world.  Rom. 16:4; Cor. 16: 1; Gal. 1:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Acts 5: 11; 11:26; 1 Cor. 11:8; 14:19,28,35; Rom. 16:5, 23; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 2; Eph. 1:22; 3: 10; 5:23-32; Col. 1: 18,24; Eph. 4:12; 1 Tim. 5:14-17; Gal. 6: 1-10; Heb. 10:24,25; 1 Tim. 4:14; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 2:9; Ex. 19:6.

 

4. In order for a group of believers to be a church, there must exist both biblical order and life.  There must be the regular preaching and teaching of the Word of God in humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit.  This is how Christ exercises His lordship over the church.  The biblical ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion) must be faithfully administered.  This is how Christ visibly seals those who are his and brings comfort, strength, and hope to the faithful.  The ministry of biblical discipline and care should be dutifully exercised in admonishing, nurturing, instructing, and governing the church.  This is how Christ leads His people in wisdom and holiness, so that the church might grow into the full measure of Christ.  There must also exist a serious concern and effort to fulfill the church's mission to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a world lost in sin.  This is how Christ's kingdom power advances to the glory of the Triune God.  John 8:31, 32, 47; 14: 23; Acts 2:42; 17: 11; 20:20, 27, 28; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 3:2; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2; Heb. 5:12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 John 9; Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 18:15-20; Acts 20: 28-30; 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 13; 14:33, 40; 2 Cor. 2: 5-10; Gal. 6: 1-10; I Thess. 5:12- 15; 2 Thess. 3:6,14; 2 Tim. 5: 1; 6:2; 2:22-26; Titus 3:9-1 1; Heb. 13:17; 2 John 10; Rev. 2:2.

 

BAPTISM

1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament ordained by Jesus Christ to be to the person baptized a sign of one's fellowship with Him in His death, burial and resurrection; of one's being united to Him; of the remission of sins and of the new life that one is now living for God.  Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:4.

 

2. Those who profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ are proper subjects of water baptism.  Acts 8:36, 37; 2:41; 8:12; 18:8.

 

3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the person is to be baptized by immersion in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as a public profession of faith in Christ Jesus.  Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38.

 

4. Although it is a great sin to show contempt for or neglect baptism, a person is not saved by baptism.  Luke 7:30; Ex. 4:24-26; Rom. 4:1 1; Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47; Acts 8:13, 23.

 

THE LORD'S SUPPER

1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by Him on the night He was betrayed to be observed in His churches until the end of the world as a continual reminder and visible proclamation of His sacrificial death.  Taking communion confirms the faith of believers in all the benefits of their union with Christ, that they are spiritually nourished and grow in Him.  Taking communion also reminds them of the debt of love they owe the Lord and the union they have with one another in Christ.  I Cor. 11:23, 26; 10:16, 17, 21.

 

2. The outward elements of communion are the body and blood of Christ.  The bread and the cup are only symbols which represent the once and for all sacrifice of Christ.  I Cor. 11:27; I Cor. 11:26-28.

 

3. Those believers who come to communion in a worthy manner, taking the bread and cup do inwardly by faith receive and spiritually feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of His death.  2 Cor. 6:14, 15; 1 Cor. 11:27-32; Matt. 5:23, 24; 1 Cor. 10: 17.

 

DEATH, RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT

1. Jesus Christ's redemptive work accomplished the salvation of His people from the judgment of God and also from the horror and power of death.   John 5:21-24; 1 John 5:11, 12; 1Cor. 15:53, 54; 2 Cor. 4:11; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13.

 

2. At Christ's Second Coming, the end of human history will occur with the destruction of the heavens and the earth, ushering in God's eternal Kingdom.  Christ's coming will be unexpected and sudden.  His coming will not be in secret but will be visible and accompanied with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God.  I Thess. 4:3-17; 5: 10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2 Pet. 3:7, 10; I John 3:2; Isa. 2:10-22; Phil. 2:9-1

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3. Unbelievers will then experience the just wrath of God.  Mal. 4:1-3; Matt. 8:12; 10:28; 25:1-46; Rom. 2:8-9; 2 Thess. 5-9; Hebrews 9:27; 10:27; Jude 7; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8