APWM Foundational Beliefs
The program of activities of “All Things APWM” shall be based upon and at all times shall be consistent with the following beliefs and statement of faith*:
The Scriptures Inspired:
The scriptures, both the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:22).
The One True God:
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternal self-existing “I Am” the creator of heaven and earth and the redeemer of mankind. He is further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:29, Luke 3:22).
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ:
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
The Scriptures Declare:
a) His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35)
b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22)
c) His Miracles (Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38)
d) His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
f) His exaltation to the right hand of the God (Acts 1:9, 11, Acts 2:33, Philemon 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)
The Fall of Man:
Man was created good and upright, for God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgressions fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-19).
The Salvation of Man:
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions of Salvation:
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7).
The Evidence of Salvation:
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12).
The Ordinances of the Church:
Baptized in Water: The ordinances of baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4).
Holy Communion: The Lord’s supper consisting of the elements – bread and the fruit of the vine – is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4) a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and is enjoined on all believers “Till He Come.”
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17, Acts 19:44-46, Acts 11:14-16, Acts 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Ghost comes such experience as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8) and more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost:
The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the Gift of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28) but different in purpose and use.
Sanctification:
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:23, Hebrews 13:12). The scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14) by the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13, Romans 8:1-2, 13, Galatians 2:20, Philemon 2:12-13, 1 Peter 1:5).
The Church:
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit with divine appointments for the fulfilment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the Great Assembly and church of the First Born, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23).
The Ministry:
A divine called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose:
1) The evangelisation of the world
2) The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20, Ephesians 4:11-13)
Divine Healing:
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-16).
Blessed Hope:
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints which is one blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27,30, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-14, Revelation 20:1-6). This Millennial reign will bring salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21-22, Zephaniah 3:19-20, Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalm 72:3-8, Micah 4:3-4).
The Final Judgement:
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 9:43-48, Revelation 19:29, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:8).
The Heaven and the New Earth:
“We according to His promise, look for the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:22).
Ordinances:
The ordinances of the baptism by immersion in water (Matthew 28:19) shall be administered to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed of the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls, and who gave clear evidence of their salvation (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12). The ordinance of the Lord’s supper shall be observed regularly as enjoined in the Scriptures (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
*NOTE: For those who are interested, our Statement of Faith declaration has been taken with permission from Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke’s foundational trust.
