What a person or organization believes makes all the difference in the world. It is ultimately out of our beliefs that we act and make choices. To the degree that you believe something is to the degree that it will influence your life. Though each local church may basically have the same doctrines, how we understand and interpret them will affect who we are and how we minister. As such, here is a snap shot of what the Athens Prayer Network believes.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s infallible Word, written by men who were divinely and uniquely inspired, and that it is our supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. We affirm our belief in the verbal (to the very words) and plenary (to every word) inspiration of the Scriptures in their original manuscripts. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:2, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
The Trinity
We believe in one God, who is self existent, eternal and infinite. We believe that He, while being the same in essence, has revealed Himself as three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19)
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power and abounding in love. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 16:23-28, Galatians 1:3-6, Ephesians 1:3, 1:17-23)
Jesus Christ, the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten and eternal Son, born of a virgin, sinless in life, who atoned for the sins of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His continual High Priestly intercession for His people, and His personal and visible return to the world from heaven, according to His promise. Further, we believe that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 24:1-8, John 1:1-4 & 14, Acts 1:11, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 4:14-16 & 7:23-28, 1 John 2:1-2, Revelation 19:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Matthew 28:18, John 5:26-27)
Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, our helper, teacher, guide and revealer, who came to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, comfort and seal forever those who believe in Jesus Christ. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to implement Jesus’ work of redeeming the lost, and to empower believers for godly living and ministry. We believe that all Biblical gifts are available today and that He generously gives them to all believers, to be used so that the church is empowered to fulfill its purpose. (Matthew 28:19, John 3:5-8 & 15:26 & 16:7-15, Acts 1:8 & 5:3-5, 1Corinthians 6:11 & 19 & 12:3-11, Ephesians 3:16)
Man
We believe that God created man, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We believe that man was created to be lovers and worshippers of God and that it is God’s desire to restore this intimate relationship with us. Further, we believe that all men, because of our fall in Adam, are sinners by nature and by choice, and are spiritually dead. However, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”, and as such, those who believe, repent of their sin and put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are regenerated and baptized by the Holy Spirit, and their salvation is eternally secured. (Genesis 1:26-27 & 2:7, Matthew 22:37, Romans 3:23 & 5:12-21 & 6:23, Mark 1:8)
Salvation
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, and was purchased by Jesus Christ on the cross, and is received by man through faith apart from any human merit, works or ritual. We further believe that salvation does result in righteous living, good works and proper social concern. We believe that every person saved is part of the priesthood of believers, and can approach God directly, personally and confidently. (John 1:12 & 3:3-7 & 5:25, Ephesians 2:8-10 & 3:12, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Hebrews 4:15-16, Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:12-13, James 2:26)
The Church
We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the head. We believe that the local church is composed of regenerated, baptized believers, voluntarily united together for the purpose of evangelism, of equipping each other for service to Christ, of tending to one another’s needs and for the worship of God. We believe that the ordinances of the local church are believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that there is one Church and many congregations. We believe in the interdependence of local churches and the mutual submission of believers to each other in love. We believe that God gives the Church leaders who have authority under Him to lovingly and firmly bring their people into maturity and ministry. We believe in a global missionary endeavor in obedience to Jesus’ final command. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Ephesians 4:11-16 & 5:21, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 10:24-25)
Separation of Church and State
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, that each local congregation is to be self governing in function, and free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that both the Church and the State have God given authority, each is different in scope and responsibility and needs to be exercised in its appropriate spheres. We further believe that each individual is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life, and that each person is free to worship as God has put on their heart and should find a local church that matches their style. (Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Christian Conduct
We believe that the supreme purpose of each believer is to be a whole-hearted, risk-taking, lover of God. As such each believer is to love and glorify God in and with his life, that his conduct should be blameless before the world, that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and that he should seek the full measure of maturity in Jesus Christ. We believe that Christians are to be like Christ in word and deed. (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 1:28, 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Ephesians 4:1-3 & 11-14 & 5:1-2, Philippians 2:14-16)
Last Things
We believe in the consummation of Christ’s kingdom, the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the eternal existence of all men, either in heaven or hell, and the divine judgments, rewards and punishments. (Matthew 24:30-31, John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Timothy 4:8, 2 Peter 3:3-13, 2 John 1:8, Revelation 19-21)
