Foundational Truths
The following are the core beliefs of The Avenue Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
God is the all knowing, all powerful, ever present creator of the universe. (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Matthew 19:26, 1 John 3:20)
- God is the one and only true and living God. (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1-2, Romans 1:18-20)
- God eternally exists in three inseparable persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct in function, yet equal in substance. (Genesis 1:26, John 1:1-2, Philippians 2:6-11)
- God's character consists of attributes both unshared with his creation, such as his eternal nature, and shared with his creation, such as mercy. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 102:25-27, Psalm 103:8, 1 Corinthians 15:10a)
- God is deserving of creation’s worship and obedience. All creation is totally dependent upon Him. (Psalm 19, Psalm 148, Revelation 4:11)
Jesus is the Son of God, Savior of man, and Lord of all. (Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 4:15)
- Jesus is fully man, yet received a sinless nature and lived a sinless life. (Luke 1:35, Luke 2:40, John 15:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 4:4-5)
- Jesus is fully eternal God, yet humbled himself in obedience to the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20)
- Jesus demonstrated His obedience to the Father and love for mankind by dying on the cross, bearing the wrath of the Father against sinful man. (John 3:16, Romans 3:25, Colossians 1:13-14, 21-23)
- Jesus rose bodily from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for His own. (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-53, John 20:1-21:25, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 7:25)
- Jesus will return to redeem the church and execute final judgment. (Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:31-46, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 20:11-15)
The Holy Spirit manifests God’s active presence in the world. (Genesis 1:2, Acts 2:1-4)
- The Holy Spirit secures every Christian until Christ returns. (Romans 8:23, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5)
- The Holy Spirit empowers for service. (1 Samuel 16:13, Acts 1:8, Romans 15:18-19)
- The Holy Spirit convicts and purifies of sin among believers and non-believers alike. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Titus 3:5)
- The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s will to His people and is always verified through scripture. (Romans 8:4 & 14, Galatians 5:16-18)
People are created in God’s image and for His glory, but are separated from God by their sin. (Genesis 1:26, Ephesians 2:1)
- People are the crowning work of God’s creation and are designed to enjoy a relationship with Him. (Genesis 1:27)
- People are born with a sin nature as a result of Adam’s sin, and are born into an environment inclined toward sin. (Romans 5:12-21)
- People are unable to escape the wrath of God on their own. (Romans 3:23)
- People’s inherited sin nature brings physical death, spiritual condemnation and eternal judgment in hell. (Romans 6:23)
Salvation is a free gift from God that cannot be earned. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Salvation requires repentance of sin through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)
- Salvation begins with the confession of Christ alone as Lord, and belief in His death and resurrection. (Romans 10:9-10)
- Salvation is the ongoing surrender of one’s life to the Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:1-27)
- Salvation comes to fruition in the eternal dwelling with God. (Revelation 22)
The Bible is the written Word of God, testifying to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16, John 1:14)
- The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by men. (Luke 1:1-3, John 14:26, Rev. 2:1)
- The Bible is inerrant and authoritative as God’s revelation. (Psalm 12:6, Psalm 119:96, Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 24:35, 1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:15)
- The Bible is sufficient for all matters of belief and behavior. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Peter 1:23)
The Church is God’s people, partnering in God’s redemptive mission. (Ephesians 3:10-11)
- The Church is discipleship pursued in Christian community. (Colossians 2:1-5)
- The Church is the visible and verbal expression of the gospel in the world. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
- The Church is governed by Christ and practices the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
- The Church is the body of Christ expressed as local congregations and as a universal community. (Ephesians 3:1-13)
The Great Commission is the responsibility of all believers to share their faith with others. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- The Great Commission is about making disciples, which is the full commitment of one’s life to Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- The Great Commission is empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
- The Great Commission is to be followed locally, regionally, and globally. (Acts 1:8)
As a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, The Avenue Church adheres to the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000. This confession of faith can be found here: BFM 2000.