Fundamental Doctrine
The basic and fundamental doctrine of the Apostolic Church the Rock Aalst shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. ( Acts 2:4 )
About the Bible
The Bible is inspired of God. Literally " God- breathed" All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). Holy men wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them II Peter1:21)
Inspiration extends to all parts of the Bible and every word. While the human writers chose words that reflected their language, culture, personality, circumstances, and style , God guided the process so that each word would accurately convey His message. As a result, the Bible is infallible, inerrant, and the sole authority for doctrine and Christian living.
About the identity of Jesus Christ
God is a Spirit and such, Has always been invisible despite many old testament thophanies, (manisfestations or appearance - mostly temporary). God had never actually been seen. Jesus asserted that fact on more than one occasion.He told the pharisees in John 5:37 ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.Paul taught the Philippians that the invisible God (1) took on the form of man (2) was made in the likeness of men (3)was found in fashion as a man ( Phi 2:8). Isaiah prophesied it in ancient times, The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, that man would be Jesus the son of God.
He is the one God incarnate. " For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9)
" God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (II Corinthians 5:19).
Jesus is the image of the invisible God, God manifest in flesh, our God and saviour, and the express image of God's own person (substance) II Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13
About salvation
In the context of Scripture, salvation means deliverance from all the power and effects of sin, and it has past, present, and future aspects. A person can do nothing to save himself. No amount of good works or adherence to the law can save him " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast ( Ephesians2:8-9)
Salvation is a free gift from God, which man cannot merit, earn, or deserved. The atoning work of Jesus Christ has made this free gift of salvation available ,and the only way to receive it is to believe in Jesus and in the sufficiency of His sacrifice (Romans 3:24-28; 4:22-25
About saving faith
To believe on Jesus includes believing His word, and truly believing His word includes obedience . Faith is more than mental assent, intellectual acceptance, or verbal profession; it includes trust, reliance, commitment, appropriation, and application. We cannot separate saving faith from obedience( Romans 1:5; 2:6-10; 16:26 Hebrews 11:6-8
Faith is the means of appropriating God's grace. It is the means by which people yield to God, obey His word , and allow Him to perform His saving work in them. Saving faith then is (1) acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation and (2) Obedience to that gospel ( application or appropriation of that gospel)
About the gospel and the new birth
The gospel of Jesus Christ is His death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation(Corinthians 15:1-4). A person respond to the gospel , or applies the gospel to his life , by repentance from sin ( dearth to sin ), water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ (burial with Christ), and receiving of the Holy Spirit ( new life in Christ) Acts 2:1-4, 38; Romans 6:1-7; 7:6; 8:2
Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirirt, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)
About repentance
Repentance is a turn from sin to God (Acts 26:18-20). It has three necessary aspects: an intellectual change (change of views), an emotional change (change of feelings ), an a volitional change ( voluntary change of purpose). It includes recognition of sin (Mark2:17), confession of sin to God (Proverbs28:13; IJohn1: 9),contrition or godly sorrow for sin (Psalm51:17; II Corinthians7:10) and a decision to forsake sin.
With repentance comes the willingness to make restitution for past sins as much as possible (Matthew5:23-24; Luke19:8) Repentance is the first response of faith to the call of God. It is absolutely necessary to salvation.
Without repentance baptism is not effective, and without repentance a person cannot receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38 ; 3:19)
About water baptism
Water baptism is part of salvation (I Peter 3:21). It expresses faith in God by obedience to His Word (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41). The scripture mode of baptism is immersion in water, and only this method retains the biblical symbolism of baptism as a burial (Matthew 3:6-11; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:4).