Jude 1:1-4 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because we are living in the final days and Jesus is about to return for His Church that will be without spot blemish or wrinkle, we must all come to the knowledge of truth and contend earnestly for the faith as Jude writes in verse 3 of his epistle! As both a pastor and Bible Teacher the truth of God’s Word will be our priority at Abundant Life Fellowship! I have a deep love for the truth and therefore I will proclaim it until the Lord calls me home!

Those who are entrusted with overseeing the Church of Jesus Christ have a God-given responsibility to bring the flock into unity with the core doctrines of the Faith. If they are not doing that, but instead bringing winds of doctrine to bear on their flock, the Bible says this will cause disunity in the Faith. Those who do this are called “heretics” or the “divisive ones” in the Word of God. We are to reject men who cause disunity of the Faith over false doctrines after one or two admonitions. This is because if these people are left to operate freely in the body of Christ, it can cause the faith of many to be shipwrecked and even destroyed. This is what we are seeing happening today on Christian TV and in churches worldwide. This is all a result of Christians either not understanding the concept of “unity of the Faith” or ignoring it.

Therefore it is essential that we list our Fundamental Doctrines of Fatih supported by scriptures we will teach and put to practice here at Abundant Life Fellowship.

The Sufficiency of Scriptures
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We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Bible, “as it is in truth, the Word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). We believe in verbal, plenary inspiration in the original writings, and God’s preservation of His pure words to every generation (II Timothy 3:16, Psalms 12:6-8). We believe that the Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed. We believe God chose to record His words in the original writings commonly referred to by the early churches as the Received Text (Textus Receptus) and to preserve His Word for all generations forever. The Bible is our sole and final authority for faith and practice. 

The Godhead
 
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14). We believe that God created the entire universe in six literal, twenty-four-hour days (Genesis 1:1-27). 

The Person and Work of Christ. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; 7:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His finished work on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily and that He ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2).
 
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
 
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, indwelling all believers and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).
(II Corinthians 12:12; I Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:17-20, 14:21-22).

Satan
 
We believe in the reality of the person of Satan and that he and the fallen angels wage a spiritual warfare against the plan and purposes of God (John 13:2; Acts 5:3; Ephesians 6:11-12). We believe that Satan is a created angelic being who rebelled and tempted man to join him in rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Genesis 3:1-5). We believe his power is supernatural, yet limited; and that he cannot act without the permission of God (Job 1:6-12; I John 4:4). Satan’s eternal end is everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10).

Man
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We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; therefore man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26- 27; Romans 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12). The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image and is mindful of him, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. (Psalm 8:4-9; Colossians 3:9-11). We believe that the only marriage recognized by Scripture is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)

We believe that God expressly forbids intimate sexual activity to be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are perversions of God’s intended purposes and therefore, these acts are sinful. We believe that God forbids any attempt to alter one’s God-given gender identity by any means, including surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)
 
The Way of Salvation
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We believe that the clear message of salvation is “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). We believe that salvation is “by grace” plus nothing minus nothing. We believe that Jesus Christ died for every man and that each individual chooses to accept or reject the grace of God (Hebrews 2:9; I John 2:2). We believe that men are justified by faith alone and are accounted righteous before God only through the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; I Peter 1:18-19) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ conditionally forever. We believe that eternal life is the present possession of every believer (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 2).
 
The Church
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We believe that the New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission. The Lord is doing His work in this world through local churches. The establishment and continuance of local churches are clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11). We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. Christ is the only head of the church (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; I Peter 5:1-4). We recognize the ordinances of baptism by immersion in water and the Lord’s Supper as a Scriptural means of testimony for local churches in this age (Matthew. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Corinthians 11:23-26).
 
Fundamentalism
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We affirm without apology the doctrines frequently identified as the “Fundamentals of the Faith,” which include the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and immanent return of Jesus Christ.
We believe that a Fundamentalist is defined by their adherence to orthodox theology, and orthodox methodology, and will only fellowship with those who do the same. 
 
Biblical Separation
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We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God (II Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1, 2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
 
Dispensations
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We believe in the natural divisions of the Scriptures as a basis for study. (2 Timothy 2:15)
 
The Lord’s Day
 
We believe the first day of the week is the Lords Day. (Acts 20:7, Hebrews 10:24-25) 

The Return of Jesus Christ
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We believe the “Blessed Hope” of our Lord’s return is literal, personal, visible, imminent, premillennial, and pre-tribulation. Believers will be caught up to be with the Lord prior to the seven years of tribulation, and at the end of the tribulation period Christ will return with His Church who make up the Saints to establish His thousand-year reign on the earth (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; Psalm 89:3-4).
 
Our Eternal State
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We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13). We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:4-6; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment (Luke 16:19-26; Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:11-15).
 
Ecumenical Movement
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We believe that the ecumenical movement is a demonic attempt to unite all Christian denominations around experience to the disregard of biblical doctrine. It emphasizes love at the expense of truth. All fellowship should be grounded in doctrine. (Acts 2:42) It is a betrayal of the unity of believers based upon the sound doctrine of the historic Christian Faith. Its method of operation is subversive. Its concept of an ecclesiastical Kingdom is not supported by Scripture. We reject all cooperation with this movement. (2 Cor. 6:14-17)
 
Unchaste Conduct
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We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, beastiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife. (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:20-32; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)
 
Abortion
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We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
 
Civil Government
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We believe that God has ordained and created all authority which consists of three basic institutions: (1) the home, (2) the church, and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and are governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and has balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15)
 
Independent Church
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The New Testament church should be an independent church.  We are not affiliated with any man-made external organization be it a Convention, Association, Fellowship, or National Denomination. Our only Head is the Lord Jesus Christ and our only headquarters is heaven.  We fellowship with sister churches of like precious faith and practice and support missionaries sent forth by the authority of such churches.
 
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Bible Is the Authority
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The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. It is the final authority on all matters of faith, practice, and polity. The tradition of men, human opinion, false science, religious creeds, and popular opinion overrides the plain teaching of God’s Word. The Bible is inspired and preserved by God and carries His absolute authority. Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Autonomy of the Local Church
 
Each local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the church. Each church is autonomous, or self-governing, and contains all human authority for leadership within its congregation. No denomination, governmental body, or religious hierarchy may dictate the church’s beliefs or practices. (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 15:22-21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)

Priesthood of the Believer
 
All born-again believers have the privilege of direct access to God. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man. We need no other human agent or spiritual mediator. As God’s priests, we can study His Word, pray for our needs, intercede for others, offer worship, and serve in His work. Every child of God has equal access to their Heavenly Father.
(1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:9,10)
 
Two Ordinances
 
The local church is mandated by God to practice two ordinances. 1. Baptism of believers by immersion in water symbolizes sincere faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection with the desire to walk in the newness of life. 2. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, commemorates Christ’s broken body and shed blood giving each believer an opportunity for self-examination and rededication. These are not sacraments to earn salvation, but privileges granted by grace.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
 
Individual Soul Liberty
 
Every individual, believer, and unbeliever, possesses the God-given privilege of free will having the liberty to choose what to believe.  No one should be forced to believe against his or her will.  God speaks to individuals through His Word and His Spirit.  Every person is individually responsible to God and will be judged according to the beliefs and practices he or she freely chooses.  Freedom of choice demands personal responsibility. (John 3:36; Romans 14:4-12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
 
Saved Church Membership
 
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified with Him in believer’s baptism. Church membership is a necessary privilege for believers who follow Christ.  Fellowship, guidance, and encouragement of the local church family are essential for believers to maintain an unwavering testimony and a meaningful life of service. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12,18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 10:23-25)
 
Two Offices
 
Scripture mandates two offices for the local church: Pastor (Elder) and Deacon.  The Pastor leads, feeds, guides, and guards the church at the direction of Christ. The Bible terms “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” refer to different responsibilities for the same office. Deacons help the pastor care for the flock so he can give priority to prayer and the ministry of the Word.  The Bible gives qualifications for each office. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:1-7; Philippians 1:1)
 
Separation of Church and State
 
God established both civil and local church governments.  They have distinct responsibilities and operations. Neither should control the other. Believers in a free society should influence government toward righteousness, but should not make an unholy alliance for control, influence, or favors.  No government should interfere with the local church’s preaching, activities, and ministry. (Matthew 22:15-22; 28:19-20; Romans 13:1-7)