WHAT WE BELIEVE
What We Believe
We believe the most important decision an individual can make is the choice they make concerning the salvation of their soul.
Mark 8:36-KJV
[36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
We believe and adhere to the scriptures and what we know as the Bible or the accepted canon (rule)— both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Sixty-six books were accepted by the early church Fathers and obviously still applicable and working today.
When a home is built, the foundation is started initially, and then the rest goes from there—as do we concerning the nature of God and other salvivic doctrine.
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Ephesians 2:19-20 KJV
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
The apostles and prophets represent both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
On an understandable and elementary level, The Old Testament introduced the nature of God.
Foundational verses from the Testament are found below:
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Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV
[4] Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord :
[5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Isaiah 44:6 KJV
[6] Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
The Old Testament clearly establishes the oneness of God and is the foundation for doctrinal belief. In the New Testament, Jesus declares “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 22:13 KJV).
Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:10-11 KJV).
We understand and believe that JESUS is that ONE Old Testament God in his human experience.
Colossians 2:8-9 KJV states, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
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How important is it that we understand that JESUS is the almighty God in his human experience? -Or the “I AM” of the Old Testament.
John 8:24 KJV
[24] I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM-he, ye shall die in your sins.
The -I AM- is a revelatory moment of the Old Testament as God reveals to Moses what he should tell the children of Israel.
Exodus 3:13-14 KJV
[13] And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
So, we see through scripture the salvific importance placed on believing that Jesus is the Almighty God in his human experience.
John 8:24 KJV
[24] I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM-he, ye shall die in your sins.
It behoved him to be made like humanity!
Hebrews 2:17 KJV
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Moses foretold of this!
Deuteronomy 18:15 KJV
[15] The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;(listen and obey)
Jesus showed us the way, not only declaring, but leading by example even to the elements of baptisms.
Matthew 3:13-15 KJV
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
[14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus established the sonship- the relationship we have with him as sons to the Father. He led by example.
Hebrews 5:8-9 KJV
[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him;
Our lot is to —Hearken—Listen and OBEY Jesus. Not only did he show us in the baptism with John, he declared it to Nicodemus that came to him by night.
John 3:1-8 KJV
[1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
[2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus knew things about the Kingdom of God, but it didn’t matter how much he knew; Jesus told Nicodemus unless a man is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
BORN AGAIN—
How? By Water and Spirit—
This is forever settled—
Matthew 24:35 KJV
[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
EVERYTHING JESUS SAID—
We understand that JESUS taught on many things and none of them are without significance, and we teach on all these things at EASTWIND APOSTOLIC. This is an introduction of what we believe starting with the MOST important “the Saving of the soul,” and we willingly teach and apply all the Words of Jesus by his help and Grace.
Jesus said search the scriptures (The Old Testament).
John 5:39 KJV
[39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Another foundational message JESUS preached was repentance, a type of (death) dying out to ourselves, sin, and to this present world.
Matthew 4:16-17 KJV
[16] The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (another old testament fulfillment: Isaiah 9:1-2)
[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
We believe what JESUS taught:
1. Repentance
2. Water baptism
3. The infilling of the Spirit
The message hasn’t changed.
This message might be out of style but it's still in order.
To Hearken (listen and obey). As free moral agents, we must be willing to repent and go on to be born again— of the water and Spirit.
This in essence is believing and obeying the Gospel. The death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Pertinent Scripture
As he died for our sins—we die out to our sins. We repent. (Roman’s 6:6 KJV)
As he was buried—we are buried with him in water baptism. (Colossians 2:12 KJV)
As he rose—so we rise to walk in the newness of life. (Romans 6:4 KJV)
All of these elements are salvific and absolutely necessary to the saving of the soul.
We believe ALL the WAY.
Hebrews 10:39 KJV
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Remember Ephesians 2:20 KJV
The household of God is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
We have heard from the Old Testament prophets and even JESUS himself concerning salvation.
What about the Apostles? Did they HEARKEN (listen and obey) Jesus? Of the twelve of Jesus’ disciples (apostles) originally picked, Simon Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven by JESUS Christ in the days of his humanity before Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected.
Matthew 16:18-19 KJV
[18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
[19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
We see after the death, burial, and the resurrection Simon Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost- HEARKENING unto the words of Jesus. We also see the other eleven apostles standing in agreement with Simon Peter when he preached to the crowd gathered because of what they seen and heard— on the day of Pentecost when the CHURCH was born.
Acts 2:1-4 KJV
[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:12-14
[12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
[13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and HEARKEN to my words:
PETER PREACHED and then the crowd was convicted and asked, what shall we do?
Acts 2:36-38 KJV
[35] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Since the question is still the same— the answer is still the same.
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Gospel is good news and should be believed and obeyed.
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REPENT—BORN OF WATER— BORN of the SPIRIT.
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DEATH — BURIAL — RESURRECTION
REPENT— be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ —receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
The Church of Jesus Christ was born in Acts and continued through its twenty-eight chapters and is still continuing today. There is no “Amen” on the book of Acts. It is still happening today!
In the book of Acts we see real live preaching, baptisms, and healings that continued doctrinally in what Jesus taught and gave his disciples. We see people repenting of their sins, being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the Spirit of Jesus Christ with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Jesus said this would happen when someone was born of the Spirit and they did and still do!
Prophecy of JESUS in the days of his Flesh:
John 3:8 KJV
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 7:38-39 KJV
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Fulfillment of his Word in the book of Acts after the ascension of JESUS:
Acts 2:4 KJV
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Fulfillment of his Word in the books of Acts for the Gentiles after the ascension of JESUS:
Acts 10:44-46 KJV
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
How did the Simon Peter and the brethren that were with him know Cornelius and his household had received the Spirit? For they heard them speak with tongues. Simon Peter had to go back to Jerusalem and tell the church what had happened and again, he reinforces this salvific message.
Acts 11:15-17 KJV
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
[16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
After they received the Holyghost, Simon Peter commanded them to baptized in the name of the LORD.
Acts 10:46-48 KJV
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
In Acts 19 we see a group of believers that Apostle Paul met on the island of Ephesus.
Acts 19:1-7 KJV
[1] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
[2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
[3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
[4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
[7] And all the men were about twelve.
In Acts 19, we see believers being rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ after Paul asked them how they were baptized. They were then baptized in the acceptable way according to the word of God and the Apostle Paul. This empirically proves that there is an acceptable and unacceptable way to be baptized, and we can see through these scriptures that the name of the Lord Jesus is the acceptable name for water baptism.
Acts 4:12 KJV
[12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Colossians 3:17 KJV
[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
It’s important to understand that in the books of Acts the church was born in Jerusalem and spread out to every corner of the then known world. These churches believed and obeyed the same thing salvifically as the church in Jerusalem—even Apostle Paul confirmed with the elders of the church in Jerusalem that what he preached was acceptable.
Galatians 2:1-2 KJV
[1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
[2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
This brings us to our next point doctrinally—and understanding this will clear up misunderstanding concerning looking to the letters to the churches for instruction on salvation.
Simply put from the book of Romans through the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we find instructions to the churches that were started in the book of Acts.
It is misguided to go to Romans or any other letter to the churches to establish salvific doctrine —these letters only reinforce and give further instructions to precious saints that were established in TRUTH and had obeyed the gospel. The letters from Romans to the Revelation of Jesus Christ gives instructions to those churches started in the book of Acts. These letters gave instruction on various subjects such as faith, love, morality, church governance, prophecy, end times, spiritual warfare, and relationships with God and others. They provide guidance on living a Christian life.
We see letter such as Ephesians, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Colossians, and Galatians written by Apostle Paul to these churches that he started in the books of Acts and even specifically mentioned.
SUMMARY
The Book of Acts mentions the churches of Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, Galatia, Phillipi, and Rome. Colossae is not mentioned in Acts, but it is referenced in Paul's letter to the Colossians. Other early church fathers such as Simon Peter, St. John, and James wrote letters to individuals that were saved in like manner, as in the book of Acts.
Here are the references of the named cities to the churches in the Book of Acts:
Ephesus: Acts 18:19, 19:1, 20:17
Corinth: Acts 18:1, 18:8
Thessalonica: Acts 17:1
Galatia: Acts 16:1, 18:23
Phillipi: Acts 16:9, 18:23
Rome: Acts 28:14, 28:16
So Jesus gave instructions to his apostles and his followers, was crucified, buried, and rose again—and then instructed his apostles after his resurrection to go and wait in Jerusalem.
Luke 24:46-47 KJV
[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Right before his ascension—
Acts 1:8-9 KJV
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
To recount: The Spirit of Jesus Christ fell in Jerusalem and the church is born and the gospel is shared throughout the book of Acts and then letters are written by the early church fathers to churches that had believed and received the gospel in the book of Acts.
There are many more scriptures to reinforce what has been shared today — but this is ample evidence to prove that we continue in the words and example of Jesus Christ to the saving of the soul.
If you would like further instruction, please reach out to us and we will be happy to assist you on your journey.
Pastor Granger