At Agape Life Fellowship, we are called to live by F.A.I.T.H.
Fellowship - Christian fellowship is key to a healthy, strong church. Beginning in the days of the early Church, the community of believers devoted themselves to teaching, prayer, and fellowship. They did so regularly, encouraging one another to do good works. As a result, the body of Christ is called to be a light - because of our salvation and our relationships with one another. As a community, we are called to be unified because Christ died to make us one. We are called to be of one mind and spirit, united in love and purpose. We are to lift one another up when we are down and be there for one another. We are also called to use our gifts to equip and encourage the body, helping one another grow into Christlikeness. (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts
2:42; 1 John 1:7; Philippians 2:1-2; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Romans 12:4-5)
Agape Love - Agape love is the highest form of love in the Scriptures. It is used to describe God's love for the world and the love that Christians are called to emulate. The Bible speaks of many characteristics of God, one of which is love. We see the greatest demonstration of this love when He sent His Son to die for our sins, so that we might live out His love through Him. God showed us this love even while we were still His enemies in sin, revealing the true power and depth of His love. Biblical love is patient and kind; it is not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It is not selfish or irritable; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This love calls us to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that is birthed by the fruit of the Spirit and reflects the very heart of God. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; John 15:13; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10; 1 John 4:7-8; Colossians 3:14; Galatians 5:22-23)
Instructed by the Word of God - Being instructed in the Word is a vital part of the Christian life. Both public and private study of God's Word are crucial for growing in faith. Learning the Word is what roots our faith in God's truth. Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. The Word equips believers to live godly and fruitful lives. True knowledge always begins with the fear of the Lord, and that healthy fear —respect— leads to life. God promises to instruct His people and guide us through this life, lovingly correcting us as His children. Like children, we are to come to Him humbly, asking for wisdom and instruction, knowing that He will give it generously. As we let His Word dwell in us, it transforms every aspect of our lives. (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 4:13; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:11-12; James 1:5; Colossians 3:16)
Transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit - Every believer has the Holy Spirit living within them. The primary role of the Holy Spirit is to transform believers into the image of Christ. This transformation is a complete renewal of both the mind and the heart. We are saved not by works, but by God's mercy through the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit. God promised the Holy Spirit even in the days of the Old Testament, and His presence within us enables us to walk in obedience to God. The Holy Spirit empowers God to work in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure. As a result, the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5-6; Galatians 5:22-23; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 8:5-6; Philippians 2:13)
Hope through the Cross - Without the cross, there is no hope. The Bible speaks clearly about the importance of the cross. Paul reminds us that he always delivered what was of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. Without this message, we have no hope. The resurrection is the proof that Jesus conquered the effects of sin and death, as His sacrifice was accepted by God. Without the resurrection, our faith is futile, and we would still be in our sins. However, because Christ has risen, we can have peace with God, eternal life, and a hope that never ends. The cross reconciles us to God, and the blood shed on the cross made peace between God and man, offering forgiveness of sin. Because of the finished work on the cross, we receive eternal life and a new identity in Christ. Jesus Christ is our living hope— not only because of His resurrection, but also because of His sacrifice. This hope is based solely on the work of Christ, not our own efforts. He died so that we could live free from condemnation. He is our power of salvation, our joy, and our strength. We fix our eyes on Him, knowing that the cross was not the end. He is still at work in us— and He is coming again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3; Romans 5:1-2; Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 12:2; Titus 2:13-14; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:12-13; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28)
Fellowship - Christian fellowship is key to a healthy, strong church. Beginning in the days of the early Church, the community of believers devoted themselves to teaching, prayer, and fellowship. They did so regularly, encouraging one another to do good works. As a result, the body of Christ is called to be a light - because of our salvation and our relationships with one another. As a community, we are called to be unified because Christ died to make us one. We are called to be of one mind and spirit, united in love and purpose. We are to lift one another up when we are down and be there for one another. We are also called to use our gifts to equip and encourage the body, helping one another grow into Christlikeness. (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts
2:42; 1 John 1:7; Philippians 2:1-2; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Romans 12:4-5)
Agape Love - Agape love is the highest form of love in the Scriptures. It is used to describe God's love for the world and the love that Christians are called to emulate. The Bible speaks of many characteristics of God, one of which is love. We see the greatest demonstration of this love when He sent His Son to die for our sins, so that we might live out His love through Him. God showed us this love even while we were still His enemies in sin, revealing the true power and depth of His love. Biblical love is patient and kind; it is not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It is not selfish or irritable; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This love calls us to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that is birthed by the fruit of the Spirit and reflects the very heart of God. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; John 15:13; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10; 1 John 4:7-8; Colossians 3:14; Galatians 5:22-23)
Instructed by the Word of God - Being instructed in the Word is a vital part of the Christian life. Both public and private study of God's Word are crucial for growing in faith. Learning the Word is what roots our faith in God's truth. Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. The Word equips believers to live godly and fruitful lives. True knowledge always begins with the fear of the Lord, and that healthy fear —respect— leads to life. God promises to instruct His people and guide us through this life, lovingly correcting us as His children. Like children, we are to come to Him humbly, asking for wisdom and instruction, knowing that He will give it generously. As we let His Word dwell in us, it transforms every aspect of our lives. (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 4:13; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:11-12; James 1:5; Colossians 3:16)
Transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit - Every believer has the Holy Spirit living within them. The primary role of the Holy Spirit is to transform believers into the image of Christ. This transformation is a complete renewal of both the mind and the heart. We are saved not by works, but by God's mercy through the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit. God promised the Holy Spirit even in the days of the Old Testament, and His presence within us enables us to walk in obedience to God. The Holy Spirit empowers God to work in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure. As a result, the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5-6; Galatians 5:22-23; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 8:5-6; Philippians 2:13)
Hope through the Cross - Without the cross, there is no hope. The Bible speaks clearly about the importance of the cross. Paul reminds us that he always delivered what was of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. Without this message, we have no hope. The resurrection is the proof that Jesus conquered the effects of sin and death, as His sacrifice was accepted by God. Without the resurrection, our faith is futile, and we would still be in our sins. However, because Christ has risen, we can have peace with God, eternal life, and a hope that never ends. The cross reconciles us to God, and the blood shed on the cross made peace between God and man, offering forgiveness of sin. Because of the finished work on the cross, we receive eternal life and a new identity in Christ. Jesus Christ is our living hope— not only because of His resurrection, but also because of His sacrifice. This hope is based solely on the work of Christ, not our own efforts. He died so that we could live free from condemnation. He is our power of salvation, our joy, and our strength. We fix our eyes on Him, knowing that the cross was not the end. He is still at work in us— and He is coming again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3; Romans 5:1-2; Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 12:2; Titus 2:13-14; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:12-13; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28)