Aurora Free Church Doctrinal Statement

The Aurora Free Church is a non-denominational, evangelical congregation. The doctrines which the Aurora Free Church deem as necessary for membership and ministry in the church are as follows:

Concerning the Scriptures

We believe the Scriptures are the inspired, God breathed, written Word of God and are therefore, inerrant and authoritative. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; John 17:17)

Concerning the Godhead

We believe in the Trinity or Tri-unity of the Godhead; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; John 1: 1-3, 14; Acts 5:3, 4; Colossians 2:9)

Concerning Jesus Christ

We believe in the full deity and full humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:5-8)

Concerning Man

We believe in the depravity of man; that man is a fallen creature, spiritually lost and separated from His Creator, God; helpless within himself to change his spiritual condition apart from the grace of God. (Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2:8,9)

Concerning Christ's Death and Resurrection

We believe that the substitutionary atoning death and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the sole basis for the believer's justification before God. (Romans 3:24-26; Romans 4:25; Isaiah 53:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4)

Concerning Eternal Salvation

We believe that salvation, the believer's full forgiveness and acceptance by God, and the immediate regeneration with eternal life, is a gift from God based on the exercise of faith in Christ alone. (John 3: 16; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Galatians 2: 16; Romans 3:21-28)

Concerning the Return of Christ

We believe in the future physical return of the Lord Jesus to the earth. (Acts 1: 11; Revelation 19: 11-16; Zechariah 14: 1-5; Matthew 24:30)

Concerning Satan

We believe that Satan, also called the Devil, is a being, a fallen angel who is the enemy of God and His people. With limited power under the sovereign rule of God, he seeks to blind the unbeliever to the gospel of salvation while making efforts to deceive, discourage, and destroy the believer's relationship with God and effective service for God. God's sovereignty, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and exercise of faith in God's spiritual protection, limit the extent to which Satan may touch the child of God. (Matthew 4: 11; 1 Peter 5:8; Acts 5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11; Job 1:12, 2:6)
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If you have questions or comments regarding the Doctrinal Statement of AFC please contact any Elder Board member.

 

Aurora Free Church is unique in its history, in the development of its own theological identity, and in its search for an organizational structure that matches the model found in the local church of the New Testament scriptures.

The following historical, theological, and organizational profiles are presented to give visitors and inquirers a brief overview of the church’s background and to clearly identify where AFC fits in the ever changing, and sometimes confusing spectrum of Evangelical Christianity.

These profiles are also a testimony to the faithfulness of God’s sustaining grace in and through the people and ministries that have made up the Aurora Free Church since 1906.

Aurora Free Church was established in 1906 as an interdenominational church for the benefit of the rural residents who were unable to attend their home churches in Iron Mountain, Michigan, because of the difficult travel conditions in winter.  Its purpose in these early days was to be a church where the people from the various denominations would feel “free” to worship.  To fulfill this need, the church existed as a Sunday morning Sunday School with evening worship services on the first, third and fifth Sundays, when possible. Pastors from the area denominational churches took turns to meet the church’s ministerial needs.  This format continued until the 1950’s.

According to the historical records, AFC developed its own theological and organizational identity during the late 1950’s and 1960’s. Student ministers from Bible Institutes, returning college graduates, and the selection process in calling its first full-time pastor (1969) all contributed to the church’s transition from its early identity as interdenominational to its present identity as an independent, evangelical, non-denominational church.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, AFC made organizational changes by adopting the New Testament model of local church leadership, establishing a board of Elders and a board of Deacons/Deaconesses.

In October 1998, it pleased God to allow AFC to complete construction and occupy its present facility.

The early history of the Aurora Free Church shows that the church existed as an interdenominational congregation without a theological identity of its own. During the 1960’s, the process of calling its own first full-time pastor established AFC’s present identity as an independent, evangelical, non-denominational church.

AFC’s doctrinal statement lists those doctrines deemed essential for membership to the church and involvement in the ministries of the church.

AFC’s established theological distinctives and practices include: believer’s baptism by immersion; observance of the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Christ’s death; teaching the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth; the eternal security of the believer; and one baptism of the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion. In the area of spiritual gifts, AFC understands and teaches the Biblical significance, need, and sovereign distribution of spiritual abilities for the effective ministry of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11-18). However, AFC historically has not sought, practiced, or promoted the exercise of the miraculous gifts associated with Christ’s Apostles and the early church experience.

We sincerely welcome those who may hold to theological views and experiences that differ in these debatable areas of doctrine. We ask only that AFC’s position and practices be graciously respected for the sake of unity and peace vital to the effectiveness of our ministries.

It remains our desire for everyone associated with AFC to experience Christ’s fullest intended blessings in the worship, study, prayer, fellowship, and ministries of the local church. For this reason the church’s theological focus continues to be: declaring the life transforming gospel of God’s salvation through faith in Christ alone; the systematic and comprehensive teaching of the Scriptures; and an emphasis on displaying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) as the means and maturity necessary for maintaining unity in spite of doctrinal diversity within the body of Christ.

Leadership  Structure

Throughout its history, AFC has had a number of organizational structures that fit the church’s need/purpose for a given time.  In 1981 the church voted to adopt what it believed to be the New Testament model for local church government.  This consisted of a Board of Elders and a Board of Trustees, which later was renamed a board of Deacons/Deaconesses.

We believe the biblical rational for leadership by a plurality of Elders is to provide the local church with diversity and balance in its wisdom. Also, inherent in this structure is a built-in moral, ethical, and spiritual accountability not available if leadership were to reside within any one individual. We believe no one person has the ability or capacity to provide adequate leadership required for the local church. The biblical qualifications, responsibilities, and procedures for selecting and appointing Elders, Deacons/ Deaconesses are outlined in the By-Laws of the church.