It is our desire at Antioch Bible Church to follow the central elements that Christ has laid out for His Church in scripture.  We believe there are five major themes in scripture that need to be present for the spiritual health of a local church.  They include having a high view of God, priority of scripture, doctrinal clarity, personal holiness, and a plurality of godly leaders.    

           

High View of God 

We believe that God must be at the central focus of the church and in particular His holiness.  Therefore, our preaching/teaching will seek to bring us into an understanding of the holiness of God so that we can worship Him correctly.  

Priority of Scripture

We believe that the Bible gives us clear instruction for the Christian life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Therefore, we greatly value the teaching of the scriptures.   

We believe that God leads, guides, and directs the believer, but is finished revealing Himself in this dispensation (Jude 3).  

We believe that the Bible is sufficient to counsel believers.    

     
Doctrinal Clarity 

We believe that doctrine should be taught so that believers can know what the Bible teaches.  As a result of having doctrinal knowledge one can teach, defend, and train others.  

   
We believe that doctrinal clarity will protect believers from false teachers (I Timothy 4:1-3). 

As a special note we believe that overseers/pastors should be diligent students of the word of God (2 Timothy 3:15) so that they can adequately teach the doctrines of the faith.  

Personal Holiness

We believe the church must be committed to purity of life.  This is in light of whom God is and the standard to which he has called us (Mathew 5:48).   

We believe that God produces holiness (Philippians 1:6) in the believer through spiritual pruning (John 15:1-11) and trials (James 1:2-4).  

Plurality of Godly Leaders 

We believe that Christ rules through godly leaders that teach the Bible.  As a result spiritual leaders should be models to follow (Hebrews 13:7) and obeyed (Hebrews 13:17).  The spiritual authority that leaders are given does not extend beyond the scriptures.  

The Master's plan for the Church / John MacArthur