OUR PHILOSOPHY
APBC is noted for its “friendliness and defense of the faith”...
Biblical Authority: The Bible is the final authority for faith and practice (II Tim. 3:15-17).
Autonomy of the Local Church: The local church is entirely independent of every other church or of any denominational hierarchy, and being sovereign in all matters pertaining to its function as a church (Matt. 18:15-20; Acts 13:1-3; I Cor. 5:1-13).
Priesthood of the Believer: Every believer is a priest before God and has direct access to God through prayer (I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; I Pet. 2:9).
Two Ordinances: Baptism (by immersion) and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances ordained by Christ, observed by the churches in Acts, and set forth as symbols of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Saviour (Matt. 28:19; Lu. 22:7-20; Acts 2:37-47).
Individual Soul Liberty: Every Christian has the right to interpret the Scripture and worship God as he feels the Bible teaches (Acts 17:10-11; Rom. 14:12; II Cor. 5:10).
Separation of Church and State: The ideal relationship is a free and independent church within a free and independent state (Matt. 22:21).
Two Officers: Pastor and Deacon are the only recognized offices today within the Church (I Tim. 3:1-13). The New Testament terms Pastor, Bishop, and Elder refer to the same office and are used interchangeably (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5-7; I Peter 5:12).
Saved Church Membership: The membership of the local church must be comprised only of those who have openly confessed Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Acts 2:37-41; I Thes. 1:1-10).