Core Beliefs of Atascadero Gospel Chapel

What is the basis for Atascadero Gospel Chapel’s beliefs?

The Bible. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the ultimate authority for what we believe and how we should live.

What does AGC believe about God?

We believe there is one true and living God who has eternally existed in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is the creator and sustainer of all things.

What does AGC believe about Jesus?

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who, although existing as God, humbly took upon Himself the form of man.  He is fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, died a substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, was resurrected bodily, and ascended into heaven where He intercedes on our behalf today.

What does AGC believe about Humanity?

We believe that all people are created in the image of God to enjoy fellowship with Him. Every human life, from conception through natural death, is sacred and of immeasurable worth, regardless of age, gender, race, abilities or beliefs. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human beings.

What does AGC believe about Sin?

We believe that, although the first humans were created to enjoy fellowship with God, they disobeyed His command which resulted in that perfect fellowship being lost. As a result, all people are born with a sinful nature, fail to give God the honor He is due, and are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts.

What does AGC believe about Salvation?

We believe that salvation comes to a person only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a free gift of God and cannot be earned or enhanced by any human works. When the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself in death on the cross, He completely and eternally paid the penalty for sin by the shedding of His own most precious blood. All who place their trust in Christ as Lord and Savior can rest in that finished work - knowing their sins are forgiven, they have been accepted into God’s family, and they have eternal life. 

What does AGC believe about the Church?

We believe the church is composed of all those throughout the world who have received salvation from God. These believers are united in one spiritual body with Christ as the head and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who was given to them at salvation. Believers in every area are to meet regularly in local churches for the purposes of Bible teaching, prayer, worship, encouraging one another in spiritual growth, and making Christ known to the world around them. Every individual member of the body is important and also has God-given gifts with which to bless and serve others.

What does AGC believe about Marriage and Sexuality?

We believe that God wonderfully creates each person as male or female and that this biological reality is the basis for one’s gender identity. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that marriage, as ordained in the Bible, is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, lifelong union and that God created sexual intimacy to be enjoyed only within such a union. Any form of sexual activity outside of a biblical marriage is a perversion of God’s good design and is sinful.

What does AGC believe about Ordinances?

We believe that Jesus commanded His people to observe two ordinances, neither of which is essential to salvation, but both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord. They are Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism by immersion symbolizes what has already taken place in the believer's heart, and is a proclamation of identity with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The Lord's Supper is a feast of remembrance by which believers proclaim what Christ has done on their behalf and worship Him for it. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbolic of Christ’s body and blood which were offered as a sacrifice for our sins.

What does AGC believe about the End Times?

We believe Jesus, as promised, will return to the earth at an hour known only to God, bringing judgment to His enemies and establishing His kingdom which will extend into eternity.  At that time, all who have believed in Him will be raised to new life, receiving immortal bodies to live forever with their Lord in a perfect state.

What does AGC believe about Life After Death?

We believe that the soul of anyone who has placed his or her trust in Christ will be in the presence of the Lord after the body dies. We also believe that all people will be resurrected at the end of the world and exist forever in one of two places. Those who have refused God’s offer of salvation will experience eternal torment in hell. Those who have trusted in Christ will experience eternal bliss in heaven.

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

This statement of core beliefs does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Atascadero Gospel Chapel’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our board of elders is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application for our fellowship.