our beliefs

In the Alliance Church of Canada we believe from the scriptures that baptism is the declaration of a person who has believed by faith that Jesus has forgiven their sins and they have received him as their personal savior. Baptism is also the initiation of that person into the fellowship of believers known as the church. Baptism is of first importance in the life of a new believer in Jesus. Jesus demonstrated its importance, he commanded we follow his example in it, and when we follow through in obedience to Jesus we identify with his life, death and resurrection. We provide several opportunities each year for you to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ. We offer a simple bible study on the subject of Baptism to help those who seek to follow in obedience into the waters of Baptism understand it better.

Please let us know of your interest either by contacting the church office or Pastor Kevin for an opportunity to meet up and explore this vitally important decision.

1. Why be baptized?
   1. Jesus Demonstrated it. Jesus is our perfect example of obedience to God.
      Then one day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John there in the Jordan River. Mark 1:9
   2. Jesus Commanded it. It is not optional but an outward declaration of obedience to Jesus.
      Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I will be with you always, to the very end of the ages. Matthew 28:18-20
   3. Because it shows you are a Believer. It reveals the desire to follow Jesus as a part of His church.
      Many of the Corinthians who heard Him believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 
   4. Because obeying Jesus’ command shows you Know him. It publicly declares one's commitment to follow Jesus as your Lord and your friend.
      We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. 1 John 2:3
      I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:5 
2. What is the meaning of baptism?
   1. It is Identifying yourself with Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
      For you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. Colossians 2:12 
   2. It is a symbol of your new life as a new creation.
      Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
      We were therefore buried with (Christ) through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
      Baptism does not make you a Christian. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is the outward symbol of the inward commitment you made to trust Christ as your Lord & Saviour.
3. Who should be baptized?
   1. Every person who has repented and made the decision to believe in and follow Jesus. To repent means to turnabout and go the other direction. It means to change your mind, your way of thinking and seek a new biblical way of thinking. It means to leave behind the old way of living and embrace and discover the new Jesus way of living life.
      Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized. Acts 2:41 
      But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12 
      The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! We do not baptize children until they are old enough to believe and understand. We work in conjunction with the child’s parent(s) and their support.
4. When are we to be baptized?
   1. Once you have believed you should be baptized as soon as possible.
      Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
      Jesus is declaring that unbelief (and therefore disobedience) is what is condemned by God and not whether or not you are baptized. All salvation rests on belief or faith in Jesus finished work on the cross for you. Baptism is the outworking or sign of the new life and not the means of gaining new life.
      Those who believed…were baptized...that day. Acts 2:41
   2. The readiness to follow Jesus in obedience is a great start to your new life.
      Then Philip began with a scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the Eunuch said ’Look here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ The official answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.’ Then both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:36—39 (paraphrased) 
      These two passages teach the believer that delaying is not healthy, nor is it something to be taken lightly. Once someone has believed by faith they must begin to prepare to be baptized as soon as it is possible to do so.

We affirm the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. We welcome the gifts of the Spirit as a natural and normal part of church life. They are for the edification, building up and “equipping (i.e. mending)” of the saints and for the common good. Signs and gifts of the Holy Spirit are welcomed with liberty while following the scriptural checks and balances.
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Corinthians 12:1 
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:3-7 
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1 

Use of a Prophetic Gift from the Holy Spirit
The role of the prophet in the Old Testament:
The O.T. Prophet spoke for God and their words are recorded for us as Holy Scripture. Their words were directed towards kings/nations and/or the nation of Israel and were meant for correction, rebuke, encouragement and judgement. They often included future messianic and end times components.

The role of the prophet in the New Testament:
Their words are not recorded as scripture but are in submission to the scriptures. Their focus is to clarify and expound on the teachings of scripture for the edification (building up) of the church.
Audience: Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:22
Tested: Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 
Controlled: The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:32-33
Specific in Scope: But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3 

New Testament Prophetic Example
After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. The word of the Prophet was true. It did happen to Paul. The response to the prophecy was unique. The group thought of it as a warning and deterrent and so begged Paul not to go. But Paul took it as a warning and affirmation to prepare him for what was ahead. In the end they simply said - “The Lord’s Will be done.” Acts 21:10-16

The Gift and Office of Apostle
The spiritual gift of the apostle is sometimes confused with the office of the apostles.

The office of the Apostles:
It was held by a limited number of men chosen by Jesus. The requirements included being an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 9:1)
and being personally called by Jesus (Galatians 1:1). These Apostles were given authority by Jesus which included the writing of Holy Scripture. Their ministry was directed towards starting churches. Usually, their ministry included miraculous signs and wonders.
The things that mark an apostle; signs, wonders and miracles; were done among you with great perseverance. 2 Corinthians 12:12
Our dear brother Paul’s letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:15-16

What happened after the Apostles Died out?
The Gift of the apostle continues on in the NT church and beyond.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:11-13 
As the church grew these apostles represent a distinct category. Some are mentioned in Scripture as apostles without the office of apostle.
James (1 Cor. 15:7) Barnabas (1 Cor. 9:6) Andronicus and Junias (Rom 16:7) Apollos (1 Cor 4:6 & 9). The gift of Apostle continues with some of the functions of those of the Office of Apostles. They further the work laid down by the original Apostles who laid the foundation of the church with Jesus being the “Chief Cornerstone”(Eph 2:20). These apostles continue to build upon that foundation. They start new churches, go into places where the Gospel is not preached,
reach across cultures to establish churches in challenging environments, raise up and develop leaders, and call out and lead pastors and shepherds. Today they would be affirmed by the Church as missionaries, church planters or denominational leaders. Their work can also be accompanied with signs and wonders.

The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation
Some Simple Biblical Directives:
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2  (Prayer Language comes from this)
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. 1 Corinthians 14:4 
For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 1 Corinthians 14:13-17 
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind. 1 Corinthians 14:23 

Functionally:
The Alliance Canada and HAC embraces the possibility of being enabled to speak in tongues as a visible demonstration of being filled with the Holy Spirit. However, it is not taught that it is the only evidence of being filled. It is one of several possibilities that may be evidenced when a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Examples of this:
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 
When one is praying in a tongue it must not be a disturbance to those in worship or prayer around them. A person's prayer language must be controlled, and it is healthy and helpful for them to pray for interpretation so that they and others around them may be edified. However, if one prays over another individual or prays over the congregation in a tongue, they must also pray for interpretation so that the church gathered is edified. That way any guests will not think we have lost our minds. Acts 4:31 
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We do not openly or quickly welcome prophetic words from outside the congregation. They must be tested by the pastor or elders and clearly comply with all the Holy Scriptures. They must be tested before being allowed access to the general body or a small group ministry of HAC. All prophetic exhortations or “words” given by the Holy Spirit, in any public service must have a pastor or an elder that is present consent to their appropriateness before they are given to the church in a public gathering.