ABSA Statement of Faith & What We Believe
1. We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. Its writings are true and trustworthy in all that they affirm, and it stands as the supreme authority in all matters to which it speaks. Scripture interprets Scripture, and it is the final guide for understanding truth. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31–32; 20:31; Acts 20:32)
2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God sent His Son into the world to die as an atoning sacrifice for sin. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation is offered to all, and is received by grace through faith alone. (Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1–3; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:9, 20; Ephesians 4:5–6)
3. We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and taught with authority. We believe in His substitutionary death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His ongoing intercession for His people, and His personal, literal, and visible return. (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; John 1:1; 20:28–31; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:25; 9:28)
4. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and who indwells, sanctifies, and empowers believers. He is our helper, teacher, and guide in the life of faith. (John 14:16–17, 26; 15:26–27; 16:9–14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22–26)
5. We believe that Satan is a real, personal spiritual adversary of God and mankind. (1 Peter 5:8–9)
Biblical Foundations of Creation, History, and the World
• We believe the whole of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is a unified and truthful account, given line upon line and precept upon precept.
• We believe that death, suffering, and corruption entered the world as a direct result of Adam’s sin, bringing both spiritual and physical consequences to mankind and creation.
• We believe that the message of the Creator and the account of creation are inseparable from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• We believe that the account of origins in Genesis and the history laid out in the Bible is a straightforward and factual record of real events, providing a reliable foundation for understanding the origin and history of life and God’s interaction with it.
• We believe that creation took place over six consecutive, twenty-four-hour days, between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago.
• We believe in the special and intentional creation of Adam as one man and Eve as one woman, and in their historical fall into sin, which establishes the need for redemption.
• We believe that the Flood described in Genesis was a real, global, and catastrophic event, which played a significant role in shaping the earth’s geological features as we observe them today.
We hold these convictions as consistent with the clear teaching of Scripture. At the same time, we affirm that salvation is not dependent upon agreement with every aspect of creation or earth history, but is found solely through faith in and submission to Jesus Christ.
Biblical Authority
Scripture stands as the foundationally inspired, reliable, and final authority for understanding science, history, truth, and the world we observe.
Historical Reality
The events, people, and places recorded in the Bible reflect real history that can be explored and examined through direct and indirect evidence.
Creation Framework
The natural world is best understood through the lens of biblical creation, where design, order, and purpose are foundational to interpretation.
Faithful Investigation
We examine evidence with honesty, care, and humility, allowing Scripture to guide interpretation without dismissing empirical observation.
Favored, but not dogmatic.
Exodus Date
The Exodus is best understood as occurring around 1446 BC based on the internal timeline of Scripture.
Exodus Pharaoh
Amenhotep II is considered a strong candidate for the Exodus pharaoh within an Egyptian high chronology framework.
Sojourn Length
The Israelites’ time in Egypt is understood as a shorter sojourn of approximately 215 years in alignment with the broader biblical chronology.
Learn More About ABSA
There’s more beneath the surface than a few statements on a page.
Our Drive speaks to why this work matters and what compels us forward. Our Focus shows where we give our time, energy, and attention in the field and in our research. Our History traces the path that brought us here and the experiences that continue to shape what we do.
Take some time to explore the story behind all of it.