About

Our Heart is to Answer the Call of Jesus: To Go Into All the World

The Great Commission

Loving, serving, and reaching Waco and the greater Waco area with the Good News of Jesus Christ is vitally important to us as a family of believers at Acts Church.

Yet, we define the Great Commission, as more than just reaching our neighbors. It is the mandate to take the Gospel to places where there is little or no access to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We want to empower and train people in three areas of sacrificial service: Pray - Give - Go.

PRAY: We support our missions teams with area specific Prayer Shields. Our Prayer Shields meet at different times throughout the month.

GIVE: We are in a battle for the souls of people around the earth. It takes money to send people. We think of it as “wartime giving”.

GO: The Mandate is to go to those who have little or no access to the Gospel. This often requires people with degrees or professions who can enter into countries which are currently closed to Gospel workers.

What is your role in the Great Commission?

Core Values, Beliefs, and Vision

Core Values

  • At Acts Church, we see our primary calling as believers to be in constant communion with the Father. In Matthew 6:6 (NASB), Jesus says, “but as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret: and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Having a consistent devotional life is a foundational discipline for the believer. As we prioritize spending time with the Lord each day in prayer, worship, and reading the Holy Bible, we connect with His heart, learn His ways, and are empowered to live out our other core values.

  • We believe that sharing the gospel of Jesus is not just for ministers or missionaries but a way of life for every believer. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commissions believers by telling them to “go” and “make” disciples of all nations. To become a person of faith or a disciple, one must first hear the truth of Christ and receive it. Romans 10:17 (NASB) states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” And in Romans 10:14, just a few verses prior, the scripture clarifies that someone needs to share the gospel’s truth so those who have not heard may hear and believe! At Acts Church, we practice sharing the gospel wherever we go – at the workplace, restaurants, grocery stores, neighborhoods, and with friends and family.

  • We view discipleship as partnering with God and others to expand his kingdom. As believers, we have much to learn from those who are further along in the faith, and we are to be disciples and disciple others. In Jesus’ great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB), He says, “go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Being engaged in active discipleship with others provides an opportunity to strengthen our faith and help others grow.

  • At Acts Church, we purpose to live our lives in an authentic community, being transparent and open, including confessing our sins to each other and participating together in communion. 1 John 1:7 (NASB) states, “but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” While Christ is the one who forgives our sins, being open and authentic with others by confessing our sins and living in the light provides an atmosphere to become free from the bondage of sin. James 5:16a (NASB) states, “therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” As we commune with others at the table, we follow that by partaking in the communion of our Lord, the Lord’s supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-31, Paul describes the proper way to partake of the Lord’s supper in remembrance of Christ’s body and blood that He freely sacrificed for us. As we each come to the table in complete honesty and transparency, we cultivate a culture where healed believers walk together in freedom.

Beliefs

  • We believe that the Holy Bible stands alone as the authoritative Word of God. The Bible is the final authority and source for all doctrinal truths and beliefs. In its original writing, the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God upon which we build our faith. References: Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21.

  • We worship One God manifested in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and coeternal. References: Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; 1 John 5:7.

  • Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ came to the earth to give salvation and redemption to humankind. Christ was both God and man during His time on the earth, and He was the only man ever to live a life without sin. He was born of a virgin, performed miracles, and lived His sinless life in oneness with the other persons of the Trinity. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life by dying on a cross, thus atoning for the sins of all people who believe and receive Him. After His death, Jesus Christ arose from the dead in a glorified body on the third day. He ascended to the right hand of the Father and will return to the earth again to reign in power and glory. References: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Timothy 3:16.

  • Jesus Christ was born on earth, conceived by God the Father through the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. By this divine conception, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. References: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:27-35.

  • Humankind was created upright and good but fell into sin by a voluntary choice. By choosing to disobey God, the first man and woman sinned, which then brought death and eternal separation from the presence of God. Since that time all humans have sinned, with the only exception being Jesus Christ. Because He was sinless and God’s Son, He became the only hope for humankind to be redeemed from their separation from God and the death penalty that resulted from their sin. References: Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:12-21.

  • To be reconciled to God and to know God, the regeneration of the Holy Spirit must take place in our lives as we receive the salvation of Jesus Christ. This salvation comes only by His grace over us as we choose to put our faith in the redemptive power of His death, burial, and resurrection. As we acknowledge that we are guilty of sin, confess our sin to God, and place our faith in Christ, salvation is the gift God freely gives us. The gift of salvation cannot be obtained by works or human effort but only by placing our faith in Christ individually. References: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:22.

  • The church is the collective body of Christ, made up of every individual who chooses to believe and receive the gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. The church is divinely appointed to fulfill Jesus’ great commission to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB) There is a spiritual unity and purpose shared by all believers as we each are members of the body of Jesus Christ. References: John 17:11, 20-23; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23.

  • Believers or “Christians” are those of us who have received the gift of salvation by inviting the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse us from sin. But this work in our lives does not stop once we are saved. As the Holy Spirit’s regeneration is at work in our lives, we begin to make daily choices to live for His purposes rather than our own. As Christians, when we place our trust in Christ by establishing our faith in what He accomplished for us when He died, was buried, and rose again, Christ makes His home in our hearts. References: Ephesians 3:17; John 1:12; John 14:17, 23, John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20.

  • Sanctification is the ongoing process of the believer making choices to yield to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit to grow and develop Christ’s character. Through the present and active ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Christian is empowered to live a Godly Life. We are not perfected at the point of salvation. As believers, we still make mistakes. However, as we yield to Him, we willfully relinquish the authority of our lives over to Jesus, making him not only our Savior but our Lord (Master or Ruler). As we choose to be sanctified, our lives start to look more like Christ’s, allowing His purposes to be fulfilled in and through us. References: Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11.

  • Once Christ indwells the believer, that person becomes a new creation with a new beginning. The new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an outward act that represents the new believer’s regeneration, symbolizing Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. References: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 10:47-48.

  • After Christ ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit was the promise of God that was given at Pentecost. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers so that their empowered lives would carry the truth of the gospel throughout the earth. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire and descended upon individual believers, enabling them to speak in languages they did not know. At that time, many people were gathered who spoke different dialects and languages, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit upon these believers allowed the gospel to be heard in each of their native tongues. At Acts Church, we believe the empowerment (or baptism) of the Holy Spirit initiated at Pentecost is a different expression than the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which occurs at salvation. While some may experience both simultaneously, often believers receive salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit at different times. (See references listed below.) As believers, we are to pursue being baptized by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit’s power is active and working through us, we will manifest different gifts of the Spirit to bring people into freedom and a relationship with Christ. References: Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; Acts 2: 1-12, 17, 38, 39; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:38, 44-47; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 19:1-6.

  • The Holy Spirit is manifested through various spiritual gifts to build up and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of Christ’s resurrection, and confirm the power of the gospel. There are different lists of these gifts found in the Holy Bible. At Acts Church, we believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit can operate in a variety of combinations and manifestations. As believers, we are commanded to earnestly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate in our lives. The Holy Spirit’s gifts always operate in harmony with the Bible. They should never be used for personal gain or in violation of Biblical parameters. References: Romans 1:11; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 14; Ephesians 4:16; 1 timothy 4:14; 2 timothy 1:5-6; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10.

  • Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on a cross. Likewise, every person who has died will experience a physical resurrection. Those who are in Christ and have received His salvation will be resurrected into life. Those who have rejected Christ will be resurrected and enter into eternal damnation and separation from God. References: John 2:19-21; John 20:26-28; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23; Philippians 3:21.

    Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all of us who believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In God’s presence, we will dwell eternally. References: Matthew 5:3, 12, 20; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4.

    After life on earth, unbelievers will be judged by God. They will spend eternity tormented with the devil and fallen angels. References: Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 14:12-15; Revelation 21:8.

    Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to the earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the scriptures. References: Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:63, 64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7,8; Revelation 1:7.

  • When it comes to the role of men and women, we believe that the Bible teaches male headship in the home. This does not mean that men are to rule over their wives but they are too lovingly lead. However, when it comes to the church, we believe that the Bible teaches that men and women are considered equal in role capabilities.

Sunday Services

  • Our worship begins long before the weekly service starts as each of us devotes ourselves to prayer. The prayer room at Acts Church is open an hour before the Sunday morning service for anyone who would like to gather for corporate prayer. These are vibrant, engaging, and exciting times as we seek the Lord together. References: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 6:9-13.

  • At Acts Church, weekend services are expressive worship services. As a body of believers, we love to praise and worship God in freedom and humility. We believe that as we worship God, we are connecting with the Lord of all creation, so we freely give our hearts and lives to Him while holding nothing back. At Acts Church, creative expressions of worship are encouraged including painting, dancing, kneeling, lifting of hands, and singing. We believe that we can pour out our hearts before the Lord in our own individual expressions of gratitude while still maintaining order and unity in our services. References: Psalm 149:1-4; Psalm 150; Revelation 4:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:40.

  • At times during our services, we will participate together in a unique time of communion where we will partake of the elements of bread and grape juice, representing and remembering the body and blood of Christ that he sacrificed for us on the cross. At Acts Church, we welcome all believers to share in this time of remembrance with us. References: Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

  • During our services, we have set aside time for believers to bring monetary tithes and offerings to give to the local church. Tithes represent the first 10% of our income that is to be dedicated to the Lord. Giving our first fruits to the Lord was initiated at the beginning of time in Genesis 4:4. Jesus also discusses the subject of tithing in Matthew 23:23. At Acts Church, we believe that tithing is not just an Old Testament Jewish law but a principle that is articulated throughout the bible. In fact, the bible contains more than 2,000 scriptures relating to money and money management. References: Malachi 3:8-11; Leviticus 27:30.

    Offerings are gifts freely given above the tithe. At Acts Church, we believe in being radical givers. We are a debt-free church. As a church body, we give generously to local outreach and to ministries of faith throughout the world. We believe that the Lord blesses those who give. References: Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:7.

    On Special Sunday Offering days (usually the first Sunday of each month), we take up a separate offering to meet the needs of people in our body. The early church modeled caring for one another’s needs in Acts 2:44-45.

  • As God has revealed himself through the bible, we believe that every lesson we teach should be doctrinally sound and rooted in the truth. At Acts Church, we emphasize all portions of the scripture (The Holy Bible), including but not limited to: God’s work through the people of Israel; the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon people; the purpose and mission of the body of believers; and the ministering work of the Holy Spirit in the world today.

  • Throughout Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth, He healed many who were sick. Additionally, He commissioned His disciples to do likewise. Healing is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is a sign that follows believers. At Acts Church, we are eager to pray for the sick to be healed at every opportunity. If you would like prayer for healing during one of our services, our ministry team members are available at the end of the service each week. References: Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:9,28; James 5:14-16.