Our Principles

International Assembly has tried to emulate the New Testament principles practiced by the churches at Jerusalem and Antioch. In Acts we read, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

When we study the church at Antioch we see twelve principles which are biblical and transferable to any time, place or culture. As we see in Acts 11-13 the church at Antioch was:

1. A local church with a global view—a church which consisted of world-class Christians.
2. A multicultural church.
3. A church with plurality of leadership.
4. A church with leadership that consisted of people of various backgrounds; racial, ethnic, cultural.
5. A church which did everything with one accord in mind and purpose.
6. A church that was led by the Holy Spirit.
7. A worshiping church practicing corporate worship.
8. A church that demonstrated the grace of God in a practical way.
9. A church that demonstrated the love of God in a practical way; and therefore, the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
10. A caring church.
11. A missionary church that sent out mighty missionaries such as Paul and Barnabas.
12. A praying and fasting church which continuously sought and did the will of God.