American Council of Christian Churches
85th Annual Convention, October 20–22, 2026
Bible Presbyterian Church, Collingswood, NJ
Resolution on the Convention Theme:
“Earnestly Contending for the Grace of God”
The love of God is his holy affection that moves him to give of himself righteously, voluntarily, unselfishly, and eternally. Because of his love, God gave his only begotten Son who, as the God-man, lived a righteous life, died a substitutionary and atoning death for sinners, and rose victoriously from the dead. This love of God toward sinners is his grace.
Satan continually distorts the grace of God (2 Cor. 11:3, 13–14) by perverting the gospel message (Gal. 1:6–7) and by saying it permits sinful living (Jude 4).
God commands Christians in the Scriptures to earnestly contend for the grace of God by persevering in and proclaiming gospel truth (2 Tim. 3:14–4:5), vigorously opposing every perversion (Jude 3), and having no fellowship with false teachers and those who are content to walk with them (2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14).
One channel through which Satan has perverted the grace of God was the Federal Council of Churches and its institutional successor, the National Council of Churches (NCC). Since its founding in 1908, this Council has harbored heresy and championed the social gospel. By 1941, the Federal Council held a near monopoly on Protestant representation in government chaplaincy quotas and free religious broadcasting.
Consequently, on September 12, 1941, a small group of Bible-believing Protestants formed the American Council of Christian Churches (ACCC) to earnestly contend for the grace of God by opposing apostasy in its various forms and expressions. This Council heartily confessed the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, openly opposed false teaching, and vigorously obeyed the clear and positive Scriptural commands to separate from all unbelief and corruption.
Seven months after the founding of the ACCC, another agency of evangelicals was established, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). While distinct from the NCC in confessing the Christian fundamentals, the NAE has refused to oppose heresy or require separation from the NCC and other groups that espouse or tolerate false teaching. While the NAE believes in the grace of God, it refuses to earnestly contend for it.
Since its founding in 1941, the ACCC has continued its stand for Christ as a multi-denominational agency—not an inter-denominational one. No constituent or individual members surrender their distinctives or autonomy by identifying with the ACCC. This has enabled all true Bible-believers to stand together in good conscience for the historic Christian faith through the ACCC. The Council convenes around common causes, joining to battle common enemies of the truth.
Therefore, the American Council of Christian Churches at its 85th annual convention, October 20–22, 2026, at the Bible Presbyterian Church, Collingswood, NJ, resolves to praise and thank God for his grace. We affirm that the grace of God is only found in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to earnestly contend for the grace of God by proclaiming the gospel, continuing in the Christian faith, opposing heresy, and separating from unbelief and corruption. We thank our gracious God for the ACCC, pray for his continued grace upon it, and determine to continue forward for the Cause of Christ.
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