What We Believe
We speak where the Bible speaks. We are silent where the Bible is silent. In essentials unity; in opinions liberty; in all things love. We are not the only Christians. We are Christians only. We have no creed but Christ and no book but the Bible. Scriptures All scripture is God-breathed, given by inspiration (2 Tim.3:16). The Old
Testament, which was God's revelation to the Jews, is the schoolmaster that
leads us to Christ. The New Testament is God's revelation to the spiritual
Israel: the Church. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit God has revealed Himself to Man as the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and
the
The Christ
Jesus is the second person of the Godhead who became flesh and dwelt among men. His birth to a virgin (Mary) was a true miracle. Even though tempted as a man, He did not sin. After about a very public, three year ministry, He gave His life willingly to die on a cross as the sacrifice for sin. He rose from the grave and ascended to the Father in heaven. He will return again someday...
The Church
The Church is a divinely appointed institution, a called out assembly of believers.
Christ is the head of the Church. It is His body. It belongs to Him. God adds members to the Church. The local Church is a portion of the Body of Christ that meets regularly in a certain area. Each congregation is autonomous (self-rule). Jesus is our High Priest. There is no authority higher than the local level. We are not a denomination. No council, convention, nor delegation imposes a system of beliefs on the local congregation. The local congregation is under the responsibility of the elders as overseers. The names "elder" and "bishop" and "pastor" are all synonymous terms used to describe the same office. The preacher is not the pastor. He is the evangelist. Deacons assist the elders in the physical matters of the church. Their role can go beyond that per approval of the elders. Stephen was a deacon who was a leader in spiritual matters as well. Philip preached on occasion. The elders and the evangelist work together to lead and feed the congregation.Worship
The essential parts of scriptural worship are as follows:
Study of God's Word (Apostle's Doctrine).
Fellowship
The Lord's Supper
Prayer
Giving as a regular and consistent part of worship practice.
Singing to God.
An invitation to become a Christian is a regular part of our services.
The Lord's Supper
Partaking of the Lord's Supper by Christians was and is a weekly practice as a
pattern of the New Testament Church. We do it in remembrance of Jesus and what He has done for us. We proclaim He is alive each time we partake of the bread which represents His body; and drink the fruit (juice) of the vine, which represents His blood which was shed for us all. Each person must examine himself/herself before partaking.Instrumental Music
Each congregation has the liberty to use or not use instrumental music in worship. Instrumental music is neither specifically commanded nor is it condemned in the New Testament, but it is intimated by the use of forms of the Greek word, "psallo." We do not make it a test of fellowship. Although there are churches of Christ that do not use instrumental worship in our brotherhood, the majority do utilize it as an aid to worship.
Names
We use Biblical names for our members and our churches. We are Christians only. However, we don't believe we are the only Christians. In Acts 11:26 it states that the disciples of Jesus were first called "Christians" at Antioch. In Romans 16:16, the term "Churches of Christ" is used.
Terms of Salvation
By His Grace, God who loved the world has provided salvation for Mankind. This
was accomplished by the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on a cross. God has done His part. Man now has the opportunity to do his by either accepting or rejecting God's free gift of salvation. This is accomplished in our obedience to God's Will and God's Word by doing the following:1)Hear the Gospel; Romans 10:14
2)Believe in Jesus; John 3:16
3)Repent of our Sin; Luke 13:3
4)Confess Christ as Lord and Savior before witnesses; Matt. 10:32-33
5)Be Baptized by Immersion; Acts 2:38
6)Live a Faithful, Christian life; Romans 6:4
Baptism (Immersion)
The proper mode of baptism is by immersion. The Greek verb "baptizo" can only
mean to immerse or dip under. This is spelled out clearly in the Bible. See the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. They both went down into the water. Baptism is depicted as a burial. John the Baptist began the practice and Jesus set the example for the rest of us. It is preceded by belief and repentance. It is for our salvation, the forgiveness of sins. It allows us to symbolically participate in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is how we put on Christ, call on His name, and is connected to the new birth. It is how we come in contact with the shed blood of Christ and it is how we receive the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. It is also part and parcel of the "Great Commission" found in Matt. 28:18-20.Clergy
Although most congregations have ministers or a ministerial staff, there is to be no distinction of the clergy and the laity. The Bible teaches the priesthood of all believers and of Christ as the High Priest. Currently, our minister is Lyle W. Lipps.
Eschatology (Theology of the Last Things)
Most congregations do not make a millennial view as a test of fellowship. They believe that this is a matter of opinion up to the individual. We must also note that the majority of people in our brotherhood hold to the amillenial position.
Premillenial - Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years after His second coming. (Most of the religious world holds to this view).
Amillenial - The Kingdom of God as a reign of Christ in the hearts of believers during the time between His first and second coming.
Postmillenial - The reign of Christ as the last 1,000 years before His return.
We should point out that since no man knows the exact hour and day when the Lord will return; each of these views has some truth and some error in each of them. None of them are entirely accurate and should only be used as a point of reference or guideline.
Eternity
There is a hell to be shunned and a heavenly reward to be desired. All people have sinned and need forgiveness. Jesus Christ was virgin-born, sinless, died on the cross for our sins, was raised from the dead on the third day, and is coming again. (Matt.1:18; Hebrews 4:15; I Cor. 15:3-4, John 14:3).
Salvation is a free gift, bestowed by God's grace and received by faith. (Eph.2:8-9) Immersion in water by a professed believer is Bible baptism. (Acts 2:38, 8:36-39). And such baptism is symbolic of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, (Romans 6:1-4). A believer's salvation is secured by Christ alone (John 10:27-28).
Spiritual Gifts
Christians are endowed with spiritual gifts which enable them to serve in the Church, (Eph.4:12ff). The Holy Spirit, which every believer receives when immersed (see Acts 2:38 and Eph.1:13-14) leads and guides us. Each member should strive to use his/her gift within the church to serve the Body of Christ. Look for ways to serve or ask the elders to find a place of involvement.
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be divinely inspired and without error (2 Tim.3:16-17).
What We Believe...
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who died for our sin and
arose from the dead. I Cor. 15:1-8The Bible is the inspired Word of God, "a lamp unto our feet and a light
unto our path." I Tim.3:16; Psalms 119:105"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Those accepting Christ should repent of their sin, confess their faith, and
be baptized into Him. Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38The Church is the Body of Christ on earth and exists to save the Lost and
edify the saved. Ephesians 4:1-16Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. I Thessalonians 4:13-18