Beliefs

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and the truth for its matter: that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is and will remain to the end of the world, the center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. (Luke 16:29-31, Ephesians 2:19-22, Matthew 22:32-39, John 1:45, II Timothy 3:14-17, Hebrews 1:1, II Peter 1:19-21, Psalms 19:7-11, Psalms 119:1-9, 105.)

There is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, the Preserver and the Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness, and all other perfections, to whom we owe our deepest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence or being. (Gen. 1:1, Exodus 3:14, Deut. 5:6-7, Deut. 6:4-5, Isaiah 48:12-13, Jer. 10:10, Matthew 28:19, John 1:14-18, John 6:26, Gal. 4:4-6.)

Man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis (Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7). He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherits a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation. (Romans 3:21, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:4-7, Genesis 3:22-24, Psalms 51:5, John 1:23. Romans 5:12-14, Romans 7:23-25, Col. 1:21.

The salvation of sinners is completely by Grace, through the mediator, the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him the nature of man, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by shedding his blood on the Cross. Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven and there he acts as a mediator for our sins. He is a compassionate and all sufficient Saviour. (Matthew 1:21-25, Luke 1:35, Romans 1:1-6, Romans 3:25, I Cor. 13:3-4, Gal. 2:19-20, Gal 3:13. Eph. 1:7-14, Eph. 1:20-23, Eph. 2:1-3, Col. 1:21-23.

A church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith of fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the end of the earth. Its scriptural officers are deacons and deaconesses. (Matthew 16:18, Matthew 18:15-18, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 14:21-24, I. Cor. 1:2, I Cor. 1:6, 14, Phil. 1:1, I Tim. 3:1-13.

The New Testament teaches the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. The time of His coming is not revealed. It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ. (Matthew 24:29-44, Mark 13:24-37, Luke 21:25-28. Acts 1:9-11.)

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to his Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to the Church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. It is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience there to in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal. (Matthew 22:17-21, Mark 12:13-17, Romans 13:1-7, I Timothy 2:1-4, I Peter 2:17.)

It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of his teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of his law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace and oppose everything likely to provoke war. (Matthew 5:3-12, Matthew 5:38-48, Romans 14:17-19, Romans 12:17-21, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:1-3.)

It is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. It is also repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the Gospel of Christ. (Matthew 10:5-15, 13:1-23, 22:8-10, 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-53, Acts 1:4-8.)

God is the source of all blessings; all that we have and are we owe to Him. We are therefore under obligation to serve him with our time, talents and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the Redeemer's cause on earth. (Lev. 27:30, Mal. 3:8-10, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 25:14- 30, Luke 12:41-48, Acts 2:44-47, I Cor. 16:2, II Cor. 8:1-15.)

The Kingdom of God is the reign of God in the heart and life of the individual in every human relationship, and in every form and institution or organized human society. The chief means for promoting the kingdom of God on earth are preaching the gospel of Christ, and teaching the principles of righteousness contained therein. It is the duty of all Christ's people to pray and labor continually that His Kingdom may come and His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. (Daniel 2:37-44, 7:18, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 6:10. Matthew 8:12, Luke 23:42, John 3:3, John 18:36, I Cor. 15:24, Col. 1:13, Hebrews 12:28.)