Shared Beliefs and Values
We neither espouse, nor endorse, a man-made church creed.
We can see that such creeds only produce and perpetuate divisions
contrary to the doctrine which we have received from God in the Holy
Scriptures. Our only creed is Christ and His New Testament. Nevertheless, certain beliefs and values, drawn from the Holy Scriptures
and shared by the members of this congregation, are fundamental and
essential and thus must shape our faith and
practice.
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We believe in the eternal existence of God in
three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-3,
14; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
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We believe in the deity of Christ and the
redemptive work of His cross. We also believe in
His literal resurrection, which serves as
the anchor of our hope of everlasting life. (Matthew 16:16; Ephesians
2:14-16; Matthew 28:1-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
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We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells each
Christian
and is providentially active in the life
of every true follower of Christ. (Acts 2:38; Galatians 4:6;
Romans 8:9-14).
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We believe that the Bible is God's divinely
inspired and all-sufficient Word and therefore our guide for life,
conduct, and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
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We believe that salvation results from the grace
and mercy of God who calls us to obedience, accountability to
Him, and union with Him. (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8, 9;
Ephesians 1:3, 7; 2 Timothy 2:10).
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We believe that we establish a relationship with
Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism. We further
believe that baptism is immersion, based on one's personal
affirmation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Hebrews
11:6; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8: 35-39;
Romans 6:1-7; Colossians 2:12).
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We believe that every soul will be resurrected to
appear before God in judgment, resulting in either eternal life in heaven or
eternal punishment in hell. (John 5:28, 29; Matthew
25:45, 46; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
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We believe that the church established by
Christ is undenominational and that undenominational Christianity
exists today wherever people believe and obey the pure and
unadulterated teaching of the New
Testament. ( Matthew 16:18; John 17:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 1:10;
Ephesians 4:1-6).
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We believe that all people are free to read
and study God's Word for themselves, to form conclusions based on
their study of that Word, and to hold those conclusions without the
fear of human intimidation. (2 Timothy 2:15).
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We believe that certain patterns evident among
first century Christians are standards for the work and worship of
today's church. These include:
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Weekly observance of the Lord's Supper on the first
day of the week. (Acts 20:7)
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Weekly freewill offerings collected on the first day of the week.
(1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
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A
cappella (vocal) music in public worship. (Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians
3:16; Revelation 22:18, 19).
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Congregational leadership by biblically qualified
elders and congregational service by biblically qualified deacons.
(Acts 14:23; I Timothy 3:1-13; Philippians 1:1).
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Revised: 17 Jul 2007.