We exist to express love for God and His love for each person; uniting people into a saving and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, that they may know and obey His Word, fulfilling His purposes in their lives.
A Christian church—Our message is that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” We require no other creed. He alone is Lord and Savior.
A church seeking to restore—As much as possible, we imitate the New Testament precedents. That is why our baptism is by immersion, our communion is every Lord’s Day, our leaders are called elders, our preaching is about Christ, and our prayers are in Christ’s name. Even our church name is rooted in the earliest days, when disciples were called Christians.
An apostolic church—The church, Ephesians 2:19,20 states, is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Whatever we know about Christ and the church we learned from Jesus’ closest companions the apostles.
A thinking church—In the same Ephesian letter, Paul prays that God will give “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. . .” Christian faith demands the best our minds can give, so we are a studying church, seeking to apply biblical truth intelligently.
A feeling church—Ours is not a dryly intellectual approach to God, however. We rejoice and praise and pray and love and serve from the heart. We are unashamed of the gospel and not embarrassed to let our excitement be seen.
A free church—We have no bishops or superintendents or national headquarters to determine local church policies. We elect our own leaders, call and support our own ministers, decide where our mission money will go. We are not isolationists, though. Our congregations freely associate with one another to accomplish tasks too big for one church alone.
A growing church - We want to grow because we know we are under Christ’s commission to disciple the world. We haven’t completed the task yet, so Christian churches and churches of Christ are renewing our commitment to go unto the ends of the earth, preaching and baptizing and teaching, until the whole world knows the one Lord of all.
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; Matt. 28:19)
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to gather his followers to join him with God in heaven. (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 1:9-11)
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of Salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:25)
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53;6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2)
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ, as God’s offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-rule life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Salvation can be received by placing our trust in Christ, confessing him as Lord, repenting of our sin, and then being immersed. (John 3:16; Acts 2:38;)
