As Disciples of Christ, sharing in the fellowship yet maintaining freedoms given to each local body, we hold the following beliefs to be distinctive of our local body.
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s revelation to us about Himself. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit so that it is without error in the original manuscripts. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are our supreme and final authority in faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16; 2 P 1:21)
GOD
There is only one God who exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three persons, while distinct in personalities, yet are identical in essence, equal in power, yet have the same attributes and characteristics. (Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14)
GOD THE FATHER
The Father is fully God, and His Fatherhood is personal and eternal. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and of all who believe in Christ. (John 14:1-2, 21-24)
GOD THE SON
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, equal with the Father. He was born of a virgin, fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless human life, and atoned for sins by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead, physically demonstrating His power over sin and death, then ascended to heaven. One day He will personally and visibly return to reign as King of kings. (John 1:1, 14, 18, Heb 1:1-9, 1 Tim 2:5)
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He moved the human authors of the Bible to write God’s Word. He makes people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, performs the miracle of new birth, and comes to live permanently in every Christian the moment they trust in Jesus Christ. He unites all Christians into the one Body of Christ, providing each of them with power for service, understanding of spiritual truth, and comfort in the midst of trials. (John 3:3-7; 1 Cor 2:12-16; Rom 8:9; Titus 3:5; Eph 1:13)
THE GOSPEL
In simplest terms, the gospel (good news) is who God is and what He has done on our behalf. The gospel is the good and joyous news, the proclamation, the message of victory. Christ came as God incarnate, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose from the grave defeating death, appeared to many, ascended to the Father, and will return one day. The good news is that by His grace through faith in Him, we can be saved, justified, and reconciled to God. (1 Cor 15:3-6; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 10:9-13)
HUMAN BEINGS
People are created in the image of God, made for relationship with Him. However, all of us are marred by sin, which separates us from God, makes us liable for judgment, and ultimately results in eternal death apart from God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. (Gen 1:26-27; John 3:16-21, Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-3)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s gracious gift of relationship with Him that is offered to all. We cannot enter that relationship by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ alone can we be forgiven for our sins, come into a secure, eternal relationship with God and be saved from His judgment. When we turn from depending on ourselves to Jesus Christ in faith, we are saved. Eternal life is secured the instant one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (John 3:16-18; Eph 2:4-9; Rom 10:9-13)
ETERNITY
God has created and ordained eternity for all, either eternally in relationship with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, or separated from God in hell due to sin and unbelief. (John 3:3, 36; Heb 9:27; Rev 21:1-8)
THE CHURCH
The church is the family of God, composed of all believers, and exists in two aspects, universal and local. The universal church is the body and bride of Christ created by God to worship Him and reveal His glory on earth. The local church is the gathering of believers, where the Word is taught and sacraments are administered. We make Christ known by reaching out to those who do not know Him, loving each other, growing in unity to become more like Christ, and serving others in His Name. The Church celebrates baptism and the Lord’s Supper until Jesus returns. (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27)
In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity