What We Believe

 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly..Romans 5:6 

What Is The Church of Christ? Only Christ has the authority to say what the church is and what Christians should teach. 

We believe the church today should be the same as that in the New Testament in organization, name, worship, law of conversion and in principles of Christian living. Members of the church of Christ realize their own personal weaknesses and shortcomings, but they believe that the whole structure of Christianity rests upon the divinity of Christ and His resurrection (I Corinthians 15:14; 20-28). Members of the church of Christ hold that the New Testament writers were inspired of God and believe, therefore, that the New Testament is true and contains the final and, complete revelation from God to man (John 16:7-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3). Members of the church of Christ believe that the Old Testament was also inspired; however, that as a part of Gods eternal plan it was only a preparation or "tutor to bring us to Christ" (Galatians 3:23-25). The New Testament teaches that the Old Law was "blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). When the Old Law was abolished the new and better covenant went into effect (Hebrews 8:6-13; 9:15-18). Following the New Testament as the rule of faith and practice and the Old Testament as example (Hebrews 8:5; Romans 15:4), members of the church of Christ purpose to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where it is silent. Only the New Testament Serves as a Rule of Faith and Practice We believe that to subscribe to any creed other than the New Testament, to refuse to obey any New Testament command, or to follow any practice not sustained by the New Testament, would be adding to or taking from the teachings of God (Galatians 1:8; Revelations 22:18-19). The New Testament reveals that God has vested "all authority" in Christ (Matthew 28:18), and that Christ serves as God's spokesman today (Hebrews 1:1-2). Since the New Testament alone sets forth Christ's instruction to his disciples, it alone must serve as the basis for all religious teaching and practice. This is fundamental with members of the church of Christ. We believe that teaching the New Testament without modification is the only way to lead men and women to become Christians. The first members of the Lord's church accepted the apostle's teaching as infallible and final (Acts 2:42). However, before long some began to teach and practice things different from the apostle's teaching. Such a departure from sound doctrine was forecast by New Testament writers in their warnings against digression (Acts 20:29-30). Understanding this, we are very diligent in seeking authority from the scriptures in our doctrine, worship and way of life. we take the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ very seriously when he solemnly warns: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7: 21-23) Establishment of the Church of Christ Members of the church of Christ contend that the church was established on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ ... in A.D. 33 in the city of Jerusalem. Christ had told His apostles that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). During his earthly ministry, Christ declared, "the kingdom of God is at hand"(Matthew 3:2). "At hand" means imminent or nearby, but not an accomplished fact. When Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 16:18, "Upon this rock I will build (future tense) my church," the church was still in the future. In Mark 9: 1, Jesus told them that the kingdom would be established during the lifetime of some of those to whom he was speaking. Jesus further said that the kingdom would come with power, and that the power would come when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles (Acts 1:8). Acts 2:1-4 reads, "And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place, And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. . . ." Before the day of Pentecost all scriptural references to the establishment of the church indicate it as a future event, (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-2; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 3:1-2; Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1; Matthew 6:9-10). After Pentecost the church is spoken of as an established institution (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13-14). Name of the Church The term, "church of Christ" is not used as a denominational appellation. It is simply a descriptive term indicating the fact that the church is the possession of Christ. This is not an exclusive term to designate the church, because the New Testament also refers to the church as: The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28); The body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27); The house of God (I Timothy 3:15); The church of God (Galatians 1: 13); The church of the Firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). These are all terms which show possession. They point to the Lord as the owner of the church. Members of the church of Christ believe it right to wear a name which gives honor and glory to Christ. Salvation is in Christ's name (Acts 4:12), and we are to do all things in the name of the Christ (Colossians 3:16-17). Organization of the Church The church of Christ has no earthly headquarters, and no universal organization. Each congregation is autonomous or "self-ruled" and is independent of every other congregation. Churches may cooperate in the accomplishment of good works, but their autonomy is carefully maintained. We pray and believe that the organizational pattern of the church of Christ is divine in origin. Jesus Christ is recognized as the supreme ruler over the church (Colossians 1:18). No fallible man serves as earthly head over the church. The sole unit of organization in the church of Christ is the local congregation. Each congregation is separate and independent in its government. Christ has delegated authority in the management of the local congregation to the elders, pastors, or bishops . . . three different terms referring to the same office (Acts 20:17, 28; Ephesians 4:1 1; I Timothy 3: 1; Titus 1:5). There is a plurality of elders in every congregation (Acts 11:30; 14:23). The qualifications for these men are described in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They have no authority over other congregations other than the one they serve. The church of Christ also has a special group of men called deacons. They serve under the direction of the elders. Their qualifications are given in I Timothy 3:8-13. The church of Christ also has men known as preachers (I Timothy 2:7),ministers (I Timothy 4:6), or evangelists (II Timothy 4:5. They likewise serve under the direction of the elders of the local congregation. We do not refer to our preachers with the term "Pastor," believing that this term as used in the New Testament refers to those men who have the oversight of the congregation. Neither do our preachers assume religious titles such as "Reverend," inasmuch as this term is used only one time in the Bible (Psalms 111:9), and in this instance refers to God. We believe the New Testament makes no distinction between so-called "clergy" and "laity," and that preachers are no more worthy of titles than other members of the church.