|
|
Articles of Faith |
|
1. The Scripture We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth for its matter, it reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true 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 22:29-32; John 1:45; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalms 19:7-11; 119:89, 105.
2. God
There is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, to whom we owe the highest 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.
Genesis 1:11; Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 5:6-7; 6:4-5; Isaiah 48:12-13; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19: John 1:14-19; 5.26; Galatians 4:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Hebrews 11:6.
3. The Fall of Man
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 and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
Romans 3:21; Genesis 1:27; 2:7; 3:22-24; Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:12-14; 7:23-25; Colossians 1:21.
4. The Way of Salvation
The salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death. Being raised from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
Matthew 1:21-25; Luke 1:36; Romans 1:1-6; 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 13:3-4; Galatians 2:19-20; 3:13; Ephesians 1:7-14; 1:20-23; 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21-23.
5. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing.
Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-2; 8:30; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; 5:21.
6. Freeness of Salvation
The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as teacher, Saviour, and Lord.
Mark 16:16; John 3:14-18; Romans 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Ephesians 1:5; 2-4-10; Revelations 22:17.
7. Regeneration
Regeneration of the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is work of God's free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God.
John 1:12-13; 3:1-8; Romans 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:1-10; 4:30; Colossians 3:1-11; Titus 3:3-7.
8. Repentance and Faith
We believe that REPENTANCE and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Mark 1:14-15; 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; John 16:8-11; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 20:20-21; Romans 3:25-31.
9. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the mews in connection with the end. It is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree.
Acts 26:18; Romans 8:29-30; 11:7-16; Ephesians 1:9-10, 15-23; 2:4-7; 2 Timothy 1:8-10.
10. Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which the regenerated gradually attain to moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit living in their hearts. It continues throughout the earthly life, and is accomplished by the use of all the ordinary means of grace, and particularly the word of God.
John 17-16-17; Acts 4:31-32, Romans 6:3-7; 8:17-28; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:14.
11. Perseverance
All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them and. they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Matthews 26:70-75; John 10:27-31; Romans 5:8-10; 8:28-29; 9:16; 1 Corinthians 11:32; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 2:19-20.
12. A Gospel Church
A church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; 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 bishops, or elders, or deacons.
Matthews 16:8; 18:15-18; Acts 2:41-47; 14:21-24; 1 Corinthians 12:4; 9:1-14; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
13. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour. It is prerequisite to the privileges of church relations and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the use of bread and wine, commemorate the dying love of Christ.
Matthews 3:1-17; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 26:26-27; Luke 22:19, 30; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 10:16-37; 11:23-26.
14. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from amusements, and resting from secular employments, except for works of necessity and mercy.
Matthews 28:1-6; John 20:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Revelations 1:9-11.
15. The Righteous and the Wicked
There is a radical and essential difference between the RIGHTEOUS and wicked. Those only who are justified through the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly RIGHTEOUS in his sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked and under" condemnation. This distinction between the RIGHTEOUS and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and everlasting awards are made to all men.
Matthews 25:31-46; Mark 9:48; Luke 23:43; John 20:1-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelations 20:10-15.
16. The Resurrection
The Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after his resurrection in many convincing manifestation. He now exists in his glorified body at God's right hand. There will be a resurrection of RIGHTEOUS and wicked. The bodies of the RIGHTEOUS will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus.
Matthews 28:6; John 5:28-29, 14:1-3, 20:1-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelations 20:12-15.
17. The Return of the Lord
The New Testament teaches in many places 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 words to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.
Matthews 24:29-44; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11.
18. Religious Liberty
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. Each 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. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto, in all things not contrary, to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A Free Church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Matthews 22:17-21; Mark 12:13-17; Romans13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:17.
19. Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings on Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true remedy for the war spirit is the pure gospel of our Lord. 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.
Matthews 5:3-12; 5:38-48; Romans 14:17-19; 12:17-21; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-3
20. Evangelism and Missions
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 of God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary efforts, on the part of all, rests thus upon a spiritual necessity 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.
Matthews 10:5-15, 13:11-23, 22:8-10, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 16:19-20; Luke 24:46-53; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 21:39, 8:1-40, 10:42-48, 13:1-3,30-33; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8.
21. Stewardships
God is the source of a1l blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have, we owe to him. We have a spiritual debtor ship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the Gospel, and binding STEWARDSHIPS in our possessions. 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 arid helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthews 23:23; 25:14-30; Luke 12:41-48; Acts 2:44-47; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.
22. The Kingdom
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. The Kingdom of God will be complete when every thought and will of man shall be brought into captivity to the will of Christ. And 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; Matthews 4:23; 6:10; 8:12; 13:25; Mark 11:10; Luke 22:23-42; John 3:3; 18-36; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28. |
