Our Authority
Our source of
authority is that which is found only in the inspired Scriptures. Therefore,
we seek to be governed in all that we do by God's Word. Since the Scriptures
are sufficient for our every need (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we do not ask
that anyone accept any creed book or church manual written by men.
Our Mission
It is our responsibility as Christians to preach the saving message of
Jesus Christ to the lost of the world (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20).
The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47). In order to be saved
one must believe on Christ (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9-20); repent of his
sins (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 2 Cor. 7:10); confess Jesus (Acts 8:37;
Rom. 10:9-10) and be immersed in water for the remission of his sins
(Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). Baptism
puts us into Christ where salvation is (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12;
Galatians 3:27; 1 Timothy 2:10) and into the one body of Christ, His
church, the church of which He is savior (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians
1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).
The Church
The religious world of our day is divided into various denominations.
Each of these wears a denominational name that serves to further divide
believers. We believe that this division is contrary to the Scriptures
(1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3-4; Ephesians 4:3-6; John 17:20-21). Therefore,
we have no denominational organization, name, doctrine or creed. We
are known simply as Christians (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16). As a congregation,
we are a church of Christ (Romans 16:16).
The word "church" means the "called out ones." The
church is composed of those who have been "called out" of this
world by the gospel unto Christ (II Thess. 2:14). The gospel tells of
sin and of its wages of eternal death (Rom. 6:23). It tells of Christ's
death, burial, and resurrection (I Cor. 15:1-4). It urges all to receive
forgiveness of sins. When one obeys the gospel, when he heeds its call,
he is then "called out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I
Pet. 2:9). So, the church is made up of those who have obeyed the gospel,
who have been "called out" of sin unto salvation.
Jesus Himself is the only recognized head of the church, who has been
given all authority in heaven and on the earth (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians
1:22-23). The congregation is overseen by qualified elders and served
by qualified deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28). Every
member is considered a necessary and important part of the body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Jesus Himself is the only recognized head of
the church, who has been given all authority in heaven and on the earth
(Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).
The church is the saved (Eph. 5:23). The church is not the Savior. Jesus
is. But the church is the body of Christ. All who believe and are baptized
are saved (Mk. 16:16), that is, they are "added to the church" by
the Lord (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).
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