Thank you for checking out our “What We Believe” page. It is essential to our spiritual growth that we know what a Church believes. Often times individuals search for Statements of Belief that match what they already believe. We take a slightly different approach. Our first question is “What does the Bible teach?” At First Church of Christ, our belief statement could be written, “The Bible teaches, therefore, we believe.”
The Bible teaches that God is One – represented by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1-2; Deuteronomy 4:35; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:1; Mark 12:32; Luke 22:70; John 1:1ff; John 3:16; John 14:9-20)
The Bible teaches God created all that is. (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:3)
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is our Savior. (John 1:14; 1 John 4:9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:18; Acts 4:12)
The Bible teaches Jesus was fully human and fully divine, and that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary. (John 1:1ff; John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; 1 John 1:1; Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:26-38)
The Bible teaches Jesus lived on this earth without sin making him the perfect sacrifice for man. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
The Bible teaches Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate. (Luke 23:1-46)
The Bible teaches Jesus died and was buried, and then rose from the grave in bodily form three days later. (Luke 23:44 – 24:8; John 20:24-29; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
The Bible teaches Jesus ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father. (Luke 22:69; Acts 1:1-9; Colossians 3:1)
The Bible teaches Jesus will return to earth one day to judge both the living and the dead. (Matthew 24:36-42; John 14:1-3, Acts 1:10-11; 10:39-42; 1 Peter 4:5)
The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit would come. (John 16:5-17)
The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is active in our lives. (John 16:5-15; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 8:26-27)
The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit indwells every true follower of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14)
The Bible teaches that God’s Holy Word, was inspired by God through man. (Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Bible teaches what is acceptable in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:14-16; Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible teaches that man, created by God, willfully sinned against God and without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is consequently lost and without hope. (Acts 4:12; Romans 3:10 & 23; Romans 6:23)
The Bible teaches that salvation—the forgiveness of sins—is only by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7)
The Bible teaches that we receive God’s grace by putting our faith in and being obedient to Jesus Christ. This faith and obedience are demonstrated by one’s belief in Jesus, repenting of sin, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, and being immersed into Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1-2)
Belief (John 3:16; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16; Romans 3:22)
Repentance (Luke 24:45-47; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)
Confessing (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:15)
Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1Peter 3:21)
The Bible teaches that we are to continue to live in faithful obedience to Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:20; Luke 11:28; John 14:15-24; John 15:10; Acts 5:29; Romans 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:18)
The Bible teaches that the Church of Jesus Christ was founded on the Day of Pentecost, and consisting of all followers of Christ everywhere. (Matthew 16:13-18; Acts 2:14-47; Ephesians 2:19-20)
The Bible teaches that the Elders, called by God, are to exercise authority over the local congregation. (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
The Bible teaches, therefore we believe.