Goodland
CHURCH OF CHRIST
STATEMENT OF FAITH
1. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE IN AND TEACH THE GREAT COMMISSION.
Make Disciples (Followers of Christ)
Baptize Believers
Embrace the Teaching of Christ
Matthew 28:18-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”
2. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE THAT "GOD IS LOVE" AND TO LOVE PEOPLE IS WHAT GOD WANTS FROM US .
John 4:7-8 (NASB)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is [a]born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [a]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
3. AT THIS CHURCH, THE BIBLE IS OUR CREED.
The belief of this church is stated fully and completely in the Bible. There is no other manual or discipline to which the members of the body of Christ give their allegiance. The Bible is considered the only infallible guide to heaven.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
16 All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [b]training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
4. AT THIS CHURCH WE ARE GOVERNED BY ELDERS.
There is plurality of elders or presbyters who serve as the governing body. These men are selected by the local congregation on the basis of qualifications set down in the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are deacons, teachers, and evangelists or ministers. The latter do not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The elders are shepherds or overseers who serve under the headship of Christ according to he New Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no earthly authority superior to the elders of the local church.
5. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE.
The original autographs of the sixty six books which make up the Bible are considered to be divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the scripture is made settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
6. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE IN THE VIRGIN BIRTH.
The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New Testament passages such as Matthew 1:20, 25, are accepted at face value as declarations of the virgin birth. Christ is accepted as the only begotten Son of God, uniting in his person perfect divinity and perfect manhood.
7. AT THIS CHURCH WE BAPTIZE BY IMMERSION ONLY.
The word baptize comes from the Greek word "baptizo" and literally means, "to dip, to immerse, to plunge." In addition to the literal meaning of the word, immersion is practiced because it was the practice of the church in apostolic times. Still further, only immersion conforms to the description of baptisms as given by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a burial and resurrection.
8. AT THIS CHURCH WE DO NOT PRACTICE INFANT BAPTISM.
Only those who have reached the "age of accountability" are accepted for baptisms. It is pointed out that the examples given in the New Testament are always of those who have heard the gospel preached and have believed it. Faith must always precede baptism, so only those old enough to understand and believe the gospel are considered fit subjects for baptism.
9. AT THIS CHURCH WE TAKE THE LORDS SUPPER ON THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY WEEK.
The Lord’s Supper is to be taken by a believer on the first day of every week as they proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns.
Acts 2:42 (NASB)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and [a]to prayer.
Acts 20:7 (NASB)
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his [a]message until midnight.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NASB)
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
A central part of the worship is the eating of the Lord's supper.
10. AT THIS CHURCH WE WORSHIP WITH ACA-PELLA SINGING.
As a result of the distinctive plea of the church - a return to New Testament Faith and practice - aca-pella singing is the only music used in the worship. This singing, unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music, conforms to the music used in the apostolic church and for several centuries thereafter.
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NASB)
19 speaking to [a]one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [b]God, even the Father;
Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
16 Let the word of [a]Christ richly dwell within you, [b]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [c]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [d]with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Acts 2:42 (NASB)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and [a]to prayer.
11. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE IN HEAVEN AND HELL.
The statement of Christ in Matthew 25:31-46, and elsewhere, are taken at face value. It is believed that after death each man must come before God in judgment and that he will be judged according to the deeds done while he lived.
Hebrews 9:27 (NASB)
27 And inasmuch as it is [a]appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
After judgment is pronounced he will spend eternity either in heaven or hell.
12. HOW DOES ONE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?
In the salvation of man's soul there are 2 necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part,
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [a]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part is the big part, man's part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part can clearly set forth in the following steps:
FAITH:
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
BELIEVING AND CONFESSING JESUS AS LORD:
John 3:16 (NASB)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
9 [a]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [b]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [c]resulting in salvation.
REPENTANCE:
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2 corinthians 7:10 (NASB)
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance [a]without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
BAPTISM:
We believe that when one places their faith in Jesus, believing that He is the Son of God, repenting for their sins, and confessing Jesus as Lord of their life they are ready to be immersed into Jesus. Here is the biblical example.
Romans 6:3-6 (NASB)
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become [a]united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be [b]in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old [c]self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be [d]done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:31-33 (NASB)
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of [a]the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
Acts 8:35-38 (NASB)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 [[a]And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the [b]chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
FAITHFULNESS:
We believe that a true believer will want to set himself apart from the works of the flesh and practice the teaching of Christ. Here are some scriptures to consider.
Romans 12:1-3 (NASB)
12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.
Galatians 5:16-25 (NASB)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh [a]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you [b]please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: [c]immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [d]factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [e]belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also [f]walk by the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I [a]discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
13. AT THIS CHURCH WE BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLS A BAPTIZED BELIEVER.
We believe the the Holy Spirit was given by Jesus Christ on the Day of Pentecost to all believers.
Acts 1:4-5 (NASB)
4 [a]Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for [b]what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized [c]with the Holy Spirit [d]not many days from now.”
Acts 2:1-4 (NASB)
1 When the day of Pentecost [a]had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire [b]distributing themselves, and [c]they [d]rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [e]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [f]utterance.
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit indwells the life of a baptized believer and is evidenced by a believer producing fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.