BASIC UNDERSTANDINGS FROM WHICH ALL OUR BIBLE TEACHINGS EXTEND
1. The All-Sufficiency of the Bible:
I Timothy 3:16,17 because the Bible tells us that God wrote the bible we reject any man-made creeds (how can you improve on God) to which so many Denominations adhere. We have no formal statement of faith other than that which is found in the Bible. We believe that what the Bible says is what it means so we do not add to it or take away from it. The Holy Spirit inspired examples of Christian living are to be followed today.
2. The Bible is simple to understand:
Matthew 18:1-9 and 19:13-15 if Jesus wants little children to come to Him, He wouldn't make it impossible to understand. We just want to make it mean more then He says so it becomes difficult to understand. Therefore we simply ask what does it say, not what does it mean.
3. The Tri-Unity of God:
One divine nature Deuteronomy 6:4 with plural manifestations Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19. The Father - Matthew 6:26 and I Peter 1:17 The Son - John 17:5; John 20:24-29 and Philippians 2:5,6. The Holy Spirit - Acts 5:3,4 and Genesis 1:2
4. The Atonement - At/one/ment:
The only way a Holy God and a flesh driven, sinful man can have any association. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the atonement. A person must believe that Jesus did this, trust that it is adequate to compensate for his sins, and act out this belief and trust in living his life, as Jesus would have him live. The spiritual benefits of the atonement are contacted in three physical representations, according to the New Testament, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the Church. I Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 3:21-26, and Hebrews 2:14-18
5. Faith - Faith in Christ Jesus as Lord (Lord means boss) is the foundation of Christianity.
Faith is not an act of God by which He chooses who will be a Christian and who will not, rather, it is simply believing the testimony of God's commands and examples given to Christians in the first century, and transforming this knowledge into a personal relationship with Christ. Hebrews 11:1-3,6; I Corinthians 4:6. Principle: Do not exceed that which is written in Scripture.
6. Baptism - Baptism is by immersion -
Acts 8:38,39 "they went down into and came up out of."Baptism is like a burial Romans Romans 6:1-6. Baptism is for the remission of sins Acts 2:38 and 22:16. Baptism is a plea for a clear conscience I Peter 3:21.
7. The Lord's Supper, Communion, The Eucharist -
As the early Church practiced. In the New Testament we commemorate Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection every Lord's Day (the first day of the week - Sunday). Luke 22:19-22, Acts 20:7, II Corinthians 11:17-32.
8. Evangelism -
The Mission of the Church. We are saved to serve, we are won to win, and we are told to tell. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 8:4.
9. The Local Church -
has freedom to act on it's own. Each church is independent. Titus 1:5, every congregation had Elders to help in the early Church. Christ is the head of the Church Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 1:22, therefore, we have no centralized local, state, national, or international governing authority for the Church. Each congregation has the right of internal government or authority called autonomy, under Christ as the first century Church did.
10. Unity -
The unity of the Church is the hope of Salvation for the entire world. John 17:21-23 In every book of the New Testament there is a plea for unity. The only way we can truly be one is to lay aside man's teachings, creeds, names, etc. and simply practice what the Bible says. "Doing Bible things in Bible ways." Following God's Holy Spirit inspired commands and examples is the only logical way to avoid diluting His Word and straying from the principles God intended to direct Christ's Church.
11. Our Name -
Even our name reflects our overarching desire to return to our roots and follow the early Church's example. Back to basics to inspire unity and "do Bible things in Bible ways", "what the Bible says is what it means". So we use a Bible name like: Christian - Acts 11:26, Disciple - Acts 6:1, 14:22, Church of Christ - Romans 16:16, Church of God - Acts 20:28 Using any other name, whether after a man of God, or a doctrinal practice, is divisive and is contrary to God's will or way. We are not the only Christians but we are Christians only. We open our arms of fellowship to any and all that desire uncomplicated, New Testament Christianity.
12. The Clergy and Laity -
Following the resurrection of Jesus Christ there was no need for a separate priesthood for each Christian was a priest I Peter 2:9. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man I Timothy 2:5. There is no distinction between the "Clergy" and the "Laity" in the early Church. No titles were given or taken Galatians 3:28, I Corinthians 12:12-20. Only God should be revered so no one else should be called "Reverend".