What We believe
Salvation In Christ
In the salvation of man’s soul there are two necessary parts: God’s part and man’s part. God’s part is the big part, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man glory” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 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 be clearly set forth in the following steps:
Hear the Gospel. “How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him who they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
Believe. “And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Repent of past sins. “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord. “Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou believe with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins. “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life. “Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Our Worship Service
Our services generally open with a brief welcome. The song leader then leads the congregation in singing without instrumental accompaniment. An opening prayer is offered, followed by more singing and then the preacher delivers a sermon from the Bible. All are encouraged to bring their Bibles and follow along during the study period. At the end of the sermon, the Lord's invitation is extended. Each Sunday, the first day of the week, Communion is served in remembrance of the death of Christ, and Christians may participate at the morning or evening worship service, whichever is convenient. The service concludes with a song and a closing prayer. Visitors may sit silently through the service, or they may participate to the degree they feel comfortable.
Organization of the Local Church
In each congregation, which has existed long enough to become fully organized, there is a plurality of elders or presbyters who serve as the governing body. These men are selected by the local congregations 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 the new Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no earthly authority superior to the elders of the local church.
