WHO ARE WE?
We are simply a group of Christians who meet together as we believe the earliest Christians did in Biblical times, with no ordained clergy, appointed elders or church hierarchy. We believe that all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are, by the Holy Spirit, placed into one body, in which there is no division before God (Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:40; Romans 12:5).
As members of that one body, we meet locally unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine gathering Center, apart from any creed or denomination. We also believe the Bible to be the all-sufficient, divinely inspired guide book and authority. In seeking to follow the Bible’s instructions, women wear a head covering as defined by Scripture [I Corinthians 11:5-15] and remain silent during our meetings [I Corinthians 14:34].
OUR HISTORY
The church is one and all believers make up the one church. The apostle Paul said, “the church is subject to Christ [Ephesians 5:24]. In Colossians 1:18 Paul said, “He is the head of the Church. . . that in all things He might have the preeminence.”
Between 1825-1850 this truth, and the distinctives of the Church (with it’s heavenly hope and rapture prior to the tribulation) and Israel (with it’s earthly place separate from the Church) was rediscovered, first in Ireland, then in Switzerland, Germany, France, the United States, and elsewhere. Believers began again to meet together to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ only, believing Him to be in their midst (Matthew 18:20). Several local believers began meeting together, acting on these principle of One Body in Christ, while holding the hope of the Church to be separate from the hope of Israel.
OUR ESSENTIAL BELIEFS
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19-20: Three distinct Persons; one God!
JESUS CHRIST:
We believe that by the miracle of the virgin birth, Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He came to reveal God and redeem man to God by dying on the cross for our sins [1 Cor. 15:3-4]. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death, as well as to demonstrate God’s acceptance of the sacrifice He made on the cross of Calvary. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday first to gather together in the air the Assembly to Himself [1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-53] and then to return to earth to reign as King and Lord. [2 Thess. 1:7-10]
THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing God’s will.
He is also the Authority in the collective gatherings of God’s people, exalting and bringing glory to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:7-15; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
THE BIBLE:
We believe the Bible is God’s word, the supreme source of truth. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16
MANKIND:
We believe man was created in the image of God to be like Him in character. Mankind is the highest expression of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God causing chaos and disfunction in our lives and darkness in the world. Sin’s wages is death!
(Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:10-18,23).
SALVATION:
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be rescued from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are made whole. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(John 10:28; John 17:3; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:1a; Romans 10:9-10;13)
ETERNAL SECURITY:
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure for eternity. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us eternal security, not our self effort. A true Christian will not take advantage of God’s favor, but will practice genuine humility and submit their will to live according to God’s standards.
(John 10:24-30; 1 Timothy 1:12-16; Luke 3:8; Titus 3:5-6)
THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE:
We believe that a Christian is called to walk within scriptural boundaries but also has freedom within those boundaries. We trust the people of God to be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God’s standards.
(Romans 14:1-6; Galatians 5:22-25)
BAPTISM:
We believe Baptism is one of the ordinances Christ left as a public symbol of being worthy of death, with the recognition life is imparted thru the action of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:13;Eph.1:13). It is normally an outward sign of a recognition of the living presence of the Holy Spirit in one baptized. Baptism means to dip or immerse: therefore the mode of Baptism is immersion. [Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41]
COMMUNION:
We believe that Jesus requested us to remember Him through sharing the bread (symbol of His body given for us) and the cup (symbol of His blood shed for us). It is an outward act of obedience to Christ who said “This do in remembrance of me”. We follow the scriptural direction to partake of the Lord’s supper every Sunday (Lord’s Day).
(1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7)