We Believe
The Word of God. We believe that the revealed word of God (scripture) is the only authority by which Disciples of Christ are to be governed. We believe that all claims of spiritual knowledge must be supported by the Bible). The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. We believe all scripture is given by inspiration of God (revealed), and is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof (criticism), for correction (righting wrong or discipline), for instruction in righteousness (direction for holy living). (2Timothy 3:16)
God. There is but one God, the Maker, Creator and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfected all things and being infinite in all of them; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
The Trinity. God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
The Founder- Jesus Christ, We believe that Christ Himself instituted His Church and that He received full authority from God to do so (Mark 9:7). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus tells His disciples that the Church would be built on Him, and because of this Satan would have no lasting power over it. The only begotten Son of God is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He forever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church and Sovereign of the universe who will come again in glory for all true believers among the living and the dead.
The Motivation-Love -The Church is founded on the love of God (John 3:16). This is an unchanging love, a love that cares tenderly for a person even when she or he is wrong. God's love, loves the sinner, but hates the sins in the person's life. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
The Emblem- The Fish. History records that among the first Disciples of Christ nearly 2000 years ago, it is said that in the struggle of the Church with the civil authorities, the early Disciples used the sign of the fish as a secret code to protect their identity in the midst of their enemies. The Church of Christ Disciples of Christ carries that same emblem today.
The Great Commission- The Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ International recognizes preaching and teaching the Gospel as its first priority in obedience to the command given to the first disciples by Jesus Himself. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
The New Testament Church. The Church of Christ Disciples of Christ is a New Testament Church. This does not in any way preclude our belief in the Old Testament, for it served as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:23-26). We believe the entire Bible from Genesis to Malachi and Matthew to Revelation; to be the revealed Word of God. We are a New Testament Church because our salvation, hope, and eternal life came through Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its complete operation.
Baptism. We believe that if one is to follow the path of righteousness of Jesus Christ, she or he must be totally submerged under water, which is known as "water baptism." Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life.
The Lord's Supper. We believe that the observance of the Lord's Supper (Communion) by all believers is essential. The Lord's Supper symbolizes God's love for us through Christ's suffering and death for our salvation. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His churches until the second coming of Christ. (John 13:15; John 13:1-7; Luke 22:19-20).
Feet Washing. We believe that, according to scripture, Christ demonstrated one of the greatest acts of humility, love, and self-sacrifice by lowering Himself to wash His Disciples' feet. While we agree that feet washing is not in and of itself a prerequisite to salvation, we do believe that all who confess salvation (baptism of the Holy Spirit) should partake in the ordinance of washing of one another’s feet.
Faith. Saving Faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life. It is produced in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces and leads to a life of holiness.
Salvation and Grace. We believe that men and women are carnal and, thereby, sinful. Because we are born in sin, there needs to be an atoning and redemptive process undertaken between Christ and the individual. Obtaining this divine favor is gained through the process of salvation. This redemptive operation, which comes only through the initiation of the Holy Spirit, is brought about by repentance (a change of heart) towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sanctification. Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God's word and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. This Sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
Justification. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the work which Christ completed, not for anything done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.
God. There is but one God, the Maker, Creator and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfected all things and being infinite in all of them; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
The Trinity. God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
The Founder- Jesus Christ, We believe that Christ Himself instituted His Church and that He received full authority from God to do so (Mark 9:7). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus tells His disciples that the Church would be built on Him, and because of this Satan would have no lasting power over it. The only begotten Son of God is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He forever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church and Sovereign of the universe who will come again in glory for all true believers among the living and the dead.
The Motivation-Love -The Church is founded on the love of God (John 3:16). This is an unchanging love, a love that cares tenderly for a person even when she or he is wrong. God's love, loves the sinner, but hates the sins in the person's life. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
The Emblem- The Fish. History records that among the first Disciples of Christ nearly 2000 years ago, it is said that in the struggle of the Church with the civil authorities, the early Disciples used the sign of the fish as a secret code to protect their identity in the midst of their enemies. The Church of Christ Disciples of Christ carries that same emblem today.
The Great Commission- The Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ International recognizes preaching and teaching the Gospel as its first priority in obedience to the command given to the first disciples by Jesus Himself. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
The New Testament Church. The Church of Christ Disciples of Christ is a New Testament Church. This does not in any way preclude our belief in the Old Testament, for it served as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:23-26). We believe the entire Bible from Genesis to Malachi and Matthew to Revelation; to be the revealed Word of God. We are a New Testament Church because our salvation, hope, and eternal life came through Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its complete operation.
Baptism. We believe that if one is to follow the path of righteousness of Jesus Christ, she or he must be totally submerged under water, which is known as "water baptism." Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life.
The Lord's Supper. We believe that the observance of the Lord's Supper (Communion) by all believers is essential. The Lord's Supper symbolizes God's love for us through Christ's suffering and death for our salvation. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His churches until the second coming of Christ. (John 13:15; John 13:1-7; Luke 22:19-20).
Feet Washing. We believe that, according to scripture, Christ demonstrated one of the greatest acts of humility, love, and self-sacrifice by lowering Himself to wash His Disciples' feet. While we agree that feet washing is not in and of itself a prerequisite to salvation, we do believe that all who confess salvation (baptism of the Holy Spirit) should partake in the ordinance of washing of one another’s feet.
Faith. Saving Faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life. It is produced in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces and leads to a life of holiness.
Salvation and Grace. We believe that men and women are carnal and, thereby, sinful. Because we are born in sin, there needs to be an atoning and redemptive process undertaken between Christ and the individual. Obtaining this divine favor is gained through the process of salvation. This redemptive operation, which comes only through the initiation of the Holy Spirit, is brought about by repentance (a change of heart) towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sanctification. Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God's word and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. This Sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
Justification. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the work which Christ completed, not for anything done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.
