- WHAT ARE YOUR BASIC BELIEFS? We believe that: Jesus, the Son of God, was born of a virgin; He lived a sinless life, but yet loved us enough to pay the price for our sin through death on the cross; He overcame death and the grave by resurrecting on the third day; and His Great Commission of going into all of the world, preaching, making disciples, and baptizing applies to all who will follow Him. We believe that acceptance of Jesus Christ and obedience to His commands are the means to eternal life in Heaven. We believe that one’s acceptance and obedience involve faith, repentance, confession, baptism (by immersion), and continuation with Christ’s help in the Christian life. We believe that Jesus is coming again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- What do you believe about baptism?When the multitude of people on the day of Pentecost realized they were living in sin, Peter told them to “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38). When Ananias came to Paul he said, “Arise and be baptized wash away your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord”(Acts 22:16). When Philip preached to a treasurer traveling back to Ethiopia, the text says he “preached unto him Jesus.” This included baptism because the treasurer said, “See here is water what hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36-38). When Paul preached to a jailer and his family, they were baptized in the same hour of the night that they learned about Jesus (Acts 16:32-33).
We preach baptism because Jesus and the apostles taught baptism (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). However, baptism alone does not save man from sin. We must preach all of the salvation plan:
Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9); Mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5); Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17); Jesus (Romans 5:8); Hearing (Romans 10:17); Believing (Romans 10:9-10); Repenting (Acts 2:38); Confessing (Romans 10:9-10); Baptism (1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 28:18-20); Living a life of faith (Revelation 2:10; 2 Peter 1:1-11)
Man cannot save himself from sin. Jesus’ blood on the cross saves us from our deserved punishment(Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:1-8). But, faith in Jesus is more than just a mental acknowledgement that He exists (Matthew 7:21-23). We need to obey him and following His plan of salvation and not our own. Baptism is part of the Lord’s plan. In baptism we “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).
- WHY DO YOU TAKE COMMUNION EVERY SUNDAY? One of the important features of the meetings of the Early Church was the partaking of the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion. The bread represents Christ’s broken body, and the fruit of the vine, the grape juice, represents His shed blood. Acts 20:7 relates that on the first day of the week, Sunday, the Christians shared in the Lord’s Supper. It is a time of remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and of self-examination of one’s own life.
- WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE OFFERINGS GIVEN? Tithes and offerings given support the staff (minister, secretary, and janitors), a variety of church programs, the upkeep and expansion of the building and grounds, the purchase of supplies, utilities, a scholarship fund for college students from West Central, and missionary programs.
- Do you use instrumental music in your worship?Singing was commanded for the Lord’s church (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16;Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). The melody should be with our hearts not through the entertainment of a musical instrument. In the Old Testament, instruments in worship were commanded (Psalm 150). However, in the New Testament, the Bible is totally silent concerning instruments in worship. We seek to practice the only authorized type of music for the Lord’s church.
- Do I have to give any money if I attend your services?Absolutely not. We do participate in a weekly offering as commanded by the scriptures (1 Corinthians 16:2)but that is an obligation of the members of our congregation. While visitors may CHOOSE to give during the time we take the offering, we will never ask or make you feel obligated to participate.