Christians: do you agree with these belief statements of this church?

Question

Salvation

The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God has given us the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ and therefore granted us salvation. (Romans 6:23). This gift of Salvation comes by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) There is nothing we can do to earn Salvation we can only accept his mercy and be born again and renewed by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:3-6; John 3:5)

How does a person accept God's Gift?
Believe- You believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and he was raised from the dead (John 3:16; Romans 10:9)
Repent- You seek forgiveness and turn away from sin. (Acts 2:38, 3:19)
Confess- You confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Romans 10:9-13; Matthew 10:32)
Baptism- You get baptized ("immersed") into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 3:21)

Bible - We believe that the Bible is the infallible and inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is our sole authority for our faith and practice.

Holy Spirit - The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 1:14) We are to live our lives according to the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18-20). The Holy Spirit helps us and guides us and is our Counselor. (John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Romans 8:26-27). The Bible also teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a seal that guarantees that we belong to God. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

God- We believe in God the Father who is creator of the Universe and the one and only true God. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! (Genesis 1:1, Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 6:15; 1 John 5:20)

Jesus Christ- We believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9) The only way to God the Father is through him. (John 14:6) We believe that Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and three days later rose again. (Luke 23:44-24:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus paid our sin debt and through the cross we are reconciled before God and members of God's family. (Mark 10:45, Ephesians 2:16-22; Colossians 1:20-23, 2:13-15; Hebrews 9:13-15) We believe that Jesus is one with the Father and in him is the fullness of God. (John 10:30, 14:9-11, 17:21; Colossians 2:9)

Church

The Bible teaches us that the Church is the body of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23) All Christians are members of Christ's body and a part of God's spiritual family. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:19) The Church is made up of many members but is to be united and work together as one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-16) This community of believers is to be united to teach others about Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:20-21) The Church is to gather together in order to help and encourage one other, for fellowship and teaching, give our praises to God, and share in the breaking of bread ("communion" or "Lord's Supper"). (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:42-47, Acts 20:7; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25) As a Church we are to give from our hearts and to take up a contribution each week. (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12, 9:6-7)

********** Christian Church is a non-denominational congregation. We have no creed but Christ. And the Bible is our sole authority for all we believe, teach, and practice. We are committed to the Principles of our Restoration Heritage, as expressed by phrases like these:
• Where the Bible speaks we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent.
• In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, love.
• We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.

***UPDATE***
Do you agree? WHY or WHY NOT?

Would you ADD anything to these basic beliefs?

***UPDATE 2***
I can't blame any of those who don't read all the details, but please don't bother answering if you haven't read them. Thanks for those who took the time to read the details.

***UPDATE 3***
Thumbs up for everyone you reads all the details, even if I don't like their answer!

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you are asking. Are you saying that the scripture references are not valid? For someone to disagree with the statements indicates that they would have to disagree with the scriptures. I look forward to reading your answers; I didn't know Christians would disagree with the Bible.

I'm not a member of the Christian Church.

Answer 2

If that is all true about the Holy Scriptures then it would not have been necessity for jesus to come to clarify the way, the truth, and the path.
Read down here, I am not saying with this who are or are not apostles, but the two Spiritual Witnesses in Revelations bring a testimony of hidden things from the beginning of time.Jesus spoke against the Scribes, it is written even in Jewish annals.
Furthermore, the Servant is not Greater than his Master.

Revelations 2:2
...And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars..

To say you have known the Holy Scriptures does not mean all Scriptures but those that are known to be Holy with the wisdom given to be able to know Jesus as savior and Lord.

2 Timothy 3
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

There is more to this but limited time for study.

Answer 3

I believe everything except the Baptism part. I have been baptized, but do not think it is included in salvation. I believe Baptism is a public confession of faith, and an act of obedience, but not for salvation.
John 3:16

Answer 4

A quick read tells me it's pretty much a standard statement.
Many other things can be added, of course.
It does seem completely on the up and up, but obviously there are things that they are NOT writing down.
Often times, a church, or group, may put an unhealthy emphasis on one doctrine above another. This begins an imbalance in possibly not only the theology, but methodology and practice of that church, or group.
For example, some may put a huge emphasis on evangelism, and that is primarily their direction. The result is less attention MAY be paid to the other necessary functions of the congregants. Many these days put great weight on the end times. The focus is so narrowed, the people may stagnate in their growth.
A statement of faith is useful, but it takes wisdom enough to lean on God, whose church it is, to operate properly.

Answer 5

I agree with everything you stated. However, I don't think baptism is a requirement for salvation. I believe it's an outward act of an inward feeling. It's symbolic to show that you've been buried and resurrected as a new person. And it is the first thing that we do upon accepting God's gift, but as an act of obedience, not as a requirement for salvation. (Not arguing with you, I just wasn't sure from the phrasing if you thought baptism was a condition of salvation)

Answer 6

Almost.

Everything that you have is is correct, except your last statement.

Baptism is NOT esential. It is a public declaration of ones faith in Christ, but it is NOT required for salvation.

John 3:16-17 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society



16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus knew about baptism, but note that He never says that it is necessary for salvation.

Salvation is through Jesus Christ + nothing!

Certainly all Believers SHOULD be baptised, but it isn't essential for salvation.

Answer 7

Short answer is "NO!"

I'll be happy to dissect this teaching but since I'm limited in time, I'll start with your first topic: Salvation.

"The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) "

This assumes that "all" is under the law of God.

If you read Romans 6:14, it says "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace".

Then in Galatians 3:25 it says "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."

And in Galatians 5:18 it says "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law."

And lastly, in Romans 4:15 "And where there is no law there is no transgression."

So therefore, if we aren't under the law, it's impossible to sin. So why do we need the salvation of God?

With that, this whole teaching crumbles.

Answer 8

Dear JC....
I'm going to give quantumk the thumbs up because he or she is illistrating something I've been trying to tell fellow believers for years.
It's not a matter of the words, it's a matter of what you mean by them, and what you do in response. Ever wonder why the Creed of St. Athanasius is rarely used in churches today? Because it sounds silly. The creators of Monty Python and the Holy Grail thought so, and did a wonderful parody in the "Killer Rabbit" scene..."three shall be the counting thereof....."
See what I mean? You've phrased a question to which you think you know the answer. If someone were to answer with the right formula, using the right words, you'd agree wouldn't you?
St. Francis could be pretty long-winded [even by Mediaeval standards!] sometimes, and in one homily he listed off numerous ways in which the believer could praise God. After listing off pretty well every bodily function, he seemed to see the humour in what he had said, and added the punchline to his list of praises: ".....and--if necessary--use words."

Answer 9

Good Bible-based faith IMHO!

Because the "five solas" are the main tenets of the Protestant faith, many non-denominational churches are Protestant churches.

However, some non-denominational groups reject the term "PROTESTant", stating that they are not protesting anything.

Still you agree with us Protestants that...

1) The pope in the Vatican is not our authority. We look to GOD!

2) The catechism of the Roman Catholics is not our authority. We look to God's Word, the Holy Bible!

3) Mary, called "Mother of God", actually the daughter of God (Jesus always existed) is not our touchstone. We pray to GOD!

You are the very definition of a "fundamentalist".

I attend an assembly of God in Canada, and regard myself as a fundamental too!

Many years ago, I created a web site for my church, spelling out plainly our beliefs (see link below).

God said it. I believe it. That settles it!

Answer 10

The list is fairly comprehensive, and I would agree with the spirit of what is there, for the most part. I would add that the Scripture is also completely sufficient, along with infallible, etc.

The part of the list I like best is the adapted quote from Augustine, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love."