Page Title

I. In Essential Beliefs - We Have Unity
"There is one Body, and one Spirit . . . there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of
us all . . ." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

II. In Non-Essential Beliefs - We Have Liberty
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters . . . Who are you to
judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls . . . so then each of us will give an
account of himself to God . . . So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and
God."
(Romans 14:1,4,12,22)

III. In All Beliefs - We Show Love
" If I . . . can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but
have not love, I am nothing." (I Corinthians 13:2)

The Essentials We Believe

I. One Body
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ." (I Corinthians 12:12)
Two phrases from our movement's history are . . .
"Not the only Christians, Christians only."
"The church of Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one."

II. One Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Jesus Christ. He is present in the world to make men aware
of their need for Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment they are baptized in to Christ (Acts
2:38). He provides a Christian with the power for living, with understanding, and with guidance to what is
right. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift from the Spirit. We seek to live under His daily control.
II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, 14:16-17, Acts 1:8,
I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25. Ephesians 5:18

III. One Lord
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is all God and all man. He is co-equal with the Father. Virgin born, Jesus
lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people, of all time, by
dying on the cross. He rose bodily defeating both sin and death. He ascended to glory and will return again
someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-20, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4,
Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13

IV. One Faith
While people believe many things, only in Christ is faith effective in finding forgiveness of sins, and eternal
life with God.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must
be saved." Acts 4:12
As such, the Bible is our sole authority for life and practice. It is the inspired and accurate word of God
upon which we can trust for help and direction.
II Timothy 3:15

V. One Baptism
Baptism is a central piece of our response to the saving grace God offers through Christ. Salvation is a free
gift to which we respond with faith, confession, repentance, baptism, and obedience. We practice
immersion as the acceptable practical form of baptism because it is the mode used and commanded by
Christ in scripture. We intentionally choose to not trifle with Christ's commands, but rather are excited to
practice them as a people of faith.
Colossians 2:11,12, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9,
John 14:6, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1, John 15:6-10

VI. One God
God is our Creator and Ruler. He has shown himself to be perfect in love and righteousness in all His ways.
In the act of the cross, he is perfect as our redeemer. God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. These three are co-equal, and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22, Psalms 90:2, Matthew 28:19,
I Peter 1:2,11, II Corinthians 13:14