We believe the Bible is the inerrant, inspired, and authoritative Word of God. The Bible is the absolute truth and final authority in every aspect of life personally and congregationally. (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 10:35)
We believe there is one God – Creator and Sustainer of life – existent in three distinct Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21 -22; Matthew 28:19; and Colossians 1:16)
We believe God the Son – Jesus Christ – was with God from the beginning, became human, conceived by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, lived an earthly life without sin, was put to death as the last sacrifice and a substitution for the penalty of sin for all of mankind, defeated death three days later being raised to life, and now has ascended to Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father. (John 1:1 and 14; Matthew 1:18-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 10:12-13)
We believe God the Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father and God the Son to reprove the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, and seals all people who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (John 14:16-17; John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5-6; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Salvation and the Gift of Eternal Life
We believe Heaven is a gift from God. Eternity in Heaven is a free gift of God. Mankind does not earn nor deserve this gift. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe mankind is inherently sinful. All sin separates man from God. The penalty for sin is death. (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:8; Romans 6:23)
We believe God is merciful and just. God desires all to be saved! God loves us and doesn’t want to punish us however; He is just and must see that sin is punished. (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 4:8; Jeremiah 31:3; Exodus 34:7; Ezekiel 18:4)
We believe God reconciled His mercy and justness in the Person of Jesus Christ. God transferred man’s unrighteousness to Jesus Christ when Jesus died on the cross as the penalty for all of man’s sin. Jesus’ perfect righteousness was transferred to all who believe in this truth so that we may be made the righteousness of God by faith. (John 1:1, 14; Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
We believe all can be saved and receive the gift of eternal life by: Acknowledging you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23) Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died on the cross as a penalty for your sins. (Romans 10:9-10) Confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life and commit yourself to a life of following Jesus and serving others.(Romans 10:9-10)
The Church and the Christian Life
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ. The Church defined Biblically is not a location but the actual believers themselves. The Church was designed by God and purposed by Jesus Christ to perform the Great Commission in unity. The Church is where believers are equipped with the Word and power of God, believers share in the work of the ministry, and believers are edified and encouraged. The Church is designed to work most effectively when each member of the body of Christ utilizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the ultimate Glory of God. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:46; Ephesians 4:11-13)
We believe the Christian life is a continually Spiritually maturing process. Believers become a new creature in that they receive the Holy Spirit of God living inside of them. Believers should live in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to guide and transform their minds according to the Words of Scripture. The Christian life is a journey of growing through every aspect of life including learning to live through the joys and tribulations of life and growing spiritually mature. The Christian life is designed to be lived in unity and presence of the Church body growing from and supplying to the growth of others spiritually. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 8:1-7; 12:1-5, 9-19; Ephesians 4:1-6, 14-16; 1 Peter 5:8; Galatians 5:16-26; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; James 4:7; Hebrews 10:19-25)
Ordinances of the Body of Christ
We Believe in Baptism by immersion for all believers. Jesus Christ commanded the body of Christ to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28:18-20)
We Believe in participating in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. The bread is a representation of Jesus’ body that was nailed to the cross and the cup is a representation of Jesus’ blood which was spilled on the cross for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)
The Family
We believe in family. God has specifically designed and ordained the family as the foundational organization of human society. Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment for life. Marriage is the framework for intimate companionship and a means of protection for the human race. Marriage is an example of the union between Jesus Christ and His Church.
The husband and wife are made equal in the image of God designed for separate roles within the family unit. Children are a gift of the Lord. Parents are to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Children are to honor and obey their parents. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7)
Mission of Arthur Christian Church
The purpose of this organization shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus Christ and commit them actively to the Church, to help them grow in grace and knowledge of Christ that increasingly they may know and do His will, and to work for the unity of all Christians and with them engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God.
Vision
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”. Ephesians 3:9
