So what is the Christian Church anyway? Hopefully the next few paragraphs can answer this question and put to rest any misconceptions you might have heard or formed.

We Are A Free, Independent, Non-Denominational Church

Like the early church, we are an autonomous (locally-governed) body with no official denomination, superintendent, or national policy controlling us. We select our own leaders (Ministers and Elders), we decide where our missions support should go, and in every way we determine the program of the church. We desire to reproduce in doctrine (beliefs), life, and practice the church founded by Jesus and His Apostles. (Titus 1:1-5; I Peter 5:1-3; I Timothy 3:1-7)

We Are A Bible-Centered Church

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error, and is the standard and authority for all generations. A few mottoes that we hold dear: No creed, but Christ, We adopt no rule of faith and practice but the Bible, Where the scriptures speak, we speak; where the scriptures are silent, we are silent. (I Thessalonians 2:13; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 11:26; Matthew 16:16)

We Are A Church Led By God, Jesus, And The Holy Spirit

God - We believe God is eternal. God created the universe and He is still to this day the One who sustains all life. We also believe there is one God and He is in three persons, often referred to as the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- the Three In One. (John 1:1-14, 14:16, 26; Colossians 1:1; I Corinthians 8:6; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 1:1-2)

Jesus - We believe Jesus is/was the Son of God, part of God, and also fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and performed many miracles before thousands of eyewitnesses. He was crucified as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, buried in a grave, and was bodily raised from the dead on the third day. Until He comes again to take those who have been saved, He sits at the right hand of God where He rules His church and intercedes for God’s children. (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:14-15; John 1:1,14, 14:1-6; I Peter 2:21-24; I Corinthians 15:3-5; Romans 8:31-34; Luke 1:26-35; Ephesians 1:18-23, 5:23; Acts 1:9-11)

Holy Spirit - We believe that the Holy Spirit is also part God with a specific objective to point Gods children to Him and dwell within those who have been redeemed from sin by Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit gives service-oriented gifts to the Christian for the sole purpose of building Jesus church. Although the Bible speaks of miraculous gifts of the Spirit, we believe these gifts were used for a specific reason in a specific time by a specific group of people. (I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, 12; John 14:16-26, 15:26, 16:8; Romans 12:5-8; Ephesians 4:11-13Matthew 28:18-20; II Corinthians 13:14)

We Are A Church That Strives For Unity

We believe that the church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to save the lost and edify the saved. And to do this we need to be a people of unity- in purpose, spirit, and practice. Another motto we adhere to: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love. This was the ideal of Christ for His church. A few practices we find commanded are: meeting together each Lord’s Day for Christian worship and observance of the Lord’s Supper (communion), and baptism by immersion of one who desires to be saved from sin. (John 17:21; I Corinthians 1:10, 11:23-30; Ephesians 4:1-16; Acts 2:37-38,42, 20:7; Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:23-25)

The Way To Salvation

• Hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17)

• Admit that you are a sinner, one separated from God, and you are in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

• Believe that Jesus is the Savior and the Son of God (Acts 16:31)

• Confess- publicly acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; I John 4:15; Romans 10:9-10)

• Repent- turn away from your sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3:19)

• Be Baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21; Romans 6:1-6)

WHAT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS

It is a command to be obeyed. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16)

It is an appeal to God for a clear conscience. (I Peter 3:21)

It is symbolic of the cleansing from sin, a washing away of the old and becoming a new creature in Christ. It symbolizes the beginning of new life. (Acts 22:16; II Corinthians 5:17; I Peter 3:21; John 3:1-5)

It is an act, which initiates the Christian into fellowship with God and other believers. (Acts 2:36-41; I Corinthians 12:13)

It is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as well as that of the new Christian. (Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:12)

It is an open demonstration of our obedience and willingness to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (I John 2:4)

WHAT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS NOT

It is not a guarantee of heaven. Without faith and repentance water baptism is meaningless. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 3:19)

It is not proof to a church of the genuineness of faith. It is only proof to God who knows the heart and motives of a person.

HOW CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS PERFORMED

Bible baptism is by immersion- to dip or plunge, to cover completely. (Matthew 3:13-16; Acts 8:26-39; John 3:23)

Even scholars from churches that accept other forms of baptism will concede that immersion was the original form and that sprinkling and pouring were the concessions of man; never authorized or practiced by the Apostles of Christ. Every Protestant denomination, even Catholics, will accept immersion as valid Christian baptism. No biblical statement can be cited to grant any person or church the right to alter the Apostolic practice with regard to baptism. The true meaning of baptism cannot be visualized or portrayed in any form other than immersion. WHO WE BELIEVE ARE CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM

Those who hear the gospel. (Romans 10:17; Acts 18:8)

Those who admit they’re sinners and their need for a Savior. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

Those who believe Jesus is the Savior. (Acts 16:31; Mark 16:16)

Those who confess Jesus as their Savior and Lord with their mouth. (Matthew 16:16; I John 4:15; Romans 10:9-10)

Those who repent of sin. (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3:19)

Thus we could logically assume that infants are not candidates.

SOME KEY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q. Do we believe in baptismal regeneration?

A. NO! Baptismal regeneration means we believe that a person is saved by the act of baptism itself. We cannot say that because the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8ff). It does not say we are saved by baptism.

Q. Can a person be a Christian and not be baptized?

A. To say yes is to say more than the Bible says: He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (Mark 16:16) To say no is to presume to be God. Once a person has said yes to Jesus as Savior AND Lord, he has forfeited all rights to say no to any of Christ’s commands. Jesus said, If you love Me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)

Q. Why do we require a person to be a baptized believer in order to become a member of the church?

A. Because in all the Biblical examples this was the pattern of the early church. We do not believe that we would be following the Bible if we allowed less than that. As we know baptism is a command of Christ. If someone refuses, then something is wrong.

Q. Do we believe that baptism is a part of ones salvation?

A. Yes we do! There are both commands and references to this practice from the lips of Jesus and His Apostles. (Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:37-39, 22:16; Titus 3:5; I Peter 3:21)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE BAPTIZED...

You need to consider doing it immediately. This was the pattern found in every conversion experience found in the book of Acts. The proper time is the moment you admit you're a sinner, believe in Jesus as the Savior, confess Him before men and repent of your sins. Your baptism can be arranged both on Sundays at the end of the worship service, during the week or any other time that’s convenient. Your choice, but don’t put off until tomorrow what needs to be done today!