We are simply Christians that follow the inspired Word of God, the Bible. The Word is our only guide and is complete for our instruction. The Church of Christ at Indian Land is not a denomination; we are autonomous and independent from other religious organizations.
We believe God,
- the Father, is the creator of and sustainer of all things;
- the Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins and rose from the grave;
- the Spirit, lives within, encouraging and facilitating growth in the believer.
In our worship, we pattern our services from the teachings of the New Testament and the first-century church through direct commands, apostolic examples and inferences, and the application of these teachings. Christ died for all and wants all to believe in Him and accept the free gift of salvation. God’s love for mankind justifies obedient believers by His grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. A believer’s faith leads to repentance, confession of Christ’s Lordship, and baptism by immersion. God adds to His church the faithful believers, and His blessings are bountiful, and his promises are sure.
Declaration of Truths
God, the Father, is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. (Genesis 1:1 | 1 John 3:19-20 | Psalm 139:7-10)
God, the Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins and rose from the grave. He is fully God, but distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:23 | Romans 4:25 | 1 John 5:20)
God, the Spirit, lives within, encouraging and facilitating growth in the believer. He is fully God, but distinct from the Father and the Son. (Acts 5:3-4 | 1 John 4:13 | 2 Timothy 1:14 | Romans 8:26)
The Holy Spirit, through men, delivered the scriptures by inspiration. We have in the sixty-six books of the Bible, the very mind of God, and it serves as the sole source of authority for our faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16-17 | 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 | Jude 1:3)
In properly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we recognize that the Old Testament contains the Old Law that was the covenant relationship between God and His people before Christ’s coming. Upon the crucifixion of Christ, the Old Law became no longer binding, and we are now subject to the new covenant as dictated in the New Testament (Ephesians 2:15-16 | Hebrews 8:6-13). The Old Testament remains as an example for our learning (Romans 15:4).
All worship of the church is first and foremost directed to God reverently and in order, in spirit and in truth. Each service is given in an environment that best emulates the first-century church and supports worship from the heart of each individual (John 4:24 | 1 Corinthians 14:40). Each Lord’s day:
- We teach, exhort, and encourage one another (2 Timothy 4:2)
- We partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- We sing songs of praise, a cappella (without mechanical instruments) (Ephesians 5:19 | Colossians 3:16).
- We give monetarily as we have prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- We lead congregational prayers (1 Timothy 2:1)
God created distinctive roles for men and women within the spiritual church body. In matters of congregational worship, men are charged to lead. Women are equal in all matters but have different roles to further the kingdom of God and are not to engage in leading, teaching or taking a position of authority in congregational worship. (1 Timothy 2:8-15 | 1 Corinthians 11:3-4 | 1 Corinthians 14:33-34)
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; there is no other way to the Father except through Jesus (John 14:6). God’s love for mankind justifies obedient believers by His grace through our faith in Jesus. Seeking to follow Jesus and obey God’s directives leads to salvation, and God adds obedient believers to His church, in which Christ is the head. The Scriptures reference:
- One must hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
- One must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:31)
- One must confess the belief that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God (Romans 10:10)
- One must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3 | Acts 2:38)
- One must be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38 | 1 Peter 3:21)
- One must be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
Apostasy is an ever-present danger facing every Christian. A Christian has the free will to move on to spiritual maturity or the free will for spiritual apathy, neglecting their salvation and drift away. (2 Peter 2:19-21 | 1 Timothy 4:1 | Hebrews 2:1-3 | Hebrews 12:1 | Hebrews 6:4-6)
The Church of Christ at Indian Land is not a denomination; we are an autonomous and independent body of believers led by a plurality of elders (Titus 1:5). Membership is recognized by a believer’s obedient faith and God’s love, grace, and mercy (Acts 2:47).
The primary purposes of the local church are to:
- Facilitate the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost (Mark 16:15 | 2 Timothy 4:2)
- Encourage, build up, and equip the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12 | 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Love our neighbor and to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith (Mark 12:31 | Galatians 6:10)
The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles and Christians in the first century no longer exist. These gifts were for a specific purpose and a particular time to assist the church in the absence of the fully revealed scripture. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12 | Ephesians 4:7-16)
We believe that God created male and female and the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24 | Matthew 19:4-6). This union is the foundational building block of humanity.
We present this document, not as an authoritative or exhaustive document, but as a brief statement detailing the Church of Christ at Indian Land’s identity according to our understanding of the scriptures. If there is any disagreement, we stand ready and willing to discuss.
– The Elders, Church of Christ at Indian Land