Central Christian Church - home - Belief Statement -

Our vision is to be a "Christ-centered, Biblically-based, Spirit-led, loving, dynamic church that is effectively making disciples and planting churches both here and around the world.

Our Purpose

To Know HIM and Make HIM Known for the Glory of God.

What We Believe

The Word of God
We believe the Bible came into existence through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is Gods verbal and complete revelation to man. As such, it was inerrant in its original documents and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2Tim. 3:16-17; 2Pet. 1:20-21

The Godhead
We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit. These three are identical in nature, equal in power and glory, have precisely the same attributes and perfections, yet ute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of providence and redemption. Deut. 6:4; 2Cor. 12:14

The Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, justice, wisdom, power and love. We believe He acts mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Eph. 1:3; Col. 1:3, 2Pet. 1:17

The Son
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a propitiatory and substitionary sacrifice for our sins, and that our redemption is made sure through His bodily resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven exalted at the right hand of the Father where, as our High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf. We believe in the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom reign upon this earth. John 1:1,2; Luke 1:35; Rom. 3:24-25; I Pet. 1:3-5; Heb. 9:24; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34; I John 1:1-2; I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:6

The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy spirit, who came forth from the Father and the Son, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian, seals them unto the day of redemption, and is our present helper, teacher and guide. We believe that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to Christians and thus equips them for effective ministry in the Body. We believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. John 15:26; John 16:8; Rom. 8-9; Eph. 1:13-14; John 14:26; John 16:13; I Cor. 12:7; Eph. 5:18

Mans Creation and Fall
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but through sin became alienated from God, acquired a sin nature, and came under the judicial sentence of death. Gen. 1:25-26; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12-21; Eph. 1:1-3, 12

Salvation
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation and in need of a Savior. We believe that salvation is the gift of God offered to man by grace and received by faith in Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord, and the genuine faith will manifest itself in works pleasing to God. Eph. 2:1-3; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10

Baptism
We believe in water baptism by immersion as an act of obedience to Jesus command, and as a picture of our union or sharing with Him, in the likeness of His death, burial and resurrection. Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:1-4

The Church
We believe in both the universal and local church. The universal church, whose Head is Christ, is made up of all born-again persons irrespective of their denominational affiliation. The local church (a portion of the body of Christ) is a group of believers who have organized for the purpose of glorifying God through carrying out His will and sharing His word in the world. Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Rev. 2:4

The Final State
We believe that the condition and punishment of the lost and the salvation and blessedness of the saved are conscious and everlasting. Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 20:10-15; 22:3-5, 11

Charismatic Statement

Because of the great confusion that abounds over the issue of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues, and the division that often results from it, the following statement is given to clarify the position of the leaders of Central Christian Church:

We believe the gift of tongues may still be given to Christians in this day.

We do not believe it is a proof or result of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, nor is it the evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit, nor is it a sign of spiritual maturity. It is a spiritual gift, and is therefore, not a universal experience for all Christians. 1 Corinthians 12:29-31

While spiritual gifts are important for the proper functioning of the body, we believe that love is the “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 13) and should, therefore, be a priority in all that we do. Therefore, we should strive to demonstrate love to all people, regardless of their experience or lack of experience. At the same time, we should guard against a prideful spirit that would result in division in the body.

Since the issue of spiritual gifts and tongues is addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14, we are committed to follow the clear principles and guidelines spelled out in these chapters. The following is a summary of the principles that relate to the gift of tongues:

1. The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a language spoken somewhere on the earth.

2. The person who has received this gift will be able to speak in a language that he has never learned. However, he will not understand what he is saying unless he has also been given the gift of interpretation. 1 Corinthians 14:14

3. The gift of tongues is not a universal experience of all Christians, but is given as the Holy Spirit wills. 1 Corinthians 12:11

4. The gift of tongues consists of praise and thanksgiving to God. Acts 2:11, 10:46; 1 Corinthians 14:2

5. While the gift of tongues edifies the one exercising it, its purpose was as a sign to unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:4,22

6. While the gift of tongues is a genuine gift, the exercising of this gift is not necessary in the corporate assembly. 1 Corinthians 14:27

7. If tongues are to be exercised, there must not be more than two or three, and then only one at a time. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:27

8. There is to be only one interpreter for those who speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:27

9. There must be an interpreter present before anyone is permitted to exercise the gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:28

10. Women are not permitted to exercise the gift of tongues or prophecy in the corporate worship service. 1 Corinthians 14:34

11. We are not to forbid a legitimate gift to be exercised, providing these clear guidelines are followed. 1 Corinthians 14:39

12. While the gift of tongues is a legitimate gift and is given as the Spirit desires, we believe, as the Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:9-20, that five intelligible words are of more value than 10,000 words in tongues.

Summary Statement:

Having studied these passages, we believe these principles are clear and should, therefore, be followed by this church. Having committed ourselves to obey these guidelines, we are, at the same time, aware that Satan is in the business of counterfeiting the work of God, especially in this area of “sign gifts.” Because of this, we must exercise great care that Satan is not allowed to make inroads into the life of the church through those who have a counterfeit gift, or by those who are unbiblical in the exercising of their gift.

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