WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT SOME VERY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY. WE ARE A BIBLE BELIEVING AND BIBLE TEACHING & PREACHING CHURCH.
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1, Peter 1:2
ABOUT JESUS
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically arose, in the body, from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4;
I Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:15-16; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gift(s) when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 3:16; 5:18
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and all of life. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
ABOUT PEOPLE
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life (this is sin).
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:12; 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
We believe the bible lays out how we are to respond to this free gift & turn to Christ--Trust Christ with life (Ephesians 2:8-10), confess this (Romans 10:9), call on his name (Romans 10:13), turn from sins (Acts 17:30), be baptized (Acts 2:38)
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, and because Jesus died for sin once and for and saves us forever, there is no condemnation for those in Christ. A person who has truly trusted Christ cannot “lose” your salvation. *
John 10:29; Romans 8:1; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; I Peter 1:3-5
* A person can however “forfeit” or “walk away” from their salvation – John 15; Hebrews 6:4-6
ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
Matthew 1:8; 2:44, 46; John 2:25; 3:16; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Jude 7, 21; Revelation 20:15
- Opening -
gatherings
Sunday 8:00, 9:15, 10:45
Wednesday Adults & Students 6:30pm
- thebridge -
Address
thebridge
(a christian church)
800 S Main st
Carthage, MO 64836
fcc@ecarthage.com
Tel: 417-358-4044
Fax: 417-358-1349