First Christian Church does not require members to endorse a formal creed. In a very real sense, "we have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible." The twin pillars of our unity is our faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and our adherence to the Bible as the inspired text for our teaching and the one sufficient guide governing congregational life.

We seek a unity of understanding in the essentials of our faith, yet we do not suggest that we must agree on all things pertaining to our walk in Christ. On many issues we have the freedom to disagree. We do ask, however, that all who accept and hold a leadership or teaching position at FCC respect this statement of beliefs and resist any temptation to use their position as a forum from which to teach other views. Unity in the body depends upon harmony and mutual trust in the leadership.


WE BELIEVE

God

God is the creator, sustainer and redeemer of everything that exists. He is the one God manifesting Himself in three distinct persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They have the same nature, are co-equal and co-existent.
Genesis 1&2; John 14:15-21; Colossians 1:15-20; Romans 8:19-22

God the Father loves us and desires that we have a relationship with Him as His children.
John 1:1-18, 14:6; 1 John 1:3

Jesus Christ is God's one and only Son and the Savior of the world. Through the miraculous virgin birth by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born a man as God in the flesh, and demonstrated this through many signs and miracles.
John 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; John 20:24-31

Though He was sinless, He gave His life for the sins of the world by dying on the cross. Three days later, He rose from the dead claiming victory over sin and death, providing eternal life for those who believe in Him.
Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 23 & 24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Jesus

Jesus then ascended into Heaven to assume His eternal position of glory, authority, and as the only mediator between God and man. He is preparing a place there for His followers for all eternity. He will return to judge and separate the believers from unbelievers and take us home. Acts 1:4-11; John 14:1-6; Matthew 25:31-45

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the unseen and personal manifestation of God actively working in the world. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of sin and our need for Jesus Christ. John 16:5-11

The promised indwelling of the Holy Spirit then provides the Christian with strength, comfort, understanding, guidance and helps in developing the very character and nature of God.
Acts 2:38; John 14:15-27; Galatians 5:22-25; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26

The Bible is God's inspired and authoritative Word to all mankind, written through human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21; Romans 15:4

The Bible is the complete revelation of God's plan for our salvation and the final authority on all Christian beliefs and living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13

Baptism

Baptism in the original Greek language meant to "dip, plunge or immerse." In keeping with the Biblical pattern, First Christian Church practices baptism by immersion as part of one's acceptance of Christ for salvation. Baptism is a beautiful picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and a way we identify with Christ by dying to our old selves and being raised to a new life. Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21


In every conversion experience recorded in the New Testament, the person was baptized. Baptism is integral to becoming a follower of Christ. Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:12-16; 8:35-39; 9:1-19; 10:1-48; 11:1-18; 16:11-15; 16:25-34; 18:5-8; 18:24-25; 19:1-7; 22:3-16; 26:9-20

First Christian Church does not practice infant baptism due to the Biblical prerequisites of belief, repentance and confession and the fact that children are born innocent and sin-free.

The Church

The Church is the body of Christ on earth, the community of believers throughout the world.
It is not a building or a place, it is God's people. Ephesians 4:1-16

Jesus is the head of the church and says that nothing will stop it.
Ephesians 1:22-23;5:23; Matthew 16:16-18

The purpose of the church is to glorify Jesus Christ through worship, Bible teaching, service, making disciples, and sharing Christ with others.
Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Eternity

We were created to exist forever. Our response to God's offer of forgiveness and salvation will determine whether we spend eternity in heaven with God or eternally separated from God in hell. The coming of Christ for His church will occur, and could occur at any time. The Bible teaches that Jesus will come down from heaven and that all Christians dead and alive will be raised to eternal life.  
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:11

All non-believers will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell.
Matthew 25:31-45; Revelation 20; 2 Corinthians 5:10