WHAT WE BELIEVE
We plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. In a divided religious world we believe that the Bible is the only possible common foundation upon which most, if not all, of the God-fearing people of the land can unite. This is an appeal to go back to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that pertain to religion. It further emphasizes that in everything religious there must be a “Thus saith the Lord” for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of all believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the restoration of New Testament Christianity. Members of the church of Christ do not view themselves as a new church started near the beginning of the 19th century. Rather, the whole movement is designed to reproduce in contemporary times the church originally established on Pentecost, A.D. 30. The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ’s original church.
How Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ is organized
Following the plan of organization found in the New Testament, Churches of Christ are autonomous. Their common faith in the Bible and adherence to its teachings are the chief ties which bind Churches of Christ. There is no central headquarters of the church, and no organization superior to the elders of each local congregation. Congregations do cooperate voluntarily in supporting the orphans and the aged, in preaching the gospel in new fields, and in other similar works.
How our church is governed
1 Timothy
3:1-8
There is a plurality of elders who serve as the governing body. These men were selected by the congregation on the basis of qualifications set down in the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are deacons, teachers, and evangelists or ministers. The latter do not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The elders are shepherds or overseers who serve under the headship of Christ according to the New Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no earthly authority superior to the elders of the church.
What we believe about the Bible
Divinely Inspired
The original autographs of the sixty six books which make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.
We believe in the virgin birth
Matthew 1:20, 25
The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New Testament passages such as Matthew 1:20, 25, are accepted at face value as declarations of the virgin birth. Christ is accepted as the only begotten Son of God, uniting in his person perfect divinity and perfect manhood.
We baptize only by immersion
Romans
6:3-5
The word baptize comes from the Greek word “baptizo” and literally means, “to dip, to immerse, to plunge.” In addition to the literal meaning of the word, immersion is practiced because it was the practice of the church in apostolic times. Still further, only immersion conforms to the description of baptisms as given by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a burial and resurrection.
The Lord’s supper
Acts 20:7
It is expected that every member of the church will assemble for worship on each Lord’s day. A central part of the worship is the partaking of the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7). Unless hindered by health, each member considers this weekly appointment as a binding privilege and duty.
Music used in the worship
Ephesians 5:19
Acappella singing is the only music used in the worship. This singing, unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music, conforms to the music used in the apostolic church and for several centuries thereafter (Ephesians 5:19). We find no authority (command, example, or necessary inference) in the New Testament for the use of instrumental music or other similar elements.”
We believe in heaven and hell
Matthew 25
Hebrews 9:27
The statement of Christ in Matthew 25, and elsewhere, are taken at face value. It is believed that after death each man must come before God in judgment and that he will be judged according to the deeds done while he lived (Hebrews 9:27). After judgment is pronounced he will spend eternity either in heaven or hell.
How we are supported financially
1 Corinthians 16:2
Each first day of the week the members of the church “lay by in store as they have been prospered” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The amount of any individual gift is generally known only to the one who gave it and to the Lord. This free-will offering is the only call which the church makes. NO assessments or other levies are made. No money-making activities, such as bazaars or suppers, are engaged in.
How does one become a member of the the Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ?
In the salvation of man’s soul there are 2 necessary parts: God’s part and man’s part. God’s part is the big part, “
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men constitute God’s part in salvation.
Though God’s part is the big part, man’s part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man’s part can clearly set forth in the following steps:
1) Hear the Gospel. “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).
2) Believe. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
3) Repent of past sins. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,”(Acts 17:30).
4) Confess Jesus as Lord. “
As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answeredand said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:36-37).
5) Be baptized for the remission of sins. “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:38).
6) Live a Christian life. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).
Core Beliefs
God
There is only one God; He is holy, eternal, sovereign, and loving.
God exists as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The all-powerful God created all things for His glory.
Christ
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God and was with the Father in the beginning.
Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, “the anointed one”); He became flesh and dwelt among men.
He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, provided a perfect sacrifice, and was raised from the dead.
Our salvation is through Him alone.
He was sent to fully reveal to us who God is and to reconcile us to God.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the personal, powerful Presence of God throughout history.
He draws us toward God to save us and dwells in us as our helper, intercessor, and guide.
He continuously transforms us into increasing holiness as we daily yield our will to His.
Man
God created man as both male and female in His image.
The whole duty of man is to glorify God.
Whereas we have all sinned and broken our relationship with God, we are reconciled to God by His grace through His Son
Salvation
Before time began, God planned to save us from our sins through the death of Jesus Christ.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ provides the payment for our sins and allows us to be presented as righteous before the Father.
Salvation is God’s free gift of grace—it cannot be earned. Those who reject this gift of grace are eternally separated from God.
Man’s response to this gift is faith (placing our trust in God) demonstrated by repentance, confession, baptism, and a life of obedience to Him.
Church
All those who respond to the Lord’s calling, submit to Jesus as Lord, and are added by Him make up the church, the household of God.
The church is the body of Christ on earth—God’s spiritual family.
Each member is gifted by God to serve and strengthen the body.
The church is called to worship God, equip believers for works of service, and to preach the gospel “making disciples of all nations.”
Bible
The Bible is the inspired written word of God and is eternally true.
The Bible reveals who God is, who we are, and why we are here.
The Bible is provided so that we might know Jesus our Savior.
The Bible is the authority or standard for living our lives according to God’s will for us.