Doctrine: Declaration of Faith
Explore the rich tapestry of our faith and its guiding principles. Grounded in Scripture, our doctrines encompass the eternal existence of the Godhead, the divine nature of Jesus Christ, and the vital work of the Holy Spirit. We stand united in our belief, ensuring a firm foundation for our spiritual journey. We commit to upholding these truths, fostering a community where faith is both shared and lived authentically.
The Word of God
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as the revelation of God's will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in all matters to which they speak (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Isa. 30:8; 40:8; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; John 20:31; Matt. 5:18, 24:34; John 10:35).
The Godhead
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in the three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6).
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Lev. 19:2; John 4:24; 1 Pet. 1:16; Deu. 32:4, Ps. 145:17; Isa. 25:1; 1 John 4:7-10,16; Ps. 119:64; 58:2; Ps. 84:11, 103:8-13; John 6:44).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God's eternal Son, and has precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We believe further that He is not only true God, but true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His Ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and his personal, visible, premillennial return from heaven (John 1:1,2; John 8:58; Heb. 4:15; 5:1-10; Heb. 9:12-24; Luke 24:21-23; Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; 1 Thes. 1:10).
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, His personality, and His work in regeneration, sanctification, and preservation. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and implement Christ's work of redeeming the lost and empowering the believer for godly living and service (John 16:8-11; John 15:26; John 17:17; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19-23; John 3:5-7; 1 Cor. 3:16; Acts 1:8).
Man
We believe God created man, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We further believe man is a sinner by nature and choice and is therefore spiritually dead. We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit(Gen. 1:26-27, 31; Rom. 5:8-12; Eph. 2:8-9).
Salvation
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, and was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by man through faith, apart from any human merit, works or ritual. We further believe salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern(Eph. 2:8-9; John 6:44; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5; John 3:5; Matt. 3:8).
The Church
We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been immersed upon a credible confession of faith and have associated themselves for worship, for instruction, for evangelism, and for service. We believe the ordinances of the local church are believers, baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper. We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and the mutual submission of believers to each other in love (Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:18; Eph. 2:11-22, 3:1-6; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 14:23,27; 20:17,28; Heb. 10:24-25).
Separation of Church and State
We believe that each local church is self-governing in function, and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life, and that each should be free to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience (1 Cor. 5:13; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 6:1-5; Acts 15:1-2, 22-25, 30).
Christian Conduct
We believe that the supreme task of every believer is to glorify God in his Life; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself the full stature of maturity in Christ (Rom. 6:11-13; 8:2,4,12-13; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 2:1-10; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 John 1:4-7; 3:5-9).
Last Things
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal existence of all men either in heaven or hell, in divine judgments, rewards and punishments (Luke 16:19-26; 23:42; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15).
Connect With Our Church Today
You’re always welcome at Church of Christ-Desert Congregation. We’re here to walk with you in grace and love.
