Doctrine

SALVATION

free_gift_We believe that salvation is by grace (Eph 2:8-9 KJV). That all who call upon the name of the Lord are saved (Romans 10:13 KJV).

Are You On Your Way to Heaven?

Who is good?

  • Romans 3:10 (KJV) as it is written. There is none righteous, no, not one.  
  • Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Where Did Sin Come From?

  • Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

God’s Price on Sin

  • Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our Way Out

  • Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
  • Romans 10:13 (KJV) for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
  • Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

BAPTISM

 understanding-baptism1Jesus Christ delivered two ordinances to the Church. One of these is Baptism.

We believe that baptism is by immersion only (Acts 8:38-39); That it is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ(Rom 6:3-5). That as Jesus was buried in the grave, so are we buried in baptism and as Jesus was raised from the dead, so are we raised to new life in him.

Baptism is the first act of obedience after a person receives Chirst as their personal saviour and is a public testimony of their faith in Christ (Act 2:41).

In order to achieve scriptual Baptism there are three elements required.

  • The proper Subject
  • The proper Mode
  • The proper Authority

The proper Subject is simply a believer in Christ (Act 8:36-37 Act 2:41).

The proper Mode is immersion in water (John 3:23, Act 8:38-39).

The proper Authority is the Local New Testament Church that Christ established on this earth (Mat 15:18, Mat 28:19-20, I Cor 12:13)

THE CHURCH 

The Church is a body of scriptually baptized believers of whom Christ is the head.

  • EllingerTexasNEStMarysCatholicChurch106BGibson1 Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
  • Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
  • Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

The Church is the Body of Christ. Since a body is visible and local we believe in the visible local new testament church.

  • Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
  • Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
  • Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his  bones.

The Church was instituted by Christ to carry out the Great Commission which is to disciple and baptize believers. The Church is also the vehicle by which the Word of God is preserved.

  • Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
  • Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
  • 1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

We recognize two scriptual offices in the Church and adhere to their qualifications as described in scripture. That of Pastor(also referred to as elder or bishop) and deacons.  I Tim 3:1 – I Tim 3:13

THE BIBLE

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Old and New Testaments and the Bible as the only rule for faith and practice.bible

  • 2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 

We believe that the process of inspiration ceased with the autographa. The textus receptus is essentially the preserved autographa and the Authorized Version is an accurate and trustworthy translation of the textus receptus. Consequently, the Authorized Version is the Word of God in the English language.

  •  1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus Christ delivered two ordinances to the Church. One of these is the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Communion_0011The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the Death of Christ and is to be celebrated by the Church until the Lord returns.

  • Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  • 1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  • 1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as  oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
  • 1 Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.

It is reserved for church members only.

  • Luke 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

It is a means for keeping the church pure.

  • 1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
  • 1 Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
  • 1 Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
  • 1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

 The Elements:

UNLEAVENED BREAD represents the sinless body of Christ. The absence of leaven represents the absence of sin.

  • Mat 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare forthee to eat the passover?
  • 1 Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
  • 1 Cor 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


The GRAPE JUICE (fruit of the vine or cup) represents the pure blood of Christ shed for our sins. The absence of fermentation (or decay) represents the absence of sin.

  • Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
  • 1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.