What We Believe

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

1 – THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was (a) written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit; (b) that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and (c) therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

Explanatory

By “THE HOLY BIBLE” we mean that collection of 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not merely contain and convey the word of God, but is the very Word of God.

By “INSPIRED” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

(a) II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25

(b) Psa. 119:105; 130, 160; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 17:17

(c) Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48, Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:30; Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:39, 45-47

2 – THE TRUE GOD

We believe that there is (a) one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; (b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; (c) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

(a) Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6 John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10

(b) Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30

(c) Mt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14

3 – THE HOLY SPIRIT

That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; (a) equal with God the Father and (b) God the Son, and (c)of the same nature; (d) that He was active in the creation; (e) that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; (f) that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; (g) that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; (h) that He is the agent in the New Birth; (i) that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.

And that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.

(a) John 14:16-17

(b) Mt. 28:19

(d) Gen. 1:1-3

(e) II Thess. 2:7

(f) John 16:8-11

(g) John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32

(h) John 3:5-6

(i) Eph. 1:13-14; Mt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Rom. 8:14,16; II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18,21

4 – SANCTIFICATION

We believe that sanctification has a twofold meaning: (a) that of setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God, and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is so set apart by God the Father; (b) the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature, which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s presence.

(a) I Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:10,14

(b) Col. 1:26-28; John 17:17; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 3:18

5 – THE DEVIL OR SATAN

We believe that Satan was once (a) holy, and enjoyed heaven honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and (b) drew after him a host of angels; that he is now (c) the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. (d) We hold him to be man’s great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and His Christ, (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; (h) the Lord of the Antichrist, and (i) the author of all powers of darkness – destined however (j) to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and (k) to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

(a) Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17

(b) Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4

(d) I Pet. 5:8; I Thess. 3:4; Mt. 4:1,3

(e) Zech. 1:3; I John 3:8; Mt. 13:25,37-39; Luke 22:3-4

(f) Rev. 12:10

(g) II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22

(h) I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22

(i) Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11

(j) Rev. 19:11, 16:20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3

(k) Rev. 20:10; Mt. 25:41

6 – THE CREATION

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and (a) that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively; (b) that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; (c) that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; (d) that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was they should bring forth only “after their kind.”

(a) Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6

(b) Gen. 1:26-27; I Cor. 11:7

(d) Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24

7 – THE FALL OF MAN

We believe (a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but (b) by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, (c) in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and (d) therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

(a) Gen. 3:1-6,24

(b) Rom. 5:12,19

(d) Rom. 1:20,28,32; Gal. 3:22

8 – THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe (a) that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; (b) born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and (c) that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.

(a) Gen. 3:15

(b) Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4

9 – THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (b) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; (c) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example of His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; (d) that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.

(a) Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24

(b) John 3:16; Mt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Roman. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21

(d) I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2

10 – GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; (b) that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; (c) that it is instantaneous and not a process; (d) that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; (e) that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, not by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

(a) John 3:3

(b) II Cor. 5:17

(d) II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13

(e) John 3:8; John 1:12-13

(f) Ga. 5:22; Eph. 5:9a; Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24

11 – THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe (a) in God’s electing grace; (b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; (c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and (d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (e) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

(a) I Thess 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30

(b) Mt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37

(d) Isa 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40

(e) John 3:18; John 3:36

12 – JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; (a) that justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; (b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

(a) Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:1,9

(b) Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:12; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38

13 – REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are (a) solemn obligations, and (b) also inseparable graces, (c) wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; (d) thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; and (e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

(a) Acts 20:21

(b) Mark 1:15

(d) Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7

(e) Luke 12:8; Rom. 9:11

14 – THE CHURCH

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of immersed believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; (b) observing the ordinances of Christ; (c) governed by His laws; (d) exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; and (e) that its scriptions, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. (f) We believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to baptize them; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. (g) We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; (h) that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and (i) on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

(a) Acts 2:41-42

(b) I Cor. 11:2; Acts 2:42

(d) Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11

(e) Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-13

(f) Mt. 28:19-20

(g) Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:1-4

(h) Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1-2; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32

(i) I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13

15 – BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe (a) that Christian Baptism is (i) the believer’s immersion in water; (ii) into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; (iii) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (b) that in scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ; (c) that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus, “Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all.” This ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.

(i) Acts 8:36-39; Mt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Mt. 3:16

(ii) Mt. 28:19

(iii) Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12

(b) Acts 2:41-42; Mt. 28:19-20

16 – THE PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS

We believe (a) that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; (c) that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and (d) that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

(a) John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21,23

(b) I John 2:19; Mt. 13:19-20

(d) I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; John 16:8 Rom. 8:35-39

17 – THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe (a) that there is radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; (b) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; (c) that all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and (d) that this distinction holds among men both in life and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

(a) Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18

(b) Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:16

(d) Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Mt. 25:34,41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Mt. 7:13-14

18 – CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe (a) that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; (b) that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; (c) except only things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; (d) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

(a) Rom. 13:1-7; II Sam 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22

(b) Acts 23:5; Mt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14,17

(d) Mt. 10:28; Mt. 23:10; Rev. 10:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11

19 – THE RESURRECTION RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

We believe in:

THE BODILY RESURRECTION Mt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:2, 4-6, 39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4
THE ASCENSION Acts 1:9,11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2
THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10
THE SECOND COMING John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; Mt. 24:27,42; Mt. 25:13
THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 25:42-44, 52
THE CHANGE OF THE LIVING IN CHRIST I Cor 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil 3:20-21
ON THE THRONE OF DAVID Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30
HIS REIGN ON EARTH I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4,6

20 – BIBLICAL COUNSELING

We believe that the Bible provides thorough guidance and instruction for faith and life. Therefore, our counseling shall be based on scriptural principles rather than those of secular psychology or psychiatry. Neither the pastoral nor the lay counselors of this church are trained or licensed as psychotherapists or mental health professionals, nor should they be expected to follow the methods of such specialists.

We believe (a) all Christians struggle with sin and the effect it has on our lives and our relationships. Whenever a Christian is unable to overcome sinful attitudes or behaviors through private efforts, (b) God commands that he should seek assistance from other members, and especially from the pastor and elders, who have the responsibility of providing pastoral counseling and oversight. Therefore, this church encourages and enjoins its members to make confession to and seek counsel from each other and especially from our pastoral counselors.

Although some members of the church work in professional fields outside the church, when serving as pastoral or lay counselors within the church they do not provide the same kind of professional advice and services that they do when they are hired in their professional capacities. Therefore, members who have significant legal, financial, medical, or other technical questions should seek advice from independent professionals. Our pastoral and lay counselors shall be available to cooperate with such advisors and help members to consider their advice in the light of relevant scriptural principles.

(a) Rom. 3:23; 7:7-25

(b) Rom. 15:14; Gal. 6:1-2; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2; Heb. 10:24-25, 13:17; James 5:16

20 – CONFIDENTIALITY

We believe (a) the Bible teaches that Christians should carefully guard any personal and private information that others reveal to them. (b) Protecting confidences is a sign of Christian love and respect. (c) It also discourages harmful gossip, (d) invites confession, (e) and encourages people to seek needed counseling. Since these goals are essential to the ministry of the gospel and the work of this church, all members are expected to refrain from gossip and to respect the confidences of others. In particular, our pastor and deacons shall carefully protect all information that they receive through pastoral counseling, subject to the following guidelines.

(a) Mt. 7:12

(b) Prov. 16:28, 26:20

(d) Prov. 20:19; Rom. 15:14

Although confidentiality is to be respected as much as possible there are times when it is appropriate to reveal certain information about others. In particular, when the pastors and deacons of this church believe it is biblically necessary, they may disclose confidential information to appropriate people in the following circumstances:

(1) When a pastor or deacon is uncertain of how to counsel a person about a particular problem and needs to seek advice from other pastors or deacons in this church or, if the person attends another church, from the pastors or elders of that church. (Prov. 11:14, 13:10, 19:20, 20:18; Mt. 18:15-17)

(2) When the person who disclosed the information or any other person is in imminent danger of serious harm unless others intervene. (Prov. 24:11-12)

(3) When a person refuses to repent of sin and it becomes necessary to institute disciplinary proceedings or seek the assistance of individuals or agencies outside this church. (Mt. 18:15-20; Rom. 13:1-5)

(4) When required by law to report suspected child abuse.

Scripture commands that confidential information is to be shared with others only when a problem cannot be resolved through the efforts of a small group of people within the church (Mt. 18:15-17). Therefore, except as provided in the previous paragraph, a pastor or elder may not disclose confidential information to anyone outside this church without the approval of the Board of Deacons or the consent of the person who originally disclosed the information. The Board of Deacons may approve such disclosure only when it finds that all internal efforts to resolve a problem have been exhausted (I Cor. 6:1-8) and the problem cannot be satisfactorily resolved without the assistance of individuals or agencies outside this church (Rom. 13:1-5).

The pastors and deacons may, but need not, provide counselees with written notice of these confidentiality provisions, but these provisions shall be in effect regardless of whether such notice is given.

Marimont Church

Come visit us!

Service Times

Pages

Resources