The teachings of the New Testament present specific doctrinal statements that define and guide us at Christ Church.
Here are the basics:
The Church is the Bride of Christ.
As the Bride of Christ, the Church (in the collective sense) is made up of all those who have been born again and follow Jesus.
As the Church, Christians (Christ followers) are called to:
Live by the Great Commandment and the Great Commission - Love God and love people!
Matthew 22:34-40
34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had
silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of
them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: 36 “Teacher,
which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to
him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great
and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 Upon these two
commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded
you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Preach and teach the biblical message of both the Old and New Testaments.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial
for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so
that the man or woman of God may be fully
capable, equipped for every good work.
Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and never be ashamed of this Gospel.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt
has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer
good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. 14 “You
are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor
do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your
light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it
is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew
first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the
righteous one will live by faith.”
Maintain love and grace in holiness as members of the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not
jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not
act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not
provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps
every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;
Work to preserve unity in the church.
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you
to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have
been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one
body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your
calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and
Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Actively serve the Body of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since
we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a
new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that
is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a
great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s approach God with
a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our
bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to
the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised
is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to encourage one
another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our
own meeting together, as is the habit of some people,
but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day
drawing near.
Give as the Holy Spirit leads.
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
6 Now I say this: the one who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will
also reap generously. 7 Each one must do just as he
has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to
make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in
everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is
written: “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures
forever.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of
your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for
all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For
the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of
the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to
God.
Pray!
Matthew 6:9-13
9 ‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us
from evil.’
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever. Amen
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing,
