What We Believe
The following is an abbreviated statement of what we at the South Wake Church of Christ believe. It is by no means a comprehensive account, but is intended to provide the most basic tenets of our faith. It is not meant to be taken as a formal creed, or official articles of faith. It is only given to provide a general overview of the beliefs that form our understanding of what it means to be a “Christian,” to those who may be interested in knowing who we are.
We believe the Bible to be the only inerrant, inspired (God breathed), infallible, and authoritative Word of God. We strive to accurately interpret the Bible according to its given context, setting aside any pre-determined beliefs, or personal agendas and only accepting conclusions that are necessarily proven by an objective study of the scriptures (The Bible). We believe that the Bible is the revealed Word of God given to men through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
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.
God has divinely preserved that message for all mankind to read. We believe every word to be true (John 19:35-36), that what has been written can be substantiated by history, archaeology, geology, as well as credible eyewitness accounts (I Cor. 15: 5-6), prophecies (and their genuine fulfillment) and supernatural signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:4).
John 19:35-36, I Cor. 15: 5-6, Hebrews 2:4, KJV & NKJV
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. (John 19:35-36 KJV)
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (I Cor. 15: 5-6 KJV)
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:4 NKJV)
The Bible Gives Testimony to the Fact That:
God exists:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20 KJV)
Jesus Christ has been given authority over us:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18 NKJV)
We are ultimately accountable to Christ:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV)
God desires everyone to be saved on His terms:
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1Timothy 2:3-5 KJV)
Salvation is available through Christ by our obedience:
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9 KJV)
Jesus Christ is the only Advocate for man:
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2 KJV)
God Has Done His Part:
We believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, sent that we may have eternal life through Him.
I John 4:9 NKJV
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
Christ is the only way for a person to obtain salvation as He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). Jesus has fulfilled the entire Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17), thus qualifying Himself to be the perfect sacrifice by living a life as a man without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Matthew 5:17 & Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17 NKJV)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)
This sinless life paved the way for Him to supersede the Old Testament Law with a new and better covenant that is superior to the first as is taught in Hebrews chapter 8. The life which He gave upon the cross provides life to all those who seek it. His blood provides for forgiveness of one’s sins giving us a “clear conscience” toward God (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:13-14).
Ephesians 1:7 & Hebrews 9:13-14 NKJV
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7 NKJV)
For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14 NKJV)
Therefore, the scriptures teach that if anyone or thing refutes even the most basic tenet of the Christian faith as declared by scripture is illegitimate and rejected by God.
Galatians 1:8-9 NKJV
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Man Is Required To Do His Part:
Matthew 16:24-27 KJV
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
The Bible provides for us a clear path one must follow in order to receive so great a salvation. The plan is simple but must be adhered to:
Hear
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV)
Believe
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16 KJV)
For the Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (Romans 10:11 NKJV)
Repent
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15 KJV)
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19 KJV)
Confess
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV)
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)
Baptized (by full immersion)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 NKJV)
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21 KJV)
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:37-39 KJV)
Live Faithfully
… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 NKJV)
The scriptures require all who name the name of Jesus to keep His commandments.
John 14:15, 21 NKJV
15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.
Therefore, all believers everywhere are “…to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV)
In Conclusion:
We believe in accordance to scripture that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and therefore need a Savior who will deliver us from the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The scriptures further teach that all those who are saved and remain faithful “until death” will be in heaven with God for all eternity (Revelation 2:10). Jesus taught that all those who disobey God and reject the only means for reconciliation with Him (Colossians 3:5-6) will be separated from Him forever in a wretched existence known as Hell (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). Even those who have once vowed to live according to the Name of Christ and yet have chosen to return to the world instead will face an awful judgment in the life to come if they do not repent (Hebrews 10:26-30, 2 Peter 2:20-22). If a person seeks God and draws near to Him, however sinful that person might have been, God will deliver him from condemnation (James 4:8, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Romans 8:1-4).
It would bring us great joy to have you attend our worship services and if in the event the things we have declared here have raised questions in your mind, we would be more than happy to share with you our scriptural support for our conclusions, with the understanding that God’s Word is the only source of authority.
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
|
|
191 Donmoor Court
PO Box 1663
Garner, NC 27529
(919) - 779 - 9922
Map
Service Times
Sunday:
10:00 AM Bible Study
11:00 AM Worship
5:00 PM Worship
Wednesday:
7:00 PM Bible Study |
Home