What We Believe

 

As members of a Brethren church fellowship, we maintain the teachings of the New Testament as our only creed, and we do so in harmony with each of the following statements.

 

We accept and teach the Biblical doctrines of:

• The inspiration of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16);

• The individual personality of the Holy Spirit in our lives (John 16:7-13);

• The virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:27, 1:30-34);

• The deity of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-9);

• The sin-pardoning value of His atonement for all men (Ephesians 1:7);

• His literal resurrection from the dead, His ascension, and His personal and visible return (1 Cor. 15:1-25; Acts 1:9-11);

• The resurrection of the just and the unjust (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:46).

 

We observe the New Testament teachings of:

• Water baptism of repentant and confessing believers by trine immersion for the remission of sins (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38);

• Literal foot washing (John 13:1-20; 1 Timothy 5:10);

• Regular lovefeasts (Luke 22:20; John 13:4; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Jude 12);

• A communion using the emblems of bread and wine (Matt 26:26-30);

• The Christian salutation of a holy kiss and the right hand of fellowship (Romans 16:16; Acts 20:37);

• The Scriptural headship veiling (1 Corinthians 11:2-16);

• Anointing with oil for healing in the name of the Lord (James 5:14-18; Mark 6:13);

• The laying on of hands (Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14).

 

We emphasize:

• The Word of God and its use in daily devotions for the individual, and family worship for the home (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 4:8-9);

• Stewardship of time, talents, and money (Matthew 25:14-30);

• Caring for the fatherless, widows, poor, sick, and aged (Acts 6:1-7).

• The Scriptural principles of peace and nonresistance, and doing good to all men (Matthew 5:21-26; 43-44; Romans 12:19-21);

​• Not going to law, especially against other Christian brethren (1 Corinthians 6:1-10);

• Avoiding any violence in personal or industrial controversies (Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:8-10);

• Temperance, moderation, and consistency in all things (Titus 2:2; Gal. 5:19-26; Ephesians 5:18);

• Forbidding divorce and remarriage, except for the one Scriptural reason (Matthew 19:9; see also Matthew 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15);

• The Scriptural principle of nonswearing, not taking any form of oath (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12);

• Avoiding membership in secret oath-bound societies (1 Thessalonians 5:22);

• Christian fellowship and service to others, rather than worldly activities and amusements (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Peter 2:11; Rom. 12:17);

• Simple and modest clothing, avoiding fashionable and extravagant dress

(1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6).

• The Scriptural principle of living lives that are not conformed to the fashions and mindsets of the world around us, but deliberately transformed through a daily walk with Jesus Christ (Romans 12:2)

 

 

Finally, God's Word calls us to labor earnestly and in harmony with the Great Commission for:

 

the evangelization of the world, 

for the conversion of men to Jesus Christ, and

for the realization of the life of Jesus Christ in every believer (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Cor. 3:18).