The following are the core beliefs of South Baton Rouge Church of Christ based on foundational truths taught in the bible. All our teaching and ministry is rooted in, and flows out of, these biblical doctrines.
We use the term “core beliefs” to designate those beliefs that we consider essential Christian beliefs that we as a church unite around. They are not simply what we affirm, but are the foundation for how we live our individual and corporate lives, a framework for how we interpret Scripture, and express a shared faith that binds us together in unity.
We use the term “core beliefs” to designate those beliefs that we consider essential Christian beliefs that we as a church unite around. They are not simply what we affirm, but are the foundation for how we live our individual and corporate lives, a framework for how we interpret Scripture, and express a shared faith that binds us together in unity.
GOD
There is one true and living God, the eternal triune God that has three coexistent persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself to us and our highest calling as humans is to love God with all our being and others as our selves.
Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:28-30; Eph. 4:4-6
Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:28-30; Eph. 4:4-6
THE FATHER
God is Creator of the universe and by His power sustains and rules over all creation. Central to the Father’s character is His great redemptive love for us, which has been most clearly and importantly demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of His eternal Son, Jesus, an event that lies at the heart of the biblical story and the Christian faith.
John 3:16; Acts 17:24-28; I Cor. 8:6; Romans 1:19-20; I John 4:8
John 3:16; Acts 17:24-28; I Cor. 8:6; Romans 1:19-20; I John 4:8
JESUS
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God. Although co-equal with the Father, He humbly came to earth and fully became a man. He demonstrated God's love toward us and made His grace available to us by dying a sacrificial death on a cross. He voluntarily suffered in our place and paid the penalty that our sins deserve. After three days He rose from the grave, conquering death and offering forgiveness, a new relationship as a child of God, and eternal life for everyone who believes in Him and becomes his follower (disciple). His desire is for everyone to enter that relationship. He now reigns as Lord and as High Priest intercedes for his people.
Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1, 14, 18; Acts 10:37-43; Romans 5:5-10; I Cor. 15:3-4; Eph. 2:4-8;
Phili. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-21; Heb. 1:1-3, 4:14-16
Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1, 14, 18; Acts 10:37-43; Romans 5:5-10; I Cor. 15:3-4; Eph. 2:4-8;
Phili. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-21; Heb. 1:1-3, 4:14-16
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit dwells within God’s people. The Holy Spirit comes to us as a gift at the time of our salvation to be a Helper and Guide. The Spirit gives assurance that we are God’s children, unifies us together in Christ, and equips us with spiritual gifts for Christian service. The Spirit instructs, guides, molds, convicts, comforts us, and produces godly virtues in our lives.
Matt 3:11; John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:13-17; I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 3:16, 4:3-4
Matt 3:11; John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:13-17; I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 3:16, 4:3-4
PEOPLE
We are created in the image of God, designed to recognize and honor Him as God, live in fellowship with Him, and share in His oversight of creation. But God gave us the choice to love Him, or to turn away. The first man, Adam, chose to sin, and every person since has followed in his path. Through sin (our moral failings, mistreatment of others and our self-serving life-style) we have lived apart from God and alienated ourselves from Him. It is impossible for us through our own efforts to make amends and experience reconciliation with God. Only Jesus, through the grace of God, can bridge this gulf.
Genesis 1:27, 3:1-19; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 4:24; Romans 3:23; Eph. 2:1-5
Genesis 1:27, 3:1-19; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 4:24; Romans 3:23; Eph. 2:1-5
SALVATION
When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sin. When He rose again, He conquered death for us as well. God calls us all to believe in Jesus, turn from our old way of living (repent), confess our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and be baptized into Christ. Those who accept the call receive, through the grace of God, the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. We are adopted into God’s family as His children and know Him as our Heavenly Father. We are blessed with the abundant life Jesus brought and the great hope of sharing in the resurrection of Jesus at the end of time and live our lives in light of that hope. All this is possible only through the gracious work of God through Jesus. Those who reject God’s call to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will on judgment day be separated from God and His blessings.
John 3:5, 3:16, 10:10, 14:6; Acts 2:37-39, 16:29-33; Romans 6:3-4; I Cor. 6:11, 15:1-4; Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 2:1-10; Phili. 3:20-21; Titus 3:3-8; I John 3:1-3
John 3:5, 3:16, 10:10, 14:6; Acts 2:37-39, 16:29-33; Romans 6:3-4; I Cor. 6:11, 15:1-4; Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 2:1-10; Phili. 3:20-21; Titus 3:3-8; I John 3:1-3
THE CHURCH
The Church is the collection of believers who have accepted Christ's salvation and have become devoted followers of Jesus. Numerous metaphors are utilized in Scripture to describe the church. These include Christ's Bride, a Holy Temple, a Family, a flock of sheep, and a body with many parts. These images serve to illustrate Christ's deep love for his followers, the importance of relationships with one another, and the combined witness to the world of Christ's character. In response to God’s grace, mercy and love Christians gather regularly to worship, fellowship, remember, celebrate and proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is done primarily through the Lord’s Supper. The church is called to live together in unity, to love and encourage one another, and to use gifts in service to God and others. Entire lives should be devoted to worship and service to God. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, Christians are transformed to be people who reflect more and more the character of Jesus.
Matt. 16:15-18; John 13:34-35, 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:1-2; I Cor. 3:16-17; 12:12-27; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:2-4, 15-16; I Peter 2:4-10; I John 4:9-11
Matt. 16:15-18; John 13:34-35, 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:1-2; I Cor. 3:16-17; 12:12-27; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:2-4, 15-16; I Peter 2:4-10; I John 4:9-11
CHRISTIAN MISSION AND LIFE
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church as well as individual Christians continues the task of reaching out to and sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone in the world. Believers need to be encouraged and instructed, so that they can mature in the faith, become fully devoted followers of Christ, and be transformed more and more into His image. Believers are also called to be a loving community and to follow the example of Christ in serving and helping those in need or distress and encouraging a good and just society. In short, the church seeks to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.
Matt. 5:13-16, 6:10, 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11-13; James 1:27
Matt. 5:13-16, 6:10, 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11-13; James 1:27
THE BIBLE
The Bible is the inspired word of God written by people guided by the Holy Spirit to whom God revealed Himself. It is our trustworthy guide for truth, faith, and life. It records the story of God’s redemptive love to win a lost world back to Him. It tells us who God is, why He loves us, what He has done for us, and what His plans are for us. Through Scripture God reveals to us the truths He wants us to know and equips us for living fruitful lives of service to Him.
Psalm 19:7-11; John 13:34-35, 14:26, 17:17; I Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 19:7-11; John 13:34-35, 14:26, 17:17; I Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
LAST THINGS
At the close of his ministry and resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he reigns as Lord. At the end of time, He will return in power and glory. There will be a resurrection and a final judgment of all, with faithful believers and followers of Jesus being welcomed into God’s presence and eternal kingdom.
Matt. 7:21-23, 25:31-46; John 14:1-6; I Cor. 15:22-28,52-57; Phili. 3:18-21; I Thess. 4:13-18
Matt. 7:21-23, 25:31-46; John 14:1-6; I Cor. 15:22-28,52-57; Phili. 3:18-21; I Thess. 4:13-18
Each of the preceding paragraphs should be carefully considered in the light of the accompanying scriptures. The scriptural references root the texts in scripture and amplify on them. Conversely the texts identify and focus on key ideas from the scriptures and attempt to express them clearly. Paragraphs and texts should be read and studied together.
