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Beliefs are not worth much unless they are
translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly
about the following seven practices: |
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ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has
eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis
1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
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ABOUT JESUS
CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the
Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and
offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on
a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over
sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to
earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23;
Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans
1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
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ABOUT
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is
co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make
men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from
the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living,
understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives
every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to
live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17;
John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians
1:13; Galations 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
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ABOUT THE
BIBLE
The Bible is
God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian
beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any
mixture of error.
2 Timothy
3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
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ABOUT HUMAN
BEINGSi>
People are made in
the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme
object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for
good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called
“sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm
8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
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ABOUT
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s
free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by
self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer
of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our
self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the
moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23;
Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5
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ABOUT
ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us
eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation
for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation
is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the
Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29;
2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
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ABOUT ETERNITY
People were
created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by
sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally
separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16;
John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18;
Revelation
20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
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What We Practice:
Beliefs are not worth much unless
they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very
strongly about the following seven practices: |
BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY
“The whole Bible was
given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and
make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us
to do what is right.” 2 Tim. 3:15
Since God’s
Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible
as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What
does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible
memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe
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AUTONOMY OF EACH LOCAL CHURCH
“Christ is
the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life...” Col.
1:18 (GN)
Christ is
the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious
organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with
other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be
self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to
our “church plants” we will encourage each congregation to determine it’s own
strategy, structure, and style.
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PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER
“Christ
loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom
of priests to serve God...” Rev. 1:6 (GN) “You are...the King’s priests...God’s
own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” 1 Pet. 2:9 (GN)
The Bible
teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service,
regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is
a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry.
Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
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TITHING
“A tithe of
everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 26:30
As a visitor
to MCC you will find that at Marengo Christian we practice tithing for the
support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving
10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving and have experienced God's
generosity directly proportional to our own. "We cannot outgive God!"
While you are welcome to participate as God leads you there is no obligation to
do so. Just simply pass the plate to the one next to you.
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IMMERSION
“For when
you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also
raised with Christ...” Col. 2:12 (GN)
We practice
baptism by immersion under water — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the
Bible commands.
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SPIRIT
EMPOWERED LIVING
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
We believe the only way possible to
live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a
daily dependence on God’s Spirit to empower and enable us to do what is right.
(Phil. 2:13, Eph. 5:18)
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TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
“Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the
responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom
God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and
inviting friends to church.
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