Our Beliefs

Branches of Christ accepts the Bible as God's Word, our standard guide. His Word is divinely inspired and without error (Hebrews 4:2, II Peter 1:20-21). We do not pretend to completely comprehend all truth, but with God's grace, we are striving to apply what we have learned while we continue to study and grow.

Jesus Christ was God in the flesh (John 1:14, Philippians 2:4-11, 1 John 4:2); born of a virgin (Luke 1:26-35); the exact representation of God through His life and teaching (John 14:6-11). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15); died on a cross; became a sacrifice, taking our sins upon Himself (II Corinthians 5:14-18, 21). God raised Him to life three days later as Lord and Savior (John 20, I Corinthians 15:18) and He now represents those that have accepted Him (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:24, 8:2) while He waits to come back to resurrect us (I Corinthians 15:42-58, I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Mankind is born with a nature susceptible to sin (Romans 5:12-19, 7:17-18). As we grow up, that nature proves itself through our own disobedience (Romans 3:23, 5:8). Our sin separates us from God eternally (John 3:16-18) unless we come to God's forgiveness through Jesus according to His New Testament and will. Salvation is a free gift of God's love. Although many tell of a variety of saving experiences, we teach salvation according to the accumulation of New Testament teaching and examples. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Faith comes from hearing the full story of Christ; and believing it, we call on the Lord seeking Him (Hebrews 11:6). We confess Him as Lord, recognizing our sin (Romans 10:9-17). Faith in Him will lead us to turn from living for ourselves to living for Him (Acts 2:36-45, 3:19, 20:21). Baptism by immersion in water will complete our new birth (John 3:3-5, Acts 8:12, 36-38, 16:30-34, 22:14-16, Romans 6:3-8, I Peter 3:20-22).

We grow into His likeness as we continue to get to know Him (Philippians 3:1-14). We believe the Holy Spirit is sent into each believer's life for support and giftedness in ministry (Ephesians 1:13-14). The church is the body of believers established to carry out His will on the earth (Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-16).

Although we are an independent and autonomous (non-denominational) congregation, we believe in a fellowship of all believers. We call ourselves "Christians" only; but we are not the only Christians.