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   ADVENT DEVOTIONS 2011
|  Affirmation and Practices | Core Values | History |


Disciples seek to increase respect, understanding, and co-operation among believers of all denominations. Attempting to hold true to the teachings of Jesus and the practices of the early church, we strive for a faith which is socially relevant to the era in which we live, intellectually sound, emotionally satisfying, and spiritually disciplined.


No attempt is made to impose a creed or formal doctrines or traditional interpretations upon members. There is no attempt to force religious ideas or theological concepts into a mold to which Disciples must assent. In doctrinal matters, members are accorded the freedom of private interpretation and the right to individual judgment, guided by the Spirit.

Disciples are united and yoked by essential belief in the central theme of the New Testament: Jesus Christ is the son of the Savior of humankind. On all other matters, Disciples recognize the right of members to complete freedom of opinion. "In essential - unity; In non essentials - Liberty; In all things - charity."

There does seem to be a common denominator of understanding which is accepted by most members of the Christian church. The following list includes some of our core teachings: E

WE BELIEVE:

There is one God, creator and Sustainer of the universe, who loves us and saves us through Jesus Christ, His Son.

  • In the dignity of humankind, and our divine calling to be children of God.
  • God, through Christ, is able to save all who turn to Him in faith and fully obey His Gospel.
  • Salvation is a process of growth in knowledge and grace. Conversion is the voluntary turning of mind and heart, through faith, repentance, confession and baptism, to the way of Jesus Christ, and in no way depends upon visions, voices, or special experiences.
  • No official creed or theology except the confession: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God." (Matt 16:16)


WE UPLIFT:


The Bible as God's Word. We look to the New Testament as our role of faith and practice, and stress the right of private interpretation of the Scriptures and individual freedom in matters of opinion.

 

WE ENCOURAGE:


The New Testament name for followers of Christ as "Disciples."


WE PRACTICE:


Only the New Testament Sacraments.


Baptism: Matthew 3:13, Acts 2:38. We practice Baptism by immersion as the New Testament symbol of complete surrender and identification with the drama of death, burial, and resurrection to the new being. (Romans 6:4,5)


The Lord's Supper: Acts 2:46. Observed weekly as a memorial and as a continuing fellowship in the Spirit. We do not believe in a restricted communion, but hold that all believers in Christ are invited to partake.


Ministries: No essential difference is recognized between clergy and lay folks. Any member may administer any ordinance. Each individual has access to God without the necessity of priest or minister to serve as intermediary. All may approach God directly, expressing praise and adoration, and seeking forgiveness. This conviction is called "the priesthood of all believers."


WE BELIEVE:


The church is a divine institution, the body of Christ, active and visible in the world, seeking to know His will, doing His work, revealing His heart of compassion, expressing His love and concern, preaching His Gospel, building His kingdom in the hearts of humankind, and radiating His Spirit in all relationships. We believe that the local congregation is a democratic institution governed by the congregation through officers and Board, whom it elects and is responsible to no outside authority in all matters of faith and practice.


In life eternal and the final triumph of good over evil.


This Theological affirmation is the preamble to the Design of the Christian Church, and is a helpful summary of the Christian faith we commonly confess.