The Spotsylvania Church of Christ

As a church family (a group of imperfect people seeking the Lord), we believe the Bible is God’s message revealed to us for the purpose of guiding us toward Him. With this in mind, in the Bible (Hebrews 6:1-3) we find essential truths that lay the foundation for our faith in Jesus Christ. These truths are at the core of who we are as a church.

• Our family believes in one eternal God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:16,45; 6:1,4,8,9; James 1:17; John 1:1; 14:9; Genesis 1:2; John 4:24; 14:16-20; 2 Peter 1:21)
• Our family believes in God the Father, who is the Creator of all things seen and unseen (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 11:3)

• Our family believes in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who is God’s Son and our Savior (John 1:14; 1 John 4:9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:18) and who:

  • Was born Jesus of Nazareth, both fully human and fully divine, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 21:11; John 19:19; John 1:14; Romans 5:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 John 1:1; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-38)
  • Lived and taught the perfect life (John 13:14-16; Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; 3:1; 4:14-16; 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6)
  • Suffered and was unjustly crucified (Luke 23:1-46)
  • Died, was buried, and rose from the grave on the third day following His death (Luke 23:44 – 24:8; John 20:24-29; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
  • Ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father (Luke 22:69; Acts 1:1-9; Colossians 3:1)
  • Promised to return to earth to judge all people, both living and dead (Matthew 24:36-42; John 14:1-3, Acts 1:10-11; 10:39-42; 1 Peter 4:5)

   

• Our family believes in God the Holy Spirit, who has been God’s presence on earth from the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2) and who:
  • Is an active and vital part of God (John 16:5-15; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 8:26-27)
  • Lives and works in every baptized believer (Christian) (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14)

• Our family believes in the Bible—God’s message, His Holy Word (Scripture).
  • We believe God inspired the original writings of the 66 books of the Bible and those original writings were without error (inerrant) (Mark 12:36; John 14:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
  • Our family confirms the Bible as the final authority for all matters of faith and practice as it reveals God, God’s vision, God’s purposes, and God’s good news for all people (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Romans 15:4; Hebrews 4:12)

• Our family believes the Bible teaches that all people…
  • Are separated from God through sin (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21)
  • Are without hope apart from God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23)

• Our family believes the Bible teaches that salvation (forgiveness of sin and reuniting with God) is only by grace (God’s gift of salvation given without merit) through Jesus’ sacrificial death and realized through relationship with Him (Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:4-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7)

• Our family believes the Bible teaches that one commits to this relationship with God and His grace by…
  • Believing in and putting their faith in Christ (John 11:25-26; 20:29, 31; Romans 5:1-2; 10:4, 9-10; Mark 16:16)
  • Repenting of sin (acknowledging and turning from sin) (Luke 24:45-47; Acts 3:19; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)
  • Confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-13; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:15)
  • Being immersed (through baptism) into Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21)

• Our family believes that the Bible teaches that our committed relationship to God prompts a response from every believer (disciple). This response to our relationship with God inspires us to:
  • Worship God (2 Kings 17:28-39; Psalms 29:2; 95:6; 99:5, 9; 100:2; Matthew 4:10; John 4:20-24; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 7:11; 14:7; 22:8-9)
  • Love each other in perfect unity (John 13:34-35; 15:12; 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:12-14)
  • Grow spiritually (Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 1:6; 3:12-15; Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:17-18)
  • Share the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ to all people (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-32, 40-42)
  • Serve others (Acts 2:45; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; 1 Peter 4:8-11)

• Our family believes the church (fellowship) of Jesus Christ (God’s family) was...
  • Founded by Christ (Matthew 16:13-18)
  • Established after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:14-47)
  • Consists of all believers (Christians) everywhere

• Our family believes the Bible teaches that the Elders (Shepherds) are the spiritual leaders and guides of the local church (God’s family) (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)