​Shell Knob First Christian Church

We believe in Jesus Christ. That He is truly God and truly man, existing for all eternity and having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He lived a life without sin, was crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He now reigns as our High Priest and Mediator.  (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 8:58; 10:30-38; 12:45; 14:10-30; 17:5,25; Hebrews 1:3; 4:14,15; 7:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; 1 John 2:20-22; Revelation 22:13).

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit. That His ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ and during this age, to convict men of sin, indwell, guide, instruct, comfort and empower the believer for godly living and service.  We further believe that all Christians have been promised the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  Although we cannot dictate to the Holy Spirit as to when and where He acts, the promise of His presence may be claimed at the point of conversion (Acts 2:38).  The Holy Spirit then gives gifts of ministry to each one for the good of the body (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

 

We believe in the Scriptures.  Both Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6; 19:105, 106; Proverbs 30:5).

 

We believe man was created in the image of God for the purpose of fellowship with God for all eternity.  Man fell into sin willfully and is therefore alienated from God and without hope apart from the blood of Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2).

 

We believe a man is saved by grace through faith in Jesus.

    1. Salvation is through the grace of Jesus only and paid for by His blood.

    2. No amount of work on man's part can earn it (Ephesians 2:8,9).

    3. People are called to believe and accept Jesus as the only Savior for sin (Acts15:7).

    4. People are called to repent of their sin and turn to God (Acts 2:38, 17:30).

    5. People are expected to obey by confessing their belief in Christ (Matthew 10:32).

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We believe that when a person is saved, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit, will remain in Christ until the end of their life journey, and are eternally secure in Christ. The believer is continually transformed by the Holy Spirit in their walk with Christ. (Ephesians 1:13; John 6:37-39 & 8:29; Matthew 24:13; Titus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 6:11)

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We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of an obedient believer. In the New Testament church every believer was commanded to be baptized in a manner of being united to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:3-5)
 

• Jesus was baptized as our example (Matthew 3:13-15).

• Jesus then instructed that all followers be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20).

• Baptism was practiced in the Church from it's beginning (Acts 2:38-41).

We believe Jesus established two ordinances for believers: The Lord’s Supper (Communion) and Baptism. Only Christians who have carefully examined themselves should partake of this supper. The Bible does not set a prescribed time for observing this supper but we make it available each Sunday here at First Christian. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Only those who have come to faith through Jesus Christ are a part of that church both locally and universally (Colossians 1:18).  We believe that since the Lord is the head of the church, that every local church has the right, under Christ, to govern it's own affairs.

 

We believe Satan is real.  He desires to "kill, steal and destroy" the church and that he is ruler over the present world system (Job 1:6; Matthew 4:1; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9; Hebrews 2:14; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8).

 

We believe Jesus will someday return for His church.  All the dead will be resurrected - the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord - the unbeliever to everlasting punishment. Heaven and Hell are both very real (Matthew 1:8, 2:44,46; 13:41-42; 22:13; 25:41-46; John 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 2:4-9; 3:7; Jude 13; Revelation 20:15).