2253 Third Street -
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
Phone: (330) 928-4098
Phone: (330) 928-4098
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~ Rev. Gail Lindsey - Interim Pastor ~
"CHRISTIAN CHURCH
BELIEFS
AND PRACTICES"
AND PRACTICES"
Since its origin on the American frontier in the early 1800's, the Christian Church has attempted to increase respect, understanding, and brotherhood among Christian believers of all denominations. Attempting to hold true to the teachings of Jesus and the practices of the New Testament Churches,
it strives for a Christian faith, which is relevant to the era in which we live
and intellectually sound.
We do not impose a set of formulated doctrines or Biblical interpretations upon any member nor do we make a list of religious ideas or theological concepts in which all members must believe, nor does the church have any written creed or doctrine in which a person must pledge belief in order to become a member.
In all matters, members are encouraged to exercise personal responsibility for interpretation and application of the Word of God to their lives. Members are bound together in fellowship and service by belief in the central theme of New Testament believers -"that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and the Lord and Savior given for all people".
People presenting themselves for membership here are asked only one question: "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living
God, and do you accept Him as Lord and Savior?"
In general, there are a number of things commonly understood and accepted by many members of the Christian Church. Here is a sampling of some of the most significant:
1. We believe that the New Testament, particularly the life and teachings of Jesus, and his apostles, forms the basis of our Christian thought and action.
2. We believe that the Church, the body of Christ, is a holy fellowship through which God seeks to work in every Age. It includes all who place their faith in God and in Jesus Christ.
3. We recognize the principle of self-government for each local congregation with the state and national bodies serving only in advisory capacities.
4. We believe that the church is universal, as well as congregational, ecumenical as well as local. We insist upon the clergy's freedom of the pulpit, and the right of the local congregation to select its own ministers.
5. We observe the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, every Sunday, and welcome all Christians from all denominations to participate.
6. We perform baptism by immersion, a New Testament practice recognized as the most adequate symbol of complete surrender and of the Biblical ideal of death, burial, and resurrection to a new life. (Though we accept new members by transfer of membership who practice other forms of baptism.)
7. We participate in and encourage interdenominational fellowship of Christians in worship, study, mission, and service.
8. We believe that each individual has access to God without the necessity
of priest or minister to serve as intermediary. Each person can approach God directly, expressing praise and adoration and seeking forgiveness. This conviction is called "the priesthood of all believers".
9. We believe that each person is sacred in God's eyes, and that each has a personal responsibility to serve and teach wherever there is opportunity. The clergy, recognized as the part of the laity set aside for specific duties within the Christian fellowship, is expected to maintain a high standard of education, conduct, and worship.
10. The unity of all Christians, which today finds expression in the ecumenical movement, was one of the convictions of the founders of the Christian Churches and continues to be one of our major concerns.
11. The freedom of thought and opinion in the Christian Church leads
many people of varying shades of religious thought find a home within
our membership. Many families and individuals with differing church backgrounds have united their homes by membership in the Christian Church.
Historically, Christian Church principles have been lifted up in four great slogans, which were frequently used by early leaders of the movement:
"No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible."
"Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are
silent, we are silent."
"In essentials, unity; in opinion, liberty; in all things, charity."
"We are not the only Christians, but Christians only."