A summary of the basic beliefs of the leaders of North County Church of Christ
About the Bible
The Bible is the story of God’s relationship with people, written by human beings under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible is God’s Word. It tells us how to conduct our lives as God’s people. Its main purpose is to bring us into a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who is the living Word, and in whom we have eternal life. Psalm 119:105; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 1:14; John 5:39, 40
About God
There is only one true God, the eternal and almighty Creator of heaven and earth and all life. He is the sovereign ruler of the universe. He co-exists in three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to reconcile us to himself. We learn about God through His creation, His Word and His Son. Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:18, 3:16; Romans 1:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19; 14:13; Ephesians 4:6
About Jesus Christ
God became man in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one and only Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of us all, was buried in a tomb and on the third day he rose from the dead. He then ascended to heaven where he prepares a place for us and intercedes before the Father on our behalf. His death on the Cross and his resurrection from the grave saves us from sin and death. John 1:1;14; John 3:16,17; Acts 10:42-43; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Galatians 4:3-5; Colossians 1:13-23; 2:8-14; 1Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3
About the Holy Spirit
God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, lives inside all who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired and ensured that God’s message was accurately preserved in the Bible. He is also our daily helper and guide. He teaches, comforts, and empowers his followers with a variety of abilities. He promotes unity, Christ-like character, and love. John 14:16-17 26; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 4:6; 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 3:16-20
About Man
Mankind was created by God, in His image, male and female, to live in an eternal relationship with Him. God gave us free will – the ability to choose to have this relationship with Him or not. Through sin, everyone breaks their intended relationship with God. We experience the destructive consequences of that broken relationship in this life and beyond. The first man, Adam and his wife Eve sinned, and mankind has been doing the same ever since. God offers reconciliation, redemption, recreation and eternal life through Jesus, the second man. Genesis 1:26-27; Joshua 24:14-16; Psalm 119:73; 139:13-16; John 3:16; Ephesians 1:4-5; 1 John 3:4-10; I Corinthians 15:45
About Salvation
Every person living has sinned, and sin separates us from God. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin or earn a relationship with God. It is a gift of God, motivated by his love. We receive this gift (grace) through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Faith is expressed by our confessing to others that Jesus is Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. Faith involves the changing of our heart and life to please God (repentance). Faith involves being baptized (immersed) in water to personally share in Christ’s saving actions removing our sin, giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit and making us a part of God’s family. Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; John 1 16:17; Acts 2:38 & 15:8-11; Romans 3:21-28; 6:23; 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:18
About Baptism
Jesus taught that those who would be his disciples must be baptized. Baptism is burial in water and resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament’s detailed account of the beginning and spread of the early church, it was their practice to immediately baptize those who came to believe as a part of their trusting Christ to save them. They were promised as a result the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We practice the full immersion in water of those who have come to personal faith in the risen Lord. Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:37-38; I Peter 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17
About the Church
A term used in the Bible for the church is “God’s household.” The church is the community of everyone who has been saved by Christ. They can be recognized by their commitment to following Christ, their love for God’s family, their service to one another, their community and the world. God’s family shares the good news of Jesus with others. North County Church of Christ is a local community of God’s family. We assemble regularly for fellowship, to worship God together, for teaching, edification and to encourage one another. The Church is the presence of Jesus in a local community. Matthew 16:15-16; John 13:34-35; 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-10