Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Christ Community Church | Gastonia, NC based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
Scripture
The Bible is the very Word of God. It was inspired by His Spirit and is without error in the original documents. God's Word is to be the supreme authority in the life of every true believer in all matters of faith and conduct. The Word of God will never pass away and was literally breathed out and written by men moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity
We believe there is One sovereign God and there is no other.
God is one in essence and has revealed Himself in Scripture in three persons. God the Father, the fountain of all being; God the Son, eternally existent, begotten of the Father, not made, without beginning, of one essence with the Father; and God the Holy Spirit, a Person of the Godhead, eternally from the Father and the Son. These are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
God is one in essence and has revealed Himself in Scripture in three persons. God the Father, the fountain of all being; God the Son, eternally existent, begotten of the Father, not made, without beginning, of one essence with the Father; and God the Holy Spirit, a Person of the Godhead, eternally from the Father and the Son. These are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
God, The Father
God the Father is infinite. He is Spirit and is perfect in every way. He is infallible and foreknows all that will come to pass. He is actively involved in the affairs of mankind. He hears and answers our prayers. The Father saves all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord, from sin and death.
Jesus Christ, The Son
Jesus was the long foretold Messiah, spoken by Moses and all the prophets. He was born of a virgin and conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless and perfect life, performed supernatural miracles that pointed to His Deity, and taught as One who had authority from God. We believe He died as a substitute for our sin, was buried, and three days later rose from the grave - defeating death by death. He then ascended to heaven and today sits at the right hand of the Father, awaiting His visible return to the earth.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and the Son, to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Father draws humanity by the Spirit of God, to the Son of God. The Spirit of Christ does the regenerating work that leads to new birth (known as salvation) and sanctifies the believer to be conformed into the image of the Son. The Holy Spirit empowers every born-again believer to say "no" to fleshly desires, and to walk in the Spirit (which is the definition of living the Christian life). The Holy Spirit abides with the believer to lead them into all truth as a teacher and a guide. The Holy Spirit gifts the believer with gifts for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Salvation
Man was created by God in His own image; he sinned and thereby incurred death (physical, spiritual, and eternal death). This spiritual and eternal death is separation from God in an eternal hell. For that reason, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice, therefore, under condemnation. Those who repent, forsake sin, and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, are regenerated (born again), by the Holy Spirit, and become new creatures in Christ Jesus. They are delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Church
The universal church is a living spiritual body in which Jesus Christ is the head and all born again persons are members. The local church consists of a group of born again believers in Jesus Christ who are baptized with a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship with the rest of the local body. God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world in our local communities and to the ends of the earth.
Sanctification/Holiness
Sanctification is the experience that begins in or at the moment of salvation, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes. According to Scripture, this is the will of God for every true believer. The Bible maintains that not only are we currently sanctified as believers, but that we "are being sanctified." Sanctification or Holiness is the ongoing progression toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer. It is literally the believer being conformed into the image of Christ. This will continue throughout the believer's life until the believer is glorified through death or the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (also called Communion). We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Church Discipline Procedures
We believe that God has authorized the church to discipline those in the church who profess to be brothers/sisters in Christ, but continue to live in such a way that profanes Christ or His Church. Church discipline then only occurs when a brother/sister in Christ continues in unreported sin. Defined, it is when the person is removed from membership and from participating in the Lord's Table (communion). The person is still welcome to attend church services, however, the church can no longer affirm that person's profession of faith. The church will continue to love that person and call for their repentance. The general steps of church discipline are outlined below:
Step One
Matthew 18:15
The process of church discipline begins on an individual level. Jesus said, "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private" (v 15a). A brother in Christ is to go to a sinning brother privately and confront him in a spirit of humility and gentleness (Galatians 6:1). This confrontation involves clearly exposing his sin so that he is aware of it and calling him to repentance. If the sinning brother repents in response to the private confrontation, that brother is forgiven and restored.
Matthew 18:15
The process of church discipline begins on an individual level. Jesus said, "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private" (v 15a). A brother in Christ is to go to a sinning brother privately and confront him in a spirit of humility and gentleness (Galatians 6:1). This confrontation involves clearly exposing his sin so that he is aware of it and calling him to repentance. If the sinning brother repents in response to the private confrontation, that brother is forgiven and restored.
Step Two
Matthew 18:16
If the sinning brother refuses to listen to the one who has rebuked him privately, the next step in the discipline process is to take one or two more believers along to confront him again. The purpose of taking other believers is so that "by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed." In other words, the witnesses are present not only to confirm that the sin was committed, but also to confirm that the sinning brother was properly rebuked and that he has or has not repented.
Matthew 18:16
If the sinning brother refuses to listen to the one who has rebuked him privately, the next step in the discipline process is to take one or two more believers along to confront him again. The purpose of taking other believers is so that "by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed." In other words, the witnesses are present not only to confirm that the sin was committed, but also to confirm that the sinning brother was properly rebuked and that he has or has not repented.
At this point, it should be hoped that the one or two who are brought along to confront the sinner will not have to become public witnesses against him before the rest of the church. Ideally, their added rebuke will be sufficient to induce a change of heart in the offending brother that the initial rebuke did not cause. If this change of heart does occur, that brother is forgiven and restored, and the matter is dropped.
Step Three
Matthew 18:17a
If the sinning brother refuses to listen and respond to the confrontation of the witnesses after a period of time, those witnesses are then to tell it to the church (v. 17a). This is most appropriately done by bringing the matter to the attention of the elders, who in turn oversee its communication to the assembly as a whole.
Matthew 18:17a
If the sinning brother refuses to listen and respond to the confrontation of the witnesses after a period of time, those witnesses are then to tell it to the church (v. 17a). This is most appropriately done by bringing the matter to the attention of the elders, who in turn oversee its communication to the assembly as a whole.
Step Four
Matthew 18:17b
The final step of the church discipline process is ostracism. If a sinning believer refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be ostracized from the fellowship. Jesus said, "Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer" (v. 17b). The term "Gentile" was primarily used of non-Jews who held to their traditional paganism and had no part in the covenant, worship, or social life of the Jews. On the other hand, a "tax-gatherer" was an outcast from the Jews by choice, having become a traitor to his own people. Jesus' use of these terms doesn't mean that the church is to treat these people badly. It simply means that when a professing believer refuses to repent, the church is to treat him as if he were outside of the fellowship. They are not to let him associate and participate in the blessings and benefits of the Christian assembly.
When a man in the Corinthian church refused to forsake an incestuous relationship with his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5), the apostle Paul commanded that the man be removed from their midst. The believers there were not even to share a meal with him, for dining with someone was symbolic of a hospitable and cordial fellowship. The one who is persistently unrepentant is to be totally ostracized from the fellowship of the church and treated like an outcast.
As far as the welfare of the church is concerned, the purpose of putting the brother out is to protect the purity of the fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:6), to warn the assembly of the seriousness of sin (1 Timothy 5:20), and to give a testimony of righteousness to a watching world. But as far as the welfare of the brother himself is concerned, the purpose of the ostracism is not to punish but to awaken, and it must therefore be done in humble love and never in a spirit
of self-righteous superiority (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
When a church has done everything it can to bring a sinning member back to purity of life but is unsuccessful, that individual is to be left to his sin and his shame. If he is truly a Christian, God will not cast him away, but He may allow him to sink still deeper before he becomes desperate enough to turn from his sin.
The command not to have fellowship or even social contact with the unrepentant brother does not exclude all contact. When there is an opportunity to admonish him and try to call him back, the opportunity should be taken. In fact, such opportunities should be sought. But the contact should be for the purpose of admonishment and restoration and no other.
Matthew 18:17b
The final step of the church discipline process is ostracism. If a sinning believer refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be ostracized from the fellowship. Jesus said, "Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer" (v. 17b). The term "Gentile" was primarily used of non-Jews who held to their traditional paganism and had no part in the covenant, worship, or social life of the Jews. On the other hand, a "tax-gatherer" was an outcast from the Jews by choice, having become a traitor to his own people. Jesus' use of these terms doesn't mean that the church is to treat these people badly. It simply means that when a professing believer refuses to repent, the church is to treat him as if he were outside of the fellowship. They are not to let him associate and participate in the blessings and benefits of the Christian assembly.
When a man in the Corinthian church refused to forsake an incestuous relationship with his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5), the apostle Paul commanded that the man be removed from their midst. The believers there were not even to share a meal with him, for dining with someone was symbolic of a hospitable and cordial fellowship. The one who is persistently unrepentant is to be totally ostracized from the fellowship of the church and treated like an outcast.
As far as the welfare of the church is concerned, the purpose of putting the brother out is to protect the purity of the fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:6), to warn the assembly of the seriousness of sin (1 Timothy 5:20), and to give a testimony of righteousness to a watching world. But as far as the welfare of the brother himself is concerned, the purpose of the ostracism is not to punish but to awaken, and it must therefore be done in humble love and never in a spirit
of self-righteous superiority (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
When a church has done everything it can to bring a sinning member back to purity of life but is unsuccessful, that individual is to be left to his sin and his shame. If he is truly a Christian, God will not cast him away, but He may allow him to sink still deeper before he becomes desperate enough to turn from his sin.
The command not to have fellowship or even social contact with the unrepentant brother does not exclude all contact. When there is an opportunity to admonish him and try to call him back, the opportunity should be taken. In fact, such opportunities should be sought. But the contact should be for the purpose of admonishment and restoration and no other.
Eldership
At Christ Community Church, we believe that Biblical Eldership is the form of governance that the New Testament most clearly points to for Church Leadership. In the New Testament, depending on the translation you are reading, you can find the words elder (presbuteros), overseer/Bishop (episkopos), or shepherd/pastor (same Greek word, poim-en) and we believe they all refer to the same office. When looking at the qualifications of elders/overseers/pastors you will see almost identical qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
We believe the clear teaching of Scripture in the New Testament shows that the normal leadership of a local assembly is to be a "plurality" (more than one) of God called elders who meet the Biblical qualifications. We believe that when a church seeks to obey the clear teaching of Scripture, God is most glorified.
With that being said, Christ Community Church has adopted and operates with the Biblical Eldership form of governance.
Within this governance the Scriptures make it clear that there is not to be one single authoritative leader. In every instance where "elders" is used in the New Testament (with two exceptions when John and Peter are speaking of themselves in singular), the Scriptures show a very consistent form of a "plurality" of elders. With all the examples found throughout Acts, Titus, James, and 1 Timothy, we don't see any place in the New Testmanet where there is a one pastor-led congregation. That does not mean that there can't be one pastor who does the majority, if not all of the preaching, but no one pastor makes all the decisions and leads the church by himself.
We believe that the Bible calls only men to the office of Eldership. We in no way believe this to mean that women are less important than men. We believe God uses both men and women for HIs glory in different roles. We, however, believe God has called men to be elders, overseers, and pastors of His Church.
Each elder that takes part in the leadership of Christ Community Church must meet the Biblical qualifications that have been set forth in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-8.
We believe the clear teaching of Scripture in the New Testament shows that the normal leadership of a local assembly is to be a "plurality" (more than one) of God called elders who meet the Biblical qualifications. We believe that when a church seeks to obey the clear teaching of Scripture, God is most glorified.
With that being said, Christ Community Church has adopted and operates with the Biblical Eldership form of governance.
Within this governance the Scriptures make it clear that there is not to be one single authoritative leader. In every instance where "elders" is used in the New Testament (with two exceptions when John and Peter are speaking of themselves in singular), the Scriptures show a very consistent form of a "plurality" of elders. With all the examples found throughout Acts, Titus, James, and 1 Timothy, we don't see any place in the New Testmanet where there is a one pastor-led congregation. That does not mean that there can't be one pastor who does the majority, if not all of the preaching, but no one pastor makes all the decisions and leads the church by himself.
We believe that the Bible calls only men to the office of Eldership. We in no way believe this to mean that women are less important than men. We believe God uses both men and women for HIs glory in different roles. We, however, believe God has called men to be elders, overseers, and pastors of His Church.
Each elder that takes part in the leadership of Christ Community Church must meet the Biblical qualifications that have been set forth in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-8.
End Things
We believe that we are living in the last days, according to Scripture. We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth, in which He will establish His earthly kingdom. We also believe in the resurrection of the body of all people, the final judgment, the endless suffering of the wicked, and the eternal joy of the righteous.
Marriage & Gender
We believe that God fearfully and wonderfully creates each person as male or female.
These two genders together reflect the image and nature of God in a complementary way.
Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single exclusive union, as defined in Scripture. We also believe that God intends for sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and woman who are married to one another and that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
These two genders together reflect the image and nature of God in a complementary way.
Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single exclusive union, as defined in Scripture. We also believe that God intends for sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and woman who are married to one another and that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.