OUR BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
"The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has beliefs and practices in common with all sorts of Christians. These apparent similarities sometimes are superficial, sometimes fundamental. We baptize by immersion, so we look like Baptists. We have Communion every Sunday, so we look a bit like Roman Catholics. We stress the ministry of the laity, so we look a little like Quakers. Our congregations call their pastors rather than accepting assigned ministers, so in that respect we look like Presbyterians. We rely heavily on preaching and teaching, so we look somewhat like Methodists. We have congregational government, so we look a lot like the United Church of Christ."
Excerpted from We Call Ourselves Disciples, by General Minister and President Emeritus Dr. Kenneth Teegarden
While what is below by no means represents the total beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), it does introduce you to some of our basic beliefs about the most common areas of faith. As always, if you have questions, or would like more information you may contact us any time.
The Holy Scriptures
"Where the scriptures speak, we speak; where the scriptures are silent, we are silent."
A quote from Disciples' founder Thomas Campbell, 1809
"Within the universal church we receive...the light of scripture."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
Disciples do not have an "official" interpretation of the Bible. Individuals are encouraged to interpret the scriptures in the light of all sciences and the strength of Christian tradition. Because the Bible is viewed as testimony of divine revelation, Disciples tend to lean away from a literal approach and more toward an understanding that combines both faith and reason (from A Handbook for Today's Disciples, D. Duane Cummins, 1991).
At First Christian Church, you will not be told what the Bible "means." Instead, you will be encouraged to grow in your understanding of Scripture through individual prayer and study that is strengthened and supported by participating in our congregation's Christian Education opportunities, Worship and Community sharing.
God
"We rejoice in God, Maker of Heaven and Earth."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
Disciples, while not given to defining God, usually think of God as Creator and as revealed through the life of Jesus Christ. Disciples do not reject reasonable evidences of God's existence but neither do they limit their understanding of God to rational definition. We view God as beyond definition, transcending time and geography, greater than all the energies shooting through nature, and more than a magnification of human powers. Disciples affirm the reality of God in the world but resist the temptation to enclose God in human definition (from A Handbook for Today's Disciples, D. Duane Cummins, 1991).
At First Christian Church, we celebrate the mystery of God. While scripture helps us to understand God and a life of faith helps us to experience God, we know that God is beyond all description. At the same time, we celebrate the growing knowledge of God we have through shared understanding. We invite you to come and add to this shared understanding of God.
Jesus Christ
"We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
Disciples generally believe that Jesus Christ was fully human, fully divine. We believe that Christ was crucified and died, only to be raised by God through the miracle of resurrection, the miracle that provides the gift of eternal life.
We also hold dear to the phrase "No Creed but Christ!" This phrase comes from the belief that no creeds are necessary to understand and believe in Christ. The scriptures are enough.
At First Christian Church, you will never be asked to confess your belief in any creed or statement of faith. The only confession you will ever be asked to make is that you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that you proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world. That is it! No tests, no classes, no hassle. The only thing required for membership is a belief in Jesus Christ and the act of being baptized (see below for details).
The Holy Spirit
"In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
One of the founders of our denomination, Barton Stone, defined the Holy Spirit as the "energy of God." This is a good description for how the Disciples understand the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift that is shared among all believers in God. It calls us to greater faith, leads us to greater service and nurtures us to greater strength.
At First Christian Church we celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit in each person. We believe the Spirit is with us in all that we do. We invite you to come and experience the Holy Spirit as it manifests itself in our congregation.
Baptism
"Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
"We, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), confess that all who are baptized into Christ are members of His Universal Church and belong to and share in His ministry through the People of the One God."
Resolution 7560 -- General Assembly, 1975
"Toward the Mutual Recognition of Members"
Disciples typically are baptized when they can express as a personal choice their desire to become part of the Body of Christ. Disciples call the practice "believer's baptism." As the believer is immersed, she is baptized in the name of the Trinity. It is customary for the minister to use the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Infant dedication is a common Disciples tradition. A baby is brought into the environment of a loving church where parents and congregation pledge themselves to nurture the child in the love of Christ. An infant so dedicated "confirms" that dedication with a faith-response usually during the early teenage years, about the same time when many Disciples are baptized.
At First Christian Church we believe the Holy Spirit is present at all Christian Baptisms. There is no requirement for re-baptism. A person baptized in another Christian tradition wishing to join a Disciples congregation is simply asked: "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of your life?" The person who answers, "I do," is welcomed into the congregation.
The Lord's Supper
"At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ."
A quote from The Design of the Christian Church
The Lord's Supper is offered every Sunday and on special days such as Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday. It is administered by the elders and diaconate of the church, with an ordained minister usually presiding; however, this is not required and lay people often will preside. The Lord is the host of the table and it is open to all who are present in our sanctuary, regardless of religious affiliation or background. The extraordinary significance of the Lord's Supper to Disciples is apparent in the design of a chalice as the focal point of our denominational symbol (see below).
Participation in the Lord's Supper embraces a broad range of meaning.
- Through the sharing of bread and cup ("my body...my blood"), we meet and receive the living Christ. We affirm the presence of the living Lord and proclaim him the dominant power in our lives.
- The Lord's Supper is an act of thanksgiving for the renewal of our lives through the forgiveness of God. Through the Lord's Supper, we pledge faithfulness and reaffirm the covenant of new life into which we entered at baptism.
- The Lord's Supper is celebrated in fellowship with the whole people of God. It is an expression of unity, of oneness in Christ, and of concern for each other.
- The Lord's Supper is a time of self-examination, personal confession of sin, and receiving God's forgiveness.
- Through this sacrament, we remember with profound gratitude and hope the death and resurrection of Christ. We recall the sacrifice of Christ's life, and fix our hope upon the promise "until he comes."
from A Handbook for Today's Disciples, D. Duane Cummins, 1991.
At First Christian Church, you are invited to partake in the Lord's Supper this and every Sunday. We hope to break bread with you soon!
Our Symbol
The red chalice, seen at the top of this page, bearing the "X-shaped" cross of St. Andrew was adopted as the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by the denomination's General Assembly in 1971.
The chalice symbolizes the centrality of the Lord's Supper to Disciples life. The St. Andrew's Cross, the national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on the Scotch Presbyterian roots of the church. Thomas and Alexander Campbell both studied in Scotland and were Presbyterians. St. Andrew has been identified with the laity and evangelism, prominent emphases of the Disciples over the years.
The red color of the chalice signifies vitality, spirit and sacrifice.
A Disciples Affirmation of Faith
While Disciples honor no human-made creed, the preamble to a document called The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) poetically and prayerfully expresses our shared affirmations in this way:
"As members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
In Christ's name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.
We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love which binds us to God and to one another.
Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in
obedience to Christ.
At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture.
In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One
whose kingdom has no end.
Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen."
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