Statement of Faith
Statement of Biblical Authority
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe as the interpreted and applied by the Murray Church of Christ Board of voted deacons and elders.
Membership
The membership of the Murray Church of Christ shall be composed of individuals who are immersed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and affirm the tenets of the Murray Church of Christ Bylaws, and who offer evidence , by their confession and their conduct, that they are living in accord with their affirmations and the tenets and Bylaws, and are actively pursuing and continuing in a vital fellowship with the Lord, Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God and is the final authority concerning morality and conduct of mankind.
WE BELIEVE there is one true God , eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
WE BELIEVE Jesus lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him.
WE BELIEVE He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died.
WE BELIEVE that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
What Must I Do to Be Saved
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 11:6
Repent – Luke 13:3; Luke 15:7; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter3:9; Repentance = 1 Peter 3:11; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Confess – Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 8:38; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; 1 John 4:15
Be Baptized through immersion – Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 16:33; Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21
Discipleship – Living Out Your Faith in Christ
Put Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-38) – The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.
Follow Jesus’ teachings (John 8:31-32) – We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28:18), and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death (Philippians 3:6-8).
Fruitfulness (John 15:5-8) – Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Love for others (John 13:34-35) – We are told that love of others is the evidence of our being a member of God’s family (1 John 3:10). Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. These verses show us that love is more than an emotion; it is and action. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are not in accordance with scripture or the doctrines of the church.
Evangelism – Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20) – We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives.
Biblical Passages on Moral Issues
Abortion – Job 3:16; Ps. 22:9-10; Isa. 44:2; Jer. 1:4-5; Lk. 1:41-44
Death Penalty – Gen. 4:11-15; Gen. 9:6; Ex. 20:13; Num 35:30-34; Lk. 23:41; John 8:1-11; Ecc. 8:11
Divorce – Mal. 2:15; Mt. 5:31,32; Mt. 19:3-9; Lk. 16:18; 1 Cor 7:10-15
Drunkenness – Prov. 20:1; Prov. 21:17; Prove. 23:20-21, 29-34; Gal. 5:19-21
Euthanasia – 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Ex. 30:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; Job 1:21; Gen. 9:5-6; Mt. 10:28; Rom. 12:1; Heb. 2:14
Homosexuality – 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gen. 19:1-13; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26-32
War – Mt. 5:38-39, 43-44; Rev. 19:11-15; Rom. 12:13-21; James 4:4-12