What We Believe
As Christians
We believe it is possible to simply be Christians, without the complications of denominational affiliation or control. So we choose to be known as Christians. While we appreciate the many great endeavors and Christian faith to be found among other churches and denominations, our desire is to follow the simple precedents of the Church as it was led by the Apostles and faithfully recorded in the New Testament. That doesn't mean we consider ourselves the only Christians; we just want to be Christians only. We are a part of a historic movement of Christians believers with that same desire and plea.
We plead for a simple unity of understanding in our faith; but we don't insist that we must agree on everything to be united. There are many issues over which we have a wide diversity of opinions. On those issues where there is no decisive position indicated in Scripture, we believe that each member should have the freedom to hold his/her opinions, without making those opinions binding on the rest of the membership.
Yet we seek unity in essential matters of faith. We see as essential those matters which are decisively addressed or commanded in Scripture. We recognize the following, not as a creed, but as a summary of the most important truths about our faith as found in the Bible. We expect those who accept any leadership and teaching position in Westview Christian Church to be in full agreement with them, and to refrain from teaching any divergent views. This is important to our unity as a body, as well as the support of, and trust in, the leadership.
We plead for a simple unity of understanding in our faith; but we don't insist that we must agree on everything to be united. There are many issues over which we have a wide diversity of opinions. On those issues where there is no decisive position indicated in Scripture, we believe that each member should have the freedom to hold his/her opinions, without making those opinions binding on the rest of the membership.
Yet we seek unity in essential matters of faith. We see as essential those matters which are decisively addressed or commanded in Scripture. We recognize the following, not as a creed, but as a summary of the most important truths about our faith as found in the Bible. We expect those who accept any leadership and teaching position in Westview Christian Church to be in full agreement with them, and to refrain from teaching any divergent views. This is important to our unity as a body, as well as the support of, and trust in, the leadership.
God
God is Creator, Sustainer, Lord over all creation, and Lord of our lives. He is one God, eternally existing in three simultaneous and inseparable Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is uniquely the Christ (Anointed or Promised One), the only Son of God, and our Savior. By the will of the Father, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit, He was born on earth to be God's own full and final atoning sacrifice for our sins, so that we may be reconciled with God. This has been accomplished by His death on the cross, and by His bodily resurrection. In Jesus' resurrection, God confirmed His identity and authority as His Son, to assure us of eternal life in His presence (Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 6:10, 23; Hebrews 1:1-14; 7:26-28).
We believe that all who entrust their lives to Christ as Lord and Savior receive the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, God Himself encourages, convicts, and strengthens believers to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ as their Lord, resist temptation, and to serve Him in love and good works beyond their own ability and strength (Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:22-25). We believe that every believer who has received the gift of the Holy Spirit also receives gifts from the Holy Spirit for serving and building up the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:4-8).
Jesus is uniquely the Christ (Anointed or Promised One), the only Son of God, and our Savior. By the will of the Father, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit, He was born on earth to be God's own full and final atoning sacrifice for our sins, so that we may be reconciled with God. This has been accomplished by His death on the cross, and by His bodily resurrection. In Jesus' resurrection, God confirmed His identity and authority as His Son, to assure us of eternal life in His presence (Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 6:10, 23; Hebrews 1:1-14; 7:26-28).
We believe that all who entrust their lives to Christ as Lord and Savior receive the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, God Himself encourages, convicts, and strengthens believers to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ as their Lord, resist temptation, and to serve Him in love and good works beyond their own ability and strength (Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:22-25). We believe that every believer who has received the gift of the Holy Spirit also receives gifts from the Holy Spirit for serving and building up the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:4-8).
The Bible
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are uniquely the inspired (i.e., God-breathed) written revelation of God and His plan to reconcile His creation back to Himself. The Bible, therefore, is the authoritative rule for the faith and practice of Christians and the Church (Luke 24:45-47; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20)
salvation
We believe the Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image of God and meant for a relationship with God. But because of disobedience, mankind has been separated from God. The Bible calls that disobedience sin, the due penalty of which is death. Because everyone has sinned, we all deserve that penalty. Through Jesus' death on the cross, God Himself provided, on our behalf, the only guarantee of the hope of eternal life.
Salvation is therefore a gift of God. It begins with God. We are saved by His grace, and not by any merit or work of our own. Through confessing our faith in Him, repentance from sin, and baptism, God has given us the simple means for indicating our acceptance of His gift (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
Salvation is therefore a gift of God. It begins with God. We are saved by His grace, and not by any merit or work of our own. Through confessing our faith in Him, repentance from sin, and baptism, God has given us the simple means for indicating our acceptance of His gift (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
The church
We believe that Christ's Church on earth was intended by our Lord Jesus Christ to be one (John 17:20-23), and is the visible manifestation of the kingdom of God on earth, the other, invisible part, being in heaven. Although the Church must of necessity exist in separate groups of people and localities (churches), the splintering of the Church into various schisms and denominations is contrary to will of God and confusing to the unbelieving world (John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 5:25-32).
Our requirements for church membership are just what was required in the New Testament for those who were added to the church (see Acts 2:38-41): One must believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, repent of sin, and surrender to Him as Savior and Lord, confess this faith before others, then obey Him in Christian baptism. Those desiring to unite with Westview Christian Church who have already been so obedient to Christ will be welcomed upon a simple reaffirmation of their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-41; Matthew 10:32; Revelation 2:10).
We are a free church under the Lordship of Christ. Guided by our elders and assisted by our deacons, who are appointed from among the membership, we determine our own policies, practices, and procedures in the light of Biblical teaching. Therefore, we believe in the autonomy of the local congregation. Yet we work cooperatively with other Christian groups in fulfilling our Lord's command to "make disciples of all nations"
(Acts 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17; Hebrews 13:7-8, 17).
Our requirements for church membership are just what was required in the New Testament for those who were added to the church (see Acts 2:38-41): One must believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, repent of sin, and surrender to Him as Savior and Lord, confess this faith before others, then obey Him in Christian baptism. Those desiring to unite with Westview Christian Church who have already been so obedient to Christ will be welcomed upon a simple reaffirmation of their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-41; Matthew 10:32; Revelation 2:10).
We are a free church under the Lordship of Christ. Guided by our elders and assisted by our deacons, who are appointed from among the membership, we determine our own policies, practices, and procedures in the light of Biblical teaching. Therefore, we believe in the autonomy of the local congregation. Yet we work cooperatively with other Christian groups in fulfilling our Lord's command to "make disciples of all nations"
(Acts 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17; Hebrews 13:7-8, 17).
our mission
We believe that evangelism is the first task of the Church, and that it is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Therefore, we are a missions-minded church. We send and support evangelistic and benevolent mission efforts throughout the world. We believe that all persons of all races are in need of the saving grace of God available through Jesus Christ. Therefore, as God enables us, we seek to reach the world about us, near and far, with that message (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 19:1-10; Acts 1:8). We also participate in efforts to improve community life. We encourage and support efforts to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, minister to the sick, and visit the imprisoned, as Jesus Himself has instructed (Matthew 25:31-46, 18-20; Luke 10:2)
The Ordinances / Sacraments
We believe that Jesus Christ, as Lord of His Church, has ordained two observances to be regularly continued by the church: the baptism of penitent believers into Him (Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:1-10; Galatians 3:26: 1 Peter 3:18-21; Titus 3:4-5), and the Lord's Supper, or the Communion. Our practice of baptism is by immersion in water. This form best expresses the form and purpose of baptism as expressed in the New Testament. Since the baptism described in the New Testament always followed confession of faith, we do not practice infant baptism (Acts 8:26-48; Romans 6:1-11). We celebrate the Supper every first day of the week, in keeping with the custom of the New Testament Christians. In partaking of the bread and the wine, we remember our Lord's sacrifice for our sin, we commune with Him, and we renew our commitment to Him. We do not observe a closed communion. It is the Lord's Table, not ours, to which we come. Each person who desires to partake is asked to examine his/her own heart and mind and partake in a worthy manner (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:17-28)
Prayer
We believe in the power of God working in response to prayer. Just as the early believers prayed often and instinctively, so should we, both corporately and individually. (Luke 11:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6-7)
The Covenant of Marriage
We believe that in creating human beings, God created them male and female. We believe that the marriage relationship as biblically described is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, joining them into a life-long and exclusive relationship with each other. Such a union should be reflective of the love shared between Christ and His Church (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4-5; Ephesians 5:22-31; Hebrews 13:4).
End Times and Judgment
We believe that God will one day bring life on earth to a conclusion with the return of His Son in judgment --the righteous to eternal life, and the unrighteous to hell. While accepting that there are various understandings and interpretations of how God will bring this about, we are in agreement in our trust that Christ will come again, and will call His own to Himself. It is therefore, to every Christian to live in daily anticipation of that coming (1 Peter 3:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11)
Stewardship
We believe that God expects wise management of our money and other resources in both our personal and congregational lives. We believe the Bible affirms that in reality, everything we have and are belongs to God, and teaches us to be joyful in attitude, proportionate to income, and regular in frequency, with what we return to the Lord. Therefore, we teach principles of Christian stewardship, agreeing with the Lord Jesus that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21; Luke 6:38; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; 2 Corinthians 9:7).