We Believe

Many churches believe and teach things that conflict with other churches.  With so many different things being taught, it may be difficult to know what to believe.  We, here at the Dodge City Church of Christ, are a Bible-based nondenominational, non-instrumental Bible believing church composed of Christians who are striving for the furtherance of the gospel. We strive to have a restoration plea that says, “Let us get back to the Bible, throwing off denominational names and creeds to just be Christians. Let us speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.”

Non-denominational

  • We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for our sins and on the third day, He rose from the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
  • We believe that Christ is the only Way one can come to God, the Father. (John 14:6)
  • We believe that we are saved by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
  • We believe that because of Christ, all who obey Him can be saved. (Hebrews 6:9)
  • We believe that we must believe in Christ and repent of our sins to be saved. (John 8:24, Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9)
  • We believe that all must confess Christ as the Son of God. (Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10)
  • We believe that we must be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins. (Acts 2:38) When we are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38); have our sins washed away (Acts 22:16); put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27); and are saved (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21).

Our Beliefs Related to God

  • We believe in the eternal existence of a triune God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (John 1:14; Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). He is omnipresent, omnipotent, unchangeable, creator, independent, sovereign and holy.
  • We believe that Jesus was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1 :1-2).
  • We believe that Jesus Christ was the creator of all things and that He is the light of the world (John 1:3-4).
  • We believe that the Scriptures came to us through the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Our Beliefs Related to Jesus Christ

  • We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was the “Word” in the flesh, was fully God and man and was crucified for our sins, and resurrected from the dead, and ascended to heaven at the right hand of God (Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:6-8).

Our Beliefs Related to Salvation

  • We believe that God desires that all people be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
  • We believe that Jesus came to save the lost through the redemptive work of His death, burial, and resurrection, which serves as the anchor of our everlasting hope (Matthew 28:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:20-22; Heb. 6:19-20).
  • Therefore, through faith repentance, confession, and believer’s baptism (immersion), a saving relationship is established between God and mankind.
  • Salvation results from the grace and mercy of God through Christ who calls us to obedience and holds us accountable to Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).
  • We are called Christians because we commit to an active relationship with Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:35-39; Colossians 2:12)
  • We believe that a person can fall from grace (Hebrews 6:4-6).

Our Beliefs Related to End Times

  • We believe that every soul will be resurrected to face divine judgement, resulting in either eternal life in heaven or eternal punishment in hell (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:45-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
  • We believe that Jesus Christ will return to take those who are saved to heaven (John 14:1-3).
  • We believe that all human beings will face judgement after death (Hebrews 9:27).

Our Beliefs Related to the Church

  • We believe that the Bible is God’s divinely inspired Word and therefore should be studied and put into effect in one’s life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  • We believe that the Bible is clear, necessary, and sufficient (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
  • We believe the Church is to be led by elders (also called shepherds, bishops, pastors and overseers) who demonstrate godly qualities while being servant leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1 :5-9). Other leaders in the congregation are ministers, deacons, and teachers (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; 2 Timothy 2:2).
  • We believe that elders have the responsibility to equip, shepherd, and lead Christians for meaningful service in God’s kingdom (Ephesians 4: 11-13).
  • We believe that every member who is able, should be active in the vision and mission of the church (Colossians 3:17).
  • We believe that it is the responsibility of every Christian to strive to keep the oneness of the church.
  • We believe that members are to assemble on the first day of the week to praise God and encourage one another (Hebrew 10:25)
  • Each Sunday, we commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:7).
  • We make financial contributions to the operation of the Church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
  • We study God’s word, pray and sing without instrumental accompaniment (Ephesians 5:19-20).
  • We believe the purpose of the church is to worship God, nurture one another and evangelize (Heb. 12:28; Matt. 28:18-20).
  •  We believe that only men can lead in authoritative roles in mixed adult audiences (1 Timothy 2:12).
  • We believe that each local congregation is autonomous (independent) (Acts 14:23).
  • We believe that there is only one church (Ephesians 4:4).
  • We believe that only men should serve as deacons. They are to manage the day-today operations of church life (Acts 6:3).
  • We believe that teachers should be committed believers who live what they teach and equip others to walk in their steps (1 Corinthians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:1; James 3:1).
  • We believe that ministers are called to equip believers to walk as Jesus walked and evangelize (Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 4:5).
  • We believe that the body of Christ, the church, should wear the name of Christ; i.e., The Church of Christ because we are the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:23-29). Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house we are (Hebrews 3:6).

Our Beliefs Related to the Nature and Role Of Mankind

  • We believe that Christians will not consciously continue to live in sin (Hebrews 10:26).
  • We believe male and female are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
  • We believe that God has called us to live a holy life (1 Peter 1:15-16).
  • We believe God has given us free will (Joshua 24:15).
  • We believe that all of us were created to give glory to God in all things (Colossians 3:17).
  • We believe that all of us must seek God through prayer, Bible study, and an active faith.
  • We must live out our faith with a congregation of believers, but all must have personal time with God as well (Acts 2:42).
  • We believe that God has given men and women specific roles in marriage. The husband must live in subjection to Christ. Christ is the head of his house. The wife must live in submission to her husband (Ephesians 5:21-31).
  • We believe that God instituted marriage to be between one man and one woman for life (Matthew 19:5).
  • We believe that God hates divorce and couples should always strive for reconciliation (Malachi 2:16; 1 Cor. 7:10-11).
  • We believe that parents should bring up their children in a community of believers and in the guidance and counsel of  the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).