Any attempt to set down the beliefs of the churches of Christ must begin with the explanation that we have no official creed or confession. We hold the Bible, particularly the New Testament, as the norm for all questions of doctrine and lifestyle.  Therefore, individual Christians might honestly differ on what should be included in such a summary.  With this in mind, the following are some common convictions.

The Lord God is Creator, Redeemer, and Father of all humanity.  Jesus Christ is God’s only Son and the Savior of mankind.  The Holy Spirit is God’s guide to truth and is the Comforter of Christians, in each of whom He dwells.

Sin is the universal problem of humans, a rebellion against God’s will, but not hereditary.  Each human being is accountable to God for his/her sin.  The death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the only remedy for sin.  The salvation thus made possible for all humanity comes as a result of God’s grace at the cross and not human merit.  In order for a person to be saved, he/she must believe that Jesus is the Christ, and must act on that belief by confessing it in a public way, repenting of past sins, and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins.  Such baptism is by immersion in water, symbolizing Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, as was the norm in the New Testament.

The church is the collection of all believers, known simply as Christians.  Individual congregations of Christians are autonomous, but the unity of all Christians is of utmost importance.  Congregations are led by men variously called elders, bishops, pastors, or shepherds.  These men are primarily concerned with the spiritual well-being of the members.  Deacons lead ministries that involve church members in the tasks given us by God.  Most congregations have ministers whose main function is preaching and teaching, leading, counseling and other administrative duties.

Christian worship includes prayer, a capella congregational singing, the reading and preaching of Scripture, a financial contribution to support the work of the church, and the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper.  All Christians are to be active participants in worship and functioning members of the body of Christ, each one using his/her God-given talents to the fullest.

Christians are to lead holy, upright lives with regard to their families, their vocations, their sexuality, and their personal relationships with Christians and non-Christians alike.  Practical love is the primary ethic.

The world in which we now live will one day pass away when Christ returns and the final judgment occurs.  God will create a new heaven and a new earth in which His saints will live to praise Him forever.