"No book but the Bible, no creed but Christ." WHO WE ARE:
Franklin Christian Church (NC) is proud to be a part of the Restoration Movement. The Restoration Movement began from a desire to see the church do everything in a way that pleases God. The heart of this movement is to restore the unity of the body of Christ by uniting in the truth of God’s Word. Franklin Christian Church strives to carry
out this plea for unity. Therefore, we are not associated with any denomination, doctrinal creed or governing body. THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT (also known as the American Restoration Movement or the Stone-Campbell Movement, Campbellites, and Campbellism) is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening (1790–1870) of the early 19th century. The movement sought to restore the church and "the unification of all Christians in a single body patterned after the church of the New Testament." Members do not identify as Protestant but simply as Christian. The Restoration Movement was characterized by several key principles:
- Christianity should not be divided, Christ intended the creation of one church.
- Creeds divide, but Christians should be able to find agreement by standing on the Bible itself (from which they believe all creeds are but human expansions or constrictions).
- Ecclesiastical traditions divide, but Christians should be able to find common ground by following the practice (as best as it can be determined) of the early church.
- Names of human origin divide, but Christians should be able to find common ground by using biblical names for the church (i.e., "Christian Church). A number of slogans have been used in the Restoration Movement, which are intended to express some of the distinctive themes of the Movement. These include:
"Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." "The church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one." "We are Christians only, but not the only Christians." "In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love." "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no law but love, no name but the divine." "Call Bible things by Bible names." WHAT WE BELIEVE:
GOD - We believe in one true God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect and existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Hebrews 11:3)
JESUS CHRIST - We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, and that salvation is found only through Christ Jesus. (Acts 4:12)
HOLY SPIRIT - We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and that His ministry further indwells in believers to guide, instruct, comfort and empower believers for godly living and service. (John 16:5-15)
BIBLE - We believe that the Bible is the unchanging truth as the inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:14-16)
SALVATION - We believe that a person is saved by grace through Jesus Christ as follows:
- We are saved by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7 )
- We cannot earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- We are called to believe and accept Jesus Christ as the only Savior for sin (John 3:16 )
- We who accept Christ repent of our sins, announce our faith and are baptized into Him (Acts 2:38 & Matthew 10:32)
RETURN OF CHRIST - We believe that Jesus Christ will one day return as the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
