What We Believe
The Bible teaches that there are certain steps which must be taken in order to access the grace of God (Rom. 5:1-2), thereby bringing about salvation and at the same time making one a Christian, a member of the church (Acts 2:47). Hear the Word
Hearing what the Bible says through preaching, teaching, and personal study is the only way to produce a saving faith ( Rom. 10:17 ). Fa
ith
One must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 3:16). This results from hearing the Word of God (see above), and is stated as essential to salvation (Mark 16:16 ; John 8:24 ; John 20:30-31 ; Heb. 11:6). Repentance
This too, is commanded (Acts 2:38 ; Acts 3:19). Repentance is a change of mind which causes one to turn away from sinful practices. It is commanded for everyone (Acts 17:30 ; Luke 13:3). Confession
This is an outward confession of faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Matt. 10:32 ; Rom. 10:9-10). Baptism
Proper subjects for baptism are:
•Taught persons (Matt. 28:19)
•Believing persons (Mark 16:16)
•Penitent persons (Acts 2:38)
•Persons who have confessed Jesus (Acts 8:37-38)
Scriptural baptism must be an immersion in water. The Greek (original language of the New Testament) word from which the word baptize comes means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to plunge." The Scriptures always point to baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39 ; Rom. 6:3-4 ; Col. 2:12). Remain Faithful
Following the obedience of these commands we believe it is important that the Christian live faithfully (Rev. 2:10), because the Bible teaches the possibility of falling from the grace of God.
•Paul said he had to guard himself, lest after preaching to others he himself should be a castaway (1 Cor. 9:27)
•He warned the Christians at Corinth to take heed lest they fall (1 Cor. 10:12)
•He told some of the Galatians they had "fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4)
•The Hebrew writer sounded warning: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12)
•He also spoke of those who had known Christ Jesus, but who had reverted to their old ways ... and said it would have been better for them never to have known the truth (2 Pet. 2:20-21)
References
Barnett, Joe R. (1984), Churches of Christ - Who Are These People? (Lubbock, TX: Pathway Publishing House) Saline Church Of Christ
