STATEMENT OF FAITH
Charlotte Heights Church of Christ is a congregation of Christian believers seeking to follow the patterns of the early church as established in the New Testament. We establish certain beliefs, based on the Holy Bible, as outlined below in our pattern of worship, organization and this Statement of Faith as adopted in conjunction with our By-Laws.
Supremacy of the Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant and perfect Word of God, written by men as divinely inspired by God and seek to follow these teachings to the best of our ability. We recognize the Holy Bible as the only authority in matters of faith and subscribe to no other creed, catechism or standard. The teachings in scripture are totally true and trustworthy providing principles for our judgment by God and salvation through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. As such, the scripture has been and always will be until the end of time the supreme standard for Christian conduct and righteousness. We believe the whole scripture to be a comprehensive guide for all people and that the laws of man cannot undo what God has ordained as true and just within the Holy Bible.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16 – 17 NKJV
God
There is only one living and true God. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us, through the Word, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NKJV
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 NKJV
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. I Corinthians 8:6 NKJV
God the Father
We believe that there is one eternal, almighty God who created the universe and continues to sustain His creation as God the Father. His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to His purposes of His grace. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1 – 2 NKJV
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:6 NKJV.
God the Son
God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live as a man and die on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus rose to life again on the third day, ascended back into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross by which He made provision for the redemption of all people from sin.
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 NKJV
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16 – 17 NKJV
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:20 – 21 NKJV
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine, exalting Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism and service.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4, 38 NKJV
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:12 NKJV
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13 – 14 NKJV
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:16 – 17, 26 NKJV
Man
God completed his works of creation by creating man in His own image. He created them male and female and we believe that each individual is designed by God and born as either male or female and should thereafter remain the same. We respect all individuals but believe a person is at all times the gender as they are born.
27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 NKJV
2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. Genesis 5:2 NKJV
The Church
God’s New Testament Church, as established in Acts, is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, governed by His laws as outlined in the Holy Bible that seeks to spread the gospel to all humanity. Each individual member of the congregation is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Each individual congregation is led by a group of appointed Elders that have a higher responsibility as noted in scripture for the members of the congregation. All actions, teachings and activities are to be in accordance with the Holy Bible.
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:40 – 47 NKJV
Elders
Elders, as appointed in accordance with biblical teachings, have sole authority and responsibility for the entirety of the local congregation. We do not recognize any other form of authority in matters of faith than the Holy Bible and the Elders are the final decision makers regarding matters associated with the local congregation. The Elders serve as Officers or Directors of the legal entity, established as Charlotte Heights Church of Christ, Inc., organized as a Nonprofit Corporation under the laws of the state of Tennessee. The Elders have authority to conduct all the affairs of this congregation to manage all assets, debts, obligations, property, employees or other legal affairs. The Elders also have authority to determine individual membership status and / or administer any spiritual discipline as necessary.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. Titus 1:5 NKJV
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23 NKJV
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Acts 16:4 NKJV
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28 NKJV
Ministers, Deacons, Employees, Teachers or other Representatives
We reserve the right to limit employment or representation of the Charlotte Heights congregation to those individuals who concur with the Elders application of the Holy Bible teachings. Any individual proclaiming or teaching baptized believers in mixed gender gatherings shall be male. This includes any invited guest speakers or those that might use the facility for other purposes. Each employee will sign a contract stating their agreement with the local congregation beliefs and teachings.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. I Timothy 1:8 – 12 NKJV
12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. I Timothy 3:12 NKJV
Salvation and Baptism
We believe the only way an individual can be added to the Lord’s church and thereby become a member of the Charlotte Heights congregation, is by following the scriptural path to salvation by first hearing the Word, believing the Word, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and finally through full immersion baptism. Only by following these steps will individuals be granted the Holy Spirit and be recipients of God’s grace and salvation. We believe that Jesus Christ died so that all people can live. We do not practice any form of sprinkling or baptism of infants as they cannot fulfill the complete path to salvation through hearing, believing, repenting and confessing.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8 – 9 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9 – 10 NKJV
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NKJV
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1 – 4 NKJV
Worship
We believe that God ordained the first day of the week for Christians to assemble at local congregations to worship Him in spirit and truth through singing of hymns or spiritual songs, prayer, collecting offerings and teaching. We do not believe in the necessity of using musical instruments as part of the worship services and all Christians should participate in acapella singing. We also believe that the Lord’s Supper should be provided on each first day of the week as a time to remember and recognize the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24 – 25 NKJV
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 NKJV
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7 NKJV
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. I Corinthians 16:1 – 2 NKJV
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19 NKJV
22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:22 – 26 NKJV