OUR MOVEMENT
Churches of Christ is a uniquely Australian expression of the Restoration or Stone Campbell movement
The Gisborne Church of Christ is apart of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania (CCVT) which is a movement of around 130 churches and agencies who are committed to being “a movement of the people of God gathering in and around the central figure of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, living out his way in our neighbourhoods, and inviting others to do the same.”
Below are our statement of beliefs as writing in our Churches constitution.
The Gisborne Church of Christ is apart of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania (CCVT) which is a movement of around 130 churches and agencies who are committed to being “a movement of the people of God gathering in and around the central figure of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, living out his way in our neighbourhoods, and inviting others to do the same.”
Below are our statement of beliefs as writing in our Churches constitution.
OUR STATEMENT OF BELIEFS
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Gen 1:26-27, 3:22, Job 38, 39, 40, 41, Ps 24:1,2, 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14, 1 Pet 1:2, Jude 20, 21)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose again from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Isa 9:6, 53, Matthew 1:22,23, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Acts 1:9-11, Rom 1:3,4, 1 Cor 15:3,4, Col 1:15-20, 1 Tim 2:5,6, 6:14,15, Tit 2:13,14, Heb 1, 4:14,15)
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He endows believers with spiritual gifts for building the Body. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (John 16:7-13, 14:16,17, Acts 1:5,8, Rom 8:9, 1 Cor 2:12, 3:16, 2 Cor 3:17, Gal 5:25, Eph 1:13, 5:18)
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is Truth and it is infallible. (Ps 12:6, 119:105,160, Prov 30:5, Luke 16:17, 2 Tim 1:13, 3:16, Heb 4:12, 2 Pet 1:20,21)
SATAN
Satan originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and, as a usurper of God’s rule established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. His power has been broken by Jesus’ death and resurrection. (John 19:30, 2 Cor 11:14, Eph 6:12, Col 1:13,14, Rev 12:7-9)
PEOPLE
People are made in the image of God, to worship Him and bring Him glory. God commands us to be holy as He is holy, but our disobedience to Him, sin, has separated us from Him. (Gen 1:27, Ps 8:3-6, Isa 53:6, 59, 1,2, Rom 3:23)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to all but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. (John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6, Acts 4:12, Rom 5:1,8, 6:23, Gal 3:26, Eph 2:8,9, Tit 3:5)
COMMITMENT
It is important for people to respond to Jesus by making an intelligent and meaningful commitment to Him. At Gisborne Church of Christ we encourage people to do this by openly acknowledging Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. (Acts 4:12, Rom 10:9)
BAPTISM
Baptism is an act of obedience as taught in scripture. We encourage people to follow their commitment to Jesus by expressing their faith through baptism by full immersion. (Mark 1:9-11, Acts 2:41, Rom 6:3-5, 1 Cor 12:13)
COMMUNION
In Communion we reaffirm our belief in the Easter message of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In sharing together in the Lord’s Supper, we take the opportunity to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us; we reflect, repent and re-commit ourselves to Him. Each week, when we meet together as a church family, we celebrate Communion. (Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Cor 10:16,17,21, 11:23-26)
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Gen 1:26-27, 3:22, Job 38, 39, 40, 41, Ps 24:1,2, 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14, 1 Pet 1:2, Jude 20, 21)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose again from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Isa 9:6, 53, Matthew 1:22,23, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Acts 1:9-11, Rom 1:3,4, 1 Cor 15:3,4, Col 1:15-20, 1 Tim 2:5,6, 6:14,15, Tit 2:13,14, Heb 1, 4:14,15)
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He endows believers with spiritual gifts for building the Body. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (John 16:7-13, 14:16,17, Acts 1:5,8, Rom 8:9, 1 Cor 2:12, 3:16, 2 Cor 3:17, Gal 5:25, Eph 1:13, 5:18)
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is Truth and it is infallible. (Ps 12:6, 119:105,160, Prov 30:5, Luke 16:17, 2 Tim 1:13, 3:16, Heb 4:12, 2 Pet 1:20,21)
SATAN
Satan originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and, as a usurper of God’s rule established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. His power has been broken by Jesus’ death and resurrection. (John 19:30, 2 Cor 11:14, Eph 6:12, Col 1:13,14, Rev 12:7-9)
PEOPLE
People are made in the image of God, to worship Him and bring Him glory. God commands us to be holy as He is holy, but our disobedience to Him, sin, has separated us from Him. (Gen 1:27, Ps 8:3-6, Isa 53:6, 59, 1,2, Rom 3:23)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to all but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. (John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6, Acts 4:12, Rom 5:1,8, 6:23, Gal 3:26, Eph 2:8,9, Tit 3:5)
COMMITMENT
It is important for people to respond to Jesus by making an intelligent and meaningful commitment to Him. At Gisborne Church of Christ we encourage people to do this by openly acknowledging Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. (Acts 4:12, Rom 10:9)
BAPTISM
Baptism is an act of obedience as taught in scripture. We encourage people to follow their commitment to Jesus by expressing their faith through baptism by full immersion. (Mark 1:9-11, Acts 2:41, Rom 6:3-5, 1 Cor 12:13)
COMMUNION
In Communion we reaffirm our belief in the Easter message of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In sharing together in the Lord’s Supper, we take the opportunity to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us; we reflect, repent and re-commit ourselves to Him. Each week, when we meet together as a church family, we celebrate Communion. (Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Cor 10:16,17,21, 11:23-26)
