We Believe...

There is the Apostles Creed. We don't pay much attention to it, although I'd say we wouldn't find anything wrong with it. We get uncomfortable setting things like what we believe in permanent castings. Having said that, I want to declare something that is always in the back of our mind as a fellowship. This is not our creed. This is not printed anywhere, and we don't hold up any doctrines that people must believe in order to fellowship with us (other than that Christ is Lord, and Savior). No one has to sign a document to prove they agree with us or what we believe.

Still, it's good to take a stand and declare what we believe, in principle. Here are seven principles we stand for. Our fellowship is based on a true heartfelt holding to these ideals. Out of these principles, we meet together:

We believe in:

1. The Headship of Christ
( This is why we gather in this way)

2. The Oneness of the Body
(We come out of divisions, to return to unity)

3. The Presence of the Holy Spirit
(No program, no design. We dare not take the place of the Holy Spirit)

4. The Universal Priesthood of All Believers
(No division of clergy and laity. Until all believers exercise priesthood - you will not see the Church)

5. The Church is a Holy Habitation
("I will build My Church"...using living stones...until all flesh is cast out)

6. The Church is a Family
(Little children...young men...fathers)

7. The Lord is Maturing His Body
(So that His Body will be ready for Him when He returns)

Note: the totality of what we believe is found in the scriptures. These 7 principles are fully detailed, with illustrations, throughout the entire 66 books comprising the Bible, but not seen clearly without help from the Holy Spirit.

Taken from spoken ministry of Stephen Kaung, April, 1995, Richmond, Va.