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Introduction

In a world where traditional attitudes about religion are being challenged and re-defined, the questions many people ask of any church are, “Who are you?” and “What do you believe?”  In an effort to help you get to know a little bit about us at the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, we created this brochure.  While it doesn’t cover all you may want to know, we hope it will help you get an insight into our beliefs and heart.  We’ll be glad to discuss these issues with you.  We are not a perfect group, but we serve a perfect God.  To Him be all glory and honor!

Foundation Of Faith

We believe the Bible is God’s complete written 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 faith, beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is true and in touch with all basic reality.  We believe its purpose is to bring us into community with God and transform our lives.

In Essential Beliefs: We Seek Unity

Ephesians 4:2-6: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

 

In Non-Essential Beliefs: We Respect Liberty

Romans 14:1, 4, 5, 12, 22: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.  Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls....Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind....so then each of us will give an account of himself to God....So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”

Non-essential beliefs are issues that are not central to salvation and are less clear in Scripture.  They are not unimportant, but we at the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ do not wish to spend time and energy on issues that are not essential to living a life for Christ.  We value diversity and freedom and do not demand conformity.  We encourage everyone in our Pleasant Valley family to respect and accept those who hold different opinions on non-essential matters.  Yet, we believe the Bible to be our only authority in matters of faith and practice, and so—as best we understand it—we shall honestly attempt to learn and teach the will of God on all subjects.

In All Things: We Desire to Show Love

I Corinthians 13:2: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
 

Love is a fundamental aspect of God’s nature.  Jesus taught that our love for God and for each other should be at the center of all our actions. Without the motivation of love, our understanding and deeds are meaningless.  Love is the foundation for unity, even when we disagree in matters of opinion.

(I John 4:8-11; Matthew 22:34-40; John 13:34-35).

Some Essentials We Believe 

1. About Our One God (the Father of All):
   God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  His nature is holiness and love.  He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equals and are one God.
   (2 Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:6-7; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 1:8; 1 Peter 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:4)
    
2. About Our One Lord (Jesus Christ):
   Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose 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 judge the world and bring all God’s people to heaven forever.  He is our example to follow and imitate. (1 Timothy 6:14-15; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; John 1:1-5; 14:6-30; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15)
    
3. About Our One Spirit (the Holy Spirit):
   The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God and is God’s power for creation and transformation.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit leads us.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He helps us pray.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.  Since His work is to create in us the character of God, Christians are to surrender to His control daily. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:1-16; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Genesis 1:2; Galatians 5:22-25; 2 Peter 1:21)
    
4. About Human Beings:
   People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character.  Every person has tremendous potential for good, and is created with a divine purpose.  However, all of us are marred by a tendency for disobedience toward God called “sin.”  This separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
   (Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; Luke 18:19; Psalm 8:3-6; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
    
5. About Our One Hope (Salvation):
   It is God’s desire that all accept His gift of salvation.   Self-improvement or good works can never cover or erase our sins.  Only through obedient trust of what Jesus has done on the cross can forgiveness be obtained.  Jesus Christ is the one and only hope for salvation and life in the Kingdom.
   (Acts 2:28; Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:23-27; John 1:12; 14:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 3:9)
    
6. About the One Body (the Church):
   The church belongs to the Lord!  It is His body and every Christian is a member of that body.  It is not defined racially, socially, geographically, ethnically, or denominationally.  There is only Christ’s body, and He alone adds those He redeems to that body.  The purpose of the Church is glorifying God through worship, serving others, and seeking the lost.
   (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 5:22-30; Acts 2:46-47; 20:28; Galatians 3:28)
    
7. About the One Faith:
   The “one faith” is the act of believing in and living in the light of the Good News of Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, rose again the third day, and was made Lord of all.
   (1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:1-4; Jude 3; Philippians 1:27; 1 Timothy 3:2; 4:1, 6; 6:12; Revelation 19:16)
    
8. About the One Baptism:
   Baptism into Christ is faith responding to the Good News of Jesus and is repeatedly commanded in the New Testament.  Baptism is immersion in water for believers who understand that only the blood of Jesus can wash away sins.  Our burial in water unites us with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and declares that our sins have been forgiven and our new life has begun.
   (Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-8; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:3-5; Acts 2:38; 8:38; 22:16; John 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27)
    
9. About Worship:
   Worship is central to a relationship with God.  Not only do we worship individually throughout the week in communion with God, but we also worship as a community of believers each Sunday.  We are committed to using a cappella singing and prayer to express praise in our worship, and weekly celebrating the Lord’s Supper to affirm our covenant relationship with God.  We are also committed to using methods and worship formats that will glorify God and draw the hearts of the worshipers into the presence of God as well as encourage one another.  We desire worship that is Christ-centered, community-building, and Spirit-led, engaging us in life-changing encounters with God.  Worship refocuses our lives and drives all the ministries through which we endeavor to honor God and serve others.
   (Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:15-17)
    
10. About Eternity:

“… God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”  ~ I John 5:11-12

 

People were created in the image of God to exist forever.  We will live forever either separated from God by sin or eternally with God through His grace, forgiveness and salvation.  Heaven and Hell are real and eternal.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be in God’s presence for eternity is Heaven.  Knowing these realities, we desire touse every available resource to draw people to God and the blessing of eternal life. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 20:11-21:5; Matthew 25:41-46; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:l)

Romans 15:5-7: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”