Core Beliefs
The following are fundamental core beliefs of the Starkville Church of Christ based on the inspired word of God.
GOD
There is one eternally existing God (Psalms 90:2) who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16), and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise (Psalms 145). God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable (James 1:17) and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).
There is one eternally existing God (Psalms 90:2) who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16), and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise (Psalms 145). God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable (James 1:17) and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).
REVELATION
God reveals Himself to us through His creation (Romans 1:20), inward conviction (Ecclesiastes 3:11), the holy scriptures (Hebrews 4:12), and through His son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
God reveals Himself to us through His creation (Romans 1:20), inward conviction (Ecclesiastes 3:11), the holy scriptures (Hebrews 4:12), and through His son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
MANKIND
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory (Genesis 1: 27). People are physical and spiritual beings with conflicting desires to be in relationship with God and to please the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-17).
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory (Genesis 1: 27). People are physical and spiritual beings with conflicting desires to be in relationship with God and to please the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-17).
SIN
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God (Genesis 3), they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to be removed from the garden and fall out of fellowship with God. Sin is not just a problem for Adam and Eve. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). No person is perfect. We all sin. Scripture teaches that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), enslaves us (John 8:34), and kills us spiritually (Romans 6:23).
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God (Genesis 3), they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to be removed from the garden and fall out of fellowship with God. Sin is not just a problem for Adam and Eve. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). No person is perfect. We all sin. Scripture teaches that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), enslaves us (John 8:34), and kills us spiritually (Romans 6:23).
SALVATION
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). He lived a life without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly died on the cross (John 10:17-18) to pay the penalty for our transgressions (Ephesians 1:7). God raised him from the dead (Acts 2:24) and now, by grace, He offers eternal life as a free gift to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation can be found in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Those who believe in Jesus are called to confess Him as Lord (Romans 10:9), repent (turn) from their lives of sin and live for His purpose (Acts 3:19), be born again through baptism (Romans 6:3-7), and walk in the light of God (1 John 1:7).
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). He lived a life without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly died on the cross (John 10:17-18) to pay the penalty for our transgressions (Ephesians 1:7). God raised him from the dead (Acts 2:24) and now, by grace, He offers eternal life as a free gift to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation can be found in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Those who believe in Jesus are called to confess Him as Lord (Romans 10:9), repent (turn) from their lives of sin and live for His purpose (Acts 3:19), be born again through baptism (Romans 6:3-7), and walk in the light of God (1 John 1:7).
THE CHURCH
The church is meant to be the visible body of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32) sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). The church is to show love to one another (John 13:35) and make a habit of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).
The church is meant to be the visible body of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32) sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). The church is to show love to one another (John 13:35) and make a habit of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).
JUDGEMENT
Jesus Christ will return one day, and both the living and dead will appear before God on the day of judgement (2 Corinthians 5:10, John 5:28-29). Those in Christ will live eternally in Heaven(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and those outside of Christ will experience eternal death in Hell (Matthew 25:41). We need to be ready when He comes (Matthew 24:44).
Jesus Christ will return one day, and both the living and dead will appear before God on the day of judgement (2 Corinthians 5:10, John 5:28-29). Those in Christ will live eternally in Heaven(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and those outside of Christ will experience eternal death in Hell (Matthew 25:41). We need to be ready when He comes (Matthew 24:44).
REVELATION
God reveals Himself to us through His creation (Romans 1:20), inward conviction (Ecclesiastes 3:11), the holy Scriptures (Hebrews 4:12), and through His son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
God reveals Himself to us through His creation (Romans 1:20), inward conviction (Ecclesiastes 3:11), the holy Scriptures (Hebrews 4:12), and through His son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).