We believe that the Bible is true, God’s word, humankind’s guide, and is the final authority on Christian beliefs. We believe that the Bible consists of 66 individual books common to the Protestant Canon, and these books alone are considered “Scripture”. (2 Tim 3:16-17, Eph 6:17). We believe that the Bible requires effort to interpret, but that all believers may be enabled by the Holy Spirit and by study to understand the message of Scripture. It is the Universal Church’s responsibility to grant individuals access to the Spiritual and temporal resources necessary to understand the Holy Scriptures.
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal and co-eternal, and each possess all the attributes of God, and are of the same nature and substance, yet distinct in personhood. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe and everything in it. As such, he is the rightful ruler of all. (Deut 6:4, Luke 3:22, Matt 28:19)
We believe that salvation is a free gift of God. However, gifts must be accepted. As such it is normative for an individual to have to respond to God both with belief, and with a willingness to submit to Jesus. Baptism is the first step of obedience when an individual decides to follow Jesus. (1 Thess 4:17, Acts 8:36) (refer to “Salvation” document for more information)
We believe that Jesus (the Son) will return, resurrect and judge the dead, restore the earth, and God will live among us forever. This is the great hope of Christianity. May the day come soon! (1 Thess 4:17, Revelation 21)
We believe that prayer is necessary, and is the primary way we communicate with and commune with God. Such confident communication with the Lord is possible because of Jesus’ sacrifice. (Eph 6:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Hebrews 4:14-16)
We believe a person is saved by God’s grace. No one can earn God’s salvation (Eph 2:8). However grace, as with any gift, must be accepted in order to come into one’s possession. Accepting the free gift of grace is associated with:
Following the decision to follow Jesus, the expected first step of obedience is to perform the sacrament of Baptism (see “Baptism” for more information).
Baptism is a practice from the earliest days of the Christian movement (Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38-41) wherein a person who has come to faith in Jesus is ceremonially immersed in water by another believer “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19) as a symbol of their joining in Jesus’ death and birth into new life (Rom 6:1-5)
Baptism is an expected response to salvation. While we refuse to put ourselves in the seat of God and claim we know with certainty who is saved and who is not, we do believe that baptism is required for full obedience to God (as baptism is commanded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). As such, baptism is necessary to serve in leadership capacities at United In Faith Christian Church, and is an expected part of the Christian life. However, attendees are not required to be baptized (although it is strongly encouraged!).
The term from which we derive “baptism” (baptizo, a Biblical Greek term) refers to the total immersion of a person in water (as in Matt 28:19 & Acts 2:38). As such, we practice baptism by immersion, understanding this to be the Bible’s intention. We do not accept sprinkling as full obedience to Jesus. As such, those who are sprinkled must be baptized by immersion before taking on a leadership role. Additionally, baptisms in near-Christian groups including non-trinitarian churches and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (and others, at Elder discretion) are not considered to be acts in full obedience, and individuals will be asked to be re-baptized before engaging in leadership roles at United In Faith Christian Church. Baptisms may be deemed to be not in full obedience due to doctrinal or practical error, and re-baptism required for leadership roles at the discretion of the Eldership.
While there is nothing magical about the words that are said, and variations are permissible, all baptisms should be performed “in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. At United In Faith Christian Church we will use the phrase “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins” (Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38). There are other acceptable variations on this formula which may be used by our brothers and sisters in other traditions.
Following in the Biblical tradition, any believer can perform a baptism. If the baptizer is found to be in mortal unrepentant sin, or renounces their faith, any baptisms performed by that individual are still considered efficacious.
Anyone who professes a faith in Jesus, and a willingness to submit their lives to God may be baptized. (Acts 8:36)
Yes. If a follower of Jesus feels prompted to, they may be rebaptized. This may be suggested by the Elders if they become aware that a brother or sister was baptized in ways that are firmly outside of the biblical model. Should the original baptism be within the biblical model, it is considered efficacious, and rebaptism is purely a matter of personal devotion, not necessary to hold leadership at United In Faith Christian Church, nor to be in full obedience to Christ. Rebaptism should not be done lightly, and the elders or pastors of United In Faith Christian Church may refuse to perform a baptism or rebaptism if they believe in good faith that the sacrament is being requested flippantly, or that the individual requesting the baptism is not capable of making the free-will decision to be baptized.
Communion is an ancient Christian practice instituted by God himself incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 14:22-15, Luke 22:18-20, 1 Cor 11:23-25). It consists of the consumption of bread and wine (or grape juice, or similar mediums) as symbolic reminders of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, which binds us together as brothers and sisters and allows us to receive the free gift of salvation.
United In Faith Christian Church practices communion with crackers, communion wafers, or bread pieces, and grape juice. Other mediums are acceptable as well.
United In Faith Christian Church does not hold a firm stance on the need for communion for salvation. Nonetheless John 6:51 makes it clear that participation in communion is expected from every Christian.
No. It is only symbolic. United In Faith Christian Church acknowledges and respectfully disagrees with our brothers and sisters who hold to the doctrine known as “transubstantiation”.
Any believer in Jesus is permitted to participate in Communion at United In Faith Christian Church. However, an individual who is disbarred from fellowship with United In Faith Christian Church as the result of grave unrepentant sin will not be permitted to participate in Communion at United In Faith Christian Church until public repentance is shown, and they are restored to fellowship by the Elders.
Anyone who can take communion at United In Faith Christian Church can also serve communion. Individuals who desire to give communion meditations must be approved by an Elder or the Senior Minister.
We do have a lengthy document that covers even more areas if you would like to click on the link below and download it. Our policy manual should answer most questions you may have. We truly believe in complete transparency when it comes to what we believe and have no problems sharing this information and answering any questions you may have.