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About our church
Ringgold Church of Christ is an independent, nondenominational fellowship
of believers. Since our founding in 1898, we consistently have tried
to be a church where Christians from diverse backgrounds can worship
freely together. We have laid aside the differences of our backgrounds
to unite through the love of Jesus Christ, and to serve together to
help build his kingdom.
With this in mind, we have established the following statement, which
summarizes our beliefs. The leadership and Pastors of Ringgold are united
in their agreement upon these points.
- We believe in one God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:16,
45; 6:1, 4, 8, 9; James 1:17, John 1:1; 14:9 Genesis 1:2; John 4:24;
14:16-20; 2 Peter 1:21).
- We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of all things visible
and invisible (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 11:3).
- We believe in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, my one and only
Savior (John 1:14; 1 John 4:9, John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:18), Who was born
Jesus of Nazareth, both fully human and fully divine, conceived of
the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary (Matthew 21:11; John 19:19 John
1:14; Romans 5:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 John 1:1 Matthew 1:18; Luke
1:26-38), Who suffered and was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Luke
23:1-46), Who died and was buried, and Who rose again bodily from
the dead on the third day (Luke 23:44 - 24:8; John 20:24-29; 1 Corinthians
15:3-8), Who ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of
the Father (Luke 22:69; Acts 1:1-9; Colossians 3:1), and Who will
return to earth to judge both the living and the dead (Matthew 24:36-42;
John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 10:39-42; 1 Peter 4:5).
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who is an active and operative part
of the triune God (John 16:5-15; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 8:26-27), and
who indwells every Christian (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Timothy
1:14).
- We believe in the Bible as God's Holy Word, Scripture. We believe
God inspired the autographs (original writings) of the Scripture and
those autographs were consequently without error (Mark 12:36; John
14:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16;
2 Peter 1:20-21). We accept the Bible as the final authority for all
matters of faith and practice (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Romans
15:4; Hebrews 4:12).
- We believe the Bible teaches that Men and Women were created in
the image of God, but are now separated from God by sin. (Isaiah 64:6-7;
Romans 3:23, 5:12-21, 6:23; 1 John 1:8)
- We believe the Bible teaches that faith (belief and trust) in Jesus
- based on His sacrifice on the cross - is the only way for men and
women to be reconciled with God. (John 14:6, Acts 4:8-12; Romans 3:25-26)
- We believe the Bible teaches that salvation, offered through Jesus
is based upon grace, not merit. Salvation therefore cannot be earned;
it is a free gift from God. What we could not do for ourselves (reconcile
our relationship with God), Jesus did for us through His death on
the cross. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- We believe the Bible teaches that God lovingly offers salvation
to every person; every person has the freedom to accept or reject
this gift from God at any time. (John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2
Peter 3:9)
- We believe that the Bible teaches that faith (belief and trust)
in Jesus requires repentance (committing our lifestyle to that of
Christ). Faith in Jesus results in obedience. Confessing with my mouth,
and baptism, by immersion, demonstrates our response to God's gift
of salvation. (Acts 3:19; 2:38; 8:26-38; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 3:21)
- We believe that the Bible teaches that we must continue these acts
of faith by committing my life to Christ and be discipled as a part
of the body of Christ. We believe that as a follower of Christ that
God has given us a purpose to fulfill through ministry. We believe
He will reveal that purpose to us and help us to fulfill that purpose
as we grow in Christ. (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24-25; 2 Timothy
4:7; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 12:1-3)
- We believe in the Church of Jesus Christ, founded on the Day of
Pentecost and consisting of all Christians everywhere (Matthew 16:13-18;
Acts 2:14-47).
- We believe the Bible teaches that the Elders (which are elected
by the congregation at Ringgold) are to exercise authority over the
local congregation (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7;
Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
- We believe the Bible teaches that the Church of Jesus Christ is
not limited to any one institution or denomination; it consists of
all who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ to provide redemption
for their sins. Ringgold therefore is but one part of the total Church.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-17; Ephesians 4:4-6)
Membership at Ringgold is extended to all people who are members of
Christ's Church. This means they have established a trusting faith in
Jesus, in keeping with God's Word to…
- Believe and Accept Jesus Christ as Savior
- Repent of sins
- Confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord
- Be baptized by immersion
(Acts 2:36-41; 16:29-34, Romans 10:8-10)
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