The Bible

 The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God, and that it was given through the instrument of chosen men. Scripture, at the same time speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-20)

 

God

 We believe that there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing the world and everything in it, showing the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His providence, He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes - showing mercy, hearing and answering prayer, and saving from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 3:16,17; John 16:23-27; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:3,17-23)

 

Jesus Christ

 Jesus Christ is the 2nd person of the Trinity who took on a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned of the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and giving salvation to all who trust in Him alone. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father, where He continually intercedes for us as the only mediator between God and man. He will come again to earth personally and visibly, to consummate- history and the eternal plan of God. (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24-25; Revelation 19,20)

 

Holy Spirit

 The 3rd person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit was sent into the world by the Father to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakening them to their need of a Savior. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely gives each believer gifts for the building up of the church body. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying Scripture. His power and control are appropriate by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father. (John 14:15-17,25,26; 16:5-15; Acts 5:3-4;1 Corinthians12:4-13)

 

Salvation

 The central purpose of God's revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God, choosing to go his independent way, and was thus alienated from God. The fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are thus in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of human beings is, then, a work of God's free grace, not the result, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness, and is to be personally appropriated through faith, repentance, confession of faith, and baptism. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue it until we are complete and Christ returns for us. (Romans 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:3-23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 1:12; Romans 10:9-15; Acts 2:38.)

 

Human Destiny

 Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation because of their rejection of Him. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life. (Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Revelation 20:11-22)

 

The Church

 The corollary of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of His body, the church. There is one true church, universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and communion as Jesus commanded, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world. Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the care of the leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 13:17)

 

*note: this section is meant to reflect and explain the some of the beliefs held and taught by CCF at Missouri Western.  The wording used in this section was taken from the website of the Christian Campus House at Purdue University.