God the Creator

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26, 27, 3:22
Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2
2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus is the Son of God.

He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.

Matthew 1:22, 23
Isaiah 9:6
John 1:1-5, 14:10-30
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Romans 1:3-4
Acts 1:9-11
1 Timothy 6:14-15
Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation.

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.

Acts 1:8
1 Corinthians 3:17
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17
Galatians 5:25
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16
Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word to us.

The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.

2 Timothy 3:16, 1:13
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
Proverbs 30:5

People are the supreme object of God’s creation.

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.

Genesis 1:27
Psalm 8:3-6
Isaiah 53:6
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it.

We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 14:6, 1:2
Titus 3:5
Galatians 3:26
Romans 5:1, 10:9-10

People will exist eternally with or without God.

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16, 4:17
Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Revelation 20:15
1 Corinthians 2:7-9

Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.”

Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20
Acts 2:41, 8:12

In addition to Essential Beliefs, we have liberty in Non-Essential Beliefs.

“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… 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.” –Romans 14:1,4,12,22

The Alliance

The Alliance is simply a mainstream, evangelical denomination, similar to many denominations in America. Our message is four-fold: Christ our Savior, Christ our Sanctifier, Christ our Healer, and Christ our Coming King!

From its inception The Christian and Missionary Alliance has focused its message on the changeless person of Jesus Christ, who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

“Jesus is not only the pattern, but the source of our life, and it is the business of Holy Spirit…moment by moment to transfer His qualities into our life.

Our calling is to lead the people of God farther into the heights and depths of the life of Christ, and further out in the aggressive work of the world missions, which the children of God have so long neglected.” –Albert B. Simpson, Founder

 

We are a part of two groups:

 

Why not just be an independent church?

We are an independent church! Every C&MA church is completely inde­pendent. There is no denominational control or hierarchy, as there is in some denominations. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs.

  • Every C&MA church chooses its own pastor.
  • Every C&MA church owns it own buildings and assets.
  • Every C&MA church determines its own programs.

 

What are the advantages of affiliating with the C&MA?

  • It allows us to identify with other Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Bible. The C&MA has no man-made “creed.” The Bible is our only authority.
  • It allows our church to participate in a great missionary organization. The C&MA currently has 800 missionaries in 58 nations and churches in 81 countries and territories. Through the C&MA missions program, we help support many of these missionaries.

It allows for accountability, and therefore safety for our church. Pastors are held accountable for their doctrinal and ethical positions.