THE APOSTLES CREED
I believe in GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. The third day He arose from the dead, He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of GOD the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic (universal, not Roman) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION
ARTICLE #1: THE HOLY TRINITY
We experience the one God through the three aspects of His personality; namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1-31, John 4:24, Matthew 28:19-20
ARTICLE #2: THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST
In Christ there are two natures, The Divine and the Human joined together in one person.
Scripture Reference: John 1:1-4
ARTICLE #3: THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Christ truly arose from the dead and ascended into heaven.
Scripture References: Mark 16:9-18, 1 Corinthians 15:12-33; 35-58
ARTICLE #4: THE HOLY GHOST
The Holy Spirit is of one substance with the Father and the Son.
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18, Mark 1:8, Luke 12:10-12, John 20:22, Acts 2:1-4, 8
ARTICLE #5: THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The Bible contains all we need to know to be saved.
Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 3:15-17
ARTICLE #6: THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; in both the Old and the New Testament eternal life is offered to mankind.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:17-19, Genesis 3:1-24
ARTICLE #7: ORIGINAL SIN
This corruption of the nature of every man is called “Original Sin.” t goes back to Adam, the first man.
Scripture References: Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 59:12-13, Romans 3:22-26
ARTICLE #8: FREE WILL
Every person is free to choose right or wrong; but even if you choose right, you must have God’s help to live a good and holy life.
Scripture Reference: Mark 10:17-23
ARTICLE #9: THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN
We are saved by faith in Christ and by that faith alone. Good works cannot save us.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1-6
ARTICLE #10: GOOD WORKS
Good works are fruits of our faith in Christ.
Scripture References: Galatians 3:10-11, John 15:4-7
ARTICLE #11: WORKS OF SUPEREROGATION
The belief one can do more good than God requires is called “works of supererogation.”
Scripture Reference: Luke 17:10
ARTICLE #12: SIN AFTER JUSTIFICATION
Christians who truly repent receive God’s forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life.
Scripture Reference: Romans 7:14-15; 8:1
ARTICLE #13: THE CHURCH
The Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments duly administered.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13-19
ARTICLE #14: PURGATORY
We do not believe in the idea of purgatory, which is the doctrine that there is a place other than heaven or hell where souls go to be cleansed.
Scripture Reference: Luke 16:19-31
ARTICLE #15: SPEAKING IN THE CONGREGATION IN SUCH A TONGUE AS THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
Public worship and the sacraments should be conducted in a language the people can understand.
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 12:1-12
ARTICLE #16: THE SACRAMENTS
There are only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, Mathew 26:26-28, Mark 1:9-11
ARTICLE #17: BAPTISM
Baptism is the sign of regeneration or the new birth.
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 1:9-11
ARTICLE #18: THE LORD’S SUPPER
The supper of the Lord is a symbol of Christ’s suffering and death for us.
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 1:9-11
ARTICLE #19: BOTH KINDS
Both the bread and wine are to be given to the people in the Lord’s Supper.
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 1:9-11
ARTICLE #20: THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST
The sacrifice of Christ is for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual.
Scripture References: Acts 4:12, Hebrews 10:12-14
ARTICLE #21: THE MARRIAGE OF MINISTERS
The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law to abstain from marriage.
Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 3:8-13
ARTICLE #22: RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH
It is not necessary that the rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike.
ARTICLE #23: THE GOVERNMENT
All righteous governments should be supported and defended by Christians.
Scripture Reference: Romans 13:1-14
ARTICLE #24: CHRISTIAN’S GOODS
Christians have a right to own private property. However, every man should give liberally of his possessions to help others.
Scripture References: Proverbs 19:17, 1 John 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
ARTICLE #25: A CHRISTIAN MAN’S OATH
Christians should not swear. They may take oath, however, as may be required by the courts of the land.