ARTICLES OF FAITH

 

I.  THE TRIUNE GOD

 

1.  There is but one eternally existent God, Sovereign of the universe, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

II.  JESUS CHRIST

 

                2.  The Son, who is the Word of the Father, who took man’s nature, became incarnate by the Holy Ghost and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one person, very God and very man, the God-man. 

             Furthermore, we believe that Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried to reconcile us to God; and that He arose from the dead and took again His body and ascended to Heaven.

 

III.  THE HOLY GHOST

 

                3.  The Holy Ghost, the third person of the Triune Godhead, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is present and alive with the Church of Christ, and is very and eternal God.

 

IV.  THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

 

                4.  We believe that the Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to make us wise unto salvation; so that whatsoever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.  In the name of the Holy Scriptures we receive the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, known as the Holy Bible.

 

 

V.  ATONEMENT

 

                5.  According to the Scriptures, Jesus Christ, by His suffering, by the shedding of His own blood, and His death on the cross, made full atonement for all sin; and this atonement is the only ground of salvation.

 

VI.  FREE AGENCY

 

                6.  In the creation, man was created with the ability to choose between right and wrong.  Through the fall of Adam, he became depraved so that he cannot now turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God; but the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all, enabling all who will turn from sin to righteousness, and to believe in Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and to do good works.

 

VII.  REPENTANCE

 

                7.  Repentance which precedes belief in Christ for remission of sins is a godly sorrow for sin, and a sincere and thorough change of mind in regard to sin, and is demanded of all who have sinned against God by act or purpose.

 

VIII.  JUSTIFICATION

 

                8.  Justification is the gracious act of God by which the repentant and believing heart is granted full pardon for all sins committed and accepted as righteous through the merits of God.

 

IX.  SANCTIFICATION

                9.  Sanctification is a work of grace wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are brought into a state of entire devotion to God.  The abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost empowers the believer for service and imparts the divine nature of God to man.  Sanctification is wrought instantaneously by faith, provided by the blood of Jesus, preceded by entire consecration, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) bears witness to this work and state of grace.

 

X.  BAPTISM

                10.  We believe that water baptism signifies the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It should be administered to all believers by immersion as the only mode, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

 

XI.  THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

                11.  The Lord’s Supper, instituted by our Saviour, is only for those to participate in who have faith in Christ and love the saints, and by it they show forth the Lord’s death till He comes again.

 

XII.  HEALING

 

                12.  Healing for the body is a Scriptural doctrine.  It is the blessed privilege of the human family to be healed in answer to the prayer of faith.  Providential means and agencies, when deemed necessary for the restoration of health, should not be refused.

 

XIII.  GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

 

                13.  We believe there are gifts of the Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will; but we do not believe that speaking in the unknown tongue is proof or witness to the receiving and indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost.

 

XIV.  CHURCH

 

                14.  The Church is composed of persons who have the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The record of the Church invisible is kept in heaven.  The great mission of the Church on earth is the Proclamation of the Gospel.

 

XV.  RETURN OF JESUS

 

                15.  We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that those who abide in Him will be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

XVI.  RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT

 

                16.  The Scriptures teach the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.  “…They that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (St. John 5:29).  We believe in the future judgment in which everyone shall give account of the deeds done in this life.

 

  

XVII.  DESTINY

 

                17.  We believe that those who have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, in departing this life, are assured of everlasting life; and that the impenitent, on departing this life, shall suffer eternally in Hell.

 

 

XVIII.  MARRIAGE

               

                18.  We believe that marriage was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:21-25).  We further believe that God has ordained marriage as an holy estate between one man and one woman.  Any deviation from God’s plan is neither scriptural nor recognized by any church of the Kentucky Christian Conference (Rom. 1:24-32).  We will not extend membership to any persons involved in same sex marriages or unions.

 

THE CHURCH

 

1.  Agreed Statement of Belief

 

19.  The Kentucky Christian Conference believes in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  [1]

20.  We believe that the Holy Scriptures, sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, known as the Holy Bible, contain all things necessary to make us wise unto salvation.  [4]

21.  The Kentucky Christian Conference accepts only the King James Version of the Bible for our ministers, superintendents, teachers in Sunday School, and our Christian Youth Ambassadors (CYA) organization and all departments of the general Kentucky Christian Conference.

22.  We believe the atonement through Jesus Christ for the whole human race is the only ground of Salvation from sin.  [5]

23.       We believe the Holy Ghost (Spirit) bears witness to the new birth and that sanctification is wrought instantaneously by faith and the Holy Ghost bears witness of the work.  [9] 

 

24.       We, the Kentucky Christian Conference, believe that the example of washing one another’s feet, as set by our Lord, should be practiced.  “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.For I have given you an example, that he should do as I have done to you” (St. John 13:14, 15).   [11]  [120]  [178]

 

       

2.  The General Rules

 

                25.  To be identified with the visible church is the blessed privilege and sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and seeking completeness in Jesus Christ.  The Kentucky Christian Conference feels an individual shall show evidence of salvation from sins by a Godly walk and regard for religious obligations, that shall evidence this—

                FIRST.  By avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most practiced such as:

 

                1.  Speech – Not taking the name of God in vain.  “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord they God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7).

                2.  Intoxicating drinks – Avoiding the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage or trafficking therein; giving influence to voting for the licensing of places for the sale of the same.

                3.  Drugs – We the Kentucky Christian Kentucky Conference do not condone the use of drugs when used for other than medical purposes. {39}

4.       Sexual Preference – The Kentucky Christian Conference will not condone homosexuality in any form.

5.  Sales – Permit no sales to be held in the church sanctuary at any time.  Ministers are to stress tithes and offerings.

                6.  Outings – No church outing will be held on any premises that permits mixed swimming, gambling or any other form of vice that would lower the Christian standard.  “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

                7.  Ball games – no ball game shall be played in the name of any church of the Kentucky Christian Conference.

 

                SECOND.  By doing good; which is both our rule of faith and practice.  1.  Contributing to the support of the church and its work, according to the ability which God giveth.

                2.  Loving God with all they heart, soul, mind and strength.

                3.  Faithfully attending public worship services and participating in the Ministry of the Word and the Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper; searching the Holy Scriptures and meditating thereon; having private and family devotions.

                4.  Pressing upon the unsaved the claims of the gospel, whether it be inside the church doors or without, and trying to guide them into salvation.