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Fundamental Beliefs

 
The fundamental beliefs of the Guthrie Memorial Chapel are:
  1. The risen Jesus Christ, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23), is mankind’s perfect Savior, and belief in the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind will lead to eternal life. 1 Peter 2:22; Heb. 4:15; 2:14, 17; 7:25; Luke 19:10; Jude 24,25; Gal. 2:16.
     
  2. We are to teach and preach the "good news" of salvation to all. Matt 28:19-20; 25:14-30; Luke 10:25-37.
     
  3. Christ is our High Priest, who mediates before the Father, God, on behalf of those who ask for forgiveness of their sins. No human priest is needed to go between the individual and God when the individual approaches God. Every believer in Christ is a priest. Heb., Chapters: 7, 8, 9, 10.
     
  4. The Bible is the inspired word of God and is, therefore, the only rule of faith. Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Rom. 1:2; Ps. 1:2; James 1:18.
     
  5. The Ten Commandments are binding, including the fourth commandment, which identifies the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were invalidated by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, our High Priest. Deut. 4: 12, 13; Ex. 20: 7-11; Rom. 7: 12, 14; Matt. 22:37-40; James 2:12; 1 John 3:4; Matt. 12:8; Luke 4:16; 23:56;
     
  6. Continuing is Christ's promise to return literally to this earth and take the saved, alive and resurrected dead, to heaven with Him. John 14:1-3; Eccl. 9:5, 6 (dead know nothing); Acts 1:10-11; Rev. 1:7; Matt 24:23-26.
     
  7. Following the example of Christ, Christians should be good stewards of their God-given funds, talents, and time, volunteering to serve and fill needs in the church, community, and world. Pastors should be first to set the example of volunteer service. Christians should implement the principles of charity taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan. When giving to the least of Christ's "children," we are giving to Him. 1 Cor. 9:15-18; Matt. 25:34-36; Luke 10:25-37; Prov. 21:13; James 1:27; Acts 3:6; 2 Cor. 9:7.
     
  8. God, the eternal Creator, is without beginning and without end. Gen. Chapters 1 and 2; Ps. 19; Rom. 1:20; Ex. 20:8-11; Mal. 2:10.
     
  9. Faith, hope, and love are essential to the Christian's life; however, the greatest of these is love, as this principle is taught by Christ in the "Golden Rule." 1 Cor 13:12, 13; Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31.
     
  10. Our bodies, being the temple of God, should be treated with utmost care and respect. Life and health are divine gifts from our Creator and, therefore, should be conserved for use as a dwelling place by the Holy Spirit. To be avoided are: unclean foods (meats), alcohol, tobacco, and any other substance or practice that weakens our bodies. 3 John 2; Ex. 15:26; 1 Cor 6:19, 20; Gen. 1:29; Dan. 1:8; Lev. 11:7; Prov. 23:29,30.
     
  11. Believers are to be baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19, 20; Matt. 3:5-16.
     
  12. At all times and in all ways, our lives should reflect the life of Christ and the principles that He taught and lived.
     
  13. Members of our world-church family are to support their local church and its Christian outreach by their attendance (as permitted by distance and health) and by their free-will gifts. Heb. 10:24, 25; 1 Thes. 5:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:33; 2 Cor. 6:14.

  14. Christians should dress modestly, following the pattern of the Godly woman described in Revelation 19: 7,8 (see Amplified Bible, especially). Her dress of simple, white linen (symbolizing the righteousness of Christ) is the source of her beauty, beginning within and radiating outward. She is known for her "good works," (1 Peter 3:3,4; 1 Timothy 2:9.10; Jeremiah 6:2).

    On the other hand, Jezebel, a symbol of worldliness (Babylon), is the epitome of the egotistic woman, thinking beauty is outward, with the painting of the face and eyes (Ezekiel 23:40) and the wearing of extravagant hair styles. Babylon is further described as a woman dressed with gold, precious stones, and pearls; she, hating God's people, is drunk with their blood (Revelation 17:6).

    The Christian model of modesty. therefore, is the woman of Revelation 19, (draped with Christ's righteousness and simple clothing, (Matthew 22: 1-13) not Jezebel and Babylon, symbolizing abominations, prostitution, seduction, and worldliness. (I Kings 18: 4, 13; II Kings 9:30).
     
  15. Marriage is between one man and one woman as instituted by God in Genesis.  (See Genesis, chapters 1 and 2.)
     

  © 2005 Guthrie Memorial Chapel