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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.
     

  © 2005 Guthrie Memorial Chapel