WHO WE ARE
&
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!!
Ephesians 3:20,21
Because of God’s great and unrelenting love, Candia Congregational Church is a community of Christ-followers devoted to becoming all He created us to be. We will by the power of the Holy Spirit share the Good New of Jesus Christ with the people of Candia, the surrounding communities, and to the ends of the Earth.
In other words, we exist to love God, love people, and help others do the same.
The chrisitan journey is not one of isolation but one of community – to worship God and encourage one another. (1 Corinthians 13, Hebrews 10:24-25)
God is in the business of growing His children into mature men and women of faith. People who live a life that reflects His glory and goodness and draws others to God. This growth is not found in our strength but in His strength and His grace (Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 8:29)
God has saved us from the punishment of sin and has given us the privilege of being His ambassadors – men and women who have been given the honor of sharing the gospel message with the world. (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
God demonstrates His love for the world through His son Jesus Christ. This was a supreme act of grace. One we did not deserve or earn. Since grace is the basis for our relationship with God, it should be the basis for our relationships with others. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus is truth and grace personified. As men and women created in the image and likeness of God we must passionately pursue and communicate the truth as defined by God. (Genesis 1:26-27, John 1:14, 2 Timothy 3:16)
We are committed to honesty, truthfulness, integrity, and repentance in all areas of life. We all have sin in our lives and we understand that hiding it and lying about it do not work. (Romans 3:23; 7:15, 1 John 1:9)
We understand that with our words we have the opportunity to build up or destroy. This generation is experiencing the greatest communication change since the invention of the printing press. Therefore, we will seek to communicate the Gospel in ways that are clear and can be clearly understood. (James 1:19-20, 1 Peter 3:15)
God is clear. He is in the business of the world to Himself by equipping His children so that they can be unleashed to do the work of ministry. Each and every single believer has a role to play in the growth of His Kingdom. Therefore, we devote ourselves to discovering that role, growing in our ability, and being sent into the world to do the work He has for us (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 2:10).
The Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written, are the inspired, infallible, and inerrant words and ideas of God. As such, the Scriptures have binding authority over all people in all matters. (Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
There is one God who has eternally existed in three persons, as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:24-25; Isa. 48:16; John 1:1-2;
Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6)
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man; conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary who was a virgin. Jesus is The Son of God (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1; Col. 1:15-20). Jesus lived a life full of temptation, yet He never sinned.
(Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 8:31-34, 14:32-39; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15).
The Holy Spirit is revealed as the third person of the Trinity. He is The Helper promised by Jesus. He has come to convict the world of sin, dwells within believers to guide them in truth and righteousness, secure believers in God’s grace and love, and bless believers with spiritual gifts for the building up of God’s Kingdom on Earth.
(Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:26, 15:26; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 2:10).
The consequence of sin is what the Bible describes as eternal separation from God – physically and spiritually. Everyone on earth has a problem with sin. We are all sinners by nature because we are born with sin and regularly commit sin. On our own, we are unable to overcome this sinful nature. (Romans 3:23, 5:12-14. 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice willingly and was crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead. (Mark 15:21-16:9). He ascended into Heaven and all authority in Heaven and Earth has been returned to Him. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:9-12; Acts 2).
The Church exists in two primary forms. First, as the universal Church, which consists of all who have believed in Jesus Christ throughout time. Second, as the local church which is the gathering of people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and men and women who are growing in devotion to God’s purposes – to become men and women who love God with all their heart, mind, and soul; love their neighbor as themselves, and help others do the same. (1 Cor 12:7; Matt. 22:36-40; Matt. 28:18-20).
We believe in the resurrection of both believers and non-believers; for those who are believers, it is a resurrection to life in God’s eternal presence. For those who are not believers, it is a resurrection to damnation, and eternal separation from God’s presence.
(Matt 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15).
