Mesquite Church of Christ Confirmation Of Scriptural Practice Regarding Controversial Issues of Man & Statement of Faith
The Mesquite Church of Christ exists to seek and to save the lost of this fallen world. (Luke 19:10/Romans 5:12). We seek to do this by honoring God and committing ourselves to obedience to the two Great Commands that Jesus, the Son of God gave to all believers: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).
We as a church family affirm that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God upon which we live our lives and base our worship and teaching: “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30)
This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the Mesquite Church of Christ’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Elders are the Mesquite Church of Christ’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.
With that having been said:
- We confirm by the Word of God the spiritual unity and equality of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God:
- “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ (Galatians 3:28).
- We confirm by the Word of God that although all are one in Christ, and are of equal value in the sight of God, we have also all been called to different roles to serve Christ within the Church:
- “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife.” (1 Timothy 3:2).
- “Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.” (1 Timothy 3:12).
- “But as for you [Timothy], use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5).
- “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:11-13).
- “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” (1 Corinthians 14:33-37).
- The word for “evangelist” εὐαγγελιστής (euaggelistēs) is a masculine noun in the Greek language and every instance is applied to men within the Church.
That all his body, his church, are a chosen people to be a royal priesthood and a holy nation of people belonging to God to declare his praises… 1Peter 2:9-12.
- We confirm by the Word of God, that God creates each person with an immutable biological sex, male or female, that spiritually reflects the image and likeness of God:
- “On the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them “mankind” on the day when they were created.” (Genesis 5:1-2).
- These two distinct, complementary sexes reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex / gender does not meet God’s plan for that person or His Church.
- We confirm by the Word of God, that God designed marriage as an exclusive wedded relationship joining one biological man, to one biological woman for one physical lifetime that encompasses and limits sexual intimacy to occur within that specific relationship:
- “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).
- Based on biblical teaching, we believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis. 2:18-25). We believe that marriage between one man and one woman, for life, uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Ephesians. 5:21-33). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:1-40; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
- We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew. 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
- We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the Mesquite Church of Christ as a local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to members of the Mesquite Church of Christ and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Mesquite Church of Christ in any capacity, or who serve as elders, ministers, deacons, administrative assistants and other volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement of Faith document (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).
- We believe that God offers redemption, restoration, and His grace to all who confess, repent of their sin, forsake their sin, seek His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, submit in baptism, and live their life following Him in faithful obedience (Acts 2:37-41, Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:6, Romans 6:16, John 14:15, 14:23, 2 John 6, ).
- We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Mesquite Church of Christ.
- We confirm by the Word of God, that God has bestowed all human life with inherent dignity that demands respect and protection from the time of physical conception to the time of physical death:
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5).
- “You shall stand up in the presence of the gray headed and honor elders, and you shall fear your God; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32).
- We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalms. 139.) Part of the concept of justice and righteousness is to do right things, to provide care and assistance to those unable to care for themselves. (James 1:27; Isaiah 1:17)
- We confirm by the Word of God that all human beings are endowed by God with the inalienable right to believe, pursue the truth, worship, and live within the ordered liberty of God’s creation such that no earthly or political government or entity may justly infringe upon it:
- “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
- “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21).
- “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
- “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16).
- But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13).
- We confirm by the Word of God, that God through His Son Jesus Christ, calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him and His word with the reward of everlasting life for a life well-lived:
- “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25).
- “For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore, let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.” (Hebrews 4:10-13).
- Through Christ only is this gift of everlasting life obtained. Acts 4:12; Romans 5:6-9; Hebrews 10:10
As has been our heritage as Churches of Christ for many years, regarding all things pertaining to the life, liberty, and worship of God’s people, we “Speak where the Scriptures speak and are silent where the Scriptures are silent.”
As Paul wrote to Timothy, we also aspire to in our daily life: “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” – (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
