Here’s a little background on our church

1. We are part of the Restoration Movement. Many have heard of the Reformation Movement with leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin—that was an attempt to reform the Catholic Church from some abuses of the day. The Restoration Movement is different. Instead of reforming anything, it is an attempt to restore the church of the New Testament. It is a movement that started in America in the late 1700’s with men such as Barton W Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell.

2. We are Christians only! By taking the name Murdock Christian Church, we do not mean to imply that we are the only Christians in the area—far from it! We simply want to be known as Christians only — an independent group of believers with no denominational ties.

3. We believe in the inspired word of God. If Christian is the only name we want to wear, then the Bible is the only book we desire to have. There are no man made creeds. We take the Bible as the inspired word of God—His rule for our lives and teaching.

4. Differing opinions welcome! We have a couple of slogans within the Christian Churches: “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.” And this one: “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love.” In other words, we agree on the essential basics of Christianity, but agree to not allow the peripheral things to get in our way of fellowship.

Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.

In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love.

God’s plan of salvation:

BELIEVE IN CHRIST John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (See also Mark 16:16; Acts 16:29-33)

REPENT OF SINS (This means to change your mind about your sinful ways. It is a decision to stop doing what is wrong in God’s eyes and start doing what’s right. This is an ongoing process!).

Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (See also Acts 17:30)

CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS Matthew 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” (See also Romans 10:10; Matthew 16:16;)

BE BAPTIZED

Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (See also Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21) (See the special study on Baptism for a fuller discussion of what this means).