Church doctrine:
The Church of America has no doctrine other
than the Bible. This means that we don't add
any new doctrines or traditions, and we don't
accept any old doctrines or traditions that
don't appear in the Bible. Rather we do our
best to understand and follow the pure examples
given to us by Jesus Christ, and the Apostles
and the New Testament churches they oversaw.
Music:
We often include music and singing as part of
our services.
Wine, beer, cider and spirits, tea,
tobacco, and cannabis:
The church does not prohibit
nor endorse the use of these products where
legal to do so, except the scriptures do endorse
the occasional drinking of wine in moderation.
(beer and cider would also fall into this category
of fermented, but not distilled, drinks).
Distilled spirits (liquor) are designed mainly
for intoxication which the scriptures forbids
except for medicinal purposes. Tea, coffee,
tobacco and cannabis are natural herbs and the
scriptures do not forbid their use as food.
The smoking of these herbs (where legal) is
not prohibited or endorsed, except they may
be used for medicinal purposes but we should
not to use any product solely for its intoxicating
effects. Those who have a habit or addiction
to these products are welcome to attend our
services. The Church does not endorse
the abuse of dangerous illegal drugs.
Sodomy, "homosexuality",
Same sex marriage, civil unions, etc:
The scriptures are clear that sodomy
(same sex copulation) is a sin that falls into
the category of abomination. The Church
must not endorse or ignore unrepentant sin in
its fellowship or clergy. Those who insist
that sodomy is not a sin and continue to practice
it, are anathema to the Church and are considered
worshipers of another religion and another god.
They must convert before they can be called
fellow believers. As with any sinful activity,
a person must first confess and repent of their
sin, be baptized, and then they are welcome
to join us in fellowship and worship. As with
any sin, they must continue in repentance and
confession to remain in fellowship with the
believers. In keeping with this doctrine
of our faith and religion, the Church will not
perform, endorse, consecrate, or bless same
sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships
or other same sex arrangements.
The Sabbath:
All Christian believers should
remember to refrain from doing any work on the
Sabbath day of rest and devote the day to holiness
and prayer and worship as written in the Ten
Commandments. Saturday is the seventh
day of the week and it is the true Sabbath.
The biblical Sabbath begins on Friday evening
at sunset and continues until sunset on Saturday.
Those who attend church on Sunday should still
honor the Commandment of God to rest on the
seventh day and to keep it holy.
Heaven and Hell:
The popular concepts of Heaven
and Hell are erroneous distortions of scripture.
"Hell" (as taught in the bible) doesn't exist
as a place of fiery torment inhabited by devils
with pitchforks. "Hell" is simply the
grave or tomb where the body rots and decays
in the ground and the dead simply cease to exist
and have no thoughts or dreams until the resurrection
day. Heaven is not in the sky where the
clouds are as often depicted in popular art
and culture, it is space, the abode of God and
exists out there. Contrary to popular
belief, the bible teaches that the saved are
not going to spend eternity in "Heaven";
Our trip to Heaven will be a temporary one,
after which we will be returned the New Earth
(after all wickedness has been destroyed) and
live in God's Kingdom (on Earth) forever.
The Trinity:
Another popular but erroneous
concept is the Trinity, where The Father, Jesus,
and the holy spirit are three persons, but one
God. We don't accept that the holy spirit
is a person or a god, only the Father, and the
Son (Jesus) are divine. The bible tells
us that the holy spirit emanates from the Father
and the Son to the believers.
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