1. ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three are co-equal and are one God.

2. ABOUT MAN

Humans are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.  He is the supreme object of God’s creation.  Although humans have a tremendous potential for good, we is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin.  This attitude separates us from God.

3. ABOUT ETERNITY

Humans were created to exist forever.  We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.  Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

4. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.  Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

5. ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is a gift from God to the human race.  People can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can a person be saved from sin’s penalty.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into one’s life by faith.

6. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives people eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in the salvation for eternity.  The grace and power of God maintains salvation.  Not the self-effort of the Christian.  It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.

7. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God.  He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.  The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

8. ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s word to all people.  Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because God inspires it, it is truth without any mixture of error.  We believe the Bible to be infallible in providing God’s instructions.

9. ABOUT BAPTISM

Baptism represents a believer’s death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ.  Water baptism follows an individual's decision to acknowledge their sin and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Christ’s example and his command require that all believers are to be baptized.

10. ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

All believers are granted a spiritual gift(s) at the moment they become a Christian.  And all spiritual gifts are available to the believer in order to glorify the Lord and strengthen the Body of Christ, Christ’s church.  There are many gifts; different believers have different gifts, and one gift is not superior to another.  All spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit.  We believe all Christians can be specifically gifted at special time in order for people to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

11. ABOUT CHRISTIAN GROWTH

The Bible teaches us that it is God’s desire for every Christian to grow to full spiritual maturity.  This means that the goal of Christian growth is activated in our lives through the working of the Holy Spirit.  We also cultivate spiritual growth through such personal disciplines as: Bible study, prayer, fellowship with other Christians, and sharing Christ with those who don’t know Him.  Growth in Christ likeness is the surest evidence of our relationship with the Lord.

Why should we be Baptized?

To follow the example and obey the command of Jesus.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

            To identify openly as a follower of Christ.

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32

What does Baptism mean?

            It pictures Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15:3-4

            It illustrates our new life as a Christian.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

            It is a public profession of my Christian faith.

It (baptism) is not the washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience . (1 Peter 3:21)

Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian – it shows that you have already become a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ.  It’s like a wedding ring – an outward symbol of the commitment we have in our hearts.

Why does CCC baptize by Immersion?

            Because the word “baptism” (baptizo in Greek N.T.) mean to “plunge, dip, or submerge,” we believe this is the way Jesus was baptized and commanded baptism to be done.  Baptism in this way “acts out” in a powerful way the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  Other forms of baptism in use today developed in the centuries after the New Testament was written due to changes in the theology of baptism and for matters of convenience.

Martin Luther… “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”
John Calvin… “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse.  It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”
John Wesley… “Buried with him.’ Alluding to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

Who should be baptized?

            Every person who has received and believed in Jesus

Those who accepted his message were baptized… Acts 2:41
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

            We believe it’s Scripturally proper to be baptized after coming to our own personal faith in Jesus.  For this reason, we don’t baptize infants or those unable to understand the significance of Christian faith.  It appears, from the Bible’s teaching, that baptism lacks the meaning Christ intended for it if we are not making a confession of our own faith when we are baptized.

“Is it OK to be baptized again at CCC if I wasn’t baptized in this way?

Absolutely!  There’s an occasion mentioned in the Bible where this occurred – see Acts 19:1-5.  Your baptism will likely be very meaningful for you now that you understand its deep significance.  There is clearly no spiritual harm in doing it again in genuine faith.

So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:3-5

“Do I need to be baptized to be a member?

Membership at CCC requires baptism as we’ve described it, because it is the required “mark” of being a disciple as Jesus commanded:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

It only makes sense that members of Christ’s church be persons who have obeyed his command to publicly confess their faith through baptism.  It is our responsibility to teach his followers to make that “first base” commitment.

“Can I be a member if I was baptized at another church?”

Certainly! As long as a person has been baptized in a manner that is Biblically correct (after becoming a believer in Jesus Christ, by immersion in water, by a legitimate Christian ministry) they have fulfilled CCC’s expectations about baptism, regardless of where or who baptized them.  We don’t believe that we “have a corner” on doing baptisms!

“How will my baptism be done?”

A date and suitable location for a baptism service will be announced at church.  A gathering of people will come together to be a part of the service. (We also schedule small or semi-private baptisms upon request)  You can wear shorts and a dark top/shirt (modesty is the rule) to be baptized in.  Remember to bring a beach/bath towel!  After explaining the meaning of baptism (for the unsaved guests) people who are to be baptized are asked to come forward.  Everyone will be introduced and you will be asked, “Do you publicly claim that Jesus Christ is your Lord and that you believe in Him to be your Savior?”  You will then be asked, “As of this day to you refute all claims to Satan’s control over your life and you will live to serve Christ alone?”  And then the last question, “Do you freely, under the free will granted to us by God, make this decision to enter into these baptismal waters to acknowledge your faith and desire to follow Jesus Christ?”  We ask you to stay and watch all the others being baptized and you will be provided a comfortable place to change your clothes.

“Can I invite friends and relatives to see me baptized?”

Certainly! This can be a great opportunity for you to share your faith with them as you identify openly with Jesus through baptism.  There is always room for observers to watch, take pictures or shoot video, etc.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" Acts 8:36