Brethren Beliefs
The church has formulated no official statement, but
maintains the Bible as its only basis of faith and practice, following the
example of Jesus Christ as revealed within the New Testament. It believes that with spiritual openness the
Holy Spirit will lead the church into a growing understanding of the mind of
Christ and the will of God
It believes in the inspiration of the Bible, the
personality of the Holy Spirit, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, his
atonement for man’s sin on Calvary, his physical resurrection from the tomb,
his ascension, his personal and visible return and the
final resurrection and judgment.
It follows the pattern of New Testament
sacraments in the administering of immersion baptism for believers, observing
the ordinances and sacraments of the Lord’s Supper, in the anointing of those
who are sick or have special spiritual needs, and the parental dedication of
children to the Lord.
The Church of the Brethren believes that a basic
quality of the Christian life is love.
In keeping with this belief it has witnessed against violence in war and
encourages its members to active peace-making and ministries of reconciliation
and relief.
The Church of believes that the spiritual life
is primary and is very important in following the pattern of Jesus Christ. Consequently, it upholds the principal of
moderation in things that are good; abstinence in things that are harmful;
loyalty to Christ; and honesty and truthfulness as a way of living.
The Church encourages the nurture of spiritual
life, both through the ministries of the church, as well as through personal
and family devotions.
The Church believes that the Christian life is
essentially a matter of discipleship in which a person dedicates his time,
talents and resources for God’s purposes, both through the church and in the
daily relationships of life.
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN LOGO
The cross
recalls our baptism into Christ's death, "so that
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might walk in a newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
The cross is a
further reminder of God's plan to bring "the universe, all in heaven and
on earth...into a unity in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10 NEB).
The circle
(only partially defined in this design) represents the whole world into which
we are sent by Christ:
"Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..."
(Matthew 28:19).
It reflects that "we, though many, are
one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans
12:5),
as we confess "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:15).
The wave
connotes new life in Christ, "born of water and the Spirit" (John
3:5).
It summons us to "let justice roll down
like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream" (Amos 5:24),
to serve sisters and brothers by rendering a cup of water in
Christ's name (Mark 9:41),
to uphold the basin and towel as a mark of discipleship
(John 13:5),
to say yes to the One who guides us to "springs of living
water" (Revelation 7:17).
© 2005,
Spring Creek Church of the Brethren