3881 Hadensville - Fife Road, Goochland VA 23063           Phone - (804) 457 - 3612

Email - fgcchadensville@gmail.com              Face Book - Forest Grove Christian Church

The following is a basic summery of doctrines that FGCC believes are fundamental to Christianity.

• Scriptures - We believe that the Bible is God's final authority for all we believe and teach. 2 Timothy 3:15 - 17. The Bible is divided into two major sections: Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament teaches us about God - he is faithful, active, not bound by time or space as he is spirit, holy, et al. The Old Testament also shows us how God worked through history to bring into existence a way for all of humanity to be forgiven of their sin, by faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament tells us about Jesus and how we can know we are redeemed (brought back into a positive relationship with God) from God's wrath at our sinfulness (rebellion against God). When there is a conflict between personal, social or cultural beliefs and the Scriptures, a disciple (student) of Jesus Christ must go with the Scriptures. We also believe that a student of the Bible must interpret 'Bible words with Bible definitions.' That is we must understand what the words originally meant when written and not force the words to say something else.

• God - God is the creator of all that exists in the visible world and the spiritual world, Genesis 1:1. John 1:1 - 14 tells us that Jesus was the involved in the creation of the world, as the Only Begotten Son of God. God is spirit, he is not confined to a particular place, time, or defined shape. God has chosen to reveal himself to humanity as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three aspects of God's revelation are seen in the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 4:13 - 17. These are three unique roles God uses to interact with us, and for us to relate to God. As the Father, God is over all and we must follow his leadership over our life. As the Son, Jesus Christ, God became our Savior through obeying all of the laws God had given in the Old Testament. Jesus death upon the cross and resurrection from the dead, set aside the Old Testament law and established the New Testament as the guide to Christian practices. The Holy Spirit helps us in many ways: in prayers, comforting, encouraging, guidance, understanding Scripture. In Acts 2:38, 39 God promised to be with every baptized believer.

• Church The church is not a building or an organization. The word 'church' means those who were 'called out' to assemble together. It is the people who believe in Jesus Christ and seek to follow his teachings that make up the church. The church came into existence in Acts 2 on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost (The Feast of the Harvest). It was then that the Apostle Peter and the rest of the Apostles preached the first sermon that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah (Christ). Three thousand believed in Jesus and were baptized. Today, the church remains those who believe in Jesus Christ, who unite in worship, study, and ministry. Christian Churches, Churches of Christ are independent; that is there is no outside organization authority over the local church.

• Faith We are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the original Greek was a verb, it was used to reference why someone acted as they did. The acted upon their 'faith', it was what guided them in all they did and said. Ones faith establishes the moral values which controls their actions and prioritizes their life. Therefore as a Christian, our faith is demonstrated by obeying the teachings found within the New Testament. James 2. Ephesians 2:8, 9 says we are saved by our faith and not by works, which we agree with. When we live our life by obeying the commands found within the New Testament we are not seeking to be saved by our actions. We obey because we believe that is what God expects and demands of us, but simply obeying them without underlying faith in God and Jesus Christ will not save anyone. Our faith leads us to action; our actions reveal what we believe.

• Repentance In Acts 2:38 Peter told those who sought to be 'saved' to repent and be baptized. They demonstrated and confessed their faith in Jesus Christ in their question to Peter and the Apostles (one sent) when they asked, "What must we do to be saved." Repent was Peter's first command, which means to change 180 degrees. If once a person stole, they would steal no more. If they were involved in idol worship, they would rid themselves of anything associated with that religion. It is a change of attitude as well as outward action. Once what was acceptable is now rejected. One can repent of evil and anti-Christian behavior, or they can repent of doing good and following Jesus teachings.

• Baptism Baptism is a Greek word that was given English letters because the translators of the first Bibles in English were afraid to translate it meaning into English. The Greek word if translated into English would have been "immersed", "dipped", "plunged" or "submersed." Because the financiers of the translating the New Testament from Greek into the common language, and the churches they belonged to, had forsaken immersion centuries earlier. Therefore, the translators inserted an English letters in place of the Greek letters and we have the word 'baptized' or 'baptism.' The Christian Church in the goal of returning to obeying the New Testament teachings reinstituted immersion for the forgiveness of sins as commanded by Jesus [Matthew 28:19, 20] and by Peter in the first Gospel message and in response to those who desired to be saved [Acts 2:38]. 1 Peter 3:21 says that it is not the water that saves a person, it is obeying Jesus command and following his example and is our response to God's invitation to be saved. Ten of the thirteen responses to the Gospel message in the book of ACTS record that believers were baptized.

• Lord's Supper or Communion FGCC practices weekly communion. Communion was instituted by Jesus during the last Passover meal he had with his disciples before his crucifixion. Luke 22 and Matthew 26 are passages which describe Jesus taking two elements from the Jewish Passover meal and giving them new significance. The unleavened bread (flat bread made without yeast) became a symbol of the body of Jesus, while the third cup of juice from the grape became a symbol of Jesus blood shed on the cross. When we partake of communion we remember that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that he is providing for our needs today, and is coming again to take us to heaven. Communion is offered weekly because we find the early church practiced weekly communion. Acts 20:7

• Salvation Our salvation is based upon our faith that Jesus is the Christ (or Messiah; the promised one) is the Only Begotten Son of God. That Jesus was born of a virgin. He was crucified (nailed to a Roman cross) and died. He was buried and sealed in a tomb, from which he arose on the third day. He ascended to heaven and will return one day to judge the living and the dead. Those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will go to Heaven for eternity. Those whose names are not written in the book will be in Hell for eternity. How is ones name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Through their active faith in Jesus. One chooses to believe in Jesus and then live their life by his commands and the New Testament teachings. One is not saved simply by believing in Jesus, James 2:19. Being baptized, though part of the great commission and part of one being saved, is not enough to be saved. A persons life demonstrates what they believe, and God will not be mocked or put in second place in ones life and still save them. Jesus must be Lord of ones life before he will be their Savior.