Palmyra Brethren in Christ Church

The following beliefs are at the heart of all we say and do at Palmyra BIC Church. We have included references from the Bible if you would like to study the Biblical basis for these beliefs.

1. We believe in the historic Christian faith, reflected in these statements:

About Revelation and Scripture

We believe that it is the nature of God to make Himself known. God reveals Himself to humanity in various ways, most clearly in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. We accept these divinely inspired writings as the authoritative Word of God. (John 1:1-2, 18; 2  Timothy 3:16;  Hebrews 1:1-2; 11:6)

About God and Creation

The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning God created..." This dramatic statement declares God to be the eternal source and foundation of all that is. The Bible proceeds to reveal the person, nature, and character of the triune God who forever is--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1--2; Psalm 24:1-2; Hebrews 11:3)

About Humanity and Sin

God created man and woman in His image. Humans are distinct from all other forms of creation, having spiritual as well as physical characteristics. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, their nature became sinful. This sinful nature has become an inherent part of the human experience and has separated man from God. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7-9, 15-20; 9:1-6;  Psalm 8:3-8; 90:1-6; 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Acts 17:26-28)

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, God the Son, is a distinct person of the Trinity, in perfect equality and unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He was God incarnate--God in the flesh--and lived on earth as a man, fully human, yet without sin. By His suffering and sacrificial death for us, Jesus Christ provided complete atonement for sin. The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead after three days testifies decisively of His deity and His victory over sin and death. The risen Christ ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us. At the end of time, all things in heaven and earth will be brought under His rule. Every person will bow before Him and He will reign forever. (Ephesians 1:3-14;  Titus 2:11-14;  Hebrews 1:1-3)

About Salvation

Salvation is graciously provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The response of faith is a personal reliance on God's grace and a turning from sin to righteousness. All who come to faith in Christ are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, become children of God, and receive the assurance of eternal life. (Luke 3:7-9; 5:31-32; 18:9-14;  John 3:1-17; 16:5-15)

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a divine person who eternally co-exists with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit works in the world, convincing persons of sin and bringing them to repentance and faith, guiding them to fullness of life in Christ. He helps the children of God in their need, cleanses and sets them apart for holy living, and empowers them for service. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will and purposes, given for the building up of the church and for ministry in the world. (Genesis 1:2;  John 3:34; 14:16-17; 15:26;  Acts 2; 10:38;  Hebrews 9:14)

About the Church

Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ established the church to be God's new community. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, the redeemed community. His Word and will are authoritative among us.  The church consists of all those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord. The ordinances of the church are baptism and communion, which are to be observed in obedience to our Lord's command. (Acts 2:41-47; 15;  Romans 1:16;  2 Corinthians 2:5-11;  Philippians 2:2-16)

About Eternal Hope and Judgment

The final destiny of all things lies in God's hands.  In God's time, creation will be renewed in Christ. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and He shall reign forever. God will judge righteously at the close of the age. Those who have trusted Him and obediently followed Jesus as Lord will live eternally in His presence in heaven. Those who have not trusted Him will be eternally shut out from the presence of God in hell. (Psalm 110:1;  Ephesians 1:20-23;  Colossians 1:19-20;  Revelation 11:15)

Note: The above statements are excerpts taken from the Manual of Doctrine and Government of the Brethren In Christ Church.
Click here for more information on the Brethren in Christ Denomination

2. The essentials we believe:

In essential beliefs - we have unity.

"There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all..."  Ephesians 4:4-6

In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."  Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In all our beliefs - we show charity.

"...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2