What We Believe

In common with Christian churches throughout the world, Struthers Memorial Church exists to advance Christianity through the service of God, the proclamation of the gospel and the extension of His Kingdom in accordance with the church’s Statement of Faith. 

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Personal Salvation

Fundamental to all our beliefs is that of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We do not believe that the Bible teaches that someone is a Christian simply because he was baptised as an infant, or because he lives in a Christian country or even because he regularly attends a Christian church. We believe that a Christian is someone who has opened his own life to Christ and asked Him to be both Saviour and Lord. ​

CHECK THE BIBLE:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not
perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3: 16-17 

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
1 John 5: 11-12 ​​

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Holiness

We believe very strongly that personal salvation brings change. If Christ is Lord we begin to live to please Him. All change is not produced overnight! But someone who is a true convert to Christ will be striving to live a clean life and sin or wrongdoing will be something which he cannot easily live with.

CHECK THE BIBLE:

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
1 Thessalonians 4: 3

God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.
1 Thessalonians 4 : 7

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Romans 13: 14 ​​

Baptism in water for believers

We do not baptise infants, because we cannot find justification for this anywhere in the Bible. We do have services of dedication where parents express their desire to bring their child up to know God and to teach them the way of salvation. But a child becomes a Christian by his own decision, not by means of Baptism.

Baptismal services involve full immersion in water and are for those who have taken Christ as Saviour. These services are a public and open declaration of faith by the people being baptised. They are often wonderful occasions as many friends and relatives are generally present and are interested to know what these things are all about. ​

CHECK THE BIBLE: 

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptised?” “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.” 
Acts 8: 36-37

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:4

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Baptism in the Spirit

We believe that all Christians should expect this second experience as their birthright in Jesus Christ.  Many people who are not baptised in the Spirit do know God deeply, of that there is no doubt, but so did the disciples. Before they received this experience they were used mightily by God – they were used even more mightily afterwards. At the other end of the scale young Christians just beginning to know God can receive such a strengthening when baptised in the Spirit. ​

CHECK THE BIBLE:

The words of John the Baptist - “I baptise with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Matthew 3: 11

The words of Jesus – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1: 8

The words of Peter – “This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Acts 2: 39

The words of Paul – “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.
Acts 19: 2 ​​​

Christ – the one who can meet
​every need

We believe that Jesus Christ who is Saviour and Baptiser in the Holy Spirit can meet human needs to the very deepest level. We have seen a number of people set free from things which have troubled them for many years – phobias, fears, resentment, hatred, bitterness – sometimes stemming from cruel or deeply disturbing experiences in childhood – and from darker things relating to such issues as involvement in the occult or in immorality in all its various forms.

Christ is also Healer in the physical realm. We do believe that God allows some illnesses for His own sovereign purposes and that in the illness God can do His own work and be glorified in many ways, but we also believe that in many cases it is the will of God to heal. ​

CHECK THE BIBLE:

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17

But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.
James 5:15 ​​​

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The return of Christ

We believe in the return of Jesus Christ to this world and that His return is drawing near. We believe that at His coming there will be a dividing of humanity which will be eternal and that in the light of that coming it is essential both to keep our own lives right before God and to take the message of Christ to as many people as possible in the world. 

CHECK THE BIBLE:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Acts 1: 11

And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24: 30

But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
1 John 3: 2-3 ​​​

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