Personal SalvationFundamental 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 God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3: 16-17 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5: 11-12 HolinessWe 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: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification... 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4 : 7 Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13: 14 |
Baptism in water for believersWe 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: Here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Acts 8: 36-37 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 Baptism in the Spirit
We believe that all Christians should expect this second experience as their birthright in Jesus Christ. You do not need to be baptised in the Spirit to be a Christian, but all Christians need the experience to live their Christian lives to the full. 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 indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire Matthew 3: 11 The words of Jesus – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me. Acts 1: 8 The words of Peter, about this experience – For the promise is unto you, and to your children , and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2: 39 The words of Paul – Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? Acts 19: 2 |
Christ – the one who can meet
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Struthers Memorial Church is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC 006960 | Struthers Memorial Church is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland Company No SC335480 | Registered Office: 33 West Stewart Street, Greenock, PA15 1SH. |