The Eleven Articles Of Faith

The following eleven Articles of Faith are considered to be a brief summary of the core beliefs of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples). This historic Stone-Campbell Movement (Restoration Movement) is not committed to ecclesiastical standards or man-made doctrines repugnant to human reason. On the other hand, if judged by the Word of God as authoritative, the doctrinal statement of Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is fundamentally sound, and many persons of ability are attracted to it by its evangelical and orthodox character. 

"Unity in the essentials, Liberty in the non-essentials, Charity in all things." 

The Evangelical Christian Church seeks desperately to go back to a "simple Christianity," founded on the Bible and the Bible alone. The Evangelical Christian Church rejects the use of creeds as "tests of faith" as required beliefs, necessary to be as as a follower of Jesus, and only permits those practices found in the New Testament. Ministers are encouraged to study and examine the Bible and come to their own scriptural interpretation, knowing that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 1:20,21).

As there is a wide diversity among Evangelical Christian Church ministers in what individuals and congregations believe; it is not uncommon to find individuals in the Evangelical Christian Church who seemingly hold diametrically opposed beliefs from the speaking of tongues to eternal security within the same congregation. This allows others to hold a variety interpretations, while simultaneously giving the power of interpretation back to each minister, and the local congregation. The Evangelical Christian Church tolerates diversity of opinion, and grants all ministers and congregations the right and freedom to practice their faith without human restrictions that teach on the commandments and doctrines of men (Col. 2:22), but a faith that is established on the new covenant of grace.

Evangelical Christian Church clergy and congregations are free to commit to other basic fundamentals of the Christian faith taught by the early church which allows diversity in those areas where there are differences of opinion on "disputable matters" (Rom. 14:1). That is why the Evangelical Christian Church celebrates diversity and does not expect everyone's interpretation of the Bible, or living the Christian life to be identical. Freedom of religious belief and private scriptural interpretation of the Bible allows many to commit to the basic fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. 

"Where the scriptures speak, we speak, Where the scriptures are silent, we are silent."

Evangelical Christian Church member clergy may serve other denominational or independent bodies while holding credentials with this Christian body. That is why the Evangelical Christian Church does not advocate extremism or fanaticism of any kind, unless it is consistent with the Word of God, and does not engender a spirit of fear, intimidation, division, or confusion.

As all the basic teachings of Christ are studied and applied to life, there is the freedom to all Evangelical Christian Church members to interpret Jesus Christ's teachings in different ways. The Evangelical Christian Church guarantees freedom of thought and conscience to practice the teachings of the apostles while propagating the gospel of grace without the tyranny of extreme libertinism which is rejected by many Christian denominations today.

Evangelical Christian Church clergy are also at greater liberty to hold other Christian personal views on matters pertaining to dress, hair length or observation of days, etc., and are free to do so as long as they do not conflict with the historic and sound Biblical teachings of the early Christian church. While hierarchical doctrine was traditionally rejected by the Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) as human-made and divisive, Biblical doctrine is accepted as the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ. Our only purpose is to focus our eyes on Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

*The Bible as the written Word of God

*The Virgin Birth

*The Deity of Jesus the Christ

*The Person and work of the Holy Spirit

*The Trinity

*Salvation through the Atonement

*The guidance of our life through prayer

*The death and resurrection of Christ

*The return of the Savior

*The resurrection of the redeemed and the lost

*Establishment of the Millennial Kingdom

The eleven Articles of Faith are based on inter-denominational, fundamental Christian doctrines that the early church accepted and taught, and beyond the essential commitment to follow Jesus Christ, there is no requirement to give assent to any other statement of belief or creed nor is there any "official" interpretation of the Bible. These eleven Articles of Faith are found in Calvinism, Armenian, and Wesleyan theological teachings.

PRACTICES

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) believes that at the Lord's table, individuals are invited to acknowledge their faith in Jesus Christ, to remember their baptism, and to give thanks for God's redeeming love at the cross. The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) believes that the blood of Christ is for the forgiveness of all sins, and the body of Christ is for health, wholeness and healing to all Christians who receive it in faith. The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) also believes that the invitation to the table comes from Jesus Christ, communion is open to all who confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, regardless of their denominational affiliation.

The Evangelical Christian Church also believes in and practices believer's baptism in the form of immersion used in the New Testament. The Lord's Supper and Mode of baptism are left to the discretion of members.

The Evangelical Christian Church believes in and practices the Washing of Feet, not as an ordinance, but only as illustrated by our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to John 13:1-17.

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We are a worshipping church. We are sacramental, biblical and also contemporary. We are reverential, seeking the awe of God. We are Apostolic. A sending Church who are missional first to our neighbour and then to the uttermost parts of the world. We are a praying, Spirit led, Spirit filled, Spirit determined Church. We are a serving, giving, building and equipping Church. We are visionary, daring, adventurous and joyful. We are a growing Church. We are amazed at our God, and for the finished work of Christ on the cross for all Christians. We invite you to join us!