A. NAME: The name of this Church is Scioto Valley
Christian Union. Here after referred to as SVCUC.
B. RELATIONSHIP: This Church is a member of the Delaware
District of the Ohio Council of Christian Union, and as such, shares the
privileges and responsibilities to this fellowship. We recognize the Directory
of the Christian Union as binding on our activities.
C. SERVICES: Weather permitting, and unless announced
otherwise, services will be as follows: Sundays 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM,
Wednesdays 7:00 PM. Youth services will be held at the discretion of youth
leaders and Official Board.
D. OBJECTIVE: The object of this Church is to promote
fellowship among God's people, to instruct and encourage one another, to put
forth every effort to proclaim God's saving grace to the lost: at home, and in
the foreign fields, and to declare the whole council of God.
E. PRINCIPLES: We recognize and uphold the following
seven cardinal principles established by our founding fathers of Christian Union
in 1864:
1. The Oneness of the Church of Christ
2. Christ the Only Head
3. The Bible The Only Rule of Faith and Practice
4. Good Fruits the Only Condition of Fellowship
5. Christian Union Without Controversy
6. Each Local Church Governs Itself
7. Partisan Political Preaching Discountenanced
ARTICLE TWO
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
A. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible,
authoritative, preserved, perfect Word of God. ( II Tim. 3:16; Psalms 12:6,7 )
B. We believe in the eternal Godhead revealed to mankind as
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ( I John 5:7 )
C. We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His
conception by the Holy Spirit and His birth by the virgin Mary. In His sinless
life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection,
His ascension and His personal return in power and glory. ( Matt. 1:20-23; II
Cor. 5:21; I Peter 3:18; Luke 24:36-40; Acts 1:9-11 )
D. We believe that salvation is wholly of grace, given by God
through repentance of sins and faith in the redemptive work of Jesus the
Messiah. Regeneration is the impartation of divine life effecting a change in
the believer's nature, by the movement of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel,
and they are given a disposition to obey God. ( Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans
5:1-9; Acts 13:39; II Cor. 5:17; I Peter 1:23; Romans 8:16 )
E. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells believers, gives power
for service and holy living, guides into truth, produces the fruits of Christian
character and aids the believer in spiritual growth. ( I John 2:27; Romans
8:8-26; John 14:26; II Tim. 2:21 )
F. We believe at the return of the Lord Jesus, the bodies of the
righteous dead will be raised and the living believers will be changed so that
both will have literal, spiritual and immortal bodies like unto Jesus' own
glorious body. ( Romans 8:23; I Cor. 15:1-58; I Thess. 4:16 )
G. We believe that mankind was an immediate act of God and not
by a process of evolution, that mankind was created in the image and likeness of
God and the purpose of mans' creation is to glorify God. ( Genesis 1:1-27; Col.
3:10; Eph. 1:5-6 )
H. We believe the Biblical teaching concerning the fall of man
(Gen. 2:16-17 ) and that because of this spiritual fall, death passed upon all
mankind and sin entered into the world ( Romans 5:12-13 ), therefore
condemnation rests upon each person who has reached the age and development with
which comes accountability before God and he is forever lost except he be
"born again". ( John 3:1-5 )
ARTICLE THREE
ORDINANCES AND PRACTICES
A. We believe these ordinances are outward rites appointed by
Christ to be administered in each Church, NOT as a means of salvation, but as a
visible sign of salvation.
B. BAPTISM:
1. We believe that baptism is for believers only.
2. Babies will not be baptized, but public dedication services
for babies and
small children is encouraged.
3. We encourage believers to follow Christ's example of
emersion.
C. COMMUNION:
1. All believers in good standing shall be eligible to
participate in
communion, regardless of church affiliation.
2. Servers shall be selected by the pastor.
3. Communion will be served at the discretion of the Official
Board.
D. ANOINTING:
1. Anointing the sick for healing according to James 5:14 will
be observed
upon request.
ARTICLE FOUR
FELLOWSHIP
A. It is important for born again believers to gather together
for fellowship, encouragement and to teach each other. It is also important to
separate ourselves from false teachers and false doctrine. This body of
believers will not join the World Council of Churches, the National Council of
Churches or any ecumenical movement.
BIBLE POLICY
There are many different Bible versions on the market today. To
lessen the confusion that abounds through so many different versions, all
teachers and preachers will use the King James Version while they are teaching
and/or preaching.
The following are some of the reasons for this:
1. Children moving to a higher grade class will have teachers
using the same Bible.
2. Children will become accustomed to using the King James
Version.
3. We believe the King James Version is the true Word of God.
4. We believe this will help retain unity within the Church.