- Category: Our Story
We are pleased to host a satellite office of Encompass Christian Counseling. To schedule an appointment with Encompass Christian Counseling, call 330.966.1620. More info is also available at www.encompasscenters.org.
Encompass operates through Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) and provides Christ-centered outpatient counseling and home-based counseling. With offices in Wooster, Ashland, Massillon, Canton and Independence, Encompass offers comprehensive services that are designed to wrap families in a blanket of hope and support.
When direction is needed, as it sometimes is in the journey of life, Encompass professionals can be counted on to provide guidance. Gently moving the needle toward the right destination, families can find solace in a new kind of compass.
For questions or schedule an appointment please call 330.345.7949
- Category: Our Story
People who confess their faith in Jesus and commit to turn away from their sins should be baptized when they place their trust in Jesus. The practice of baptism does not save us – God's grace does – but Biblical baptism is a believer's first act of obedience and submission to Jesus.
With very unique exceptions, all conversion experiences described in the Bible are accompanied by baptism. We believe God designed baptism to be a sacred event in the Christian life: it seals a new believer's faith in Jesus and marks the beginning of a new life. In the Bible, baptism is also connected with the reception of the Holy Spirit, God's indwelling presence in every Christian.
At PCC, we baptize by water immersion because we believe it is the most Biblical method of Christian baptism. “Baptize” comes from the Greek word meaning to “immerse or dip in water.” This same word is used in the Bible to describe the practice of baptism. In Romans 6:3-4, the Apostle Paul describes baptism in this way: “all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death … we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Paul was explaining that to lower a person into water symbolizes burial with Christ; likewise, to lift a person out of the water symbolizes resurrection from the dead.
Water baptism, in itself, cannot wash away sin. Only the blood of Jesus can do that. Water immersion is a God-given representation of the way in which our sin and guilty conscience are cleansed by Christ's blood.
IN BAPTISM...
- WE OBEY JESUS, WHO INSTRUCTED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE BAPTIZED
- WE PUBLICLY EXPRESS OUR BELIEF IN JESUS
- WE ACCEPT GOD'S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
- WE RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
- WE IMITATE JESUS, WHO HIMSELF WAS BAPTIZED
Deciding to be baptized can be a difficult decision. It requires humility and a child-like obedience to God's commands. In baptism, many people find one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives. This religious feeling or emotion is not the purpose of baptism, but God has graciously given us this practice to fulfill our human need for a special marker of this all-important milestone. Baptism also serves as a continual reminder and source of reassurance to each baptized Christian.
We believe that God instructs us to be baptized by water immersion, but we do not condemn those who disagree with this position or have not been fully instructed about baptism. Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of humankind; He is also our one and only judge. His judgments are merciful and just. The responsibility of First Christian Church is to teach the Bible as accurately and lovingly as we can, particularly on matters of eternal consequence.
We do offer strong counsel to anyone whose conscience is being led toward baptism to obey the Lord. Those who truly believe in Jesus must obey His teachings.
At PCC, you may be baptized at any time. To be baptized during a worship time, contact one of our ministry leaders or simply come to the front at the end of the service.
DO I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED AGAIN?
Those who lack assurance in their first baptism are encouraged to be baptized again; however, a second baptism is not needed for those who have sinned after their first baptism. The sanctifying work of God's Holy Spirit – our transformation into Christ-likeness – is a lifelong process, and believers make mistakes along the way. The Bible instructs us to pray for forgiveness and continually grow in our relationship with God.
- Category: Our Story
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in one God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. God the Father Almighty is the Creator of all things visible and invisible.
Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 11:3
JESUS, GOD'S SON
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, our one and only Savior. He was born both fully human and fully divine, conceived of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary. He suffered and was crucified; died and was buried; and boldly rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus ascended into Heaven and now sits on the right hand of the Father and will return to earth to judge both the living and the dead.
I John 4:9; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 17
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
John 16:5-15; Joel 2:28-29; I Cor. 2:10-16
SALVATION
We believe the Bible teaches that salvation and the forgiveness of sins is achieved only by God's grace through Jesus Christ's death on the cross.
Ephesians 2:8-9
JUSTIFICATION
God declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of the blood of Christ. Justification is a gift given through the grace of God (Romans 3:24) and takes place the moment the individual has faith in Christ. (Romans 4:2; 5:1)
SANCTIFICATION = LIFE-LONG PROCESS OF BECOMING LIKE JESUS
We believe the Bible teaches that once a person has received God's grace by putting faith in Christ, the life-long process of sanctification begins, with the individual repenting of their sins and being baptised by immersion.
The process of sanctification continues throughout the life of the believer through the work of the Holy Spirit as we are transformed into the image of Christ (II Corinthians 3:18).
The evidence of this ongoing process is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22 – 23).
THE BIBLE
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that anointed men were moved by the Spirit to write the words of Scripture. Therefore, the Bible is without error.
2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Ps. 119 (emphasis on v. 9-11)
THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The church is the body of Christ and has a three-fold purpose: to evangelize the world, to make disciples and to equip others for ministry.
I Cor. 12:12-28; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:11-16
HUMAN NATURE
We believe that all people are created in God's image and matter deeply to Him. However, due to the inherent weakness of the human condition and power of sin, we find ourselves in need of a Savior and Redeemer to reconcile this separation from God.
Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:9-10, 5:6-11
THE SECOND COMING
We believe in the eminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
Isa. 65:17-25; I Thess. 4:13-5:11; Rev. 19:11-21
MARRIAGE
Marriage is an institution established by God whereby a man and a woman enter into a lifelong relationship through a marriage ceremony which is recognized by the church. Marriage creates a “one-flesh” relationship which goes beyond a physical union. Marriage establishes an emotional and spiritual union which enables both husband and wife to attend to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the other. It provides the Biblical context for the procreation of children. Marriage is to be an exclusive bond between a man and a woman that is maintained in purity and fidelity. It is intended by God to be a permanent relationship and a witness to the world of the relationship between Christ and His Church
Genesis 2:18-25, Ephesians 5:21-33, Hebrews 13:4