What We Believe
WHY DOES MLTCC EXIST?
As a church that is part of the Restoration Movement, the difference about MLTCC is between REFORMATION and RESTORATION. Most Protestant churches exist because in the beginning they wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church – that is why they are called Protest-ant churches. While we owe much to the Protestant Reformation, Mountlake Terrace Christian Church exists because from the beginning of the movement of which we are a part the leaders have wanted to restore the New Testament Church in every way possible. Therefore, we look to the New Testament as our only rule of faith and practice.
HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE?
We believe the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is the inspired Word of God. We also believe the New Testament is the exclusive location of authority for one who would become a Christian and one who already is a Christian.
WHAT ABOUT CREEDS?
We believe human creeds are unnecessary. Creeds have been written to exclude some people as a test of fellowship. Our authority is found in the Bible alone, because if a creed states what is in the Bible, then it is unnecessary, and if it states more than is in the Bible, it is opinion. The only creed we will accept is the simple statement of Peter in Matthew 16:16 – “You (Jesus) are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” The only test of fellowship we endorse is Christ, who is our only creed.
WHAT ABOUT CONVERSION?
We believe the Bible is plain and simple with regard to conversion. Conversion is nothing more or less than change – a change of attitude and a change in the direction of one’s life. We further believe that the way conversion takes place is the same as the way conversion took place in the days of the apostles: a person who hears the gospel, believes in Christ, repents of their sin, confesses Christ, and is immersed into Christ (baptism) is a Christian. We also believe that a person must continue to have faith and be faithful to Christ until death and they will receive the promised “crown of life.”
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
We believe the Holy Spirit is One who can be grieved, rejected, and resisted. In conversion and living the Christian life, the Holy Spirit operates through the Word of God, telling us what to do to be saved and what to do to remain a Christian.
WHAT ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER?
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial (“Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19), and a communion with Christ (I Cor. 10:16). All who are followers of Jesus can participate in the Lord’s Supper. It is Christ who is the host. We are His guests at His table. The first century church met for the purpose of sharing in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42 & 20:7).