what we believe

Taylorville Christian Church accepts without reservations Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God and acknowledges His leadership as head of the church in all things. (Colossians 1:15-20)


We accept the Bible to be the divinely inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice for all Christians. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21, 3:2)


We believe that Christ lived a sinless life and shed his blood on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:11-14)


We believe that Christ rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will personally return in power and glory. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:20-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)


We believe that salvation is by God’s grace. One must believe Jesus is Lord and Christ (Acts 16:31), Repent and turn to God (Acts 3:19), Confess Jesus as Lord of your life (Romans 10:9), Be baptized in the name of Christ (Acts 2:38), and live according to God’s will (1 John 3:10). Each person is accepted and sustained by one’s active, obedient faith in Christ as absolute Lord. (Matt. 10:32-33; Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 2:37-39; James 2:14-16; Revelation 2:10)


We believe the Holy Spirit indwells all those who have accepted salvation through Jesus Christ and that he gives them the desire and power to live a holy life. (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:5-11)

STATEMENT ON BAPTISM

Throughout the life of the early church, Christians shared the message of Jesus, and when people heard what Jesus has done for them, they wanted to know how they could receive the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. People continue to ask that question today. As people encounter Jesus and recognize that he is inviting them into a unique relationship with God, they want to know what to do to receive the gifts of forgiveness of sin and eternal life.


The Bible consistently gives us the same answer. When people came to faith in Jesus in the New Testament, the next instruction that they received was that they should be baptized (Acts 2:38; 8:36-39, among others). And in baptism, they encountered the grace of Jesus, and this new relationship with God began.


Because the Bible is so clear about the place of baptism in beginning our relationship with God, we at TCC teach that anyone who comes to faith in Jesus should be baptized and that they should be baptized by immersion. The Greek word used in the New Testament is baptizo, which meant to dip or immerse. We have made an English word out of that Greek word (baptism), but for the New Testament writers, baptizo always meant to put something under the water. Thus, baptism is immersion, or being submerged under water. And our examples of baptism consistently involve people who had the physical and spiritual maturity to make this decision on their own.


So, if you are considering making a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, we would love to see you baptized, whether it is part of a Sunday worship service or some other time during the week. If you have questions, please call our church office at 217-824-6621 and ask to speak to one of our ministers.


Other than confessing faith in Jesus Christ and having been baptized (immersed), TCC has no other membership requirements. We would love to have you serve alongside us. Again, if you have any questions, please call the church office.