God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and is the only thing powerful enough to set people free from sin (John 8:32). Because of this, the congregation at West End is committed to believing, teaching, and practicing only what God’s word approves.
Colossians 3:17 gives this powerful command: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” To do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus” involves much more than just claiming to believe in Jesus or use Jesus’ name to do whatever we want to do, believe, or teach. Rather, it requires having Jesus’ approval through His law in the New Testament for whatever it is!
That is how the West End church functions and forms our beliefs, teachings, and practices in every area. We believe that God’s word is the perfect truth and the ultimate authority. So, we are committed to only believing, teaching, and doing what God’s word approves.
As we do this, we gain unity among those who are also committed to only following God’s word. For, division happens whenever people reject God’s word, for various reasons. The reality is that God has given people a perfect standard everyone who desires to follow Him can be united in. Listen to Ephesians 4:1-6.
“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
One body (church) composed of the saved. One Spirit who has revealed one perfect message from God. One hope every true believer has for eternal salvation in Heaven. One Lord every Christian must follow — Jesus Christ. One faith that outlines everything God wants people to do, believe, and teach. One baptism through which every person accesses salvation through Jesus Christ. One God and Father who is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present.
These seven areas form the basis for all we believe. While our beliefs are too numerous to list on this page, we hope this has helped you understand our desire only to believe, teach, and practice what God’s word approves.
If you have a Bible question or would like to know what we believe about a specific issue, contact us and we’ll be happy to give you a Bible answer.
Scripture quotations from the Christian Standard Bible® Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers.
Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
