Our Beliefs

At Zion United Church of Christ, our faith is centered on Jesus Christ, rooted in the historic Christian tradition, and lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit. We stand within the evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional (ECOT) movement of the United Church of Christ, seeking to honor Scripture as God’s authoritative Word for all generations.

The United Church of Christ affirms congregational polity, meaning each local church is self-governing under the lordship of Jesus Christ and prayerfully discerns its doctrine, worship, ministry, and mission before God. Congregations live in covenantal relationship with associations, conferences, and the wider church—not for hierarchical control, but for mutual support, accountability, shared mission, and Christian fellowship. The beliefs and teachings expressed here reflect the convictions of Zion United Church of Christ as a local congregation.

Zion also reflects Christian unity in practice. Our pastor, Rev. Jon Oldham, is ordained in the Church of God (Anderson), a historic evangelical tradition, and serves within the covenantal life of the United Church of Christ. We see this partnership not as a compromise of conviction, but as a testimony to the unity Christ desires for the Universal Church.

While these beliefs guide our teaching, ministry, and confirmation/new member classes, we recognize that people come to faith with different backgrounds, experiences, and questions. You do not need to have everything figured out or agree with every belief we affirm in order to worship with us, explore faith, or build relationships here. We seek to be a church where people can grow at a real-life pace—grounded in Scripture and surrounded by grace.
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1. The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God. It is the final authority for faith, life, doctrine, and practice. We interpret Scripture through the grand narrative of God’s redeeming work—from creation to new creation—seeking to understand each passage as the original authors intended. While the cultural setting may change, the truth of God’s Word does not; our task is not to reinterpret Scripture to fit modern desires, but to faithfully apply its unchanging message to life today. 

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:20–21

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2. The Triune God

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in essence, power, and glory, yet distinct in their roles. The Father plans and purposes all things, the Son accomplishes redemption and reveals the Father, and the Holy Spirit applies God’s work in our lives, empowering and sustaining believers today. Together, the Three act in perfect unity to create, redeem, and restore all things according to God’s sovereign will.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14

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3. Jesus Christ 

We affirm the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ. He is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, lived sinlessly, died for our sins, rose bodily, ascended to heaven, and will come again in glory. He is the only way of salvation and the Head of the Church.

Scripture: John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 1:1–4; Philippians 2:5–11; John 14:6

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4. The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, indwells, empowers, and sanctifies believers. He distributes today all forms of spiritual gifts for ministry, guides the Church, and leads us into holiness.

Scripture: John 14:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–16; Galatians 5:16–25; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

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5. Sin, Brokenness, and Spiritual Conflict

We believe that sin is both a condition and an act—humanity’s rebellion against God that entered the world through the Fall and now affects every person, relationship, and system of life. Sin distorts God’s good design, separates us from Him, and leads to brokenness within ourselves and the world around us. No one is exempt from its effects; all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Sin is more than an individual struggle; Scripture teaches that spiritual forces of evil actively work to deceive, accuse, and lead people away from faithfulness to God. These forces seek to distort truth, confuse identity, and undermine trust in God’s goodness. Yet they are not equal to God, nor do they have ultimate authority. Christ has already triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1–19; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 6:10–18; John 8:44; Colossians 2:13–15; 1 Peter 5:8–10; 1 John 1:7–9

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6. Salvation

We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Through His atoning sacrifice, we are justified, reconciled to God, adopted as His children, and invited into a transformed life empowered by the Spirit. While believers continue to battle sin in this life, we do so with hope—knowing that Christ is faithful to forgive, strengthen, and ultimately complete His redeeming work in us.  

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:21–26; Titus 3:4–7; John 3:16–18

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7. The Church

We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, made up of all believers everywhere. Locally, we gather for worship, teaching, fellowship, discipleship, service, and mission. Christ is the Head of the Church, and we follow Him together.

Scripture: Acts 2:42–47; Ephesians 4:11–16; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27

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8. Christian Unity & Fellowship

We affirm that believers are called to a unity centered on Christ, shaped by love, holiness, mutual submission, and mission. Christian fellowship (koinōnia) is deeper than social connection—it is sharing spiritual life together.

Scripture: John 17:20–23; Acts 2:42; Philippians 2:1–4; 1 John 1:3–7

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9. Human Beings, the Image of God, and the Sanctity of Life

We believe every human being is created in the image of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity, worth, and purpose. Because life is God-given and sacred, we affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Human life begins in the womb, where God forms, knows, and values each person. Although humanity is fallen through sin, every life remains precious to God and redeemable through Christ.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12–21; Psalm 139:13–16; James 3:9; Acts 17:25

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10. Family and the Church

We believe that God’s design for family reflects His intentional and complementary order for creation. Men and women are equal in value, dignity, and worth before God, yet uniquely created with complementary natures that enrich marriage, parenting, and family life. Within the household, husbands are called to loving, Christlike leadership—laying down their lives for their wives as Christ loves the Church—while wives are called to partner with their husbands in love, respect, and mutual submission, together stewarding their shared calling before God.

Children are called to honor and obey their parents, growing under the care, instruction, and example of both father and mother. The family serves as a primary context for discipleship, spiritual formation, and the faithful passing on of truth to the next generation. While Scripture affirms complementary roles within the family, it does not prescribe specific occupations or household arrangements; each family is free to steward its gifts, responsibilities, and callings in ways that glorify God and serve one another.

We also affirm that the Church is the family of God—the Bride of Christ—with Christ Himself as the head. Through faith in Jesus, believers are adopted as children of God and united as one body, called to love, serve, and build one another up in truth and grace. Within the life of the Church, both men and women are called to serve according to the gifts God has given them and the leading of the Holy Spirit, contributing faithfully to the mission, worship, and witness of the body of believers.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:18–24; Ephesians 5:21–33; Colossians 3:18–21; Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 127:3–5; Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16; Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Revelation 19:6–9

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11. Christian Living

We believe followers of Jesus are called to holiness, discipleship, justice, generosity, prayer, and Spirit-empowered obedience. Our lives are to reflect the character of Christ before a watching world.

Scripture: Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 5:22–23; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5–7; James 1:22–27

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12. Full Immersion Baptism

We practice baptism of faith by full immersion, symbolizing death to sin, new life in Christ, and public identification with Him. 

We also honor and respect those who were baptized as infants, recognizing the faith of parents who dedicated their children to God. While we practice baptism of faith, we do not dismiss or diminish the sincere commitments made in earlier traditions, and we celebrate these acts as expressions of God’s work in the life of the believer and the broader Christian community.

Scripture: Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38–41; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 28:19

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13. Dedication of Children

While we practice baptism of faith, we support the dedication of children, in which parents commit to raising their child in the knowledge and love of the Lord, and the church commits to supporting them.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27–28; Luke 2:21–24; Mark 10:13–16; Deuteronomy 6:4–7

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14. The Kingdom of God

We believe the Kingdom is both already (inaugurated through Christ’s first coming) and not yet (to be fully realized at His return). Believers are called to live as Kingdom people now.

Scripture: Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 6:10; Romans 14:17; Hebrews 12:28

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15. The Return of Christ

We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead and to establish His eternal Kingdom. Believers look forward with hope and readiness.

Scripture: Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 21:1–5; Matthew 24:30–36

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16. Mission & Evangelism

We are called to make disciples of all nations, proclaiming Christ, serving our community, and living out the Gospel with integrity and compassion.

Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13–15; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20

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How We Live These Beliefs

• Worship: We gather around Christ through preaching, Scripture reading, prayer, and the sacraments, inviting all to encounter God’s presence and experience His transforming work.

Scripture: John 4:23–24; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 95:1–7

• Community: We pursue authentic relationships in small groups, discipleship partnerships, and mutual encouragement, offering a safe space to ask questions, wrestle with doubts, and grow together in faith.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:42–47; Galatians 6:2

• Service: We serve our neighbors through outreach, mercy ministries, and local partnerships, seeking to reflect God’s love, bring hope, and meet real needs in practical ways.

Scripture: Matthew 25:35–40; James 1:27; 1 Peter 4:10

• Formation: We equip people to grow spiritually through teaching, mentoring, and programs that nurture holiness, discernment, and Christlike character, supporting everyone in their journey—whether just beginning to explore faith or deepening lifelong commitment.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Ephesians 4:11–16; Proverbs 22:6

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Invitation

If these beliefs resonate with you—whether you are seeking a church home, exploring faith, wrestling with questions about God, identity, or life’s challenges, or longing for a supportive community—we warmly welcome you. Come worship with us, engage in Scripture and discipleship, and join a church committed to following Jesus together.

We believe faith grows best in community, not under pressure or fear. Here, you will find space to ask honest questions, grow at a real-life pace, encounter God’s mercy and grace, and experience encouragement, truth, and friendship as we live out His Word in every part of life.