Paseo Verde Christian Statement of Faith

7569 West Greenway Road, Peoria, Arizona 85381

Paseo Verde Christian Church is dedicated to the restoration of Christianity as it is revealed in the New Testament Scriptures. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that He is the final authority for all things having to do with Faith and practice. Christ promised the apostles that they would be guided into all Truth (John 16:12-15). Therefore, we believe that Apostolic precedent (example) was directed by God and is as authoritative as verbal Apostolic commands. That which the Apostles led the church to do is that which we seek to emulate.

It is clear in the teaching of the New Testament that the requirements for salvation and the requirements for church membership are identical. One becomes a Christian and a member of Christ's Church at exactly the same time and in exactly the same way. One cannot just "join" the church of our Lord. The following requirements are stated clearly in the New Testament as essential for salvation and are prerequisites to being a part of the spiritual body of Christ which is the church.

1. Faith

Faith in God and in His Son is the absolute foundation and basis for all else that God asks of man, and God has never asked a human being to do anything apart from faith in Him.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6)

2. Repentance

Jesus repeated the warning: "Except you repent you will all perish…" (Luke 13:1-5)
The first time the Gospel was preached convicted sinners asked, "What shall we do?" and the first word from the mouth of the Apostle Peter was "Repent". (Acts 2:38)
Repentance is "turning" from self and sin and human dictates in obedient response to the authority of Jesus. It is the reverse of Romans 3:12.

3. Confession of Faith

The Greek word which is translated "confess" in English means literally "to say the same thing." In true confession of faith in Jesus a total surrender occurs in which the confessor basically says, "Whatever Jesus has said I say with Him."
One's faith must be verbalized in order for one to be saved. (Romans 10:9)

4. Baptism

It is associated with forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38, 22:16)
It is attached to salvation. (Mark 16:15,16, I Peter 3:21)
By baptism one becomes a member of the spiritual body of Christ which is His church, (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18).
Confession is faith speaking; repentance is faith changing; baptism is faith obeying, and not one of these is a meritorious work.
It is the blood of Christ which cleanses us from all sin, (I John 1:7). When one's hands are dirty it is soap which is the cleansing agent and water is merely the means of application. "Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" His blood is the cleansing agent and it is God's plan that water is the means of application.
In Matthew 26:28, Jesus said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." The phrase "for the forgiveness of sins" is the phrase 'eis aphesin hamartion' in this passage. In Acts 2:38, Peter responded to the question raised by those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, "Brothers, what shall we do?" by saying, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The phrase "for the forgiveness of your sins" is also 'eis aphesin harmartion', denoting that the blood of Christ and baptism are essential to forgiveness of sins.

We encourage you to contact us if you desire to be obedient to Jesus Christ by your faith, repenting of your sins, confessing Him, and being baptized into Him.