Questions & Answers

Here are some answers to common questions.
Christian Community Churches of Australia
We believe the Bible as originally given by God is divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct, from which we can know that:
1. There is one true eternal creator God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. God created all things, making man and woman in His own image and for a relationship with Him.
3. Sin entered the world through human disobedience following the rebellion of Satan against God.
4. The Son, Christ Jesus, was born of a virgin and lived as a sinless man. Out of the abundance of God’s love the Father gave His only Son, Jesus, to save all people from Sin. Christ rose from the grave defeating the power of sin.
5. The death and resurrection of Christ bring salvation by grace through faith to those who repent; seek forgiveness; and believe in Him.
6. The Holy Spirit, following Jesus’ return to His Father in heaven, lives within those who have salvation as a comforter and guide, guaranteeing their eternal hope.
7. Those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are called to live a transformed life and, as such, have the responsibility to:
  • Encourage other Christians through meeting together for worship and fellowship
  • Uphold moral directives and ethical values contained in the Bible as expressed within the context of their personal life, their marriage life (the covenantal relationship of one man and one woman), and their relationship with others.
  • Share the good news to all the world.
  • Be active in expressing God’s love through social justice.
8. Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God. Those who have received salvation have eternal life as joint heirs with Christ. Those who do not believe in Christ are separated from God for eternity.
9. Christ will return as Lord of the earth and everyone will see Him. There will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Movement not a denomination
CCCVaT is a movement of like-minded local churches, from Christian Brethren heritage, that has united under a common vision and mission, set of core beliefs and values.

Leadership by influence
The leadership of CCCVaT is via the relationship, trust, and influence rather than hierarchical authority and enforced compliance of organisational obligations, liturgy, leadership validation and behavioural expectations.

Autonomy of church affiliates
CCCVaT church affiliates are fully autonomous and self-governed.

Priesthood of all believers
CCCVaT churches celebrate and practice the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:4, 5:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10). We believe that through Christ we have been given direct access to God (1 Timothy 2:5), God is equally accessible to all believers, and all followers of Christ have equal potential and validity to minister for God in all aspects of faith and church, according to the gifts God has given them (Romans 12:3-8, Corinthians 12:7-13)

Evangelism and discipleship focus
The CCCVaT movement is driven by the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). We are committed to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people and provide a ministry of discipleship for each new believer, that they will become all that God has designed them to be.

Plurality of leadership
CCCVaT churched practice plurality of leadership, where each local church is led by a defined group of leaders with equal authority, with the pastor being viewed as one among equals.

Scriptural Foundation
CCCVaT is committed to the Bible as the foundation and final authority for life and ministry. We encourage all in our movement to study it diligently, apply it daily and teach its truth to others.

Prayer
The CCVaT movement is committed to prayer as the means by which we communicate with God and He communicates with us. We view prayer as the ‘powerhouse’ of the Church and essential to effective ministry and mission. We are dedicated to praying for the salvation of the lost, the advancement of God’s Kingdom in the world, and for the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit of all in our movement so that they may live by the commands and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Ordinances
Two ordinances are observed in the CCCVaT churches, full immersion baptism, and communion. We practice full immersion baptism as a public declaration and representation of a Christian’s spiritual union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-8). We regularly celebrate communion in our local churches, usually weekly, following Christ’s instruction to do this to remember Him (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).