What We Believe and What You Can Expect When Visiting Fountain Head
In Doctrine
We are simply a New Testament church and enjoy fellowship with all those who pattern their worship according to the New Testament and seek biblical authority for all that they believe and practice. We do not recognize or embrace any human creeds, disciplines, catechisms, or religious traditions (Matthew 15: 7-9). Instead, we embrace Christ’s plea for unity in John 17: 20,21. To this end, we preach the one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), on which is the only basis for unity.
We believe that all religious authority belongs to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, He alone has the first and last word in matters of religion. We believe that this authority extends to all of the Lord’s commandments, and not just those we find convenient. We also believe in the essentials of faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 17:30), confession (Matthew 10: 32,33), and baptism (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38), as the requirements for entrance into the body of Christ (Galatians 3:26,27)
In Worship
Preaching – Preaching takes place each and every Sunday, and always by Christian men (1Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:12). Safeguards are taken to make certain that what is being taught is not only authorized by God’s word, but free from personal opinion and interpretation, as is humanly possible. One safeguard is to give proof-text (book, chapter, verse), for everything that is preached. Another safeguard is to exhort and admonish the listeners to “..try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4: 1). In other words, to read it for themselves! Priority is given to being right with God, over being liked by man (Galatians 1:10).
Prayer – Prayer also takes place in our worship to God. Public prayer and supplications are made every time the church meets (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18). This too, is done by Christian men.
Singing – One of the most unique items of our worship is our singing. It is done in A cappella. In other words, our singing is without instrumental accompaniment. Simply stated, we find no scriptural authority for the use of instrumental music in worship to God. We do however, find authority for singing; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16,17.
Lord’s Supper – We partake of the Lord’s supper, or communion, upon the first day of every week as example dictates (Acts 20:7). The unleavened bread and unfermented fruit of the vine are emblematic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26: 26-29).
Giving – Every first day of the week, we also give of our means. Not according to the Old Testament teaching concerning the tithe, but according to the teaching of the New Testament which says, “…lay by in store as God has prospered you…” 1 Corinthians 16: 1-2. We are to give as we purpose in our hearts,…willingly and cheerfully (1 Corinthians 9: 6,7)