Statement of Faith

STATEMENT OF BELIEF

Machaira likes to consider itself as a non-denominational band. Just the mere fact as individual band members we represent three different churches out of four members would have to put us into this category. But more importantly our belief comes from a common basic belief that should break down most denominational walls. It is also important that you understand that we make no attempt to represent all those who claim to be Christians, but only those who meet the criteria laid out in the Holy Scriptures in the Bible which define what is necessary to claim the name of Christ. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven: I will declare unto them, I never knew you, DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” (Matthew 7:21-23) “I am not the one to judge who is and is not a Christian; “Do not judge lest you be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

Our Basic Christian Beliefs:

1) God is God, and He is real. God is tri-unity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
2) The Bible is true, inspired by God. It is His guide for human beings on how we’re to live our life in through deed, and relationship with God and His creation (especially people but also nature).
3) God is first of all holy. He is also truth and love.
4) Humans are both physical and spiritual beings, created in the image of God, who have been sinful by nature since the fall of Adam and Eve. Our sins separate us from Holy God; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “There is none righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8)
5) The only way to be reconciled to God is through belief in the atoning death of Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sin once for all. “For Christ died for sins once for all, just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).
6) Jesus was born of a virgin birth. He was fully God and fully man, yet without sin. He came to teach in word and in deed, to die for our sins that we might be reconciled to God the Father, to be resurrected, and to ascend into Heaven that we might have hope of eternal life.
7) Jesus is alive. There were witnesses to His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
8) Jesus spoke the truth and never lied. He said, ”I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). He told Nicodemus that, “…unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.” (John 3:3).

There is no salvation without repentance for sin. Sin is defined in the Bible. “All unrighteousness is sin,…” (I John 5:7) “Fools mock at sin,…” (Proverbs 14:9).

Certainly, beyond and even within these nine basic items there is much room for discussion about details and exact meaning: but Machaira believes (and most Christians would agree) that without belief in these basics there would be serious doubts about one’s claim of being a Christian. Given that Christians believe that these things are true, we can see that a committed Christian cannot in good faith separate him, our herself from these beliefs. Christians are admonished in the Word to spread the gospel “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Machaira takes this very seriously and believes that is why God has called us together as a group to do just that. We are also admonished to defend the faith. A Christian who encounters untruth or anti-Christian statements or practices has only two real choices: To declare the truth or to remain silent. We cannot subscribe to the untruth or anti-Christian statement or deed without dishonoring Christ and grieving the Holy Spirit. Since the word tells us to be a light unto the world, our preferable course of action is to state the truth. Not our personal idea of what the truth is, but what God’s truth is. Machaira is about declaring the truth, if you want to know more about the truth come to a Machaira concert or give us a call. We won’t remain silent!