Woodland Hills Christian Church

Our Vision
Woodland Hills is striving to become more “externally focused.” We envision a body of believers united by their love for Jesus Christ and passion to share that love with others. Through personal evangelism, small group service projects and church wide community outreach events the gospel will be expressed by word and deed. This passion for people will also be expressed through church planting. WHCC will partner with Church planting organizations and other churches to plant vibrant, growing churches throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. This vision also includes an effort to be involved in cross-cultural missions beyond just financial support. God has called us to be His witnesses in Abingdon, Washington County, Southwest Virginia and all around the world.

The Restoration Church
Woodland Hills is part of a brotherhood of churches known as the Restoration Movement. Restoration churches commonly wear the name Church of Christ or Christian Church. Restoration history dates back to the early days of frontier America. The movement began among church leaders (Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone) from different denominations who were distressed by the fighting and disunity between church denominations.
Their idea was to abandon their denomination roots and strive to be Christians only—no name but Christ, no creed but the Bible. Their plea for unity was based on the rejection of tradition and the allegiance to the authority of God’s word as the final authority in all questions of doctrine and practice. Their desire was to restore the first century church and to be imitators of the church found in the book of Acts. Woodland Hills Christian Church strives to allow the Bible to be the final authority in all things. In the battle between human reason and biblical authority we will always err on the side of biblical authority.

Non-Denominational
Woodland Hills is a non-denominational church. We are not associated with any higher authority or organization beyond the local church. We recognize a fellowship and brotherhood with other restoration churches, however, each congregation is fully independent.

Leadership
The responsibility of leadership and authority rests upon a team of elders who we feel God has set apart for the purpose of leading and protecting God’s people. The staff serves under the guidance and direction of these elders.
Deacons oversee specific areas of ministry within the church. Deacons work directly with ministry team leaders providing training, guidance, accountability and encouragement. It is through these ministry teams that God’s people are equipped and encouraged to use their gifts in service to God. (Acts 20:28-31; Acts 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:7-16)

Core Beliefs
We believe in one God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit
Matthew 5:16, 45; 6:1, 4, 8, 9
James 1:17
John 1:1; 14:9
Genesis 1:2; John 4:24; 14:16-20
2 Peter 1:21

We believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of all things visible and invisible.
Genesis 1:1
Acts 17:24-28
Hebrews 11:3

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s one and only son, my one and only savior.
John 1:14
1 John 4:9
John 3:16
Peter 3:18

Jesus Christ was born Jesus of Nazareth, both fully human and fully divine, conceived of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.
Matthew 21:11
John 19:19
John 1:14
Romans 5:15-17
Colossians 2:9
1 John 1:1
Matthew 1:18
Luke 1:26-38

Jesus suffered and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
Luke 23:1-46

Jesus died, was buried, rose again bodily from the dead on the third day.
Luke 23:44; 24:8
John 20:24-29
1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Jesus ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father
Luke 22:69
Acts 1:1-9
Colossians 3:1

Jesus will return to judge both the living and the dead.
Matthew 24:36-42
John 14:1-3
Acts 1:10-11; 10:39-42
1 Peter 4:5

Baptism
We believe that the Bible teaches that baptism is to be the immediate response of faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21) Peter is clear that the power for salvation is not in the water but in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the death and resurrection of our savior that brings the power of salvation to all men. Peter also teaches, however, that baptism is God’s chosen response of our faith in Christ.
Every time baptism is mentioned in the New Testament it is in the context of salvation or forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2, Peter is asked by the crowd what they needed to do in order to be saved and his answer was that they should “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 (v. 38).” We believe the answer to that question should be the same today. In every conversion story in the book of Acts those being lead to Christ are baptized immediately. The Ethiopian Eunuch said, “here’s water why can’t be baptized” (8:37). Ananias told Saul that he should “be baptized washing away his sins calling on the name of the Lord.” (9:18; 22:16) When Cornelius and his household were obviously touched by God, Peter commanded that they be baptized (10:48). Other examples include Lydia in Acts 16 and the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. Baptism for the first century church was more than just an option and more than just an outward sign. It was the immediate response of faith. That’s why Jesus told us to “Make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) In leading people to Christ at Woodland Hills, we feel that scripture compels and commands us to lead people to the waters of baptism, to experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Communion
There is no New Testament command as to the frequency of communion. Jesus simply said “do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19). Therefore we are left to examine the example left for us by the early church. Acts 2:46 indicates that, early on, Christians broke bread daily. The frequency of communion is not mentioned again until Acts 20:7 which says they came together on the first day of the week to break bread. In our attempt to follow the example of the church of Acts we have chosen to break bread when we come together on the first day of each week.

For an in-depth introduction to Woodland Hills and our beliefs, please join us at our next First Step class.