Evangelism vs. Discipleship School
What is the difference and where does Classical Christian Academy stand?
To answer this, we first need to define our terms. Evangelism is defined as the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness. As Christ followers, God calls us all in the Great Commission to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
A disciple is defined as someone who has believed the message of the gospel (Christ's virgin birth, his sinless life, his death on a cross for our sins, his burial, & his resurrection 3 days later) and who has responded to the call of God in repentant faith, been baptized, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, is seeking to understand and obey all that Jesus taught his first disciples. (adapted from C.S. Lewis Institute)
Once you become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipleship means we continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord, through studying God’s Word, active membership & involvement in a Bible-based Evangelical/Protestant church, and encouragement of one another in our faith (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:23-25).
Here at Classical Christian Academy, we are a discipleship/covenant school, meaning we partner with parents who are disciples themselves, who are Christ followers pursuing the Biblical mandate of raising up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This is distinctly different than an evangelical school that is open to all parents & families regardless of their faith and beliefs.
CCA’s Statement of Faith is the foundation of beliefs on which Classical Christian Academy is based and will constitute the substance of what is considered primary doctrine; these key elements of Christianity will be unapologetically taught in various ways through all grade levels. In our classes, we encourage discussion with grace, upholding the common goal of pursuing “peace and mutual edification” (Rom. 14:19), which we believe brings us closer in relationship with each other and our Lord.
Statement of Faith
The Foundation of a Christian Education
Guided by these doctrines and tenets, we strive to foster “unity in essentials,” allow “liberty in non-essentials," and extend “in all things, charity” (reflecting Christian love for one another). Secondary or divisive issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When topics or issues of secondary doctrine arise, discussion should be on an informative, non-partisan level. Teachers will encourage students to follow up with any questions they have with their parents and pastor.
To preserve the function and integrity of CCA as a distinctively Christian community, it is imperative that all board members, all persons employed in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, both parents from each family, and all students in grades 7-12 agree to and abide by this statement.
We believe the Bible to be the only inerrant authoritative word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
We believe that there is only one totally sovereign God, eternally present in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23), His sinless life (Heb. 4:15), His miracles (Acts 2:22), His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (Rom. 5:8-11), His bodily resurrection (Rom. 1:4, John 20:27), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Col. 3:1), and His future personal return in power and glory. (Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-16)
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary (John 3:1-17).
We believe that all people are by nature separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23) but that salvation, redemption and forgiveness are freely offered to all by grace through faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe that faith without works is dead. (James 2:17)
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit indwelling each believer and empowering them for service. (Galatians 4:6)
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost - they who are saved to the resurrection of life (Romans 8:11) and they who are lost to the resurrection of damnation. (Revelations 20:12-15)
We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12-27)
We believe that we are commanded by our Lord Jesus to preach the gospel to those who are lost so that they too can come to a saving knowledge of Him. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)
We believe marriage to be an institution ordained by God to take place only between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:21-24)
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen. 1:26- 27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (See the Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality below.)
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other state or condition from conception through natural death. We are there called to teach about the value of all human life (Ps. 139).
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of CCA as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to CCA members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by CCA in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of CCA.