General Information about DCF

DCF is a congregation of the Church of God. Founded in 1880, the Church of God is a fellowship of evangelical churches with headquarters in Anderson, Indiana.  Based on a strong conviction that denominations unnecessarily divide God’s people, D. S. Warner and other pioneers of the Church of God established a non-denominational movement of churches that promote biblical Christian unity and holiness of life. To learn more about the Church of God, feel free to visit their website, www.jesusisthesubject.org

1. We are a Christ-centered church that proclaims Christ’s deity and His lordship over all (John 1:1,14; Phil. 2:5-11)

2. We are a loving church that seeks to engage those who don’t yet know Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20; Matt. 22:35-39)

3. We are a gospel preaching church that proclaims salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8)

4. We are a Spirit-filled church that relies on the Holy Spirit to make us effective in our ministry and witness for Christ (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18)

5. We are a Spirit-led church that welcomes the orderly exercise of all spiritual gifts which exalt Christ and edify the church (1 Cor. 14:26; 1 Pet. 4:10)

6. We are a consecrated church that yields to the Holy Spirit as He works in us to cultivate godliness and disciplined living (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 7:1)

7. We are a non-denominational church that embraces all followers of Christ in the Spirit of oneness (1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:4)

The Practice of Tithing

A method of giving commonly practiced among Christians is tithing (giving 10% of one's income for the support of God's work). We strongly endorse tithing because it is an excellent starting point for fulfilling the following principles of Biblical stewardship:

1. Give because you realize who owns your resources.  All of earth’s resources belong to God (Ps. 24:1) including our money and financial resources (Matt. 25:14; Hag. 2:8). 

2. Give because you understand the value of eternal things.  In giving to God’s work here at DCF, we are investing in that which will produce an eternal harvest (see Matt. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 9:10-11). 

3. Give as an act of worship.  Jesus said that giving is a clear indication of our values and priorities (Matt. 6:21).  Therefore, we express our love and reverence for God by the way we support His work. 

4. Give sacrificially.  Sacrificial giving is both encouraged and modeled throughout the Scriptures.  Abel gave "fat portions" from the firstborn of his flock as his offering to God (Gen. 4:4).  Jesus applauded the sacrificial giving of a widow (Mk. 

12:41-44).  The Apostle Paul also encouraged generosity in giving (see 2 Cor. 9:6).  

Indeed, liberal giving was a hallmark of the early church  (see Acts 2:44-45).   

5. Give according to personal ability.  We don’t all have the same income or financial resources.  However, tithing is an excellent method of giving “in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you" (Deut. 16:17).  

6. Give cheerfully and without coercion.  The Bible says that we are not to give 

"reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).  At DCF, worshippers give discreetly by placing their tithes and offerings in one of the designated baskets during or after our worship services. Others gives through the mail and online as well (please visit the church’s website for more information). 

7. Give knowing that God will bless you richly in return.  While we don’t give in order to receive, God’s blessings are promised to those who generously and cheerfully worship Him through giving (Lk. 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:8,11). 

We encourage tithing, not out of a sense of legalistic obligation, but in response to these principles of Biblical stewardship.  Indeed, the present and future needs of this ministry will easily be met as members and attendees faithfully practice tithing. 

Jesus instructed his disciples to baptize all who received the gospel message (Matt. 28:19;  Mk. 16:15-16).  The apostles and others in the early church obeyed this command faithfully (e.g., see Acts 2:41;  Acts 8:12;  Acts 10:47-48).  In fact, they were so anxious to baptize believers that the time of day and the location seemed of little consequence (e.g., see Acts 16:25-33;  Acts 8:36-38).

There are those in the body of Christ who believe and teach what is commonly referred to as "baptismal regeneration" (i.e., one is not saved until he has confessed Christ as Savior and been baptized).  We do not believe the Bible teaches this view. However, Scripture is clear that baptism is an important step of obedience to the command of Christ.

What is the significance of baptism?  Baptism acknowledges and affirms

1. the spiritual burial and resurrection which takes place when one receives Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12).  The Greek word translated "baptize" means to immerse, submerge, or overwhelm.  This definition, coupled with the burial analogy offered in the Bible passages just referenced, indicates that the style of baptism practiced by Christ and his disciples was full immersion in water.

2. the washing away of our sins (Acts 22:15-16; 1 Peter 3:20-21).  Baptism, then, is an outward manifestation of what has taken place inwardly - the cleansing of our hearts from sin.

Some churches encourage parents to have their infants baptized.  The intent of this practice is completely honorable, and many outstanding Christians endorse it.  However, there is no clear Scriptural precedent for baptizing infants.  Therefore, at Destiny Christian Fellowship we baptize only those children, youth, and adults who of their own volition express personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

If you have received Christ as your Savior, you should be baptized at your earliest opportunity! Please contact us to get information about our next baptism service.

Destiny Christian Fellowship

PO Box 277

Mt. Eden, CA 94557

(510) 782-3000

email@destinybayarea.org

We begin each worship service with several minutes of congregational singing. This practice allows us to corporately express our love and gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done.

Worshippers at DCF are free to praise God as they see fit as long as biblical order is honored and maintained. Acceptable expressions of worship include:

• singing (Psalm 149:1)
• playing musical instruments (Psalm 33:3; Psalm 150:3-5)
• clapping (Psalm 47:1a) – both applause and a rhythmic response to music
• lifting our hands (Psalm 134:2; 1 Timothy 2:8)
• shouting (Psalm 47:1b; Psalm 100:1) – the bold and joyful expression of verbal praise
• dancing (Psalm 149:3)
• bowing (Psalm 95:6a)
• kneeling (Psalm 95:6b)