History & Beliefs
The Early Years
December 1872 - Gabrella Helm, daughter of Fielding and Dorcas Helm, kept a careful journal of her family’s trip by wagon to Texas in 1871, when “Fielding Helm and family left [Kentucky].” They first settled in Hill County, but in 1872 moved to Bosque County. Gabrella recorded a copy of letters from the clerk of the Church of Christ at McCormacks, Lincoln County, Kentucky, commending her, her mother, and sisters “to the care, Christian regard, and fellowship of those disciples of Christ to whom this [letter] may be presented.” 1881 and earlier - The Church of Christ in Clifton was organized in the early days of the town. With the arrival of the railroad in 1881, the congregation moved with the town from the river to the railroad. The church building at that time was located about a block east of the railroad station.
1885 - Clifton Record, Nov 23, 1956 - “Clifton’s Church of Christ was organized in 1885 by J. F. Ford, G. B. Helm, M. E. Ford, M. G. Cash, and G. C. Cash, who emigrated from Kentucky to Texas. The first minister was J. G. Nance. The congregation has had an uninterrupted continuance from the date of its organization.
The Years in Between
Over the past 100+ years, this congregation has taken many forms. Different elders, different preachers. Some new faces and some families who have been here for their entire lives.
There are men and women who are now in their 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s who were raised in the Clifton Church family. Throughout the years, God has continued to work in and through this community of believers to be a blessing and to share Jesus with others.
Today
When you ask people about their experience with Clifton Church of Christ there are two main things that stand out: radical hospitality and force for Christ in the community.
Many of the people who are members of the church family today say the primary reason they chose Clifton as their church home is because of the way they were greeted when they walked in on Sunday. You can’t come to church here on a Sunday and not be greeted and welcomed by countless members of our family making you feel at home.
Our desire to serve the community and work alongside the other churches in Clifton has not always been part of our story. But for the past 10 years it has been. We pray each Sunday for one of the congregations in town. We join in with the Clifton Ministerial Alliance on projects for our community. We are always seeking opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus among our neighbors.
Beliefs
About God
There is one God, eternally existing in the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8, Ephesians 1:13-14)
About Jesus
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile us through His life, death upon the cross, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a free gift of God received through faith. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Romans 1:16-17; 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9, John 3:16, Acts 2:38)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. (Romans 8:26-27, I Corinthians 2:12, Galatians 5:22-26)
The Holy Spirit gifts every believer for the benefit of the church. I Corinthians 12:7-13
About the Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and therefore the final authority in our understanding of God and life. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
About the Church
The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach those separated from God, and to encourage and strengthen those who have been reconciled to God through Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
We have three statements that characterize our attitude toward doctrines and teachings at Clifton. These three statements were first espoused by Augustine, a very influential church leader and theologian in the 4th and 5th century, and were later reiterated by Alexander Campbell, one of the leaders of the Restoration Movement in the 1800’s. These three statements are:
In essential beliefs - we have unity: There are some basic biblical truths that we hold dear, expressed in the paragraphs above, that are essential beliefs on which we will not waiver nor compromise. Those who assemble together in these essential beliefs, they are the church, the called out ones, the Body of Christ.
In non-essentials - we have liberty: There are some areas, however, where two people could disagree and yet, when you go to Scripture you could make a case for both views. For example, will Jesus come to earth and reign for 1000 years? You could use scripture to make a case for a “yes” answer and use other scriptures to make a case for a “no” answer. There are many “non-essentials” in scripture. These are beliefs that are not essential for getting to heaven. In these areas, there is liberty. On these, we can see differently and still accept one another.
In all things - we practice charity: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2
Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees who knew doctrine well but had no love for His people. In all teaching and discussion about biblical matters, love must be displayed.