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 Beliefs We believe that there is one God, creator and sustainer of all things, infinite in love, perfect in judgments, and unchanging in mercy. God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10-11; Matt. 28:19; Lk. 3:22) We believe in the divine inspiration, truthfulness, and authority of both the Old and New Testaments, the only written Word of God, without error in all it affirms. The Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice. The Holy Spirit preserves God's Word in the church today and by it speaks God's truth to peoples of every age. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:20-21) We believe human beings were created in the image of God. This image was marred in every part through the disobedience of our first parents, and fellowship with God was broken. God, by His love and grace, restores moral sensibility to all humankind and enables all to respond to His love and to accept His saving grace, if they will. (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:7; John 3:16; Rom 5:17) Jesus Christ We believe Jesus Christ is God's Son incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus died for the sins of all, taking God's judgment upon Himself, on behalf of sinful persons. He rose bodily from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us. (Matt. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom 8:34; Heb 2:9-10) Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is God present and active in the world. The Holy Spirit was given to the church in His fullness at Pentecost. By the Spirit, Christ lives in His church, the gospel is proclaimed, and the kingdom of God is manifested in the world. (Acts 1:8; 2:4; 1Pet 1:12; Eph 1:13-14) Justification We believe God graciously justifies and gives new life to all who through repentance and faith, trust in Jesus Christ. Believers become children of God and begin to live in holiness through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 1:16; Rom 3:23-24;1 John 3:1-2) Sanctification We believe God calls all believers to live sanctified (separated) lives of obedience and full surrender. The grace and power ofÊthe Holy Spirit delivers them fromÊa heart of rebellion toward God, and makes possible wholehearted love for God and for others. This grace does not make believers faultless nor prevent the possibility of their falling into sin. They must live daily by faith in the forgiveness and cleansing provided for them in Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:13-16; 1 Thess 4:3-7; Romans 12:1-2) Assurance of Believers We believe the inward witness of God's Spirit with their spirits assures believers that they are children of God, by faith in the gracious promises of God's Word, and by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal 2:22-24; 1 John 5:13) Christians in Society We believe Christians are called to live in daily witness to the grace, which comes to them in Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel to every person according to the command of Christ, and to declare God's insistence upon righteousness and justice in all relationships and structures of human society. (Is 58:5-12; Micah 6:8; Matt 28:18-20; James 1:22-27) The Church We believe the church is the people of God composed of all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The church is Christ's body; it is visible in the world wherever believers, in obedience of faith, hear the Word, receive the sacraments, and live as disciples. (Acts 2:40-47; 1 Cor 12:12-13; Col 3:14-17) Return of Christ We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, in the bodily resurrection of all persons, in final judgment, and in eternal reward and punishment. (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor 15:12-24; Rev. 19:11-16; Rev. 20:11-15) God's Ultimate Victory We believe in God's ultimate victory over Satan and all evil and the establishment of His perfect kingdom in a new heaven and a new earth. (2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev. 20:10; Rev. 21:1-4) |
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