God
There is only one God, who as Father, Son and Holy Spirit exists eternally as three persons in perfect unity. He is the almighty and loving Creator of all things, the Sustainer and Redeemer who governs according to His sovereign will for His own glory.
The Bible
The Bible, as originally given, is God-breathed and therefore is His completely true and trustworthy word. This precious, life-giving word is sufficient for our knowledge of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. The teaching of the Bible shapes all aspects of Church life.
Humanity
All people, male and female, are created in God’s image and are called by God to love Him with all their being. However, ever since the first man and woman rebelled in the Fall, all humanity is guilty of rebellion against God. Human nature is so thoroughly corrupted by sin that no one is capable of turning to God on their own initiative, and everyone is subject to God’s righteous anger and condemnation.
Jesus Christ
God demonstrated His love toward us by sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He died on the cross, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended into heaven where He is exalted as ruler over all. In Christ, God is revealed in all His fullness.
Salvation
Salvation is entirely the gracious gift of God and cannot be earned or deserved. It is accomplished through the atoning death, once for all time, of our representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and sinners. By dying in our place Christ took the penalty we deserve for our rebellion and turned God’s anger aside, so that we are redeemed from sin and death, and declared righteous in God’s sight. This salvation is offered in the gospel and received by turning to God from sin and trusting in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven by the Father and the Son to make the work of Christ effective in the lives of sinners. He gives people new birth, enabling them to turn to God, the Father, and to trust in Jesus Christ, the Lord. God’s Spirit continues to dwell in all those He has regenerated, creating in them the likeness of Christ in holiness of thought, action and speech.
The People of God
The Lord Jesus Christ builds the Church, His people, through the proclamation and teaching of His word. All who have been saved through the work of Christ are united as members of His Church and united in the task of taking the gospel to the world. God has equipped all His people with gifts to be used for building Christ’s Church.
The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return. He will execute God’s judgment on all who have not turned to God through Jesus Christ, consigning them to hell, and He will welcome His people into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God in heaven. On that day all sin, suffering and death amongst Christ’s people will be completely destroyed, creation will be renewed, and God will be glorified forever.
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