OUR BELIEFS

There are certain Big Ideas in the Christian household that are the foundations for exploration. What we believe isn’t simply a conclusion we come to and then tuck away in our minds, but something we want to participate in so we might know God intimately over the course of our whole lives. Faith and certainty are not the same thing. Faith encourages us to keep showing up and discovering the truth of God revealed in Jesus, even when we aren’t certain in the moment (Mark 9:24).

These are some of the core beliefs we hold as a community, in addition to the Creeds established in the Great Tradition (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian):

1. God created the universe and everything in it for His glory.

(Psalm 19:1-6, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 43:7)

2. Humanity is beautifully made in the image of God. But, we have chosen our own way and are in need of redemption from our sin.

(Genesis 1, Genesis 3, Romans 3:23)

3. Jesus is the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God. He is one with the Father, and in Him the fullness of God chose to dwell. Through Him the whole world was created. Through His sinless life, sacrifice on the cross, and subsequent resurrection, humanity is reconciled back to God.

(Matt. 16:13-17, John 10:30-38, Colossians 2:9, John 1:1-18, Hebrews 4:15, Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, 1 Corinthians 15:14-17)

4. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God working in and through humanity today.

(John 14:16-17,26)

5. The Bible is the authoritative word of God that points us to Jesus as the True Word.

(Hebrews 1:1-3, John 5:39,40)

It also helps to form us; “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”.

(2 Timothy 3:16)

There are many theological issues that are not addressed in this statement of belief, and that is intentional. John 17 speaks to the power of our unity in Jesus, and as we unite in Christ, we depend on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom in understanding scripture. That means sometimes divergent interpretations will exist side by side. They are not so much a conflict that threatens division as an opportunity for sharpening and seeking the Lord for guidance.