Core BeliefsEssentials
We operate in unity with a variety of Christian denominations, respecting diverse traditions while adhering to its core theological commitments as outlined in historic Christian orthodoxy as observed in the Apostles’ Creed and the first-tier essential within Christianity. Use the + buttons to expand on our essentials and see the corresponding passages.
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We believe the Bible to be divinely inspired, undivided, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
Matthew 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
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We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; Matthew 11:27; John 10:37-38; John 14:8-11; 1 John 5:7
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We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and redemptive death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.
John 1:1; John 20:28; Matthew 1:23; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:13; Acts 4:33; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:11; John 4:46-54; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; John 5:1-9; John 9: 1-7; John 20:30-31; John 21:25; Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-13: Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18
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We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling and empowerment the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life and through whom the Spiritual gifts are operational in the Church today.
John 7:39; John 14:15-18; John 16:7-15; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-21; Romans 12:6-8
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We believe that every human being is created in God's image, reflecting His sacred design and infinite value. All life is precious, and one is not more important than the other. As we live in love and unity, we reflect God's heart for all people, embracing diversity while pursuing justice and compassion.
Psalm 139:13; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10
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We believe that sin is any act or attitude that rebels against God’s intended design for living and relating to Him or one another. Sin creates a separation between humanity and God, fracturing relationships.
We believe humans are made in God's image but, due to sin, fall short of His glory. That is why God sent Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life, took humanity's sins upon Himself, died on the cross, breaking the power of sin, and rose again. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, anyone who places their faith in Him can become part of God's family for eternity. This is the greatest gift as one turns from "sinner" to "saint". The salvation of lost and sinful people, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, is biblically essential.
Sin can still hinder the experience of God and limit spiritual growth. Therefore, it is essential to take sin seriously, seeking forgiveness daily and partnering with the Holy Spirit to put sin to death, allowing God to bring new life into those areas. We believe we should always be pursuing holiness, not by striving, but by settling into God's presence. Sanctification is often an internal process that involves taking action that sets Christ-followers apart through the leading of Holy Spirit.
John 3:3-8; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:18-23; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:1-3; 1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 5:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8; Romans 12:1-2
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We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Matthew 25:31-33; Mark 9:43-47; John 5:25-29; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15
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We believe that God has provided to desiring believers an enduement of Spiritual power for the evangelization of the lost and for the strengthening of the church. We also place high value on accountability and being relationally appropriate in the use of these gifts.
Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:1-4, 38-39; Acts 10:44-46; Ephesians 4:11-12; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 8:26-27
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We believe that God has established marriage as a lifelong, exclusive relationship between one natural born man and one natural born woman and that all intimate sexual activity outside the marriage relationship, whether heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise, is immoral and therefore sin.
Genesis 2:24-25; Exodus 20:14, 17; Leviticus 18:22-23; Matthew 19:4-6, 9; Romans 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 15-20; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Jude 7
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We believe that God created the human race male and female and that all conduct with the intent to adopt a gender other than one’s birth gender is immoral and therefore sin.
Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 22:5; Psalm 139:13-16; 1 Corinthians 6:19
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We believe in the Spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; John 17:22-26; Colossians 3:12-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:11-13
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We believe that the Church is comprised of all those who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone and that Christ is the head of the Church. The Church is being strengthened and made into the Bride of Christ, fully matured at Jesus’s Second Coming.
Matthew. 16:18; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 Corinthians 12:28
Did you know?
This quote is attributed to theologian Rupertus Meldenius, a German Lutheran from the 17th century. His work, Parœnesis votiva pro pace ecclesiœ ad theologos Augustanœ confessionis auctore Ruperto Meldenio Theologo [Rottenburg, 1626], was published during the Thirty Years' War, in 1618–1648. His “In a word” statement summed up his call for unity and peace among Protestant Christians. Though often misattributed to Augustine, Meldenius is widely recognized as the author.
Source: Samuel Macauley Jackson, ed., The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (New York; London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1908–1914), 287.
“In a word, were we to observe unity in essentials, liberty in incidentals, and in all things charity, our affairs would be certainly in a most happy situation.”
- Rupertus Meldenius
Timeless TruthsApostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead*.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church**,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen
*The phrase, “He descended into hell,” was not part of the creed in its earliest form.
**The term 'Catholic' in this creed refers to the universal Christian Church and is not limited to the Roman Catholic denomination.