Statement of Faith
Christian Orthodoxy
As follower of Jesus, we are not simply figuring it all out as we go. We come from a long line of faithful people who’ve come before us… scholars, peasants, fathers, daughters, pastors and writers. Our faith is intertwined with their faith. We believe that God has moved through generations before us and is moving through cultures around us…all worshipping Jesus Christ as King.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Eph 4:4-6
We value God’s leadership within us as well as within others who love Him. For this reason, we seek to agree with the established faith of other believers in areas that are considered clear and important in the Scriptures. The word orthodox comes from the Greek orthos ( meaning "right", "true", "straight") and doxa ("opinion" or "belief", related to dokein, "to think"). We refer to these areas as "orthodoxy" simply because they are the general established understandings of Christians over the past 2000 years.
Why is taking the time to establish orthodoxy important?
Our enemy is manipulative (read Genesis 3). He is often subtle in leading his prey away from truth, even using teachers to accomplish his mission.
- "…there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." 2 Peter 2:1
- "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." Romans 16:17-18
What orthodoxy is not:
- the foundation of our faith (only Jesus Christ is)
- essential for salvation (only Jesus Christ is)
- tradition that is to be blindly accepted regardless of Scripture
Correct orthodoxy simply gives a healthy amount of form to faith. In establishing concrete boundaries, understandings and ideas from Scripture, we develop a greater sense of commonality and freedom.
We affirm the following central truths of the historic orthodox Christian faith:
Concerning God
There is one God, creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19)
Concerning the Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. (Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4)
Concerning the Son, Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are enemies of God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life. Jesus will one day return again. (Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16)
Concerning the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence seals our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth, and exalts Christ. He serves as our guide, comforter, counselor, and empowers us to live a godly life. (Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17)
Concerning Humans
Humans are the supreme object of God’s creation, possessing both a physical (mind, body) and spiritual (soul) nature. Men and women are created in the masculine and feminine image of God and, therefore, have intrinsic value. Mankind was created to have fellowship with God, but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, humans cannot attain a right relationship with God through their own effort. (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11)
Concerning Sin
Sin is the rejection of God, His plan or His purposes. Sin first entered the world through Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God. The payment for sin, no matter how mundane or seemingly insignificant, is physical and spiritual death. The presence of sin makes it impossible to have the relationship we were created to have with God, one another, ourselves and creation. (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 1:4-6; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-10, 23; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Colossians 1:21; James 2:10-11; James 4:17; 1 John 1:8-10; 1 John3:4; 1 John 5:17)
Concerning Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to man. No amount of good works can ever make up for man’s sin. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be freed from sin’s penalty. Through faith in Jesus, we are saved into a Kingdom, a family of believers and into a right relationship with God. (Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20)
Concerning the Kingdom of God
Jesus Christ came to announce the availability and presence of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the realm in which God’s will and reign breaks forth. The Kingdom of God is both "already" and "not yet". "Already" in that God’s accomplishes His will in us and through us. "Not yet" because one day, God will establish a new heaven and new earth. On that day we will fully experience the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 26:29; Mark 1:15; Mark 9:1; Mark 12:34; Luke 4:43; Luke 6:23; Luke 9:2; Luke 11:2; Luke 11:20; Luke 14:15; Acts 19:8; Acts 28:31; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:10)
Concerning Human Destiny
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. (John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15)
Concerning the Word of God
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth and is authoritative in our daily lives. (Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16)
Concerning the Church
The church is the community of believers unified through faith in Christ. The church is built by Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and directed by The Father. Like Jesus Christ, the church embodies communion, unity and mission. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3)