A Bold Assertion » Statement of Faith

Statement of Faith

I believe in one sovereign, independent, eternal, creator God who is one person, yet three: the Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit, three distinct individuals of one nature who live in eternal communion with each other.

I believe that God created and sustains the universe and all that is seen and unseen, known and unknown, by his will and his spoken Word; in creation, God’s character begins to be revealed. While in this present, observable age, we find creation fallen under the shadow of corruption, entropy, and death, yet all things that pass away will be made new again.

I believe that God created humankind as reflections of himself, distinct from all other living creatures, and in an original state of solidarity with God. The first humans, Adam and Eve, sinned by rebelling against God, and so brought upon themselves death, both physical and spiritual. With them, all human beings have since lived apart from relationship with God, exchanging his immortal glory for mortal images, futile thoughts, and foolish wisdom. For this, he has turned us over to sinful and rebellious natures that lead us to sin in thought, word, and deed.

I believe in the existence of the unseen world, of created spiritual powers, swift messengers and agents of God’s will, of Satan, the original fomentor of all rebellion, and of his followers, the fallen spiritual powers which rule this world in secret, manipulating humans and human institutions through deceit and trickery. These are the unseen enemies against which we struggle and against which Jesus Christ won the decisive battle through his atoning death.

I believe that God has revealed himself to us through his Word, which was embodied first, in Creation through the ordered universe and the hearts of humankind; then, in his oracles, to the Jews first, and also to Gentiles, as faithfully recorded in Scripture; ultimately, as Jesus, son of Joseph, a human and yet the Messiah, the prophesied Christ and the author and fulfiller of all creation and all Scripture. God’s Word is the model by which we should order our lives.

I believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and was true God and true human, existing in one person without conflict and without sin, speaking the Word of God and working his will. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the place of the dead and after three days he rose again to life and appeared in the flesh to many witnesses. He ascended into heaven, where all power and authority have been given to him by God, and he will return soon to judge all of creation and bring this age to its fulfillment.

I believe that Jesus Christ, in dying on the Cross, was accepted by God as a substitutionary blood atonement for the sins of all humankind, as required by the Law and thereby fulfilling that Law. To all who believe and wish to return to solidarity with God, the way has been made through Jesus Christ.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is the embodiment of their relationship with each other. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word is spoken and made manifest, and through the Holy Spirit we are enabled to understand God’s Word and be transformed by it.

I believe in one holy, apostolic, unified and universal Church, which is the true resurrected body of the presently reigning Christ and the Kingdom of God here on Earth, and is composed of the communities of Christ’s people, embodying his love by worshiping God with confession, prayer, and praise; proclaiming God’s Word to the ends of the earth by word and deed; caring for all of creation and actively seeking the good of all people, especially the poor and the sick; resisting Satan and worldly powers and institutions in the name of our Lord, the victorious Christ.

I believe in the special sacraments of baptism and communion, which convey the grace of God and the proclaim the story of redemption by meaningful forms. Through baptism we share in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose disciples we are, and testify to our death to the old ways and our resurrection in Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Through communion we share in the life and substance of Christ, whose body we are, and testify of our love for each other in Christ.

I believe in the coming bodily resurrection of all people from death and the final, eternal judgment of all people and nations by Christ, resulting in the punishment of the wicked and the unjust, and the salvation of those who have returned through Christ to solidarity with God. Whether willing or not, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

I believe that no man knows what God has done from beginning to end; our understanding is imperfect and will remain so until we are joined once again into full communion with God. These words must be tested against God’s revelation to us, through scripture and through his creation. I believe these words in earnest, but I recognize that my faith is yet small, and my heart yet imperfect. Unto God, then, be the kingdom, the glory, and the power, forever and ever. May he return quickly. Amen.

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