Our Core Beliefs
Jesus Christ
For us, Jesus is everything. The Book of Colossians says that it is through Jesus and for Jesus that all things were made. In other words, Jesus is a real big deal; and he's a big deal to us. That doesn't mean we have all the answers about Jesus. We suspect Jesus will always be a bit of an enduring mystery; and while we learn new things (and unlearn old things) about Him every day, if you're one of those folks who really likes statements of belief. Here you go!
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.
The Bible
Here's the thing about the Bible: It's complicated! It isn't nearly as easy as some people say it is.
You disagree? Well, where'd all those women come from that Adam and Eve's kids had babies with? Was there really a whale that swallowed a man? Have you even read about the Witch of Endor?! (not a Star Wars character!)
And we're not even to the whole "inerrant," "literal" word of God thing. So here's what we'll say:
We believe the Bible is reliable for what it's supposed to be used for (which by the way isn't a science book).
We believe it was inspired by God, and we consider it holy and sacred while understanding it isn't exhaustive (that means not EVERYTHING is in there) yet none-the-less sufficient for helping us find God and find healing.
You disagree? Well, where'd all those women come from that Adam and Eve's kids had babies with? Was there really a whale that swallowed a man? Have you even read about the Witch of Endor?! (not a Star Wars character!)
And we're not even to the whole "inerrant," "literal" word of God thing. So here's what we'll say:
We believe the Bible is reliable for what it's supposed to be used for (which by the way isn't a science book).
We believe it was inspired by God, and we consider it holy and sacred while understanding it isn't exhaustive (that means not EVERYTHING is in there) yet none-the-less sufficient for helping us find God and find healing.
The Trinity
We will admit, this one is a bit tricky; and, hard to get ourselves around. Here's our best shot at it, with a little bit of help from history.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Free Will
Yup. We like it; but we also recognize that this, like many things, needs nuance and can be really confusing and complicated. So, while we believe in free will, and -to use some churchy language- believe that God's sovereignty does not overpower or outweigh human free will granted us by God, we have some questions, too!
One of those is, "Yo, Adam...Eve...what were you thinking?"
One of those is, "Yo, Adam...Eve...what were you thinking?"
The Sacraments
So let's start with the "official" statement of what a Sacrament is. We believe it to be, "An outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace."
What's that even mean? Well, it means that while the two sacraments we observe, Baptism and the Eucharist (The Lord's Supper/Communion), are a actions and traditions we take part in, they are not in and of themselves the activity of God in our lives but rather rituals we take part in to show the world and ourselves about the activity of God in our lives.
For example, we do not believe baptism itself saves. We believe Christ does, but we choose to be baptized to profess and take part in that saving activity of God in our lives.
Confusing. We know. We can talk more about it if you want.
What's that even mean? Well, it means that while the two sacraments we observe, Baptism and the Eucharist (The Lord's Supper/Communion), are a actions and traditions we take part in, they are not in and of themselves the activity of God in our lives but rather rituals we take part in to show the world and ourselves about the activity of God in our lives.
For example, we do not believe baptism itself saves. We believe Christ does, but we choose to be baptized to profess and take part in that saving activity of God in our lives.
Confusing. We know. We can talk more about it if you want.
The Church
We will admit, this one is a bit tricky; and, hard to get ourselves around. Here's our best shot at it, with a little bit of help from history.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.