Our Beliefs Regarding Our Christian Faith

This is borrowed from Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity: The one God exists eternally in three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit-and has so revealed himself to us in Scripture.

The Lord Jesus Christ: Our Lord Jesus Christ, God incarnate and fully human, is the only mediator between God and man by reason of his birth by the Virgin Mary, his sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and triumphant reign.

The Holy Scriptures: The canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are trustworthy as "God's Word written." They sufficiently teach God's will for his world, and have supreme authority for faith, life, and the continuous renewal and reform of the Church. They are inspired, infallible, and contain all things necessary for salvation.

Justification and Sanctification: Repenting and believing sinners are justified through faith alone by God's gracious act of declaring us righteous on the ground of the reconciling death of Christ, who suffered in our place and triumphed over death through his bodily resurrection; and sanctified by the gracious, continuing activity of the Holy Spirit who perfects our repentance, nurtures his new life implanted within us, transforms us into Christ's image, and enables us to do good works in the world. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Salvation is by grace alone and not earned through works, church membership or church ceremonies.

The Christian Church: The Church is the Body of Christ. Its members belong to Christ's new humanity and are called and sent to live in the world in the power of the Spirit, worshipping God, confessing his truth, proclaiming the Good News of Christ, supporting one another in love, and giving themselves in sacrificial service to others, especially those in need. Its great mission is to make disciples of all nations and peoples.

Spiritual Gifts and Christian Ministry: All Christians are called to exercise their God-given gifts to work, witness and suffer for Christ. All believers are priests and ministers. Priests, in that each believer has a direct relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ without the need for any human mediator. Ministers, in that each believer should share in the ministry of the church and share God’s love in the world. In addition, there is a particular call of pastors and elders to preach, teach and provide leadership and pastoral care, equipping God's people for his service and presenting them mature in Christ.

The Gospel Sacraments: The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given to us and ordained by Christ.

Baptism: Baptism is a public profession of faith by believers after the age of accountability through which they symbolize their death, burial and resurrection with Christ. Infant dedication is an important church ceremony that confirms the godly intent of the parents to raise their children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord.”

Communion: The Lord’s supper is a sign of the love and fellowship that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another. It is also a symbolic remembrance of our redemption through the broken body of Christ, the bread of heaven, and the shed blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. It should be observed faithfully, prayerfully and with great reverence.

The Return of Christ: Our Lord Jesus Christ will personally return in glory at the end of this age when all will face judgment-some to eternal life and some to everlasting condemnation. It will be for the glorification of his Church and for the renewal of the whole of creation.

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ: While religions and philosophies of the world are not without elements of the truth, Jesus Christ alone is the full revelation of God, who through the Gospel judges and corrects all views and doctrines. All persons everywhere need to learn of him, come to know and believe in him, and receive forgiveness and new life in him as there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.