Christianity is all about Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is the good news of great joy for all people. It is the proclamation of what God has done through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Gospel is the good news of great joy for all people. It is the proclamation of what God has done through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
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The Gospel of God's Grace
In Israel's Scriptures, God reveals his character and plan. He is loving and good and creates humanity to enter into relationship and partnership with him. The story takes a tragic turn when humanity rebels against God and attempts to define good and evil apart from Him. By turning away from the source of life and love, humanity embraces a path of sin, death and brokenness. And yet, despite our rejection of him, God launches a rescue plan to restore the broken relationships caused by human sinfulness. He chooses a family which grows into the nation of Israel, and promises God will make them a blessing to the nations -- that through this family God will reveal his love and reconciliation while also providing forgiveness and cleansing for human sin and wickedness.
God's brings his plan to fullness through the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, God takes the punishment for sin onto himself, and dies in the place of guilty humanity. Through Jesus, God saves humanity from sin and gathers the world into right relationship, healing, and wholeness once again.
God's brings his plan to fullness through the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, God takes the punishment for sin onto himself, and dies in the place of guilty humanity. Through Jesus, God saves humanity from sin and gathers the world into right relationship, healing, and wholeness once again.
Jesus Christ
In the New Testament, we discover Jesus. He is both God and man: entirely divine and entirely human. We know that he is a historical person: real flesh and blood. He mighty words tell us about the love and character of God. His mighty deeds demonstrate his compassion and power. Yet Jesus is more than simply a good teacher or a spectacular healer. He chose to bear a cross, an instrument of execution, and so bear the full punishment of human guilt upon himself by dying in our place.
Jesus was resurrected three days later, in accordance with his promises in Israel's Scripture. As Risen Lord and King, Jesus offers us God's new reconciled life with Him. Through Jesus, God adopts us into his family, making us new people. This is Good News! Jesus has undone the separation between us and God.
Jesus offers us the life of the world to come now. God has chosen a day when Jesus will come again, to judge the living and the dead, to bring to this world a new heaven and a new earth - where God will make his dwelling with us.
Jesus was resurrected three days later, in accordance with his promises in Israel's Scripture. As Risen Lord and King, Jesus offers us God's new reconciled life with Him. Through Jesus, God adopts us into his family, making us new people. This is Good News! Jesus has undone the separation between us and God.
Jesus offers us the life of the world to come now. God has chosen a day when Jesus will come again, to judge the living and the dead, to bring to this world a new heaven and a new earth - where God will make his dwelling with us.
The Christian Life
When we turn to Jesus and trust in this gospel, God makes us new people. He adopts us, gives us new hearts, gives us hope and a future. He makes his home in us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins the transforming work of renewing our hearts and minds, making us more and more like Jesus - having his character, and strengthening us with his power and love, helping us to continually turn away from sinfulness and pursue Jesus and his holiness.
We believe the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is of first importance, and has the power to transform us, our communities, and the world. We seek to live out this faith by welcoming others into the belonging of God's love, by growing together in faith and relationship with Jesus, and by serving our city and our world with the compassion and love of God.
We believe the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is of first importance, and has the power to transform us, our communities, and the world. We seek to live out this faith by welcoming others into the belonging of God's love, by growing together in faith and relationship with Jesus, and by serving our city and our world with the compassion and love of God.
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THE Apostle's Creed
The Apostle’s Creed is the most ancient creed of the church – and we believe it is the basis of all Christian Fellowship.
The Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** and apostolic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
** catholic meaning one Universal Church.
The Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** and apostolic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
** catholic meaning one Universal Church.
Apostolic church of pentecost's statement of faith
We Believe In:
- That the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative written Word of God.
- In the eternal existence of one true God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- In the Saviour of men, the Lord Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man.
- In the creation, test and fall of man, as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness.
- That forgiveness of sin and eternal life is freely offered to all by our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation of sinners is by grace through faith alone, in the perfect all sufficient work of Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day for our justification.
- In Water Baptism of believers by immersion in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- In the Baptism with the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation with the scriptural evidence; namely, speaking in tongues.
- In the gifts of the Holy Spirit as enumerated in the book of Acts and the Epistles.
- In the Lord’s Table as a memorial for believers.
- In Divine Healing as practiced throughout the New Testament.
- In the eternal life of the believer and the eternal punishment of the unbeliever.
- In the Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit is the catalyst for sanctification and seeks to produce His fruit in the believer’s life as their minds are renewed and they are conformed to the image of Christ.
- In the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church.
- In the sanctity of marriage, as a life long exclusive commitment between one man and one woman.
DFGC: WHAT WE BELIEVE - theology with Scripture references
GOD
We believe there is One, Holy, True God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.[1]
THE BIBLE
We believe in the divine inspiration of sacred Scripture; it is entirely trustworthy and is the authority in all matters of faith and conduct.[2]
HUMANITY
We believe that humanity was created by God, made in his image to be in communion with him. We believe in the test and fall of humanity, that we are now spiritually depraved and are unable to attain divine righteousness because of our sinful nature. Only through Jesus Christ can we be saved and redeemed.[3]
JESUS
We believe Jesus Christ is the divine, incarnate Son of God, the Lord and Saviour of humanity; fully God and fully man; his atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins is the sole ground for our redemption.[4]
REDEMPTION
We believe in the justification of repentant sinners by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ who died and rose again for the salvation of all who will believe.[5]
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the indwelling, empowering and sanctifying work of God the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, cultivating Christ-like living and witness. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, with the Scriptural evidence, namely, of speaking in tongues.[6]
CHURCH
We believe in unity of all true believers who together make one universal church, the Body of whom Christ is the head. We believe in celebrating the church’s ordinances—communion and water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—as believers. These are celebrations which confirm and nourish believers. We believe in the gifts of the Spirit, including divine healing. We believe in the sanctity of marriage, as a lifelong exclusive covenant commitment between one man and one woman. [7]
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe in the believer’s lifelong journey of sanctification: growing and maturing in the faith with fellow believers in the Lord. This occurs through the Spirit-filled life and the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God: loving God and loving one another, seeking compassion and justice for the poor and oppressed, making disciples and bearing witness to the gospel of Christ.[8]
ETERNITY
We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ; the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust; the eternal life of the believer and the eternal punishment of the unbeliever; and God’s Kingdom fully come with the New Heavens and New Earth.[9]
[1] Trinity: Deut 6:4; Jn. 1:1-2; 17:11; Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Co. 13:14; 1 Pt. 1:2.
[2] Bible: 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pt. 1:20-21.
[3] Humanity: Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Ps. 51:5; Jn. 8:44; Rm. 3:23, 5:12-14, 18; Eph 2:1;1 Jn. 1:8.
[4] Jesus: Jn. 1:14,18; 3:16; Gal. 4:4; Eph 1:7.
[5] Redemption: Lv. 17:11; He. 9:12-14; Ac. 4:12; Rm. 5:1-15, 5:10; 10:9; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:13-14, 19-20.
[6] Holy Spirit: Jn. 14:16-17, 16:7-15; Rm. 5:3-5, 8:26, 15:13; Ac. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7; Ezek. 36:25-27; 1 Th. 1:4-5; Ti 3:5;
Ac. 2:4, 8:14-17, 19:1-6.
[7] Church: Eph. 4:4-6, 15-16; Col. 1:18. | Sacred ordinances: Mt. 28:18-20; Lk. 22:15-20. Water baptism is an outward sign and testimony of an inward work of God’s grace. | Spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12-14. We believe that these gifts, the charismata, are still an important part of the Church’s life and witness for ministry today; they are given by God the Holy Spirit for present day believers just as they were for the early church. | Marriage: Gen. 2:24, 25; Eph. 5:25-33.
[8] Christian Life: Rm. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Tim. 1:9, Deut. 6:5; Mt. 22:37-39; Eph. 4:32; Ps. 82:3; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 20:21.
[9] Eternity: Is. 26:19, 65:17; Ec. 12:14; Mt. 25:46; Rm. 8:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:12-22ff; Rev. 20:12-13, 21:1-4, 22:1-5; 2 Pt 3:13.
We believe there is One, Holy, True God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.[1]
THE BIBLE
We believe in the divine inspiration of sacred Scripture; it is entirely trustworthy and is the authority in all matters of faith and conduct.[2]
HUMANITY
We believe that humanity was created by God, made in his image to be in communion with him. We believe in the test and fall of humanity, that we are now spiritually depraved and are unable to attain divine righteousness because of our sinful nature. Only through Jesus Christ can we be saved and redeemed.[3]
JESUS
We believe Jesus Christ is the divine, incarnate Son of God, the Lord and Saviour of humanity; fully God and fully man; his atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins is the sole ground for our redemption.[4]
REDEMPTION
We believe in the justification of repentant sinners by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ who died and rose again for the salvation of all who will believe.[5]
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the indwelling, empowering and sanctifying work of God the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, cultivating Christ-like living and witness. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, with the Scriptural evidence, namely, of speaking in tongues.[6]
CHURCH
We believe in unity of all true believers who together make one universal church, the Body of whom Christ is the head. We believe in celebrating the church’s ordinances—communion and water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—as believers. These are celebrations which confirm and nourish believers. We believe in the gifts of the Spirit, including divine healing. We believe in the sanctity of marriage, as a lifelong exclusive covenant commitment between one man and one woman. [7]
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe in the believer’s lifelong journey of sanctification: growing and maturing in the faith with fellow believers in the Lord. This occurs through the Spirit-filled life and the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God: loving God and loving one another, seeking compassion and justice for the poor and oppressed, making disciples and bearing witness to the gospel of Christ.[8]
ETERNITY
We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ; the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust; the eternal life of the believer and the eternal punishment of the unbeliever; and God’s Kingdom fully come with the New Heavens and New Earth.[9]
[1] Trinity: Deut 6:4; Jn. 1:1-2; 17:11; Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Co. 13:14; 1 Pt. 1:2.
[2] Bible: 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pt. 1:20-21.
[3] Humanity: Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Ps. 51:5; Jn. 8:44; Rm. 3:23, 5:12-14, 18; Eph 2:1;1 Jn. 1:8.
[4] Jesus: Jn. 1:14,18; 3:16; Gal. 4:4; Eph 1:7.
[5] Redemption: Lv. 17:11; He. 9:12-14; Ac. 4:12; Rm. 5:1-15, 5:10; 10:9; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:13-14, 19-20.
[6] Holy Spirit: Jn. 14:16-17, 16:7-15; Rm. 5:3-5, 8:26, 15:13; Ac. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7; Ezek. 36:25-27; 1 Th. 1:4-5; Ti 3:5;
Ac. 2:4, 8:14-17, 19:1-6.
[7] Church: Eph. 4:4-6, 15-16; Col. 1:18. | Sacred ordinances: Mt. 28:18-20; Lk. 22:15-20. Water baptism is an outward sign and testimony of an inward work of God’s grace. | Spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12-14. We believe that these gifts, the charismata, are still an important part of the Church’s life and witness for ministry today; they are given by God the Holy Spirit for present day believers just as they were for the early church. | Marriage: Gen. 2:24, 25; Eph. 5:25-33.
[8] Christian Life: Rm. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Tim. 1:9, Deut. 6:5; Mt. 22:37-39; Eph. 4:32; Ps. 82:3; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 20:21.
[9] Eternity: Is. 26:19, 65:17; Ec. 12:14; Mt. 25:46; Rm. 8:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:12-22ff; Rev. 20:12-13, 21:1-4, 22:1-5; 2 Pt 3:13.