ALONG WITH THE HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN FAITH, WE AFFIRM THE NICENE CREED, IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM AS CONFESSED AT CONSTANTINOPLE IN AD 381.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. On the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
In one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
("Catholic" means universal—the whole Church of Jesus Christ in every place and generation.)
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God, infallible in all matters of faith and salvation, and the final authority for the Church. They bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word, and are illumined to us by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; John 5:39; Luke 24:27)
The Holy Trinity
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the eternal Fountain of the Godhead. From the Father the Son is eternally begotten and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds, and the one divine life is fully and equally shared in an eternal communion of love. God is one not by abstract essence, but by living personal communion. (Matthew 28:19; John 1:18; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:8)
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, the unbegotten source of divine life, from whom are all things. He is the Fountain of love, authority, and blessing, and He created all things through the Son and gives life by the Spirit. In His love, the Father sent the Son for our salvation and pours out the Holy Spirit, that we might know Him as Father and live as His sons and daughters. (John 1:18; 3:16; 14:26; 15:26; Colossians 1:15–16; Romans 8:14–17; Acts 17:28)
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became fully human without ceasing to be fully God—two natures united in one Person, without confusion or change. He assumed our fallen humanity, healed it, and offered it perfectly to the Father as our Representative and Substitute. Through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, humanity is reconciled to God, and He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 2:14–17; 2 Corinthians 5:14–19; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 19:16)
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, not a force or power. He proceeds from the Father and rests in the Son, unites us to Christ, regenerates and sanctifies us, and leads the Church into all truth, always glorifying the Son and revealing the Father. (John 14:16–17, 26; 15:26; 16:13–14; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:14–16)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit
We believe Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, empowering them for intimacy with God, holy living, and bold witness. All the gifts of the Spirit—including tongues, prophecy, and healing—are given to the Church today, to be exercised in love and in order. Speaking in tongues is a Spirit-given language, primarily for prayer and worship; a public message in tongues is to be interpreted. (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38–39; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 14:1–5, 26–28, 39–40)
Divine Healing
We believe God heals today. Healing flows from the redemption Christ accomplished and is a sign of His kingdom breaking into the world. We pray for the sick and anoint them with oil, trusting the goodness of the Father. (Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; Acts 10:38; James 5:14–16)
Humanity and Sin
We believe every person is created in the image of God and deserves love, honor, and respect. Through Adam, sin entered the world, alienating humanity from God and bringing suffering and death. Sin is not only guilt to be pardoned but a sickness of our very nature, which Christ came to heal. (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 5:12–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22; Ephesians 2:1–5)
Salvation
We believe salvation is the free gift of God's grace, received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by works. In Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation have been provided for all, and by faith we receive what He has accomplished. Provision is not possession—every person is called to repent and believe. By grace we are united with Christ, made partakers of the divine nature, and transformed into His image. (Ephesians 2:4–10; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:1, 18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 1:4)
The Kingdom of God
We believe the Kingdom of God is His loving and life-giving reign over all creation. It advances not through coercion but through hearts transformed by His love, and through the Church as it bears witness in word and deed. It will be fully revealed at the return of Jesus Christ.(Luke 17:20–21; Colossians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28; Revelation 11:15)
The Church, Baptism, and Communion
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, made up of all who trust in Him, called to worship, to make disciples, and to reveal His kingdom. We practice water baptism by immersion, a participation in Christ's death and resurrection, and the Lord's Supper, a communion in His body and blood until He comes. With the ancient Church, we receive these as holy mysteries—not empty symbols, but places where Christ meets His people by grace. (Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 6:3–5; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23–26; Ephesians 1:22–23)
Marriage
We believe marriage is an exclusive, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, reflecting Christ's love for His Church. Every person, whatever their story, deserves dignity, compassion, and the grace of God.(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:31–32)
Things to Come
We believe Jesus Christ will return visibly in power and glory to judge the living and the dead, to raise the dead, and to make all things new. God's love never ceases. Those who receive it enter the joy of His eternal kingdom; those who refuse it experience that same love as wrath. (John 14:3; Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 21:1–5; 22:12)