Beliefs
As eternal God, it makes sense that there are things about God (who he is, and what he does) that don’t fully “make sense” to us. And, because he is our creator, God has the right to tell us what’s right and best for us.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 46:9; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus claimed to be God and he proved it by his miraculous acts—including rising from the dead. If you prefer to think of Jesus as just a good moral teacher, we get it; but good teachers don’t usually claim to be God (and they don’t usually rise from the dead).
John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 1:3
Have you ever had a teacher, parent, or coach who took the time to get down to your level and show you how to learn or do something new? That’s what Jesus did for us. He didn’t just bark orders from heaven; he stepped into our mess and showed us the way out of it.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 4:15
If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then the Christian faith is just a bunch of self-help, feel-good, moralistic malarkey. If he did rise from the dead, then Jesus is a leader worth following and we can entrust ourselves to him completely.
John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:14,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21-22
This may sound closed-minded to you, but every belief or ideology makes exclusive claims. If you believe everyone should determine their own truth, then you’re saying that that is universally true for everyone (and you’re excluding the beliefs of millions around the world who disagree with you). Would you rather take a chance with your own truth, or embrace the Truth of a God who created you, loves you, and knows what’s best for you?
John 14:6; Acts 4:12
Many religions are about earning spiritual blessings through good behavior; the Christian faith teaches that we receive spiritual blessings because of Jesus’ good behavior. We’re not living to earn God’s love; we’re living out of an overflow of God’s love.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Reading a book written thousands of years ago can be a little intimidating (or confusing), but we believe God still speaks to us through the pages of Scripture (if we’re willing to listen). The Bible teaches us who God is and how he invites us to be a part of the bigger story he’s writing.
Luke 24:27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he 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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe 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 world to come. Amen.
