A Confession of Faith

Article I

Of the Living God

 

We believe in one God,
Father unbegotten, Son eternally begotten,
and Holy Spirit proceeding in holy love—
Three in unity, unity in love,
Maker of heaven and earth,
near to all He has made,
upholding every breath and every creature.

 

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1; John 1:2; John1:3; Acts 17:24; Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:16–17

 

 

Article II

Of Holy Scripture

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We believe that the Holy Scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments
are given by God through the breath of the Holy Spirit,

inspired and authoritative,

revealing one unified covenant,
and faithfully bearing witness to Jesus Christ,
the Word made flesh.

 

The Scriptures are to be
heard, learned, prayed, and obeyed,
shaping the mind, forming the heart,
and guiding the life of the Church.

 

They are a lamp for the pilgrim way,
a sword against falsehood,
and a well of living water for the people of God.

 

No vision, tradition, or teaching stands above the written Word, but all are tested by it, as the Church listens together in humility and faith.

 

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Psalm 19:7–11; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 24:27, 44–45; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20–21

 

 

Article III

Of Creation and the Goodness of the World

 

We confess that God created all things good,
visible and invisible, land and sea,
beast and bird, fire and wind.
The earth is the Lord’s handiwork,
and all creation sings His praise.
We receive the world not as our possession
but as our stewardship before God.

 

Scripture:
Genesis 1:1, 31; Psalm 24:1; Psalm 104; Colossians 1:16; Romans 8:19–21

 

 

Article IV

Of Humanity and the Fall

 

We believe that humankind was made
in the image and likeness of God,
called to holiness, humility, and communion.
Through disobedience and pride,
sin entered the world,

the created order cursed and damaged,
and the image was marred though not destroyed,

bringing separation, corruption, and death.
All stand in need of repentance and mercy.

 

Scripture:
Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3:1–19; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3

 

 

Article V

Of Jesus Christ, Our Lord

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We believe in Jesus Christ,
true God and true man,
conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary.
He walked among us in humility,

lived in perfect obedience,
proclaimed the Kingdom of God,
healed the broken,
and welcomed the poor and the outcast.

 

He suffered under earthly powers,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead,
rose bodily on the third day,
and ascended in glory.
He reigns even now,
and shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

We bind ourselves to Christ

as bondservants for life,

proclaiming no master other than Him.

 

Scripture:
John 1:14; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6–8; Mark 1:14–15; Isaiah 53:4–6;
1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Matthew 25:31–32

 

 

Article VI

Of the Holy Spirit

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
fire of divine love,
breath of new creation,
who awakens faith,

gives new birth,
forms Christ within us,
and empowers the Church
for holiness, prayer, and witness.
The Spirit is not bound to place or power
but moves freely where Christ is obeyed.

 

We renounce all rival allegiances—

money, power, comfort, and success—

and submit ourselves to ongoing sanctification,

trusting the Spirit to conform us to Christ.

 

Scripture:
John 3:5–8; John 16:13–14; Romans 8:9–11; Galatians 5:22–25;
1 Corinthians 12:4–7; Acts 1:8

 

 

Article VII

Of Salvation and the Way of Life

 

We confess that salvation is the gift of God,
given by grace and received through faith,
working itself out in obedience and love.

 

By His work we receive forgiveness of sins,
new life in the Spirit,
and are restored to fellowship with God.
 

We are saved not only from sin,
but into a life of transformation,
walking daily in repentance, prayer, fasting, and mercy.

Christ is formed in us;
as we die to self,

we participate in his dying and rising,
and live unto God,

as presence-centered people.

 

We are formed by

shared submission,

mutual love,

truth spoken in love,

and faithful perseverance.

 

Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1–4; Titus 3:4–7; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

Article VIII

Of the Church

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​We believe in the one holy Church,
scattered yet united,

called to worship God,
proclaim the gospel,
a pilgrim people on the way.

The Church is known not by wealth or power
but by faithfulness, hospitality,
care for the poor,
and devotion to prayer and Scripture.

 

We confess that Christ is the true Head of the Church,
and all authority is given for service, not domination.

 

The Church is

a covenant community,

a priestly people,

and a sent body

through whom Christ continues His incarnational mission.

 

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Scripture:
Ephesians 4:4–6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Matthew 28:18–20; James 1:27; Acts 2:42–47; Colossians 1:18; Mark 10:42–45

 

 

Article IX

Of the Sacraments

 

We receive Baptism as
a gracious gift from God,

the washing of new birth,

a holy sign of union with Christ,

inviting us into a cruciform way of life,

and entry into the covenant community.

We receive the Holy Eucharist as
the true gift of Christ’s body and blood,
strength for the journey,

Proclamation of his death until he returns,

a covenant renewal,
and communion with heaven.

 

Scripture:
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38–41; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

 

  

Article X

Of Shepherds, Overseers, and Servants of the Rule

 

We believe that Christ,
the Chief Shepherd of the flock,
appoints faithful men
to watch over His people
in humility and prayer.

 

These are called to be
teachers of the Word,
guardians of sound doctrine,
and examples of holy living.
 

They do not rule by force or honor,
but by service, discipline, and love.

Those who lead must first be formed,
tested in obedience,
rooted in prayer and Scripture,
and accountable within the household of faith.

 

No shepherd stands alone,
for leadership is shared,
discerned in community,
and exercised under Christ’s authority.

 

Scripture:

John 10:11–16; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1–4

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Article XI

Of Mission and Witness

 

We believe the Church is sent
to proclaim Christ in word and deed,
to cross lands and seas if called,

to make disciples,
to seek the good of our neighbors,
to live as strangers for the sake of the Gospel.
 

We seek the conversion of hearts,
the healing of communities,
and the renewal of all things in Christ.

 

Scripture:
John 20:21; Matthew 5:14–16; Micah 6:8; Titus 2:11–14; 1 Peter 2:11–12; Colossians 3:12–17

 

 

Article XII

Of the Last Things

 

We believe Christ reigns now and

that His Kingdom is advancing toward its promised fulfillment.

 

We believe in the resurrection of the dead,
the renewal of creation,
and the life of the world to come.
 

Those who persist in unbelief,
and who refuse repentance,
shall be separated from the joy of God
and from the life of His Kingdom,

and shall suffer the fate of the lake of fire,

which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

The righteous shall dwell in the joy of God,

given right to partake of the tree of life,
and all things shall be restored under Christ,
to the glory of the Triune God.

 

Scripture:
John 20:21; Matthew 5:14–16; Micah 6:8; Titus 2:11–14; 1 Peter 2:11–12; Colossians 3:12–17;  Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29;
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Romans 2:5–11; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11–15; Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:14

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Closing

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To God the Father,
through the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be glory in the Church
and in all creation,
now and forever.

 

Amen.