Belief Statement

Video: Belief Statement (Part 1)
Video: Belief Statement (Part 2)

We treasure God’s truth spoken in love, and we hold to the foundational truths of biblical Christianity. Here is Family of Faith’s belief statement:

Bible
The Bible is God’s inerrant Word, the only final authority for faith and life. (Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)

Trinity
The one true God is Trinity, an eternal, loving unity of three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Creation
God created the universe from nothing and made all things very good. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3)

God governs all things in accordance with His holy character and wise plan for His glory and the good of His people. (Psalm 93; Matthew 10:29; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11)

Humanity
God created humanity in his image to glorify and enjoy God and to be stewards of creation. (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8; 37:4; Isaiah 43:7; Revelation 4:11)

Humanity has fallen into sin, and we are totally unable to save ourselves. (Genesis 3; Romans 3:12, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Christ
Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel, is fully God and fully man. (Matthew 1; John 1:1,14, 49; 20:28; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:14)

Jesus was born of a virgin, obeyed God perfectly, worked great miracles, died on a cross, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and reigns over all things. (Luke 1:26-35; Luke 23-24; John 14:11; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 4:15)

Salvation
Salvation is merited only by Jesus’ perfect obedience and substitutionary atonement. (Isaiah 53; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-31; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26-27)

Salvation is entirely God’s gift, not our achievement, and is received by faith in Christ, not by our works. (John 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10)

Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit gives new birth, unites us to Christ, assures us of His love, leads us in His truth, forms us in His character, equips us with His gifts, and empowers us to be His ambassadors. (John 3:3-8; Acts 1:8; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 3:16-21)

Church
The church is the one body of God’s people throughout all generations and from all nations. (Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 1:22-23; Revelation 7:9)

Jesus gives two signs and seals of God’s grace: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 14:22-24; John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 12:13)

Angels
God’s holy angels defend and help God’s people. (Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14)

Demons
Satan and other fallen angels are dangerous but doomed. Christ is victor. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10-12)

Future
Christ will return visibly to rule the world and to make all things new. (Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 21:1-5)

God’s people will be raised bodily from death to eternal life in the new creation. God’s enemies will be punished with eternal hell. (Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 21-22)

Walking with God
God calls us to a holy life of love, as depicted in the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17; Mark 12:30-31; John 14:15; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13)

As individuals and as families, we need daily conversation with God through Bible reading and prayer. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 1; Daniel 6:10; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Marriage and Family
Sexual intimacy is for marriage only. Marriage is a lifelong union of a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:22-25; Matthew 5:27-32; Matthew 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-11)

God’s covenant addresses not only individuals but also their families. (Genesis 17:7; 18:19; Deuteronomy 7:9; Joshua 24:15;  Psalm 103:17; Acts 11:14; 16:15,31)

Witness
God calls us to spread the gospel to people who don’t yet follow Christ. (Psalm 96:3; Matthew 5:14; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:15)

Worldview
God calls us to a worldview and way of life in which we seek to honor Christ in every area of thought and action. (Psalm 24:1; Colossians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

We hold these truths as revealed in the Bible. For further reference, see the following historic statements of faith: Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort.