Jesus is Lord
In the pages of the New Testament we find the simplest and most straightforward of all Christian convictions. This is the foundation of all subsequent statements, and the foundation of our lives as believers.
“...If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10.9-10, NIV).”
Apostles’ Creed
This is an ancient statement of faith, coming from the earliest years of the Church’s existence. Followers of Christ around the world and throughout the ages have acknowledged the truth of these words. In fact, it is one of the most basic measurements of Christian orthodoxy (right belief).
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence He shall 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.”
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Statement of Faith
In the face of a straying away from classical Christian beliefs on the part of many individuals and churches, this more recent statement reaffirms the truth of the Good News:
1. The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God are divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and constitute the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; we affirm his virgin birth, sinless humanity, divine miracles, vicarious and atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, ongoing mediatorial work, and personal return in power and glory.
4. The salvation of lost and sinful humanity is possible only through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, received by faith apart from works, and is characterized by regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
5. The Holy Spirit enables believers to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. The Church, the body of Christ, consists of all true believers.
7. Ultimately God will judge the living and the dead, those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
The Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism is the best known of the Reformed confessions. It was written in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1563, by two young ministers. Its language is warm and personal, its spirit mild and gentle. It has a devotional tone. For over 400 years, it’s question and answer format has helped to raise generations of believers. Here is the first question and answer.
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What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
If you’re interested, you can see the rest of the catechism online on our denomination’s website:
Heidelberg Catechism (link to - http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=372&srcid=299 |