Doctrine

God Scripture human nature salvation confessions & creeds

Christ Church Doctrinal Summary

We believe in and worship the triune God who has revealed Himself generally in the world that He created and specifically in His written Word, the 66 books of the Bible. What follows is a summary of major doctrines to which we hold, although it is far from exhaustive. For greater detail and depth see our confessions and creeds.

God

God has revealed Himself in Scripture as both one and three. He has one essence, nature, and character shared by three co-equal, co-eternal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The LORD is the one true and sovereign God and there are no other legitimate gods.

Genesis 1:26 Isaiah 45:5-7 Jeremiah 10:10-16 Matthew 28:19

Scripture

The canon of Scripture is just that, the canon: the rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged. Scripture is God's Word. As such, it establishes the standard for our doctrine and for our lives. Our beliefs and our lives must be measured by and assessed on the basis of God's Word as contained in Scripture and brought into conformity with it. Our beliefs and patterns of living are not subject to cultural shifts and mores, but rather cultural norms and mores must be accepted, rejected, or redeemed on the basis of the contents of Scripture. We affirm the inerrancy of Scripture, the infallibility of Scripture, and the sufficiency of Scripture.

Psalm 19:7-9 Isaiah 40:8 2 Timothy 3:16-17 1 Peter 1:25 2 Peter 1:21

human nature

Man is, as any cursory reading of history reveals, capable of both great good and terrible evil. Only Scripture's accounting of man's nature makes sense of this observation. Man was made in God's image Genesis 1:26-27, such that he possesses emotions, intellect, and will to a degree that is far beyond any of God's other creatures Psalm 8:4-8 and is a reflection of God's own emotions, intellect, and will. But man rebelled against His Maker and in response God cursed him with a fallen nature. Thus man is now tainted, corrupted, and impure. He still bears God's image (which accounts for his capacity for goodness, innovation, and the like) but that image is now broken, marred, and stained by sin (which accounts for the evil that man always and invariably perpetrates with the use of his capacities). Man is incapable of removing the stain of sin and restoring himself to his original state, thus he is a slave to sin and must be born again by the Spirit of God John 3:3-8.

Genesis 6:5 Jeremiah 17:9 Romans 3:10-12

Salvation

(in three parts)

Salvation is a comprehensive work of God that can be understood under the headings of justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Justification

All men know God and reject Him Romans 1:18-32 3:10-12 3:23. They do this because they can do nothing else, as they are dead in their sins and trespasses and are incapable of pleasing or submitting to God Ephesians 2:1-3 Romans 8:7-8. For this rejection, mankind is born under the wrath of God. God is perfectly justified in His wrath toward us because our first father Adam was our representative in the garden of Eden, meaning that his rebellion is representative of what we would have done if we had been there. Therefore, in Adam we all stand condemned Romans 5:12 1 Corinthians 15:22 and the due penalty for our sin must be paid Romans 6:23.

In His mercy and kindness, God the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ into the world that He made John 3:16-17 to live a perfect, sinless life 1 John 3:5 and to die a gruesome death Matthew 27:26-54. This He did as a substitute for His people Isaiah 53:5 that He may give us His righteousness 2 Corinthians 5:21 and take from us the penalty for our sins Hebrews 10:12-14. Only in Christ Jesus can man be saved John 14:6 Acts 4:11-12. We receive the benefits of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection by faith, which is the gift of God's Grace given to His elect people. Ephesians 2:8-9

Sanctification

Christ does more than save His people from the penalty of sin through His death on the cross, He also progressively saves them from sinning Romans 6:6-7 Philippians 1:6 as they grow into the likeness of Christ through the process of sanctification. This work is empowered by and superintended by the Holy Spirit John 14:16-17 John 14:26 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and actively pursued by the believer in Christ. Romans 6:1-4 2 Corinthians 7:1 Galatians 3:2-3 Galatians 5:16-18 Colossians 3:1-10

Glorification

When Christ returns to usher in the fullness of His kingdom John 14:3 Revelation 19:11-16 Revelation 21:1-7, He will complete our sanctification and restore us to a full humanity, even like unto Himself, that is untainted by sin and its affects. Romans 8:29-30 2 Corinthians 3:18 Colossians 3:4 Philippians 3:20-21 1 John 3:2

Confessions & Creeds

Christ Church makes use of these confessions and creeds as theological resources. Our body is not bound to their contents in entirety and subscription to all points therein is not a requirement for fellowship.

The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 The New Hampshire Confession of Faith Elders' note: Section XV. titled "Of the Christian Sabbath" expresses one of the orthodox understandings of the Sabbath under the new covenant but does not necessarily reflect a hard doctrinal position of Christ Church.) Apostles' Creed Nicene Creed

Confessions & Creeds

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there 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.
some have suggested that this line was not part of the creed in its earliest form
meaning the true, universal Christian church of all times and all places, not a reference to or affirmation of Roman Catholicism

Confessions & Creeds

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.