T H E N I C E N E C R E E D

We affirm the theological declarations expressed in the Nicene Creed and the Christian doctrines it upholds. Aligning with this historical statement of faith serves to unify us with a heritage of believers that has endured for centuries, and we acknowledge its importance in establishing a standard for speaking well of God.

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 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 worshiped 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

T H E T R I N I T Y

God is one eternal and indivisible being and three equal and eternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is of one mind and will, proceeding from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.

Genesis 1:26, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Isaiah 44:6

J E S U S C H R I S T

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and second person of the Trinity. Equal in power and authority with the Father, he is fully God and humbling himself by taking on flesh, he is fully human. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of the law. He was born to a virgin, lived a perfect life, performed signs and miracles that testified to his identity; died on the cross to atone for the sin of all humanity, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day according to the Scriptures. Upon ascending after his resurrection, he now reigns seated at the right hand of God and will return again.

John 1:1, 14, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:15, Matthew 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Hebrews 8:1-2, 9:28

S A L V A T I O N

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; his life, death, and resurrection and its atoning power. Salvation is a gift from God afforded to all who believe. It cannot be earned, proved, or manipulated by human effort and morality and likewise cannot be threatened, lost, or diminished by our lack of good works or morality. It is entirely sufficient and complete; in assuming every aspect our humanity Jesus, God the Son, has redeemed every dimension of our sinfulness.*

Romans 3:21-22, 8:31-29, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 19:28-30

*Borrowed language from St. Gregory of Nazianzus from Epistle 101 to Cledonius the Priest Against Apollinarius when he quotes, “For that which He has not assumed, He has not healed.”

S C R I P T U R E

The Bible is the Word of God. We believe in its divine inspiration as God-breathed as God identified himself with the words of its human authors, it’s authority as a collection of infallible texts as a reliable guide for a life of faith, and it’s illuminating purpose as God’s self-revelation enabling us to know him and understand him. It’s function in our lives and in our community is captured by the words of St. Augustine: “Whoever, then, thinks that he understands the Holy Scriptures, or any part of them, but puts such an interpretation upon them as does not tend to build up this twofold love of God and our neighbour, does not yet understand them as he ought”.

1 Timothy 9:16-17, Psalm 119:130, Hebrews 4:12, John 20:30-31

G I F T S O F T H E S P I R I T

The Holy Spirit generously graces all believers with spiritual gifts for the purpose of enriching the church and our life together, evidence of the resurrection, and confirmation of the gospel’s transformative power. The lists of these gifts that appear in the Bible are not comprehensive or exhaustive and are void of gender specification. The expression of spiritual gifts should cooperate with Scripture. It is the church’s responsibility to recognize, cultivate, and steward the gifts of its members.

Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 2:14-40, 1 Peter 4:10

T H E C H U R C H

The church is the gathering of God's people participating in the redemptive life of Christ, who animated by the Spirit proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed. The church is God’s chosen agent of His reconciling work among Creation. The mission of the church is directly informed by the covenantal and cumulative mission of God to raise up a people who live in relationship with him and represent his reign and rule.

Genesis 1:28, 2:15, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 21:2-3