The statements below summarise our understanding of the fundamental points of the gospel. All speakers and all members of the leadership team are asked to subscribe to these statements of faith. The first is the Nicene Creed, which has been used by the church across the world since the 4th century. The second is our own statement of faith, adapted from a statement used by the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, UK.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Gospel in the City Statement of Faith
1. God
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his being, holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory. We must worship God alone.
2. The Bible
God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.
3. The Human Race
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to know and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be reborn, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.
4. The Lord Jesus Christ
In the fullness of time, the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, took upon him man’s nature. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body, ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father. He is the only way to the Father.
5. Salvation
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his mercy effectually calls sinners, giving them repentance and saving faith. All who believe in Christ are counted as perfectly righteous in God’s sight, by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.
6. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission.
7. The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return from heaven in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever. Come Lord Jesus! Amen.
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