R
RadicalReformer
Guest
I am working on a personal website/blog type of thing in my spare time. One of the pages will be on my personal confession of faith. It is a worthy endeavor to write in one's own words what it is that they believe. It is "easy" to merely agree with one creed/confession or another - however, it is worth the effort to "work through" writing one's own as well.
Anyways, not seeking for agreement or debate on mine, what I am asking for is feedback on how mine is conveyed. It is easy for me to know what I what to communicate, it is another to know exactly what is being communicated. Therefore, if you do not mind, I would appreciate you taking the time to read through it and give me your feedback, from misspellings to grammar. Thanks,
Introduction
This is my personal "Confession of Faith" expressing my beliefs of God and understanding of His work. This is not a definitive confession nor is it one made in isolation. I have relied on other Confessions, namely:
* Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspecitve
* Schleitheim Articles (1527) - the Brotherly Agreement
* Statement of Theology by the Conservative Mennonite Conference
As with all confessions, it is subject to the final authority of Scriptures. As I continue to read, meditate, and seek understanding of God's Word, this confession will progress to conform with the unchanging Word of God. In our everchanging world may my confession help guide you to God's Word, and the peace found in Christ Jesus.
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Cor. 3:11 (NASB)
God
I believe in the existence of the One holy and eternal God who has revealed Himself in three equal persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the triune Godhead. Each person having distinct relationships and activities, who are of equal essence and attributes. All three persons of the Godhead are inter-dwelling, interdependent, eternal, and in fullness; God.
God is the creator of the universe and everything visible and invisible found within. He is actively involved with His creation, balancing His sovereignty over all creation with human responsibility for our actions. God will accomplish His decree for the purpose of His glorification. His attributes work in harmony together and are perfected in His love.
* Gen. 1-2; 1 John 4:8; Deut 6:4; Acts 5:3-4; Acts 2:23; Matt 28:19; Eph 4:6; Romans 8:28; Eph 1:11, 3:11
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Jesus Christ
I confess Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior - the Christ, the Messiah spoken through the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament. He is the Author and Perfector of the Christian faith. By His death on the Cross, He has paid the price of our sins, providing the means to be reconciled to God. Through His bodily resurrection, He has conquered death so that those who believe will spend eternity with God. He currently reigns at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf, waiting to return to judge the living and the dead.
Existing prior to creation, through Him all things visible and invisible were made. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin. While fully God, He humbled himself taking on the mantle of humanity through the virgin birth - fully human and fully God. Through His life, teachings and ministry, He provides for us the way, the truth, and the life.
Salvation is found in Christ alone. He is our Redeemer, our High Priest, our Savior, the Messiah, God’s only Son, the Word made Flesh, the second member of the Godhead.
* Dan 3:25; John 1:1-2; Mic 5:2; Phil 2:6-8; John 5:18; Luke 2:52; Romans 3:24; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 4:14; Col. 1:18
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Holy Spirit
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, calls us to repentance and directs us to salvation in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer by teaching, interceding, convicting, comforting, indwelling, sealing, enabling, and baptizing us into the Body of Christ. We are granted gifts by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ and the advancement of God’s work on earth. We are to submit to the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit, so as not to grieve the Holy Spirit
* Acts 5:3-4; 2 Thes 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:8; 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:13, 4:4-6; 1 Cor 12:4, 7:7; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28-30 Eph 4:11; Romans 12:6-8
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Scriptures
I believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Old and New Testaments through which the Holy Spirit used human authors to record without error, in the original manuscripts. The Bible, God's supernatural revelation to humanity, contains God’s instruction for salvation and training in righteousness – and is fully authoritative over all mankind. It is the trustworthy and fully reliable standard for the Christian faith and life, with the New Testament being the total fullfilment of the Old Testament.
* John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:140; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 1:1-2
Return to top
Creation and Humanity
Where there was nothing, God spoke into existence all that is visible and invisible. Creation is a good and supernatural work of God who is active sustaining and redeeming that which He has made. Creation is an expression of God's love, an explanation of origins, and a witness to His divine power. All that has been created owe their existence to God, the Creator - therefore, He is worthy of worship and praise.
In His image God created Adam and Eve to be in perfect harmony with Him, each other, and the rest of creation. Together they were and we are to be an equal and perfect companion – living in mutual helpful relationships with one another. Humankind was created in the image of God, designed to have a special relationship with God, to worship God, and to live in peace with one another and the rest of creation. Through disobedience, sin entered into the world, staining humanity. Humanity's salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
* Gen 1:26-27, 2:7, 2:21-23, 3:8; Gen 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; Col 1:15
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Sin
Beginning with Adam and Eve, humanity has disobeyed God – choosing to sin rather than following God. Sin is any transgression, active or inactive, by thought, word, or deed that violates God’s will. All of mankind has missed the mark of God’s standards. We sin when we turn away from God and His standards – making gods out of ourselves and creation. Through our association with Adam, all of humanity is guilty of disobedience towards God. Because of sin, we have become enslaved to the power of darkness and evil. However, we can rejoice that God has seen fit to rescue us from our sin – providing hope through the saving work of Christ on the Cross.
* Romans 3:23, 5:12; James 2:10; 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Peter 2:22
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Salvation
I believe through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation is freely provided to those who believe. In His mercy and grace, God has provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to Himself and with each other. Salvation is imparted when we believe in the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, submitting to the Lordship of Christ in our lives. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament witness to the grace of God who in the fullness of time, sent His only Son to die that we might be made alive in Him and receive salvation. Through the same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we, who believe in Jesus Christ, have hope and security. We are saved, not by our works or deeds, but through the grace of God, secure in righteousness through obedience, and anticipating the fullness of salvation in the resurrection. We are accepted as heirs into God’s family – as His sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in Christ.
* Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9; 1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Cor 5:17; John 3:16; Eph 2:8-9; Heb 12:23; Gal 4:5-7
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Church
I believe that the church is a voluntary assembly of those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Having been called out by the Lord, the church represents the Body of Christ with Christ as the Head. The term “church†refers to both the local assembly of believers and the universal Body of Christ. The church began at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The ministry of the church is to worship God, instruct believers, make disciples, fellowship with each other, and witness to a fallen world. Separated from the world, the church is called to minister to a fallen world with the Gospel. To accomplish this work, the church has been blessed through the Holy Spirit, with various spiritual gifts.
The New Testament records three ordinances to be observed by the church taught by the example of Jesus: Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Servanthood by the Washing of the Feet.
* Acts 2, 8:1; Col 1:18; Romans 12:5; 1 Cor 12:20; John 4:24; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:41; John 13:14-15
Return to top
Discipleship
I believe we are empowered by the grace of God to be disciples of Jesus Christ. By living a life of discipleship we are being transformed into the image of Christ – separating ourselves from the world. We are to follow the will of God, not our selfish ambition. We are to follow the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, rather than conform to the evils of this world. We are to seek simplicity, rather than materialism. We are to seek peaceful resolution and reconciliation, rather than violence. We are to promote justice and service, rather than revenge. We are to be loyal citizens of God’s kingdom, rather than allegiance to a nation-state. We are to do justice, love kindness, seek justice, and walk humbly with our God. Through our faithfulness and obedience to living out a Christ-centered life, we will be witnesses to our community and the world.
* Romans 12:2; Titus 2:12; Micah 6:8; Zech 4:6; Acts 5:29; Matthew 28:18-20
Return to top
Baptism
Following the example and teachings of Christ, baptism by water is an outward pledge by believers of the covenant relationship with God. Believers are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Spirit, water, and blood. Baptism is reserved for those who have confessed their sins, repented of their actions, confess Christ as Lord and Savior, and are committed to following Christ's teachings in obedience and discipleship as members of the Body of Christ.
Through baptism with water we publicly display our confession of and commitment to Christ. We identify and follow His example of water baptism, pledging to serve Christ and to minister to others.
Through baptism with the Holy Spirit we have been made a new creation, dying to our former self and being made alive in Christ. Enabling believers to follows His teachings, minister to those in need, extend love to our enemies, offering our lives in service.
Through baptism with blood we identify with Christ's sufferings - suffering to the point of sheding His blood. We submit our lives to the service of Christ, even to the point of death.
* Romans 6:1-4; Acts 2:38-39; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7-8; Gal 3:27
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Breaking of The Bread
Establishing the New Convenant through His death, the Lord's Supper is a communal meal shared by believers as an act of rememberance. The bread symbolizing His body broken for us. The cup symbolizing His blood poured out for us.
All believers baptized into the community of faith, who are at peace with God and one another are welcome to partake of the communial meal. Through our participation we remember God's provision of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ, giving thanks to God for His grace and mercy which daily sustains, and anticipating the full communion of the redeemed with Christ in the age to come.
In unity with one another, we partake of the Lord's Supper affirming our baptismal convenant with God and one another. We celebrate our unity with God and all believers, sharing our burdens and praises in one family - the Body of Christ
* 1 Cor 11:24-26; 1 Cor 10:16; Luke 22:15-20; John 6:35-40
Return to top
Foot Washing
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." (NASB)
Led by the example of Christ who took the role of a servant and washed His disciples' feet, we are called to humbly serve one another. By washing each other's feet, believers show their sharing in the Body of Christ, identifying with Christ. Regadless of position, office, or wealth we are to wash each other's feet. Letting go of pride and prestige, we demonstrate our commitment to shun worldly ambition. Acting instead in humble service, affirming our commitment to one another in sacrificial love
* John 13:14-15; John 13:8; James 4:10
Return to top
Peace
I believe that God created the earth and all within in peaceful relationship with one another, creation, and with God. Once sin entered the world, that peace was shattered. Since the fall, God has been pointing us towards peace – ultimately through the teachings and example of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, believers seek a life of peace – doing justice, bringing a ministry of reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance in the face in violence.
We are called to love our enemies, resist evil without violence, seek reconciliation over revenge, and sacrifice even to the point of death for the way of peace. Therefore it is contrary to the principles of our faith and the teachings of Christ to participate or hold office where the use of violence, military force, or retaliation are employed. Our faith, trust, and security is found in the grace of God – who empowers and sustains. Therefore, we are called to be a witness against all forms of violence: war, abortion, capital punishment, violent images in entertainment, physical and mental abuse, and racial injustice by extending love to all.
* Gen 1-2; Matthew 5:44, 6:14-15; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Isa 11:1-9
Anyways, not seeking for agreement or debate on mine, what I am asking for is feedback on how mine is conveyed. It is easy for me to know what I what to communicate, it is another to know exactly what is being communicated. Therefore, if you do not mind, I would appreciate you taking the time to read through it and give me your feedback, from misspellings to grammar. Thanks,
Introduction
This is my personal "Confession of Faith" expressing my beliefs of God and understanding of His work. This is not a definitive confession nor is it one made in isolation. I have relied on other Confessions, namely:
* Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspecitve
* Schleitheim Articles (1527) - the Brotherly Agreement
* Statement of Theology by the Conservative Mennonite Conference
As with all confessions, it is subject to the final authority of Scriptures. As I continue to read, meditate, and seek understanding of God's Word, this confession will progress to conform with the unchanging Word of God. In our everchanging world may my confession help guide you to God's Word, and the peace found in Christ Jesus.
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Cor. 3:11 (NASB)
God
I believe in the existence of the One holy and eternal God who has revealed Himself in three equal persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the triune Godhead. Each person having distinct relationships and activities, who are of equal essence and attributes. All three persons of the Godhead are inter-dwelling, interdependent, eternal, and in fullness; God.
God is the creator of the universe and everything visible and invisible found within. He is actively involved with His creation, balancing His sovereignty over all creation with human responsibility for our actions. God will accomplish His decree for the purpose of His glorification. His attributes work in harmony together and are perfected in His love.
* Gen. 1-2; 1 John 4:8; Deut 6:4; Acts 5:3-4; Acts 2:23; Matt 28:19; Eph 4:6; Romans 8:28; Eph 1:11, 3:11
Return to top
Jesus Christ
I confess Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior - the Christ, the Messiah spoken through the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament. He is the Author and Perfector of the Christian faith. By His death on the Cross, He has paid the price of our sins, providing the means to be reconciled to God. Through His bodily resurrection, He has conquered death so that those who believe will spend eternity with God. He currently reigns at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf, waiting to return to judge the living and the dead.
Existing prior to creation, through Him all things visible and invisible were made. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin. While fully God, He humbled himself taking on the mantle of humanity through the virgin birth - fully human and fully God. Through His life, teachings and ministry, He provides for us the way, the truth, and the life.
Salvation is found in Christ alone. He is our Redeemer, our High Priest, our Savior, the Messiah, God’s only Son, the Word made Flesh, the second member of the Godhead.
* Dan 3:25; John 1:1-2; Mic 5:2; Phil 2:6-8; John 5:18; Luke 2:52; Romans 3:24; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 4:14; Col. 1:18
Return to top
Holy Spirit
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, calls us to repentance and directs us to salvation in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer by teaching, interceding, convicting, comforting, indwelling, sealing, enabling, and baptizing us into the Body of Christ. We are granted gifts by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ and the advancement of God’s work on earth. We are to submit to the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit, so as not to grieve the Holy Spirit
* Acts 5:3-4; 2 Thes 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:8; 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:13, 4:4-6; 1 Cor 12:4, 7:7; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28-30 Eph 4:11; Romans 12:6-8
Return to top
Scriptures
I believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Old and New Testaments through which the Holy Spirit used human authors to record without error, in the original manuscripts. The Bible, God's supernatural revelation to humanity, contains God’s instruction for salvation and training in righteousness – and is fully authoritative over all mankind. It is the trustworthy and fully reliable standard for the Christian faith and life, with the New Testament being the total fullfilment of the Old Testament.
* John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:140; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 1:1-2
Return to top
Creation and Humanity
Where there was nothing, God spoke into existence all that is visible and invisible. Creation is a good and supernatural work of God who is active sustaining and redeeming that which He has made. Creation is an expression of God's love, an explanation of origins, and a witness to His divine power. All that has been created owe their existence to God, the Creator - therefore, He is worthy of worship and praise.
In His image God created Adam and Eve to be in perfect harmony with Him, each other, and the rest of creation. Together they were and we are to be an equal and perfect companion – living in mutual helpful relationships with one another. Humankind was created in the image of God, designed to have a special relationship with God, to worship God, and to live in peace with one another and the rest of creation. Through disobedience, sin entered into the world, staining humanity. Humanity's salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
* Gen 1:26-27, 2:7, 2:21-23, 3:8; Gen 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; Col 1:15
Return to top
Sin
Beginning with Adam and Eve, humanity has disobeyed God – choosing to sin rather than following God. Sin is any transgression, active or inactive, by thought, word, or deed that violates God’s will. All of mankind has missed the mark of God’s standards. We sin when we turn away from God and His standards – making gods out of ourselves and creation. Through our association with Adam, all of humanity is guilty of disobedience towards God. Because of sin, we have become enslaved to the power of darkness and evil. However, we can rejoice that God has seen fit to rescue us from our sin – providing hope through the saving work of Christ on the Cross.
* Romans 3:23, 5:12; James 2:10; 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Peter 2:22
Return to top
Salvation
I believe through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation is freely provided to those who believe. In His mercy and grace, God has provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to Himself and with each other. Salvation is imparted when we believe in the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, submitting to the Lordship of Christ in our lives. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament witness to the grace of God who in the fullness of time, sent His only Son to die that we might be made alive in Him and receive salvation. Through the same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we, who believe in Jesus Christ, have hope and security. We are saved, not by our works or deeds, but through the grace of God, secure in righteousness through obedience, and anticipating the fullness of salvation in the resurrection. We are accepted as heirs into God’s family – as His sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in Christ.
* Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9; 1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Cor 5:17; John 3:16; Eph 2:8-9; Heb 12:23; Gal 4:5-7
Return to top
Church
I believe that the church is a voluntary assembly of those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Having been called out by the Lord, the church represents the Body of Christ with Christ as the Head. The term “church†refers to both the local assembly of believers and the universal Body of Christ. The church began at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The ministry of the church is to worship God, instruct believers, make disciples, fellowship with each other, and witness to a fallen world. Separated from the world, the church is called to minister to a fallen world with the Gospel. To accomplish this work, the church has been blessed through the Holy Spirit, with various spiritual gifts.
The New Testament records three ordinances to be observed by the church taught by the example of Jesus: Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Servanthood by the Washing of the Feet.
* Acts 2, 8:1; Col 1:18; Romans 12:5; 1 Cor 12:20; John 4:24; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:41; John 13:14-15
Return to top
Discipleship
I believe we are empowered by the grace of God to be disciples of Jesus Christ. By living a life of discipleship we are being transformed into the image of Christ – separating ourselves from the world. We are to follow the will of God, not our selfish ambition. We are to follow the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, rather than conform to the evils of this world. We are to seek simplicity, rather than materialism. We are to seek peaceful resolution and reconciliation, rather than violence. We are to promote justice and service, rather than revenge. We are to be loyal citizens of God’s kingdom, rather than allegiance to a nation-state. We are to do justice, love kindness, seek justice, and walk humbly with our God. Through our faithfulness and obedience to living out a Christ-centered life, we will be witnesses to our community and the world.
* Romans 12:2; Titus 2:12; Micah 6:8; Zech 4:6; Acts 5:29; Matthew 28:18-20
Return to top
Baptism
Following the example and teachings of Christ, baptism by water is an outward pledge by believers of the covenant relationship with God. Believers are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Spirit, water, and blood. Baptism is reserved for those who have confessed their sins, repented of their actions, confess Christ as Lord and Savior, and are committed to following Christ's teachings in obedience and discipleship as members of the Body of Christ.
Through baptism with water we publicly display our confession of and commitment to Christ. We identify and follow His example of water baptism, pledging to serve Christ and to minister to others.
Through baptism with the Holy Spirit we have been made a new creation, dying to our former self and being made alive in Christ. Enabling believers to follows His teachings, minister to those in need, extend love to our enemies, offering our lives in service.
Through baptism with blood we identify with Christ's sufferings - suffering to the point of sheding His blood. We submit our lives to the service of Christ, even to the point of death.
* Romans 6:1-4; Acts 2:38-39; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7-8; Gal 3:27
Return to top
Breaking of The Bread
Establishing the New Convenant through His death, the Lord's Supper is a communal meal shared by believers as an act of rememberance. The bread symbolizing His body broken for us. The cup symbolizing His blood poured out for us.
All believers baptized into the community of faith, who are at peace with God and one another are welcome to partake of the communial meal. Through our participation we remember God's provision of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ, giving thanks to God for His grace and mercy which daily sustains, and anticipating the full communion of the redeemed with Christ in the age to come.
In unity with one another, we partake of the Lord's Supper affirming our baptismal convenant with God and one another. We celebrate our unity with God and all believers, sharing our burdens and praises in one family - the Body of Christ
* 1 Cor 11:24-26; 1 Cor 10:16; Luke 22:15-20; John 6:35-40
Return to top
Foot Washing
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." (NASB)
Led by the example of Christ who took the role of a servant and washed His disciples' feet, we are called to humbly serve one another. By washing each other's feet, believers show their sharing in the Body of Christ, identifying with Christ. Regadless of position, office, or wealth we are to wash each other's feet. Letting go of pride and prestige, we demonstrate our commitment to shun worldly ambition. Acting instead in humble service, affirming our commitment to one another in sacrificial love
* John 13:14-15; John 13:8; James 4:10
Return to top
Peace
I believe that God created the earth and all within in peaceful relationship with one another, creation, and with God. Once sin entered the world, that peace was shattered. Since the fall, God has been pointing us towards peace – ultimately through the teachings and example of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, believers seek a life of peace – doing justice, bringing a ministry of reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance in the face in violence.
We are called to love our enemies, resist evil without violence, seek reconciliation over revenge, and sacrifice even to the point of death for the way of peace. Therefore it is contrary to the principles of our faith and the teachings of Christ to participate or hold office where the use of violence, military force, or retaliation are employed. Our faith, trust, and security is found in the grace of God – who empowers and sustains. Therefore, we are called to be a witness against all forms of violence: war, abortion, capital punishment, violent images in entertainment, physical and mental abuse, and racial injustice by extending love to all.
* Gen 1-2; Matthew 5:44, 6:14-15; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Isa 11:1-9
