Belief 10:In
infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be
sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of
God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge
our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith
in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This
faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of
the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we
are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered
from the lordship of sin. Trough the spirit we are born again
and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of
love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.
Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have
the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment.
Belief 11:The
church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior. In continuity with the people of God in Old
Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together
for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the
celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and
for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives
its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's
family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis
of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community
of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is
the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse
her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself
a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of
His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish.
Belief 12:The
universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ,
but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has
been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment
hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach
of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the
three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment
in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth.
Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide
witness.
Belief 13: The
church is one body with many members, called from every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation;
distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences
between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be
divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one
Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another;
we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share
the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all.
This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who
has adopted us as His children.
Belief 14:By
baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk
in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and
Savior, become His people, and are received as members by His church.
Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of
our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion
in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and
evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the
Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.
Belief 15:The
Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and
blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Savior.
In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen
His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's
death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes
self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained
the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express
a willingness to serve one another in Christ-like humility, and
to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open
to all believing Christians.
