What We Believe at St. John’s United Church of Christ
Our stated purpose is to:
Worship God, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to celebrate the Sacraments, to realize Christian Fellowship and unity within this Church and the Church Universal; to render loving service toward humanity; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.
According to the Constitution of our church:
"This Church acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of humanity. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own, such as expressed by the United Church of Christ statement of faith."
That means we are:
... not a doctrinal church - meaning that we don’t hold our members to confessions of beliefs in certain doctrines in order to be members.
"Doctrine" means "something taught as a body of principles"
... not a sacramental church - meaning that your membership and salvation depends upon your participation in the sacraments of the church.
... a covenantal church - meaning that participation is based upon a covenantal relationship between the believer, the other members of the church family, and God.
A "covenant", simply defined, is a solemn promise made between two or more parties to fulfill a declared purpose in a relationship.
An important covenant in the history of our Church is …
Salem Covenant of 1629;
"We covenant with the Lord and with one another and do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his bless Word of truth."
What we believe ...
In essential beliefs we have unity. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
In non-essential beliefs we have liberty. (Romans 14)
In all our beliefs - we show charity. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
According of the By-laws of our church:
"One expression of faith is the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ, as adopted at the Second General Synod, July, 1959."
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to His deeds we testify:
He calls the world into being, creates man in His own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by His righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, He has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to Himself.
He bestows upon us His Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into His Church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be His servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at His table, to join Him in His passion and victory.
He promises to all who trust Him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, His presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in His kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto Him. Amen.
What are the Essential Beliefs that We Hold Dear?
Remember, we are not a doctrinal church, but we still believe (and expect our members to believe!) the basics as found expressed in the ancient Catholic (which simply means "universal) Creeds as measures, or rules of faith.
These creeds include the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
The Apostle's Creed:
The Apostle's Creed was first used as a baptismal statement of faith by the adult converts of the early Church. It came into its present form by AD 150, and was used by the Roman churches.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed:
This Creed, the second most widely used in the Church, reached its final form in AD 381. It was formulated to respond to some popular heresies of the time, including that still believed by the Church of Jehovah's Witness of today.
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 his 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 Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and on the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both 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 proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe 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.
What we believe:
1. About God.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
God has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
These three are co-equal and are one God; that’s called the Trinity.
Basic Scriptures: Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
He is co - equal with the Father.
Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross.
He arose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Basic Scriptures: Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co - equal with the Father and the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.
The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Holy Spirit gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
As Christians we seek to live under the Holy Spirit’s control daily.
Basic Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us.
It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It is the sole and supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It is inspired by God, and it is His living Word.
Basic Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1,20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
5. About human beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation.
Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin."
This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Basic Scriptures: Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 2:5
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us , and through the grace of God, we are able to accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.
Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty.
When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.
Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith.
Basic Scriptures: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.
When you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it.
Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
Basic Scriptures: John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever.
We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation.
To be eternally separated from God is hell.
To be eternally in union with Him is heaven.
Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Basic Scriptures: John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44,46
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