These are some of the most important things that we believe. The Bible tells us that these beliefs unite all parts of Jesus’ body, the church.

 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:3-6  

 

One God: There is one God and Father who is over all and through all and in all.

~ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5        

One Lord: Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God. He teaches us how to live, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead. Jesus reveals the Father to us, and we follow him. He is with us always.

~For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17        

One Spirit: There is one Spirit of God, who lives in us, and testifies that we are children of God.

~And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17        

One body: There is one body, the universal church. By watching our life and doctrine closely, we have the confidence that God wants us to have, that we are a part of that one body.

~And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23        

One hope: There is one hope of eternal life, which makes our earthly struggles light and momentary.

~I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21       

One faith: There is one faith, the trust that Jesus is the Son of God, whom God raised from the dead.

~In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5        

One baptism: There is one baptism, at which each believing, repentant disciple has received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and has been added into the body of Christ.

~ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38