(As a foreword: Have you ever tried to write a Statement of Belief?
There’s a lot to consider.
I think this is an important section, but I’m still working on figuring out the best way to phrase things, what things to include and not include, etc.)
For now, let me just give a few central points:
1. I believe the Bible is trustworthy and of God, and is both the primary, and the ultimate, source of correct spiritual truth and understanding.
2. I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only path through which people can be in right relationship with God. (See John 14:6-7.)
3. I believe that people are saved by grace, through faith, and not by works, so that no one can boast. (See Ephesians 2:1-9.) At the same time, I believe that Christian moral choices deeply matter; a “Christianity” based on mental assent with Christian doctrine but not characterized by a change of life and character, is not true Christianity. (See James 2:14-26.) I believe that a life that is surrendered to God is not causal for salvation, but it is fully correlative with salvation.
4. I believe that all of the people of God are called to gathering together, to worship, to prayer, to thanksgiving, to obedience, to caring for the poor, and to evangelism.
5. As an implication of the previous point, I believe that all Christians are called to partake, in some manner, in the Great Commission. I believe Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:20 (“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”) should be understood as the role of all Christians and not just Paul’s ministry team, or apostles, or people in vocational ministry, etc.
6. I agree with the historic Nicene Creed, and regard it as a reliable distillation of most of the primary tenets of biblical Christian Orthodoxy.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven;
He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried.
The third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.**
I affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
**I understand the phrase “one holy catholic and apostolic church” to refer to not a particular church or tradition, but the sum total of all truly Christian groups and traditions.
TR Hartley 
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