Redeemer Statement of Faith

Redeemer Evangelical Church encourages people of all beliefs and persuasions to investigate what the Bible teaches. We consider a number of biblical doctrines to be central to our faith and vital to the integrity of all aspects of our ministry. We affirm significant historic creeds of the church, such as the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. 

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired word of God. The 66 books which constitute the Bible are entirely reliable and truthful, and the Bible stands as the central authority over our lives, our faith and the direction of our church.   (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18) 

The Trinity

Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. The Bible refers to these persons as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is both self-existent and personal. (John 14:10, 26; 15:26) 

We believe that God is the loving Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternal and completely good, knowing all things, having all power and majesty. God exists eternally as the Trinity, in three persons, yet one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Jesus Christ

We believe that God expressed Himself in human form through Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humankind, was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is coming again as King and Judge. 

Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be reconciled to Him. Jesus' life on earth also serves as the model for the Christian life. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) 

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God. He empowers us to live an effective Christian life by affirming our salvation, encouraging us, and giving us the strength to live a life that is pleasing to God and personally fulfilling. 

We believe that the Holy Spirit, sent from God to live in all who believe in Jesus, teaches, comforts, and empowers us, giving each follower of Jesus diverse gifts for serving in the church and serving others in the world. We believe that it is through the Holy Spirit that we change and develop a holy life and Jesus-like character. (John 14:16; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12)

Salvation

We believe that all people are created with dignity and great value in the image of God. That people were created to live in a thriving relationship with God. 

However, through our sin (failing to live by God’s moral standards), we break our intended relationship with God, and we experience the sad consequences of that broken relationship, both spiritually and socially. However, because of God’s love for us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from those consequences and to restore our broken relationship with God, through Jesus’ death on the cross, a perfect act of redemption for each of us. We receive the free gift of forgiveness and are spiritually reborn through repenting (changing our mind and heart) of our sin and placing faith in Jesus alone. 

We believe that salvation is the free gift of God and is possessed by each individual who has, by faith, received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We believe salvation is a finished work because of Calvary and is received in three stages:

1. At the cross, the blood of Christ sets us forever free from the PENALTY of sin.

2. Through the living Christ working in His body members, He sets us free from the POWER of sin.

3. At His return, He will set us free from the PRESENCE of sin.

Humanity

Human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are creative beings, unique among all of God's creations. Through the abuse of our God-given free will, we have turned against God, and this has resulted in spiritual death for all humankind. Humanity lives in a state of alienation and profound need which can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Without this reconciliation, all people stand under God's righteous judgment. 

Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still dignified, and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us, even though we are hostile to Him. We are the canvas upon which God paints a beautiful picture. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation for a process of transformation. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17) 

The Church

The church is composed of all those throughout history who place saving faith in Jesus Christ. The church is not an institution, but a people. God wants all Christians to live out their spiritual lives in a corporate context. This context of Christian love relationships is a crucial feature of our witness for Christ as it reflects God's character to the world. 

The church is God's chosen instrument through which the message of salvation is spread to all people. This mission is the central purpose of the church. We are to carry the good news locally and worldwide and demonstrate the gospel by relevant social action. (John 13:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 28:19) 

Satan

Satan is the personal, spiritual adversary of God and God's followers. Satan actively opposes the work of the church and the spiritual vitality of Christians. We therefore take seriously, but in a balanced way, the reality of personal, spiritual opposition. Satan is doomed to final defeat and judgment when Christ returns. (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20) 

Second Coming

This age will conclude with the personal, bodily return of Christ. At that time, He will complete God's plan to reestablish His just and righteous rule over all humanity. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20) 

The After Life

At the final judgment, God will assign all people their eternal destinies-either life or judgment. Those who have responded to Jesus Christ with saving faith will receive the eternal life they have already been promised (John 5:24), while others will live under eternal judgment.

We do believe there is a literal heaven and hell, and that one day Jesus will return, although we approach the topics of the afterlife and end times with great mystery and wonder. 

Therefore, because eternal issues are at stake, there is an urgency to communicate the gospel. (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

Furthermore, in accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, we recognize two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.

In recognition of our common heritage with the Christian church through the ages, we affirm and celebrate the basic tenets of our faith as summarized in the words of the Apostle’s Creed as follows:

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at 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 Spirit; the one Holy Universal Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen."