Our Convictions

from Cities Church affirmation of faith

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THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the authoritative and powerful Word of God, verbally inspired by God, and without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that God’s intentions, revealed in the Bible, are the supreme and final authority in testing all claims about what is true and what is right. In matters not addressed by the Bible, what is true and right is assessed by criteria consistent with the teachings of Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 14:37; Mark 13:31; John 8:31, 32; 14:26; 16:13–14; 17:17; 20:31; Acts 20:32; Matthew 22:29, 43–44; 24:35; Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; 19:7–10; 119:9–16; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2; 1 Timothy 4:13

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THE TRINITY

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; and that these are the same divine essence, are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

Genesis 1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:2

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GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that he concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:21, 22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2; 2:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

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JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s unique and eternal Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in his substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for his people, and personal visible return to earth.

Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 4:1–21; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 3:21–26; 9:5; 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:1–2; 1 Peter 2:21–23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6–8; 6:9, 10; 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit sent into the world by God to glorify the Son of God. We believe that he convicts people of their sin and need for salvation, and without his work no one would come to faith. We believe that his work in regeneration is not the result of water baptism or any outward ritual. We believe he indwells everyone who trusts in Jesus, providing guidance and power, and helps them make progress in overcoming sin and in becoming more like Jesus in thought, deed, and love for God the Father.

John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; John 16:9–14; Titus 3:5–7; Romans 8:9; 12:6–8; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22–26

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THE HUMAN CONDITION AND SALVATION

We believe that humanity was created by God in his own image and for his glory; but that we sinned and fell short of God’s glory, and thus incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal separation from God. We believe that all humans are born with a sinful nature, and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. We reject justification based on any human effort, and we believe that only those who have been born again, and thus trust Jesus Christ as their Savior, by virtue of his atoning death on the cross, submitting to him as Lord, and embracing him as supreme Treasure of their lives, are adopted, delivered from condemnation, and receive eternal life. We believe that this faith leads to a heartfelt turning from sin. The Christian life involves growth in grace through persevering, Spirit-empowered resolve to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ.

Genesis. 1:26–27; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Matthew 13:44; John 1:13; John 3:14; 3:16; 5:24; John 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; 17:3; Psalm 51:7; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14; Romans 3:19; 5:19; Philippians 3:7–8; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:11; 8:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1–2; Hebrews 3:12–14; Hebrews 6:11–12; Hebrews 10:39; Romans 3:28

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MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY

We believe that marriage joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, lifelong union and that God designed and directs sexual intimacy exclusively for one man and one woman married to each other. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change or disagree with one’s biological sex is sinful and offensive to God.

Genesis 1:27–28; 2:23–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:24–32; Exodus 20:14,17; Leviticus 18:6–7, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, 18–20; 7:2; Matthew 5:27–30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Luke 10:27; 1 John 4:8–9; Romans 1:18–32; 5:8

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THE CHURCH, BAPTISM, AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe in one holy, universal Church made up of all who trust Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and supreme Treasure of their lives. We believe that God calls us to unite with other believers in local churches to help each other to value Jesus above all else, to praise him together, to make disciples, to grow in our love and knowledge of him, and to stir each other up to good works. We believe that Christians should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and regularly share in the Lord’s Supper to remember Jesus until his return.

Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 15:36, 41; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 1:1–3; Matthew 28:18–20; Revelations 1:4, 10, 11; Hebrews 10:24–25; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

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THE LAST THINGS AND TWO DESTINIES

We believe in the personal, visible, and bodily return of Jesus to earth and the establishment of his kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment of all people, the eternal happiness of the righteous in God’s presence, and the eternal misery of the wicked.

Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:15–8; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:11–15.