Statement of Faith
Originally posted at: http://www.cmj-usa.org/content/statement-faith
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We affirm our belief in historic Christianity as revealed in the Scriptures and summarized in the three Creeds (the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian) and the Thirty-Nine Articles. We recognize the need today for reaffirming the following beliefs:
The mystery of the Holy Trinity, namely, that the one God exists eternally in the three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and has so revealed himself to us in the Gospel.
The full deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, who by reason of his birth of the Virgin Mary, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension, and triumphant reign, is the only Mediator between God and man.
The trustworthiness of the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as "God’s Word written," which contain all things necessary for salvation, teach God’s will for His world, and have supreme authority for faith, life, and the continuous renewal and reform of the Church.
The justification of the repenting and believing sinner as God’s gracious act of declaring him righteous on the ground of the reconciling death of Christ, who suffered in our place and rose again for us; and sanctification as the gracious continuing activity of the Holy Spirit in the justified believer, perfecting his repentance, nurturing the new life implanted within him, transforming him into Christ’s image, and enabling him to do good works in the world.
The Church as the Body of Christ, whose members belong to the new humanity, are called to live in the world in the power of the Spirit, worshipping God, confessing His truth, proclaiming Christ, supporting one another in love, and giving themselves in sacrificial service to those in need.
The calling of all Christians to exercise their God-given gifts in ministry, and to work, witness, and suffer for Christ; together with the particular call of ordained ministers, who, by preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, are to equip God’s people for his service, and to present them mature in Christ.
Article VII: Baptism and Holy Communion
Baptism and Holy Communion, instituted by Christ, are "visible words" which proclaim the Gospel. They are instruments that God uses to enliven, deepen and strengthen our faith when rightly approached in repentance and faith.
In particular we hold the Lord's Supper to be an appointed means of communion with the Risen Lord in which He reminds us of the benefits of His sacrifice, once for all offered on the Cross for us as sinners, and of His triumph for us in His Cross and Resurrection over sin, Satan and death. In this Holy Supper we praise Him for Who He is and for His undeserved love, mercy and righteousness given to us in Christ, while renewing our vow to serve Him by His grace in this life and the next. We hold that all baptized, penitent, believers in Christ are to be invited to His table to celebrate our common salvation in Him and to renew our calling to serve one another and the World in Him.
As Christians who are called to share the Gospel with all mankind, we acknowledge that Christians have a special responsibility to love, defend and share the Gospel with God's historic, chosen People, the Jews. We take seriously the words of the Apostle Paul that the gospel is, "to the Jew first and then the Gentile" and call upon all Christians to do the same.
The personal return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ at the end of this age for the resurrection of the dead, some to life, some to condemnation, for the glorification of his Church, and for the renewal of the whole creation.
