What we Believe

This statement of faith seeks only to provide the basic foundations of what we in Ruach Ministries affirm to be true. It does not attempt to be a total definition of Christian faith and doctrine.

Concerning God

We believe in those truths embodied in the historic orthodox creeds of the Christian Church. These truths are summed up well in the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men* and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the

Father.

 

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic* Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

* "men"=all people, "catholic"=universal church, "apostolic"=faithful to the apostles teaching

Concerning the Bible

We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures are

God-breathed, since their writers spoke from God as they were moved

by the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are fully trustworthy in all that

they affirm and are our highest authority for faith and life.

Concerning Salvation

We believe that though God made us in his own likeness and image,

conferring on all people dignity and worth; we now are members of a

fallen race; we have sinned and come short of his perfect

standard.

 

We believe that only by responding in repentance and faith to God's

grace, demonstrated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,

can we have the confidence of sins forgiven, deliverance from evil,

restoration of relationship with God and life forever with him.

 

We believe that in this world the devil does exist. He is a fallen

angel exercising influence over all that is fallen.

 

We believe there will come a day when Jesus will return to earth, not

to save but to judge. All evil powers, along with those who ignore

God's offer of salvation, will be shut out eternally from the

presence of the Lord.

Concerning the Christian Life

We believe that good works are the fruit of our salvation, not the

means to it.

 

We believe that a person's Christian faith should be accompanied by

water baptism.

 

We believe that all Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus

Christ, loving and obeying him as Lord over their lives in a personal

relationship. Among those evidences that a Christian is growing in

this relationship are holiness of life, prayer, faith, stewardship,

sharing God's good news with others and right relationships.

 

We believe that the greatest response to God's love is expressed in

our love for him and for others.

Concerning the Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all Christians and is

active to produce Christlikeness, empowerment for witness and

spiritual gifts in the lives of those who seek to walk in openness

and obedience.

 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is necessary for the Church's

life, power and mission and that all the gifts of the Spirit

are to be part of the Church's life and ministry.

Concerning the Church

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.

 

We believe that the Church is Christ's Body on earth; the universal

fellowship of all those who have faith in Jesus Christ and is

composed of many local congregations. We are to work together in

unity with the various expressions of the Body of Christ.

 

We believe that the Church is to be "community", nurturing and

developing the disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

We believe in having a regular Celebration of the Lord's Supper, open

to all believers.

 

We believe in the priesthood of all believers. Some are called to

exercise leadership and authority in the Church but all are called to

a life of service in exercising the gifts God has given them. Those

who are called by God and affirmed by the Church to leadership should

exercise that authority in the spirit of service and accountability

to the rest of the Body.

 

We believe that the mission of Jesus is now the mission of the

Church; displaying and declaring the glory of God, his victory and

authority over all that is evil, and reconciling others to him. We

are called to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" in the

power of the Holy Spirit with words and deeds; bringing the wholeness

and freedom of the Kingdom of God to individuals, families, ethnic

groups and at every level in society.