Beliefs

Introduction

This Confession of Faith was carefully written and prayerfully prepared to be an effective tool in carrying out the mission of the Church. Personal confession of faith is important for personal salvation (Romans 10:9-10). In the same way, a shared confession of faith is important for preserving and growing the body of Christ.

This Confession of Faith serves several useful purposes.

It helps the whole brotherhood understand what the Bible teaches. It focuses on the important truths of the Christian faith that evangelical churches have shared for many years. It also describes the distinctive points of our doctrine, where our understanding of Holy Scripture differs from that of other Christian denominations.

It unites believers who share the same convictions. It states the commitment and agreement of a brotherhood that is now spread throughout the world. This commitment is to Holy Scripture, and to Jesus Christ as Lord, as the faultless guide in faith and life. That commitment is essential for an effective witness (John 17:21; Philippians 3:16).

It protects against false accusations and false teaching. It has an apologetic (defending the faith) function and can help the brotherhood keep biblical doctrine and Christian morals intact.

It is a tool for teaching. It can be used to teach and sanctify church members and strengthen their convictions, and also to reach people outside our brotherhood. It can serve as a study guide for people preparing for church membership.

It is a missionary pamphlet for the people in our communities who "ask us to give the reason for the hope that we have" (1 Peter 3:15). This document sums up our beliefs and goals in brief form.

It is a guide and standard for church discipline of disobedient members and of churches that have strayed. Departing from this Confession of Faith is a serious breach of fellowship, and it may lead to removal of members, and even of churches, from the brotherhood.

Ultimately, it is a means of renewing the Church and refocusing it. Studying the important biblical truths in this Confession can lead to a deeper understanding of God's perfect will and a fuller commitment to following Christ.

May this Confession of Faith serve the glory of God and the building up of His Church, "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

I. God

We believe in God, the eternal Spirit, infinite in His holiness, power, wisdom, righteousness, grace, love, and mercy. The one eternal God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Father
We believe in God the Father, who created all things. He can be known through what He has revealed in word and deed, as the source of life. He is a God of love who calls all creation to serve His eternal purpose. In His mercy and grace, He receives as His children those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

The Son
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, whom the Father sent to reconcile us to Himself and to deliver us from sin and eternal death. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. According to Holy Scripture, He is truly God and truly man. He lived a sinless, holy, and perfect life. He suffered, was crucified, and died for our sins to fulfill God's redeeming purpose. He rose from the dead for our justification and ascended into heaven, where He now lives and intercedes for those who believe in Him. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and to establish His eternal Kingdom.

The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son and was sent by Them to carry out the redemption of humanity. He convicts, gives new birth, guides, teaches, rebukes, dwells within, empowers, comforts, intercedes, unites believers into one body, and glorifies Christ.

Key Scriptures (not a complete list): Genesis 1; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Psalm 139; Isaiah 40; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 18; 4:24; 15:26; Romans 8:1-17, 26-27; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 5:19; 13:14; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:16; 6:15-16; Hebrews 11:6; Jude 25.

II. Revelation

We believe God revealed His power and divine nature by creating the universe, so that people could know Him. God revealed Himself through His saving word and acts in the Old Testament and made a covenant with His people. He revealed Himself fully and most gloriously in the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament.

We believe all Scripture is inspired by God, because the people of God were guided by the Holy Spirit. We accept the Old and New Testaments as the faultless Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and life in the Christian walk with God. We believe the Old Testament is a preparation that finds its fulfillment in the New Testament. Christ is the key to understanding the Bible. The Old Testament bears witness to Him, and He is the One the New Testament proclaims.

Psalm 19; 119:105; Luke 24:27, 44; Romans 1:18-23; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; 8:5-13.

III. Humanity and Sin

We believe that humans were created without sin, in the image of God, for fellowship with God, and with free will. But humanity sinned, knowingly disobeyed God, broke fellowship with Him, and brought physical, spiritual, and eternal death to all people. As a result, all people are sinners by nature, guilty before God, and all need God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:27; 3:1-19; Matthew 19:13-15; Romans 3:10-18; 5:12, 18-21; Ephesians 2:1-3.

IV. Salvation by Grace

We believe there is only one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus. He came to deliver people from the judgment and power of sin and to reconcile them to God. By shedding His blood, Christ offered the only worthy sacrifice for sin and so established the New Covenant with God.

We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin and calls them to salvation. Everyone who repents of their sins and believes in Christ as Savior and Lord receives forgiveness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they are born again and receive assurance of salvation. Saving faith includes full surrender to Christ's will, complete trust in Him, and joyful obedience to His Word as a faithful follower.

Acts 2:42, 46; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:12; 9:15-28; 1 John 1:9.

V. The Christian Life

We believe the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian and transforms them into the image of Christ. He gives the believer power to follow Christ and to be His effective witness.

A Christian lives at peace with God and with other believers, and joins a local church through baptism. They help build up the body of Christ with their spiritual and material gifts. Nurtured by the Word of God, fellowship, and prayer, the believer is transformed into the image of Christ, glorifies God, and is His witness in everyday life.

Believers grow to spiritual maturity as they give themselves fully to Christ and obey His Word. As they grow in Christ, believers leave behind their old way of life, with its sinful tendencies and vices. They are no longer slaves to sin or under Satan's power. Their body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which must not be defiled or dishonored. A believer should not be ruled or controlled by material things. They seek to devote their time and abilities to Christ and His Kingdom.

The fruit of the Spirit should show more and more in their life, especially in their relationships with others. The Holy Spirit gives them power to overcome sin and temptation, to live a holy life, and to do good works. Even so, all followers of Christ continually need God's forgiving, correcting, and cleansing grace.

Matthew 5:13-16; John 12:26; 15:4-5; Romans 6; 8:9-16; 12; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:1-4; 4:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14.

VI. The Church of Christ

We believe the Church is one body, the bride of Christ, brought into being through God's redeeming work. Believers of every nation, race, and social group who have been born again through faith in Christ, cleansed by His blood, baptized by His Spirit into one body, and devoted to God are members of one body, whose head is Christ. Despite differences in doctrine among denominations, the Holy Spirit creates a unity that makes cooperation and understanding possible among believers of different Christian groups. The Holy Scriptures, especially the letters to the early apostolic Church, guide believers in matters of doctrine and life.

Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives gifts to the Church to build up believers and spread the Gospel.

Church Structure
The local church is a community of baptized believers who gather for worship, fellowship, teaching, service, and witness. Each congregation governs its own affairs. Congregations that are faithful to the Word of God and to this Confession are recognized as a denomination or conference, whose structure is set out in the Constitution of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The work of the brotherhood is carried out in a spirit of interdependence, love, and mutual submission under the lordship of Christ.

Christian Nurture and Discipline
By washing His disciples' feet, the Lord Jesus taught His followers to show personal humility, to seek continual cleansing, and to serve one another in love.* In the same way, Christians are to serve with humility, encourage and correct one another, and live orderly lives. Every church member should care for the well-being of their brothers and sisters in the faith and pray for them faithfully. Through teaching, mutual encouragement, personal counsel, and firm correction, the church upholds its established discipline. Believers are encouraged to live as followers of Christ and grow toward spiritual maturity, so that the Church may glorify God throughout the world.

God's Word is the standard for church discipline. Christians who are living in sin should be admonished with brotherly love and sincerity. If personal counsel is not enough, the church applies corrective discipline. If warnings go unheeded and disobedience and estrangement continue, the person is formally removed from church membership. Even so, believers should continue to show love and compassion toward the one who has strayed, in order to win them back. When the person repents, the church forgives them, restores them, and encourages them in the Christian life.

* The example of washing the saints' feet is an important reminder of our continual need for cleansing and for serving one another.

Matthew 18:15-35; John 13:1-17; 17:21; Acts 2:38-44; 15:1-28; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:10-22; 5:21, 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; Revelation 5:9.

VII. The Mission of the Church

We believe the main task of the Church is to make disciples of Christ in all nations. Every church member is called to witness for Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to call people to be reconciled to God. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is able to meet every human need.

Matthew 2:23 [see note]; 11:5; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

VIII. Christian Ministry

We believe God, through the Holy Spirit, has given His children gifts for Christian service. All church members serve one another faithfully, until all reach the full measure of the stature of Christ. Some members receive special gifts as leaders, pastors, preachers, teachers, evangelists, and deacons. The church prayerfully recognizes these gifts and calls these people to ministry. They must live blameless lives, teach the Word of God faithfully, and lovingly care for the well-being of others. Led by the Holy Spirit, the congregation may elect or ordain such ministers. The church, in turn, is called to love, honor, and support them. It must also stay alert to identify, correct, and remove false teachers.

Isaiah 6:1-10; Jeremiah 3:15; Acts 6:1-6; 13:1-4; 20:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-10; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; 3:10; 1 Peter 5:1-5.

IX. Christian Baptism

We believe Christians must obey the Lord's command to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To be ready for baptism, a person must repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. We baptize by full immersion in water.

Baptism symbolizes death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ, as well as receiving the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a public promise to follow Christ. After baptism, the believer becomes a member of the church and begins serving. Local congregations may receive as members those who were baptized by another mode, based on their confession of faith.

Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:2-6; Colossians 2:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 Peter 3:21.

X. The Lord's Supper

Church members observe the Lord's Supper as Christ instituted it. The bread and the wine (cup) symbolize Christ's broken body and shed blood. They remind us of His suffering and death for our salvation and of our unity in Him.

In preparing to take part in the Lord's Supper, every believer should examine themselves and take part in a worthy manner. Those who are at peace with God, live at peace with their brothers and sisters, and have been baptized may take part in the Lord's Supper, and in this way proclaim His death until He comes.

The Lord's Supper expresses the fellowship and unity of believers with Christ. It is a meal of remembrance, celebration, and praise that strengthens believers to serve God faithfully and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24; 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32; 14:26; Revelation 3:20.

XI. Marriage and the Christian Family

We believe God established marriage for the intimate shared life of husband and wife and for having and raising children. In marriage, two mature spouses find fullness of mutual love, shared interests, joy, ideals, goals, and responsibility. Those who marry must be Christians; a believer may not marry an unbeliever. We believe divorce is a serious violation of God's design for marriage.

Christian parents should raise their children by setting an example of godly living, praying for them, including them in family worship, teaching them the Holy Scriptures, and bringing them up in a way that pleases the Lord.

Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24; Proverbs 5:18-19; Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:4-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:4; Hebrews 13:4.

XII. The Lord's Day and Work

We believe that, according to God's plan, people should work honestly and diligently at their jobs. Christians should look for every opportunity to build God's Kingdom through their work.

Following the New Testament example, believers celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first day of the week. On the Lord's Day, believers worship, study the Word of God, and serve for the glory of God and the good of the Church. They renew and refresh body and soul, limit their everyday work to what is truly necessary, and do works of mercy.

Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-10; Matthew 6:33; Luke 24:1-36; Acts 2:1; 20:7; Romans 14:5-6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Hebrews 10:23-25.

XIII. Christian Integrity

Although taking oaths was permitted in Old Testament times, Christ forbade it in the New Testament. Christians must tell the truth because they are always in God's presence. So we must always and everywhere speak only the truth. Because lodges and secret societies use oaths and encourage secrecy, we advise against membership in such secret societies. Instead, we always encourage brotherly relationships and fellowship within the church.

Matthew 5:33-37; 23:1-12; John 18:19-23; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:6-13; James 5:12.

XIV. Government

We believe God established government to keep law and order in society and for the good of society. The roles and responsibilities of government and the Church are different. For a Christian, the laws and interests of Christ's Kingdom must come first. It is our Christian duty to pray for all those in authority and to speak up for truth, love, righteousness, and redemption. We should respect those in authority, fulfill our duties to society, speak out against discrimination, corruption, and injustice, pay taxes, and obey all laws that do not contradict the Word of God.

Matthew 22:17-21; Acts 4:19; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-14.

XV. Love and Nonresistance

We believe Christians should live by the law of love and forgive their enemies, as the Lord Jesus taught and showed by His example. The Church is the body of Christ, a community of redeemed and chosen people guided by love. The Church's Gospel calling is to show Christ, the Prince of Peace, as the answer to every human need, evil, and violence. The cruel, brutal, and inhumane nature of war contradicts Christian character. Christians seek to follow Christ's law of love in all relationships and in every situation, including personal injustice, social unrest, and international tension. We believe that for a Christian to bear arms in military service is contrary to God's will. Where possible, Christians should serve in alternative service, in order to help resolve conflicts, relieve suffering, and bear witness to the love of Christ.

Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 5:17-28, 38-45; Romans 12:19-21; 13:8-10; 1 Peter 2:19-23.

XVI. The Final Triumph of Christ

We believe that God, who directs history, always accomplishes His purposes. At death, the righteous enter God's eternal rest and fellowship with Christ. The unrighteous suffer separation from God and await the final judgment.

On the day of the Lord's coming, believers who are still alive will be caught up, and the dead in Christ will rise, to be with Christ forever. Christ will judge all people. The righteous will inherit the Kingdom of God, and the unrighteous will suffer eternal torment in hell. In the end, death will be destroyed, the Antichrist defeated, and Satan thrown into the lake of fire. Christ will create a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness reigns and God will be all in all. This is the blessed hope of the Church.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 25:13). "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).

Isaiah 2:4; 61:1-11; Matthew 25:13, 31-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22-23; John 5:25-29; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:21-58; Philippians 1:21-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Revelation 1:15 [see note]; 20-22.