What We Believe
EMC Statement of Faith - abridged
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1. The Bible
We believe that the Bible, is the Word of God. It is inspired by God and is without error in all that it teaches. It is the final authority in matters of belief and conduct. (2 Tim. 3:16–17).
2. God
We believe in only one God. He exists and reveals himself in three persons. God the Father of all believers and in a special way, of Jesus Christ. God the Son; fully God and fully human, without sin and the atonement for us. God the Holy Spirit; comforter, guide and equipper of believers. All persons in this trinity are fully and equally God (Matt. 6:9, 2 Pet. 3:18, John 14:16).
3. The Creation
We believe that God created the world, as revealed in the Bible, and that nothing exists apart from what God has made. (Gen. 1–2).
4. The Dignity of Human Beings
We believe that God created human beings in his own image and that every human life is sacred and must be protected (Gen. 1:26-27).
5. The Fall of the Human Race
We believe our first parents, by choice brought the whole human race into sin and separation from God, resulting in death and corrupting our relationships with God, each other and creation (Rom. 3:23).
6. Satan
We believe that Satan is a real spirit being who opposes God and seeks to destroy humankind (Matt. 4:1-11).
7. Salvation
We believe that since Jesus Christ has atoned for all sin by His death, all people may now be saved by grace through their faith in Him (Eph. 2:1–10).
8. Discipleship
We believe that our relationship to Jesus Christ is to be an unconditional commitment to a total life of discipleship (1 Pet. 2:13–14).
9. The Life of Peace
We believe we are called to walk in the steps of the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace. We may not participate in or support anything that will violate this life of peace but should be peace makers and ministers of reconciliation (Matt. 5).
10. The Church
We believe all who have experienced new life in Christ belong to his body, the church. As a body, we are called to share the love of God (1 Cor. 12).
11. The Ordinances
We believe Christ has given us two ordinances: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper— and that these should be observed by the church as symbolic reminders of spiritual truths (Matt. 28:18–20, 1 Cor. 11:17-34).
12. The Resurrection
We believe Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and that all people will be raised as well, either to life or to condemnation (John 5:29).
13. The Return and Final Triumph of Christ
We believe that Jesus will return at the end of the age. He will judge the living and the dead, triumph over Satan, bring rulers and powers into subjection and destroy death itself (1 Cor. 15:24).
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Universal across time and around the world