Redemption Spokane
Statement of Faith
I. Of The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13).
II. Of The Godhead
We believe that there is one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
III. Of The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1-2; John 1:14; Luke 1:35).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary atoning sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2).
We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).
IV. Of The Person & Work of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the eternal third person of the Godhead, who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is our promised Helper, sent by the Father to teach all believers everything that Jesus teaches; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of glorification (John 14:26; John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
V. Of The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22-23, Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:12).
VI. Of Salvation
We believe that Salvation is the free gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8–10, John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19).
a. Of Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
b. Of The Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
c. Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
d. Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
e. Of God's Purpose Of Grace
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
f. Of Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, - especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
VII. Of Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37–40, 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:5).
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15).
VIII. Of The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit exist today and are intended for the glorification of God and the edification of the church. The Holy Spirit indwells each believer at conversion, placing of the believer into the Body of Christ.
We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are they an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8).
We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15).
We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).
IX. Of The Church
We believe that the Church, which is the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism/body made up of all born-again (regenerated) persons (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2).
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27, 18:22, 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11).
We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1–4, 15:19–31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4).
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in 1 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Peter.
X. Of Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine (juice), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper as scriptural ordinances and means of testimony for the church (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
XI. Of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
We believe that God created Adam and Eve, equal before God as persons in dignity and worth, and distinct as male and female (Genesis 1:27-28).
We believe that the complementary distinction between male and female is rooted in the created order, and therefore is ordained by God (Genesis 2:18-23; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9; 1 Timothy 2:13-14).
We believe Bible clearly teaches the high value that man and woman have before God as image bearers, and we believe that the Bible also teaches us of the roles men and woman are to play in the family and in the church (Genesis 1:26-28; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15).
While we recognize that both men and women are called to the ministry of reconciliation, and that both male and female are called to serve the church, we believe that the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men (2 Corinthians 5:17-19; 1 Timothy 2:12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35).
XII. Of The Last Things
We believe God, according to his own counsel, has ordained that this world will come to an appropriate end in his own time and in his own way, and this end is imminent (Matthew 24:36, 44; Acts 17:31; James 5:8; Revelation 3:11; 22:7).
We believe that Christ will physically and visibly return in glory, that the souls of saints will be united with their glorified bodies, and that those in Christ who are still living will be glorified, so that all in Christ are made like him (Matthew 16:17; 19:28; 24:44; Acts 1:11; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 3:11; 22:7).
We believe that, upon Christ’s return, every man and woman will give an account of himself to God, and he will judge each person, giving to each their commendation, whether good or evil (Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27-28).
Those who are clothed in the righteousness of Christ will be ushered into a new heaven and earth where they will spend eternity with God, while those who are not in Christ will spend eternity outside of the presence of God in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:1-7).
We believe that the knowledge of these last things should lead us not into fear, but into a joyful hope and to godly living as we await the day where every wrong is made right, and where we are in the presence of our Lord forever (Matthew 18:8-9; 26:64; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:40; 2 Peter 3:11-14; 1 John 2:28).