From the Statement of Faith (1994) of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.
Below is the abridged version. Download unabridged version. Preamble
This Statement of Faith is a consensus reached after several years of discussion. It should be seen as a confession, showing how the teachings of the Scriptures are currently interpreted and understood by the congregations of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. These are the fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith as they have been discerned in the Scriptures. While this statement reflects convictions inherited from the Anabaptist-Mennonite theology of the 16th-century Reformation, the Bible has been regarded as the final authority on what is to be believed. This statement has been designed to create clarity, to give direction and to provide the basis for fellowship and working together. Because of the confessional nature of this statement, it will be normal to continue to reflect on the accuracy with which it reflects the teachings of the Scriptures. |
1. The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and that it gives authoritative direction for our faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
2. God
We believe in one eternal God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Spirit. The Scriptures teach us to pray to God as our Father, to trust in the son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Saviour, and to follow the leading of the Spirit who is with us. All persons in this trinity are fully and equally God (Matthew 6:9, 2 Peter 3:18, John 14:16).
3. Creation
We believe God created everything as revealed in Scripture (Genesis 1, 2).
4. The Dignity of the Human Race
We believe God created people in His own image and that all human life is sacred (Genesis 1:26–27).
5. The Fall of the Human Race
We believe our first parents chose disobedience and that the whole human race has followed them in their sin (Romans 3:23).
6. Satan
We believe Satan is a personal spirit being who opposes God and is the inspirer of all that is evil (Matthew 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 (Ephesians 2:1–10).
8. Discipleship
We believe that a commitment to Christ means being willing to follow Him in a life of discipleship (1 Peter 2:13–14).
9. The Life of Peace
We believe that the teachings and example of Christ call us to a life of nonviolence and a ministry of peace in this world (Matthew 5).
10. The Church
We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ are united with His body, the church, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
11. Ordinances
We believe Christ has given us three ordinances—water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and footwashing—and that these should be observed by the church as symbolic reminders of spiritual truths (Matthew 28:18–20, 1 Corinthians 11:20–32, John 13:1–17).
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 in the personal return of Christ to gather His own, judge all people, defeat death, and triumph over all evil, so that God the Father may again be over all (1 Corinthians 15:20–28).
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and that it gives authoritative direction for our faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
2. God
We believe in one eternal God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Spirit. The Scriptures teach us to pray to God as our Father, to trust in the son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Saviour, and to follow the leading of the Spirit who is with us. All persons in this trinity are fully and equally God (Matthew 6:9, 2 Peter 3:18, John 14:16).
3. Creation
We believe God created everything as revealed in Scripture (Genesis 1, 2).
4. The Dignity of the Human Race
We believe God created people in His own image and that all human life is sacred (Genesis 1:26–27).
5. The Fall of the Human Race
We believe our first parents chose disobedience and that the whole human race has followed them in their sin (Romans 3:23).
6. Satan
We believe Satan is a personal spirit being who opposes God and is the inspirer of all that is evil (Matthew 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 (Ephesians 2:1–10).
8. Discipleship
We believe that a commitment to Christ means being willing to follow Him in a life of discipleship (1 Peter 2:13–14).
9. The Life of Peace
We believe that the teachings and example of Christ call us to a life of nonviolence and a ministry of peace in this world (Matthew 5).
10. The Church
We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ are united with His body, the church, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
11. Ordinances
We believe Christ has given us three ordinances—water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and footwashing—and that these should be observed by the church as symbolic reminders of spiritual truths (Matthew 28:18–20, 1 Corinthians 11:20–32, John 13:1–17).
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 in the personal return of Christ to gather His own, judge all people, defeat death, and triumph over all evil, so that God the Father may again be over all (1 Corinthians 15:20–28).