CFR Faith Statement

Scripture   –   God   –   Man   –   Salvation   –   Church

Scripture

The scriptures were divinely inspired by God, both Old and New Testaments. They are the supreme standards by which all human conduct, creed, and opinions should be tried. (2 Tim 3:16)

God

There is only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being. He is the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

 

God The Father: God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all loving, and all wise.

 

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

 

God The Son: Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was crucified for the redemption of man and was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples. He is now exalted at the right hand of God, where He is the one mediator between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. (1 Corinthians 15)

 

God The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to write the scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He calls men to the Savoir and effects regeneration. He seals believers to live a holy life.

Man

God created man in His own image, without sin. Through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God and fell from his sinless state.

Salvation

The salvation of man is wholly by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned and is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior.

In order to be saved, sinners must be born again. By this we mean that man must repent and be converted. Through repentance the Holy Spirit quickens the dead in trespasses and sins and enlightens them to receive the Word of God. He renews their whole nature so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God’s grace alone. (Acts 3:19, Eph 2:8-10)

Church

The New Testament speaks of the Church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all ages. The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church which is composed of all His disciples. All power for its government is in and through Christ. (Eph 5:23) The Church observes two ordinances established by the Lord Jesus Christ which are Water Baptism and Communion. The believer’s primary spiritual nurturing and fellowship is provided through local churches.