Confessions on the Church and Salvation

So, here we are at the last set of confessions. To post what that means to me...there doesn't seem to be the words. The irony of two years (almost to the day) of being declined for missions work because of baptism, we study the subject in class. The awe of God's faithfulness in light of my rebellious nature/heart. The reflection of how much this pursuit has changed my life. The fragileness that my faith still embodies at time. What I've learned of God, of myself, of others. I'm very happy. I'm glad I took this class and I'm glad for what brought me to this point.

Oh...and I joined a church. That is a big deal!

Confession on Ecclesiology

This confession is coalescent of my upbringing in the Christ of Christ, my Baptist education, the influence of Reformed thought, and current participation in the Wesleyan denomination.

I believe the Church is a community of believers in Jesus Christ, through whom God restores and reconciles the world to himself. The Church is a people united to God, like a bride to her groom; connected to Christ like a part of the body through whom God works; and the presence of God to the world, thru the indwelling of God’s Spirit. (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:29, 32; Rom. 12:4-8; 2 Cor. 6:16)

I believe in one, holy, catholic, apostolic church and in the communion of saints. Though the church is represented locally, we are all connected as the universal church; set apart from all other human organizations, for the purpose of God. The church has descended from the teaching of the apostles and we are connected to all saints, past, present, and future. (Jn 17:20-23; 1 Pet. 2:5; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 6:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:10-11)

I believe all those who have professed their belief in Jesus and have been baptized are members of and in connect with the church. These members comprise the visible church, but only God know who has truly been regenerated.

I believe the church, as the expressed Body of Christ, should gather regularity to worship, disciple others, serve, and nurture the Christian Community. The church is also the means by which God furthers his kingdom and brings restoration. (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 2 Cor. 5:18-20)

I believe a true church is set apart by the preaching of God’s Word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, worship, and church discipline.

I believe baptism is a sign of God’s grace in the regeneration of believers. Through baptism we die to sin and rise to new life. It is the means by which God joins us to the church. Anyone who has confesses Jesus as Lord, turns away from sin, and seeks to unite with the church can participate in this sacrament. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:1-11; Col. 2:11-12; Gal. 3:26-29)

I believe those who have declared through baptism, that they are part of the church, should participate in the Lord Supper. The elements are a symbol of Christ’s body and blood. Through this sacrament, we proclaim and testify to Christ’s death on the cross and the forgiveness of our sin. (Luke 22:14-23; 1 Cor. 11:23-32)

I believe the local church should be independent, autonomous, and democratic, while still connected to the larger church community. The church should be led by pastors, elders, and deacons. Pastors and elders act as overseers to the church. They should live a life worthy of respect, be self-controlled, the spouse of one person, , gentle, hospitable, mature in the faith, and manage their household well. Deacons serve the people and handle the administrative tasks of the church. They must be people of great respect, not indulgent in the things of the word. They must hold to the deeps truth of the faith, spouses to one partner, and serve well. These roles are best filled with a combination of gifted men and women, who seek to keep each other accountable to the church body and to God. (Gal. 3:28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3)

Confession on Salvation

I believe God’s grace causes us to want to leave our sin and precedes any willful act on our part. God gracious call to repent of our sin and believe in him is the initial step of regeneration and draws us toward Christ. Our will is conformed to allow us to respond to this call. (Jn. 5:21; Acts 13:48; Eph 1:3-14)

I believe all who are elected will persevere. God keeps those who are his until the end. Though He is the only one who knows the elect, we take comfort that He who began a good work in us, will keep us. (Jn. 10:28-30; Ro. 8:29-30, Jude 24)

I believe God enables us to have deep-rooted assurance in the promises of Christ’s incarnation, atonement, and resurrection, as well as the promise of our salvation. Faith is the combination of knowledge, acceptance, and commitment to the truth of Christ. Faith is trust and obedience, and leads to repentance; the act of understanding God’s view of sin, feeling grief because of our sin, and determining to turn from our sin and amend our lives. We are only able to have faith and repent because of God’s call on our lives. (Jn. 1:12-13; 7:37-39; 8:5; 17:6; Acts 2:37-38; Eph 2:1-5)

I believe regeneration is a work of God, by which we are born again and brought into a new life. It both precedes faith and is a response to faith. The Holy Spirit empowers us to have faith and through repentance our regeneration is complete. (Jn. 3:1-21; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal 6:15; Col 2:13)

I believe just as we are united to Adam, God unites us to Christ when we are saved. In this way the history, death, and resurrection of Christ becomes our own. Through this union we are grafted into Christ and he dwells in us. This union with Christ allows us the benefits of adoption, justification, sanctification, and glorification. (1 Cor. 10:1-2, 15:22, John 14:20, 15:5)

I believe salvation give us a new identity as children of God. We are adopted into a spiritual family and receive all the rights and privileges of a natural child. We are co-heirs with Jesus. (Ro. 8:17; Gal 4:7; Titus 3:7)

I believe justification is an act of God, by which he declares that we have been declared right through faith in Christ. By this act, God credits Christ’s righteousness. It is apart from any work of man. (Ro. 3:21-26; 4:1-25; 5:1, 6-9, 18-19; Gal 2:15-17

I believe sanctification is the process of being made holy. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and set apart to conform to the will of God. Through sanctification we are being changed into the likeness of Christ that we were declared to be at justification. Our sanctification is outwardly expressed by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22; 1 Cor. 1:30; Heb 10:10; 1 Thes. 5:23)

I believe glorification is the state in which we are unable to sin and will occur upon Christ’s return. At this time the sanctification process will be complete and the sin nature will be eliminated. We will see Christ in his glory. (1 Cor 15:52-53, 2 Cor 5:2-4)

2010: A Recap

Ethan!

Lost in the wood snowshoeing

Trespassing and train hoping

Golden Birthday: a masked affair

Ben+Paige

Bears at Nordhouse?

Celebrating with guns

Irony of perfect Theological timing

A taste of karaoke in Chicago

A surprising Mother’s Day revelation…baby on the way.

Buffalo and old ships

Biggest container garden

Biking 50 miles of MI: Whitehall to Hart

Kayaking misadventure

Party for comedy friend

Baby BS on the way

Making meals

Don’t Stop Believing

Dancing with Mario on Luigi

Dr. Cloud and a change in perspective

Jes+Jeremy

Couch surfing

Rock jumping and river rafting

Dawn+Dave

Flint. Carnival.

Summer Swing Dancing

Wave riding at Bridgeman

Sister and Salsa

Recapturing bridesmaid glory with one hott mama

Four Week Challenge!

Camping and ranger reporting

The closing of book group

Katie+Michael

Slow dancing and bold moves

Goodbye Ben and Paige

Hello new friends

Books for movies

The crux: baptism

A wine inducing date

An evening with The Weepies

To the zoo!

Becky+Nathan

Charlie’s escape

Ending of the theological trilogy.

Bottom 40 and Chicago!

Defying Gravity

School of Choice

Exchanging cookies

Karaoke Christmas Party

NYE!

Confession on Sin, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

As the third installment of Systematic Theology is quickly approaching, I wanted to share my previous confession form Sys Theo II with you.

It's been almost a year since this intentional theological journey started. I remember the first class throwing my head into such a spin that I spent the next night tracking down drink ingredients. It actually still makes me laugh. It's funny to be able to compare how different my life is a year from that point. The growth of the last year has been exhausting at points, surprising, frustrating...wanting to give up all over again...knowing I could never fully give up. God has been faithful and I am grateful.

The topics covered in this next class are actually the reason why I took the two prerequisites: salvation, forgiveness, and baptism. I'm excited to see growth/understanding in these areas. Unlike last year, I'm fully ready and excited to wrestle with these teachings!

Confession on Humanity and Sin

HUMANITY

I believe creation was set in motion by the will and word of God. God created the world out of nothing. He spoke and formed that which did not exist before. God purposely created the world for his pleasure and good will, though he did not have to. Creation fulfills this purpose when it glorifies the creator. (Gen. 1 & 2; Is. 45:18; Ps. 19:1; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11 )

I believe God’s creation is valuable, because it has been made by him. He has declared his creation good. Therefore, I believe we are doing the will of God when we participate in and care for creation. (Gen. 1)

I believe God created humanity in his image and likeness. As image bearers he has set us apart and given us the capacity for free will, intelligence, and emotions. In his likeness we were instilled with the ability to recognize and adhere to the morality of God, with the purpose of living in loving relationship with God and others, while taking care of the earth. (Gen 1:27; Gen. 9:6; Ps. 139:14-16; Jm. 3:9)

I believe humans were created from and are meant for the earth. Out of dust God fashioned the first man and placed him on earth to thrive. Our everlastingl home will be on a fully restored earth. (Gen. 1:27-30; Gen. 2:7-8; Rev 21:1-4)

I believe humans are made of two parts: body and soul. These two are meant to work as an integrated whole. Though death will one day separate the two, the hope is that the both will be reunited in the future. (Is. 26:9; Lk. 1:46-47; Ph. 1:21-24)

SIN

I believe sin is active rebellion against God. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, who placed themselves in a position to decide what was right and wrong when they willfully disobeyed God’s command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This initial sin caused the peace of God’s will to be broken. The consequence of this brokenness is death, which touches every part of creation. (Gen. 3; Ps. 14:2-3; Rm. 3:23)

I believe Adam’s original rebellion caused human to be born polluted by sin. From Adam’s sin all of humanity was corrupted. We no longer have the ability to fully reflect the image of God or act within his moral will. Every human seeks independence from God and therefore shares in Adam’s guilt. (Gen. 3; Rm. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; 1 Jn. 1:8-10)

I believe sin prevents society from being what God intended it to be. We have some capacity to work toward good, but are unable to restore our relationship to God, others, and creation, to their pre-fall states. (Rom 3:12)

I believe the consequences of sin extend to the earth and animal kingdom. In this way, death entered the world through disease, natural disasters, and violence in animals. (Rm. 8:20-22)

I believe that God instilled common grace as a way to preserve and promote redemption for his creation. Humans are able to do good acts, though not to their full extent. (Gen. 20:6; Matt. 5:45; Rm. 13:1-5; Heb. 1:2-3)

Confession on the Son

I believe God the Father chose to rescue humanity from sin by sending his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, in human form. (Jn. 3:16-21)

I believe Jesus is a single person who is fully divine and fully human; he possesses all of the characteristics of God and of perfect humanity, including a body and a soul. Because of his fully human nature Jesus could have sinned, but his moral will prevented him from doing so. Jesus’ oneness and two natures cannot be confused, changed, divided or separated without losing aspects of both. (Jn. 1:1, 14, Heb.

2:14-18)

I believe through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he paid the penalty for sin which humanity could not. He fulfilled this work to bring about restoration between God and creation. These acts freed humanity from sin, removed Satan’s control and conquered death. (Heb. 4:14-15; 10:1-18; Rom. 3:25-26, 6; 1 Jn 3:8)

I believe that by example and word, Jesus showed us how to obey the will of God. He lived a life of sinlessness. His teachings illuminate truth, call us to obedience, and speak of God’s love. (Rom. 5:12-21)

I believe Jesus willingly went to the cross to take the punishment for all human rebellion. This act restores peace between God and creation and allows us to stand before God without shame or guilt. (Rom. 5:1-2; Gal. 4:4-8)

I believe Jesus rose from the dead. Through his resurrection, he conquered death and the hold Satan had on humanity. Because of his resurrection we are declared to be right before God. (Jn. 20; Rom. 4:25; Col. 2:13-15; 1 Cor. 15)

I believe Jesus ascended and is seated in Heaven. He speaks to God on our behalf, sends the Holy Spirit to guide us, and rules over the entire world. (Acts 1:9; Heb. 2:1-18; 7:23-25)

I believe God loves humanity and desires for us to be brought back to right relationship with him. It is through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension that we may be rescued from our rebellion. These acts are sufficient for all and effective for everyone who will accept and believe the works of Jesus. (1 Tim. 2:4-6, 4:9-10)

Confession on the Holy Spirit

I believe the Holy Spirit is a distinct and equal member of the Trinity. He has both personal characteristics, such as intelligence, will, and emotions, as well as divine characteristics; he is all-knowing, all-powerful and eternal. The Holy Spirit accomplishes the will of the Trinity in cooperation with the Father and the Son. (Jn. 14:26; 1 Cor. 12:11; Eph 4:30; Acts 5:3-4; Matt. 12:31; Mark 3:29; Rom. 8:26; Jn. 16:8)

I believe the Holy Spirit is the means by which God governs and sustains creation. His presence is seen in the Old Testament through creation, the empowerment of saint, and the theme of salvation. (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:29-30; Is 32:15; 1 Sam. 16-13)

I believe the Holy Spirit participated in God’s redemptive act through the life of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit Jesus was conceived, empowered at his baptism, guided in the wilderness to be tempted, taught in power, offered himself as a sacrifice, and rose from the dead. (Lk 2:52; Matt. 3:16; Lk. 3:22; Mark 1:12; Mark 1:8; Lk 4:14; Matt. 12:25-32)

I believe the Holy Spirit, at Pentecost, established a new covenant and a new people of God, the Church. (1 Cor 12:13, Acts 2:38)

I believe the Holy Spirit brings individuals into new life at the moment of salvation. He enables us to live the mission of the Church, gives us knowledge to discern Scripture, guides us into holy living, seals us into the body of Christ, and gives us individual gifts to serve the Church. Through the Holy Spirit’s work, indwelt believers can participate with God’s redemption of the world. (Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 2:10-16; Eph. 6:18; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Pet. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28)

Less Like Scars

I burnt some Sara Groves CDs for my road trip. A number of her songs spoke a lot into my life, but I was taken off guard by how much I related to this song. It's amazing the transformation one's life can take in a year...so subtle that it's all of a sudden you realize how different things are...how different life is...how good life is! It had me at the first stanza.

Less Like Scars by Sara Groves

It's been a hard year
But I'm climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it's

Less like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like remember

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

Less like a prison, more like my room
It's less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

Just a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars (x3)

And more like
Character

Easter

This is still one of my favorite Easter verse...even a year out.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities.

The punishment
that brought us peace
was upon him,

and by his wounds
we are HEALED.

~Isaiah 53:5

Humanity and Sin

I began working on my next confession for class. This one's on Humanity and Sin. It's kicking my brain.

Throughout college I got by on my procrastination tactic. I had a knack for pumping out excellent papers just days or hours before they were due. And truth be told, last semester was no different. I'm generally pleases with my work and the corresponding response to it. This time it's different. For one thing, I don't think we've been learning as much as last class. Two, I don't take this lightly. When I say I believe something I want to make sure that's accurate. So with one night to go and only 1/3 of the way to being done, I will be finding myself holed up in a coffee shop tomorrow. Preferably one that served dinner.

Oh confessions, you bring me joy, but I also think you to be a product of the Fall.

The Art(s) of Community

My friends Laura and Aaron are part of some amazing work at their church. Read about it here.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
Yeah, one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still

~JJ Heller