The gospel of Jesus Christ

God is the Creator of the world and the giver of life. Human beings bear his image. Our dignity comes from him, and our lives are accountable to him. He is good and righteous. The gospel begins with who God is, before it speaks about what we want or what we can achieve. Genesis 1:26–31, Acts 17:24–31

Scripture describes sin as our real failure before God. We have failed to love and honor him as we should. This includes our actions, words and desires. Religious effort does not erase that guilt. God's judgment is righteous, and none of us can make ourselves right with him by presenting a better record. We need his mercy. Romans 3:9–26

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is truly God and became truly human. He came into our world full of grace and truth. He lived without sin, and gave himself for sinners. At the cross he bore sin and its judgment. His death was a saving act of love, not the defeat of an otherwise promising teacher. Through him, sinners can be reconciled to God. John 1:1–18, 1 Peter 2:21–25, Romans 5:6–11

Jesus was buried and bodily raised from the dead. The apostles proclaimed his resurrection as something that happened, with witnesses who saw him alive. Our hope rests on the living Christ. God has appointed him as the judge of the world. 1 Corinthians 15:1–19, Acts 17:30–31

God saves by grace through faith in Christ. Faith receives him and rests on his saving work. Forgiveness and acceptance are not earned through generosity, good intentions, church activity or the things we wear. The Holy Spirit gives new life according to God's mercy. The credit belongs to God. Ephesians 2:1–10, Titus 3:3–8

Jesus calls people to repent and believe the gospel. Repentance means turning from sin toward God; faith means trusting Christ. They belong together. We do not first make ourselves worthy and then ask Jesus to receive us. We come needing the mercy that only he can give. Mark 1:14–15, John 6:35–40

The same grace that saves also changes the way a person lives. Good works do not buy salvation. They belong to the life God gives. Faith is more than agreeing that religious claims are true; it bears fruit in love, repentance and obedience. Growth involves real struggle and continuing dependence on Christ. It does not make a believer instantly sinless. Ephesians 2:8–10, James 2:14–26, Titus 3:4–8

Jesus does not turn away those who come to him. The foundation of hope is his faithfulness, rather than a repeated formula or a particular emotional experience. Questions and struggles deserve patient attention to Scripture and care from mature Christians. A website cannot give a verdict on someone's heart. John 6:35–40

Jesus calls his people into a life of learning, prayer, love and obedience with other believers. The early church gathered around the apostles' teaching, fellowship, prayer and practical care. A faithful local church helps people know Christ, receive his teaching and care for one another. Baptism and the life of the church belong to discipleship; an apparel brand cannot take their place. Matthew 28:16–20, Acts 2:41–47, Hebrews 10:19–25