The Story of the Gospel in Four Acts:

1. Total Dignity

Have you ever wondered why there is so much beauty in the world? We believe that God created the world and he created it good (Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25). And the pinnacle of his good creation was the creation of human beings in his own image. This was not only good, but very good (Genesis 1:26-31). Human beings were created to rule and to tend God's good creation (Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:5-18). Therefore, we affirm the dignity of every human being as made in the image of God. We affirm that the creation is not something to escape, but a world to explore and enjoy; it is still good (1 Timothy 4:4). God loves his creation and always will. Total dignity is why there is such amazing beauty in the world.     

2. total depravity

Have you ever wondered why there is so much pain in the world? We believe that God's own image bearers rebelled against him and therefore brought sin and misery into the world, and ultimately death: not only physical death, but the spiritual death of the loss of communion with God for which we are made (Genesis 3). This is the tragedy of fallen man where sin pervades every aspect of our existence: our hearts, our minds, our wills, our bodies, our relationships, our work, etc. (Psalm 51:5), and leaves us in need of redemption and unable to redeem ourselves (Romans 3:9-23). Our depravity expresses itself chiefly through idolatry (the worshiping of false images in the place of God (Romans 1:25)) and injustice (actions that destroy the image of God in others). Total depravity is why there is such pain and brokenness in the world.  

3. Total Christ

Have you ever wondered why there is such sacrificial love in the world? We believe that God, in love, sent his own Son into the world to redeem his creation from sin and misery. Christ is the fullness and the fulfillment of the entire story of salvation (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47). He is the true prophet, priest, and king foreshadowed in the Old Testament. He is the true Israel who brings blessing to the entire world. He fulfills the covenant on our behalf: he lived the life we should have lived in perfect obedience to God. He died the death we should have died, the just penalty for sins. He rose again from the dead in victory over sin, death, and hell. Christ has done everything to bring you back to God (1 Peter 3:18). This is the good news. To believe is to receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation as he is offered freely in the gospel. Total Christ is why there is such love in the world.   

4. Total renewal  

Have you ever wondered why there is such hope in the world? We believe that the goal of salvation is a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17-25) where God's people will once again dwell in the complete presence of God, with the complete absence of sin and all its effects (Revelation 21:1-5), and with the complete renewal of the creation, including resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15). This will happen at the return of Jesus. Until then, the church is central to Jesus's mission in the world to make all things new (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:21) as his people recover their image-bearing vocations to bless and renew the world (1 Corinthians 15:58). Total Renewal is why there is such hope in the world.

What do people believe who belong to this church?

Are you a visitor or seeker? No belief is required. You can belong while you figure out what you believe. In fact, we believe the most strategic way to learn about Christian faith is to embed yourself into a faithful Christian community for a while and learn.

Are you a member? All Resurrection members have affirmed the following vows of membership, which are centered on the gospel as articulated above and a commitment to each other in the local church. Our faith is summed up in the historic creeds of the church, especially The Apostles’ Creed and The Nicene Creed.

  1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving his displeasure and without hope save in his sovereign mercy?

  2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as he is offered in the gospel?

  3. Do you resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

  4. Do you promise to support the worship and work of the church to the best of your ability?

  5. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and its peace?

Are you a leader in the church? All Resurrection leaders have affirmed the five vows of membership and have embraced the vision and mission of the church.

Are you a Pastor or Officer (Elder or Deacon) in the church? All officers of Resurrection subscribe to the system of doctrine taught in the Westminster Confession of Faith, together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. As a confessional church, we believe that Westminster provides the most faithful summary of what the Scriptures teach and therefore it undergirds all our teaching and practice.