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Introduction

The Fellows Initiative is a multi-denominational network that represents a wide range of traditions and styles. We are unified by a core belief in and love for Jesus Christ and his Church. We seek to honor and serve Him in all areas of life - at work, at church, at home, and in society. As a community, we share a high view of Scripture, which we consider to be God's good word for the world. Churches seeking to join the TFI network are required to affirm a set of historic Christian beliefs that reflect a deep and abiding trust in Jesus Christ and the truths of his Gospel. These beliefs are represented in our Statement of Beliefs below.

Statement of Beliefs

We affirm our belief in historic Christianity as revealed in the Scriptures and summarized in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. We recognize the need today for reaffirming the following beliefs:

  1. The Holy Trinity. The one God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and has so revealed Himself to us in Scripture.

  2. The Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ, God incarnate and fully human, is, by reason of His birth of the Virgin Mary, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and triumphant reign, the only Mediator between God and man.

  3. The Holy Scriptures. The canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are trustworthy as "God’s Word written," sufficiently teach God’s will for His world, and have supreme authority for faith, life, and the continuous renewal and reform of the Church. They are inspired, infallible, and "contain all things necessary for salvation."

  4. Justification and Sanctification. Repenting and believing sinners are (i) justified through faith alone by God’s gracious act of declaring us righteous on the ground of the reconciling death of Christ, who suffered in our place and rose again for us; and (ii) sanctified by the gracious, continuing activity of the Holy Spirit who perfects our repentance, nurtures the new life implanted within us, transforms us into Christ’s image, and enables us to do good works in the world.

  5. The Christian Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. Its members belong to Christ's new humanity and are called and sent to live in the world in the power of the Spirit, worshipping God, confessing His truth, proclaiming the Good News of Christ, supporting one another in love, and giving themselves in sacrificial service to others, especially those in need. Its great mission is to make disciples of all nations and peoples.

  6. Spiritual Gifts. All Christians are called to exercise their God-given gifts to work, witness and suffer for Christ.

  7. The Gospel Sacraments. The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given to us and ordained by Christ himself as means by which we receive grace and pledges to assure us of it.

  8. The Return of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ will personally return in glory at the end of this age for the resurrection of the dead, some to life and some to condemnation, for the glorification of His Church and for the renewal of the whole Creation.

  9. Some Implications of the Gospel:

    1. The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ. While religions and philosophies of the world are not without elements of the truth, Jesus Christ alone is the full revelation of God, who through the Gospel judges and corrects all views and doctrines. All persons everywhere need to learn of Him, come to know and believe in Him, and receive forgiveness and new life in Him as there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.

    2. Church and Society. Biblical social commandments and Christian ethical principles are foundational to the well-being of every society. Recognizing the call of Christians to be faithful witnesses and a challenging presence in society, we are committed to seek ways to express these commandments and principles in all spheres of life, including the public life of the nation.

    3. Sanctity of Life. All human life is a sacred gift from God and is to be protected and defended from conception to natural death. We will uphold the sanctity of life and bring the grace and compassion of Christ to those who face the realities of previous abortion, unplanned pregnancy, and end-of-life illness.

    4. Fellowship. In grateful response to Christ Jesus, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, we will extend the welcome of the church to every man, woman and child regardless of race, social or economic status, sexual history or past behavior. We will oppose prejudice in ourselves and others and recognize that all have sinned and need to repent.

    5. Marriage, Family, and the Single Life. God has instituted marriage to be a life-long union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, intended for their mutual joy, help and comfort; for the procreation and nurture of godly children; and for the blessing of society. Divorce is contrary to God’s original intention, though in a fallen world it can be an unavoidable reality. The roles of father and mother, exercised in a variety of ways, are God-given and profoundly important since they are the chief providers of moral instruction and godly living. The single life, either by call or circumstance, is honored by God. It is therefore important for unmarried persons to embrace and be embraced by the Christian family.

    6. Human Sexuality. Sexuality is inherent in God’s creation of human beings in his image. He created them male and female. All Christians are called to chastity: husbands and wives by exclusive sexual fidelity to one another, and single persons by abstinence from sexual activity. God intends and enables all people to live within these boundaries, with the help and in the fellowship of the Church.

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