CITY CHURCH PATHWAY
1) The Bible is God's Word
The Bible is a library of books of varying genres telling one unified story about God. It is written for us, but not to us. It is written by humans, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is reliable and authoritative as it is properly understood through the author's intent. It is the revelation of the one Triune God and through it we understand who Jesus is and what he has done to include us in his Kingdom. (Psalm 12:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
2) The Gospel changes everything
Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Messiah, is Lord. Each of those words has deep meaning. When we realize this, we repent from other things that, we have made Lord and follow Jesus. It's his life that is our righteousness, his death that takes away condemnation for sin, and his resurrection that previews the way he is making us new and will make all creation new. Baptism is an outward testimony of the gospel and the Lord's Supper is an ongoing reminder of it. It is our privilege and responsibility to proclaim it and live out its implications daily. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:32-41, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 2:6-15)
3) Jesus walks
Walking is slow, patient, relational, non-anxious and humble...and Jesus did a lot of it. As the body of Christ, we walk, too. A relationship with God is described as a walk. We believe God does his best work in us and through us over a long period of walking with Jesus and his church. We're not in an anxious hurry, because God's not. (John 11, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 24, Matthew 11:28-30, Micah 6;8, 1 John 2:6)
4) The church makes and keeps promises
A covenant is an agreement between people whereby each person agrees they will remain faithful to what they have promised. In the New Covenant, Christ committed himself to us so we can commit to one another. Membership formally identifies those who have committed and are accountable for practicing the 'one anothers' of scripture and obeying the commands of Christ. (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1-15)