Statement of Faith

This is the Statement of Faith of Hope EFC, Wangsa Maju, Malaysia. As an Elder of Hope EFC, I subscribe to this same statement, and the content on Christianity.Talk — Talk, our articles, and beyond — is written to adhere to it. Read more about the person behind this site on the About page.

The Scriptures

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

Scripture2 Timothy 3:14–17 · 1 Thessalonians 2:13

God

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

ScriptureMatthew 28:19 · John 15:26

III

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate.

ScriptureMatthew 1:18–25 · Luke 1:35 · Isaiah 53 · 1 Corinthians 15:20–23 · Acts 1:9–11 · 1 Peter 3:22 · 1 John 2:1

The Holy Spirit

We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.

ScriptureJohn 7:38–39 · John 14:16–17 · John 15:26 · John 16:13–14

Humanity & The Fall

We believe that man was created in the Image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

ScriptureGenesis 1:24–27 · Genesis 3:1–24

Salvation

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God.

ScriptureIsaiah 53 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · Romans 8:1–9

VII

The Ordinances

We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during this age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation.

ScriptureMatthew 3:15–16 · Matthew 28:19 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

VIII

The True Church

We believe that the true church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head.

ScriptureMatthew 14:14–18 · Acts 2:32–49 · 2 Corinthians 5:8 · Philippians 1:23

Local Church Membership

We believe that only those who are thus members of the true church can be eligible for membership in the local church.

ScriptureActs 2:47 · 1 John 2:19

Christ as Head of the Church

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.

ScriptureColossians 1:18 · Acts 6:1–4 · Acts 15:3–4, 22

The Return of Christ

We believe in the personal and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this “Blessed Hope” has vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

ScriptureRevelation 20:4–6 · 1 Thessalonians 4:14–18

XII

The Resurrection & Final Judgment

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead — of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

ScriptureMatthew 25:46 · Revelation 20:11–15