Bridge Street Ministries Statement of Faith
God
We believe that there is only one true God who has existed in complete perfection from eternity past and will never change for eternity to come. He is a good God and he is a just God. God is all-powerful and completely sovereign over all of creation and all of creation exists for his glory. While God exists as one being, he exists in three distinct, yet not separate, persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is transcendent, yet imminent in creation. He spoke all of creation into being in the beginning, walked with man in the Garden of Eden, and adopts all Christians as sons and daughters. God the Father desires to be in right relationship with all of creation.
God the Son
We believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man, possessing the essential nature of both, without compromising either. Miraculously born of a virgin and living a sinless life, Jesus is the Son of God who was with God in the beginning. Jesus died as an atonement for the sins of man, receiving the punishment of God in our place. Conquering sin and death, Jesus rose victoriously from the grave earning salvation for all who believe in him. Jesus rose again and is forever seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for man. We believe that Jesus’ greatest mission is to bring glory to his Father
God the Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God, present with God in the beginning, hovering over the waters of the deep. The Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit is a free gift of God sent to teach us and guide us, and to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer as a mark of their salvation and empowers them to witness about the resurrection of Jesus. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit gives us revelation of Jesus, who glorifies the Father.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, written by man. The Bible is useful for teaching, correcting, and rebuking. All 66 books of scripture testify about Jesus, and are the ultimate authority over all things pertaining to life and faith.
Man
We believe that man was originally created good, in the image of God. Man was originally created to co-labor and co-create with God to bring forth beauty and order in God’s creation. Sin entered the world through man’s willful rebellion against God, thus distorting and corrupting man’s relationship with God, with fellow man, and with all of creation. In addition, man’s sin brought him under the judgement of God. Thus, due to man’s original sin, all men are now born into sin and are in need of salvation.
Salvation and Redemption
We believe that salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone, not by any works of man. We believe that salvation is a free gift for all that put their faith in Jesus. Yet, there will be many who willfully reject God and receive eternal punishment, even though all of creation testifies about his existence.
The Church
We believe that the Church is the corporate and global body of Jesus’ followers united by the Spirit of God. The church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is God’s chosen vessel to represent Jesus and continue his mission here on earth. One day he will return to earth to claim his Bride, the Church.
Heaven and Hell
We believe in a real and literal heaven and hell after this life on earth. Those that choose to follow Jesus will spend eternity with him in heaven. Those that reject Jesus will enter into eternal judgement in hell.
