Statement of Faith

Our posture and statement of faith is Christo-centric, evangelical, creedal, and sacramental.  We uphold the Nicene and Apostles Creed and offer the following core beliefs to help frame all our ministry endeavors:

 

About the Scriptures
• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God revealing the ongoing story of God’s love, grace, sacrifice and effort to reconcile the world to himself. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 3:16.

Of God
• We believe that there is one God, creator, ruler and guide, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6.

Of Jesus, The Christ
• We believe in Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, love, and teachings. Most of all we honor and are spiritually dependent upon His vicarious and atoning death for all humanity through His crucifixion, bodily resurrection, and ascension.  Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15.

Of the Holy Spirit
• We believe in the eternal and ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, from whose movement and presence stem creativity, wisdom, and life itself. The Christian attuned and in step with the Holy Spirit is able to live a godly life, affectively empowered service, and attentiveness to the needs of others. John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10.

Of Salvation
• We believe that God alone can provide salvation, regeneration, and purposeful life and this by the grace of God secured for us. We recognize and renounce the destructive nature of all sin, not holding one form lower or worse than another, we judge none, but encourage all to surrender fully their heart, mind and body in service to God. By repentance, reconciliation, and restorative means empowered by the grace of God at work in us and others sin holds no grip on the believer in this present or eternal life. Luke 24: 46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23.

Of Ministry, Vocation and Gifts
• We believe that ministry itself is an expression of the ongoing presence of God independent of man, and in partnership with those submitted to His will, and transformed by the Word and His love. We encourage one another to honor and partner with one another maximizing their God-given vocation, expressing their spiritual gifts, and utilizing their talents and all human resources to the glory and purposes of God.  Ephesians 4:10-16;  Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15.

Of Spiritual Disciplines and Vitality
• As our spiritual vitality and personal well-being is integrally connected to our ongoing relationship with God we encourage everyone to set apart time for prayer, study of the Word, fellowship with other disciples, worship, honoring the sacraments, and engaging yourself accordingly in Godly service in the ministry of reconciliation. Matthew 3:16-17, 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:38-39, 2:41-47,  8:12, 19:1-7; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 23-31; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:1-33; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15.


Expectations of Harmony Bible Leaders
Honoring the creeds and our statements of faith we also ask that those who are leading Harmony Bible groups adhere to and uphold the following:
• Acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and nurture your ongoing relationship with Him.
• Align yourself with the Word of God and conduct yourself in a manner consistent of your identity in Christ as set forth in God’s Word.
• Love your neighbors and express your vocational ministry sharing the Good News with grace, wisdom, understanding and respect.
• Remain in Christian fellowship. Repent, pardon, and be reconciled to God and one another, maintaining the unity of our faith in Christ. Judge not and pray continuously.


Of Denominations and our Purpose
Harmony Bible Coop is not part or whole with any single denomination. It could be considered a para-church organization except we are not an organization but an interdependent community of disciples. As a Co-op our members are all associated with one part the Christian Church or another. We honor our diversity with respect and love – focusing on our unity in Christ, as Christ’s own, aligned together to share the Gospel with people of every tribe and tongue, to raise up disciples surrendered to grace, instructed by the Word, and guided by the power of the Holy Spirit to minister to their neighbors and to whom they are sent, so that they too can become disciples who make disciples transforming our world with the freedom, power, and love of Jesus Christ.