What do we believe?

A.W. Tozer once said the most important thing about a man is what he believes about God.  Our God-beliefs will ultimately determine everything about us, our personality, our decisions in life.  In Chi Alpha belief is of utmost importance - we want to know not just what we believe, but why we believe.  The following statements of belief are not light-hearted sentiments - they are firm foundations of truth upon which we base our lives personally and together.

1. we believe... the Bible is God's message to us.
   so we seek... to understand and obey its truth.
2. we believe... there is one God who is three persons.
   so we yearn... to know Him in all of His complexity and beauty.
3. we believe... Jesus is fully God and fully human.
   so we rejoice... that Christ can be a bridge between us and God.
4. we believe... people, throughout history, have sinned against God.
   so we are... deeply aware that we too are marked by willful disobedience.
5. we believe... God extends forgiveness to us through Christ.
   so we repent.... and rejoice in our forgiveness.
6. we believe... God offers freedom from sin's grasp.
   so we live... lives that are pleasing to God.
7. we believe... followers of Jesus must be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
   so we expect... supernatural power in our daily lives.
8. we believe... that God can heal both the body and the heart.
   so we pray... with faith and hope.
9. we believe... the mark of surrender to the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.
   so we pray... that God would grant us this supernatural gift.
10. we believe... in the Church.
    so we live... in this community of faith, inviting others to join us.
11. we believe... God gives leaders as gifts to His Church.
    so we serve... those whom the Lord entrusts to us.
12. we believe... God commands his followers to celebrate communion and baptism.
    so we practice... these symbolic actions, reflecting on their significance.
13. we believe... Jesus will return to claim His Church.
    so we live... in expectancy of his coming.
14. we believe... Christ will one day be seen clearly as King on earth.
    so we live... as citizens of His Kingdom now.
15. we believe... God is the ultimate Judge.
    so we live... knowing that our choices will echo through eternity.
16. we believe... we will live with God forever.
    so we live... with hope regardless of our circumstances.