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The Christian Faith

We Believe

We believe that God exists and that He created the world, and humanity us in His image. He deserves our love and worship. We believe that Jesus is God’s Son – born to a virgin so that he could be both fully human and wholly divine. At the centre of everything we do is the life-transforming message of Jesus.

We believe that the Bible (the world’s best-selling book translated into 2,200 languages) is God’s Word to us. It records God’s relationship with humanity and gives us guidance on all aspects of our lives – how we should worship God, how we should pray and how we should treat others.

We believe that when Jesus was put to death on the Cross He took the punishment for our sins so that we might be reconciled with God. This was necessary because we, at heart, are sinful and God, as a just and holy God, has to punish sin. But (and this is the heart of the simple but wonderful gospel message), God loves us so much that he sacrificed his Son to bridge the chasm that sin had created between humankind and God. Jesus took the punishment we were due to allow us to have an open and free relationship with God.

The Bible promises that every person who believes in Jesus, believes what He did for us on the cross, and follows Him – will have the free gift of forgiveness and of eternal life.

In summary, then, we, along with 1,200 other Church of Scotland churches, believe that God loves the world. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour, that we are called to follow His example and so we seek to love all people we encounter without pronouncing judgement upon any. It is our hope and desire that all people discover the love of God, found in Jesus Christ, for themselves.
We come together as a Christian family to worship God and to serve him and, together, to reach out into our community with the love and joy of Jesus Christ seeking to influence our society and world in a Christian way.

We consider ourselves no better than anyone else, just very fortunate to have discovered the love of God. We are keen to tell others about that love.

Apostles Creed

The Church of Scotland’s standards of belief are found in the Bible and in the Church’s historic Confession of Faith. The Apostles’ Creed is a very early summary of Christian beliefs which is still widely used by the Church of Scotland today (alongside the Bible and the Confession of Faith). The text of the Apostles’ Creed is as follows:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in

the Holy Ghost;
the Holy Catholic Church;
the Communion of Saints;
the Forgiveness of Sins;
the Resurrection of the Body;
and the Life Everlasting.

Amen.

In 1992 at the Church’s General Assembly, the Church of Scotland adopted the following statement of faith which is written in more contemporary language:

We believe in one God:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
three persons living in the unity of love.

We praise God the Father:
in love he created the universe through his eternal Word and Spirit;
by his power he sustains and directs it.
He has made us his sons and daughters,
to share his joy and to live together in peace.

We praise God the Father:
in love he created the universe through his eternal Word and Spirit;
by his power he sustains and directs it.
He has made us his sons and daughters,
to share his joy and to live together in peace.

We trust God the Holy Spirit:
in love he calls the Church into being.
He unites us to Christ, in whom we are justified.
He guides our understanding of the Scriptures,
as he also guided and inspired their writers.
He sanctifies us in sacraments,
and imparts to the faithful the fullness of Christ.
He assures us of forgiveness.
He empowers us to be disciples,
embodying the love of Jesus in the Church and in the world.

We rejoice in the gift of eternal life:
We hope for the coming resurrection, through the resurrection of Christ.
We look for his coming again in power and glory,
to judge the world and to make all things new.
Then all creation shall rejoice in communion with the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, one God blessed forever.

Amen.

Scriptures for When?

The Bible is not only about God revealing His relationship with humankind, it is also full of practical and useful guidance as to how we are to live our lives. When in need of help we should pray to ask for His help,and turn to God’s word for advice, guidance and strength. Here are some Scripture readings for times when you experience doubt, inadequacy, turmoil, temptation and loneliness.

When doubting, find encouragement at Mark 9 : 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

When feeling inadequate, look to 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

When needing peace, reflect on Romans 5 : 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When feeling tempted, look for guidance to James 1 : 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterwards they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

When feeling lonely, find strength at John 14 : 15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognise him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.*18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Prayers and Reflections

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