We believe:
Since its inception, the followers of Christ’s have expressed what they believe in. The passages below are central pillars of our faith, based on God's revelation in the Bible (Old and New Testament) and connecting us to the historical, Apostolic confession and faith in Jesus Christ.
GOD
We believe that there is only one eternal living and true God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three persons form the Trinity. They are essentially equal and functionally separate. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19
FATHER
The Father is the first person of the Trinity, directing all things according to his purpose and pleasure. He has created mankind to bring Him glory through His grace. Although He is transcendent, He is also actively involved in His creation, offering humans an eternal relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ. Matthew 6:9; John 5:19-24; Eph 1:3-6; 2:1-10
SON
Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and the virgin-born Son of Man. Fully God and fully human. He did not give up any of his divinity during his earthly life. His sinless sacrifice on the cross satisfied the justice of the Father, providing atonement for all the sins of mankind for all time. We believe in His bodily resurrection and His return to earth, thus fulfilling all the promises made about Him and the Kingdom of God. John 1:14-18; 1 Cor 15; Hebrews 1:3; Col 2:9; Revelation 20:11-15; Dan 7:13-28; Psalm 2; Isaiah 53
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who carries out God's will in this world through humanity: by leading, guiding, filling, teaching and judging. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but a person with all the attributes of personality (intellect, emotions and will). He equips believers by giving them gifts to use for the church that will bear fruit throughout their lives. The Holy Spirit glorifies and shows people Jesus Christ. John 16:5-16; 1 Chr 12; Eph 2:10; John 3:1-8; Eph 1:1; Gal 5:16-25
MANKIND
We are created in the image of God and our purpose is to enjoy a close relationship with God and to fulfill His will on earth. Sin came into the world because of the willful sin of Adam and Eve (the fall) which has corrupted all of humanity and the world. Our natural sinful nature, inherited from our forefather Adam, separates us from God, leaving us spiritually dead, experiencing physical death and eternal separation from God. Genesis 1-3; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 3; Rom 5; Eph 2:1-3
SALVATION
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that His death and resurrection is the only sacrifice sufficient to provide mankind with atonement for their sins. Although salvation is available to all, it is experienced only by those who accept His gracious gift based on the atoning work of Christ Jesus. Man is saved entirely by God's grace, not by his own works. We who accept God's work of salvation, the Holy Spirit renews and baptizes us to become God's children, to have a new nature and to belong to Christ's universal church body, eternally saved in Him. This way, we have a new relationship with God through His Son Jesus and the opportunity to live in subjection to the Holy Spirit, bearing real spiritual fruit and doing the good works that God has predetermined for us. John 14:6; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; Rom 3:21-26; Eph 1:7, 2:8-9; Heb 10:10-12; 1 John 5:11-13; Gal 3:26; John 3:16
SCRIPTURES / THE BIBLE
We believe that every word of the original writings of the Bible is inspired by God and without error. God's word reveals God's character and His will to all mankind, and is therefore the foundation of faith and practice. Although the Bible is accurate in all things, it is never given as an end in itself, but rather as a means to establish a relationship with God and to know Him personally. The teaching of the scriptures has a significant position in our church because of this authority from God. 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Heb 4:12; John 17:17
CONGREGATION
All who believe in God through His Son Jesus Christ are part of the universal body of believers known as the church. This should be seen and realized in the believers' connection with other followers of Christ in the local church. The purpose of the local church is to lead people to Christ and bring them to spiritual maturity in Christ. The members of the local church should live in humble submission to other believers led by the Holy Spirit and to the church leaders appointed by God. Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Cor 12-14; Matt 28-18-20; Eph 2:19-22; 1 Thess 4:15-17
FUTURE
We believe that the next great event in human history is the return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is the fulfillment of the hope of all followers of Jesus Christ and the expectation of the historic Christian church. Although the return of Jesus is a prophetic truth of the Bible, we recognize that we should not passively wait for this event, but work with all our strength in the power of the Spirit to fulfill God's will in our lives: through righteous living, evangelism and discipleship. After Christ's return, those who have accepted God's gracious gift of salvation will worship God forever in heaven. Those who do not will spend eternity separated from Him in perdition. Matt 24:36; 1 Thess 4:15-17; John 14:1-3; Matt 24-25
We believe that there is only one eternal living and true God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three persons form the Trinity. They are essentially equal and functionally separate. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19
FATHER
The Father is the first person of the Trinity, directing all things according to his purpose and pleasure. He has created mankind to bring Him glory through His grace. Although He is transcendent, He is also actively involved in His creation, offering humans an eternal relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ. Matthew 6:9; John 5:19-24; Eph 1:3-6; 2:1-10
SON
Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and the virgin-born Son of Man. Fully God and fully human. He did not give up any of his divinity during his earthly life. His sinless sacrifice on the cross satisfied the justice of the Father, providing atonement for all the sins of mankind for all time. We believe in His bodily resurrection and His return to earth, thus fulfilling all the promises made about Him and the Kingdom of God. John 1:14-18; 1 Cor 15; Hebrews 1:3; Col 2:9; Revelation 20:11-15; Dan 7:13-28; Psalm 2; Isaiah 53
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who carries out God's will in this world through humanity: by leading, guiding, filling, teaching and judging. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but a person with all the attributes of personality (intellect, emotions and will). He equips believers by giving them gifts to use for the church that will bear fruit throughout their lives. The Holy Spirit glorifies and shows people Jesus Christ. John 16:5-16; 1 Chr 12; Eph 2:10; John 3:1-8; Eph 1:1; Gal 5:16-25
MANKIND
We are created in the image of God and our purpose is to enjoy a close relationship with God and to fulfill His will on earth. Sin came into the world because of the willful sin of Adam and Eve (the fall) which has corrupted all of humanity and the world. Our natural sinful nature, inherited from our forefather Adam, separates us from God, leaving us spiritually dead, experiencing physical death and eternal separation from God. Genesis 1-3; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 3; Rom 5; Eph 2:1-3
SALVATION
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that His death and resurrection is the only sacrifice sufficient to provide mankind with atonement for their sins. Although salvation is available to all, it is experienced only by those who accept His gracious gift based on the atoning work of Christ Jesus. Man is saved entirely by God's grace, not by his own works. We who accept God's work of salvation, the Holy Spirit renews and baptizes us to become God's children, to have a new nature and to belong to Christ's universal church body, eternally saved in Him. This way, we have a new relationship with God through His Son Jesus and the opportunity to live in subjection to the Holy Spirit, bearing real spiritual fruit and doing the good works that God has predetermined for us. John 14:6; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; Rom 3:21-26; Eph 1:7, 2:8-9; Heb 10:10-12; 1 John 5:11-13; Gal 3:26; John 3:16
SCRIPTURES / THE BIBLE
We believe that every word of the original writings of the Bible is inspired by God and without error. God's word reveals God's character and His will to all mankind, and is therefore the foundation of faith and practice. Although the Bible is accurate in all things, it is never given as an end in itself, but rather as a means to establish a relationship with God and to know Him personally. The teaching of the scriptures has a significant position in our church because of this authority from God. 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Heb 4:12; John 17:17
CONGREGATION
All who believe in God through His Son Jesus Christ are part of the universal body of believers known as the church. This should be seen and realized in the believers' connection with other followers of Christ in the local church. The purpose of the local church is to lead people to Christ and bring them to spiritual maturity in Christ. The members of the local church should live in humble submission to other believers led by the Holy Spirit and to the church leaders appointed by God. Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Cor 12-14; Matt 28-18-20; Eph 2:19-22; 1 Thess 4:15-17
FUTURE
We believe that the next great event in human history is the return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is the fulfillment of the hope of all followers of Jesus Christ and the expectation of the historic Christian church. Although the return of Jesus is a prophetic truth of the Bible, we recognize that we should not passively wait for this event, but work with all our strength in the power of the Spirit to fulfill God's will in our lives: through righteous living, evangelism and discipleship. After Christ's return, those who have accepted God's gracious gift of salvation will worship God forever in heaven. Those who do not will spend eternity separated from Him in perdition. Matt 24:36; 1 Thess 4:15-17; John 14:1-3; Matt 24-25
Our Distinctives
Bible-based and Word-Centered
As Christians, we believe the Bible is God’s word, the ultimate authority in every area of life. While we avoid simplistic interpretations, we do not believe we can abandon the Bible just because there are parts which conflict with contemporary culture. We believe that the ancient truths of the Bible speak to every aspect of the modern world, so we are unashamedly committed to preaching, reading, studying, and applying the Bible.
Evangelical
Together with Christians throughout the ages, we affirm the historic Christian creeds such as the Apostles’ Creed. As an evangelical church, we are committed to centrality of the gospel: the good news about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Protestant
The Protestant Reformation rediscovered and articulated many aspects of the Bible teachings, renewing the church and giving us an orientation and rich heritage which shapes our Sunday services and ministry.
Multi-ethnic
We want to be gospel driven and serve every people group in Pirkanmaa region.
As Christians, we believe the Bible is God’s word, the ultimate authority in every area of life. While we avoid simplistic interpretations, we do not believe we can abandon the Bible just because there are parts which conflict with contemporary culture. We believe that the ancient truths of the Bible speak to every aspect of the modern world, so we are unashamedly committed to preaching, reading, studying, and applying the Bible.
Evangelical
Together with Christians throughout the ages, we affirm the historic Christian creeds such as the Apostles’ Creed. As an evangelical church, we are committed to centrality of the gospel: the good news about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Protestant
The Protestant Reformation rediscovered and articulated many aspects of the Bible teachings, renewing the church and giving us an orientation and rich heritage which shapes our Sunday services and ministry.
Multi-ethnic
We want to be gospel driven and serve every people group in Pirkanmaa region.
The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.