What we Believe
God
We believe that God is good and sovereign, and that His goodness and control extend over all things, for all time.
We believe in one God, who exists eternally in three equal, uncreated Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We affirm that God is not male, except in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who came as a man. The use of masculine pronouns for God follows the pattern of Scripture and helps avoid confusion: God is not an impersonal “it,” nor is He a plural “they.” God is One Being, personal and present.
We confess that God is faithful, righteous, and holy, and that He reigns forever.
Jesus
We believe in Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God, who is fully God and fully human.
We believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, giving His life on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. He alone is able to reconcile us to God.
We confess that His sacrifice is not only the only way to make us right with God, but also all that is needed to make us right with God. Nothing can be added to or taken from His finished work.
Holy Spirit
We believe that when we receive Jesus Christ as Saviour, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
We believe the Holy Spirit works in us, leads us, and empowers us for life and service. He gives us both the desire and the ability to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
We confess that the Holy Spirit is the voice of Jesus and the power of God at work in the life of every believer.
Salvation
We believe that our part in becoming right with God is to say “Yes” to Jesus Christ, trusting in His death and resurrection on our behalf.
We believe that forgiveness and reconciliation with God are a free gift of grace, received by faith alone.
We confess that this gift is all we need. Nothing else can earn or add to the salvation Christ has accomplished for us.
The Church
We believe that all who follow Jesus Christ are joined together as His community, the Church.
We believe that being in relationship with other followers of Jesus is an indispensable part of being in relationship with Him.
We confess that the Church is called to live as Christ’s body on earth, worshiping God, building one another up, and bearing witness to His Kingdom.
Baptism
We believe that baptism is for those who have personally decided to follow Jesus Christ.
We practice baptism by immersion, symbolizing the believer’s participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s story about Himself, His revelation of who He is, His purposes, and His work in the world.
We believe the Scriptures are true, trustworthy, and inspired by God.
We confess that, with God’s help, we seek to follow His Word as faithfully as we are able.
Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer, both individually and corporately, as an expression of faith in God's work in our lives. Prayer is an essential part of a Christian life and is used to talk to God and to communicate with Him.
We pray for guidance, strength, healing, protection, and for our families, friends, and community. Through prayer, we seek to deepen our understanding of God's will and His plans for our lives. Praying helps us grow closer to God and to gain a better understanding of His will and how we can best serve Him.
When we pray, we open ourselves up to God and He will answer us in His own way and in His own time. Prayer is a beautiful and powerful way to communicate with our Heavenly Father and to seek His love and guidance.
People
We believe that all people matter deeply to God, and therefore they matter to us.
We acknowledge that people do many things that separate them from God and from one another. The Bible calls this sin.
We confess that sin not only separates us from God but also sets us in opposition to Him.
The Return of Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ will return, just as He promised.
We believe His return is our certain hope, that all that is wrong will be made right, that sin and death will be completely defeated, and that God’s Kingdom will be fully restored.
We confess that we will spend eternity with the God who created us and loves us.
Strathcona Baptist Church is part of a larger family of churches: The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada. Our statement of beliefs is adapted from and in agreement with the CBWC Statement of Beliefs.