These affirmations of faith are adapted from the PC(USA) confessional statements found in the Book of Confessions. They were designed to be paired with the “Promises” series. The bolded words are spoken by the congregation.
Week One: “A Promise to Put Our Hope In”
This affirmation of faith is adapted from the Confession of 1967, the first contemporary American creed. The Confession of 1967 draws heavily on the idea of reconciliation as it aims to address the role of the church in the modern world.
God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of our life.
It is the will of God that God’s purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation.
Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption.
With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world.
It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat.
In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. Amen.
Week 2: “A Promise of Peace”
The Westminster Confession of Faith, one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, was developed between 1643 and 1649 to settle theological disputes between the English government and the Church of England. These questions come from the Shorter Catechism, designed by a prominent Cambridge mathematician for children to memorize and repeat.
What is the chief end of humanity?
Humanity’s chief end is to glorify God,
and to enjoy God forever.
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace,
whereby we are renewed in our whole selves after the image of God,
and are enabled more and more
to die unto sin and live toward righteousness.
What are the benefits which, in this life, accompany or flow
from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
The benefits which, in this life, accompany or flow
from justification, adoption, and sanctification are:
assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience,
joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace,
and persevering in all these to the end. Amen.
Week 3: “A Promise to Rejoice In”
The Second Helvetic Confession is one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, composed in 1561 by Heinrich Bullinger, a Reformed minister serving in Zurich, Switzerland during the emergence of Swiss-German Reformed Protestantism.
What is the Gospel?
The Gospel is properly called glad and joyous news,
in which, first by John the Baptist, then by Christ the Lord himself,
and afterwards by the apostles and their successors,
is preached to us in the world that God has now performed
what God promised from the beginning of the world,
and has sent, nay more, has given us the only Son
and in him reconciliation with our Creator,
the remission of sins, all fullness and everlasting life. Amen.
Week 4: “A Promise of Love”
The Nicene Creed is one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions. The creed was developed during two councils of the church, in 325 and 381, to settle growing disagreement over Christ’s divinity. This creed affirms that Christ is God–not merely similar to God, but one and the same as God.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Deep Well Worship 