Belief statements are a funny thing. They’re critically important so we can quickly identify the conversation that’s happening and where we might fit in that conversation. But they can feel very cold and rigid. Certain beliefs are core to Christianity and we unify on those. However, many faithful, Jesus-loving humans have very different beliefs that still fall within what is generally accepted Christian practice.
At Kainos, we are unified on core beliefs related to God, the trinity, Jesus, life after death, humanity, the Scriptures, and salvation. We also embrace the tension that exists as people are led by the Holy Spirit to work out their faith and understanding of Scripture in community.
At the end of the day, we see Jesus sitting at tables with people of all walks of life to share a meal and hear their story. We think this is a great example and we want to follow it.
We believe in one God, the creator of beautiful, good things; who is perfect from start to finish and existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe that Jesus, the Christ, was and is fully God and also fully man. Jesus lived a sinless life, proclaimed that a new Kingdom was at hand, and died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and to give us new life. He arose bodily from the grave and ascended to heaven where He is our Advocate and Savior. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13)
We believe that God gave us a special, beautiful gift in the Holy Spirit, who guides us, convicts us of our sin, and regenerates us into a new creation. (John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:1; Galatians 5:25)
We believe the Bible is a collection of literature, poems and stories where God reveals Himself to human beings. Penned by many diverse human authors, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is full of truth, wisdom and real-life guidance and is without error in what it intends to say. As we learn to understand and live out what the Bible teaches us it practically leads us to love God and people. (Psalm 12:6, 105, 119, 160; Proverbs 30:52; Matthew 22:37-40; Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
We believe in the symbol of baptism to display the new life God has given us and the meal of communion, shared around the table. (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
We believe in the plurality of leadership through men and women expressed through the book of Acts, biblical eldership as outlined in Chapter 3 of the first book of Timothy and Chapter 1 of the book of Titus.
We believe in the beauty of God’s saving grace that calls all people to faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and a new life and ministry through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 15:11; John 14:6, 1:12; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26).
We believe in the reality of life after death, of a just God who will not leave our sin unpunished, of the promise and invitation of eternal life through Jesus, and the hope that God will make the world right through His love and grace. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)