HOPE CO-OP STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe that Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is inspired by God, and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and conduct. We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man (God-man). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity one with the Father and the Son, the indweller of every believer whereby each is sealed unto the day of the redemption of the body. We believe in the existence and operating power of a real and personal being opposed to all righteousness and exalting himself against all that God is and has, the evil one called Satan or Devil. We believe in a literal hell, the place of eternal punishment for the wicked dead. We believe in a literal place called heaven where God's immediate presence is manifested, where the angels are, and where the redeemed shall ultimately be, and from whence Christ descended and ascended again, where He makes intercession for the saints, and from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe that God created man in His own image and in a state of innocency, but that through temptation he willfully transgressed and became dead in trespasses and sins, whereby his posterity inherited a corrupt nature, being born in sin and under condemnation. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that He arose from the dead in His glorified body, ascended into heaven and as our great High Priest and Advocate He ever lives to make intercession for us; that all who believe on His name are justified on the ground of His shed blood and receive the gift of eternal life by the grace of God. We believe that regeneration is a divine and instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit whereby God imparts life to one dead in trespasses and sins. We believe that sanctification is a divine and progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby God, upon the ground of the finished work of Christ on the cross, His present intercessory ministry, and His Divine Word, sets the believer apart and works out, in, and through Him by means of a submissive will that which is well pleasing to Himself through Jesus Christ. This work culminates in the redemption of the body. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. It was he who gave some apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service. Speak the truth in love, so that we may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs; get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, and be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:3-5,11-15, 31-32