What The Church of Chicago believes about...
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. (Ge 1:1-2; Col 1:15-17; Ex 15:11; Is 6:3; Jas 1:17; Dt 32:4; Is 6:3; Jas 1:17; Ex 3:14; Is 43:12-13; Mt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14)
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. (2 Ti 3:16-17; 2 Pe 1:20-21; Ro 1:19-20; Ps 19:1-6; He 1:1-2; 2 Ti 3:16; 2 Pe 1:20-21; Mt 5:18; Jn 10:34-35)
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed. (Ge 2:7; Gen 1:26-28; Ge 3:6-7; Ge 2:17; Ro 3:23; Eph 2:12; Isa 64:4-6; Ro 7:18).
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus, Israel’s promised Messiah, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (Jn 1:3; Jn 1:14; Jn 4:42; Ac 10:42; Mt 3:16-17; Jn 1:1; 8:58; 17:5; Col. 1:17; Php 2:6-8; Jn 10:30; 5:18; Mt 4:1-2; Jn 4:5-6; He 4:15; Jn 1:41; 4:25-26; Is 7:14; Mt 1:18; Lk 1:34-35 )
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. (He 9; Luk 7:46; 1 Pe 2:21; Lk 9:23; Col 2:14-15; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Jn 1:29; Ga 3:13; Heb 9:15; Jn 12:20-24; Mt 20-27; Eph 1:7; Ro 5:10-11; Jn 10:14-18; 1 Pe 2:24; 2 Cor 5:21; He 10:10-14)
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. (Jn 16:8; Jn 3:5-6; Tit 3:5-6; Ro 3:24; Ro 5:15-21; 12:5; Ro 8:15, 23; Ro 9:4; Ro 8:9-12; Jn 14:17; Ro 8:11; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 2:2; Eph 4:7-11; Ga 5:22-23, 25; Eph 2:22)
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. (Mt 16:18; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:4-6; 5:25; He 12:28; Ps 103:12; Is 44:22; Jn 3:16; Ac 16:31; Ro 3:20-28; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Ac 9:31; 20:28-30; Ac 2:41, 47; Mt 28:18-20; Lk 22:15-20; 1 Cor 1:23-26)
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. (Ac 13:39; 2 Cor 5:19; Ro 4:6-7; 5:9; Ro 8:14-17; Ga 4:4-7; Cor 5:17; Rom 8:8:29; Gal 5:17; Ro 6:1-2, 6; Ro 8:9; Ro 6:11-14; 8:1-4; Ga 5:16; 1 Jn 3:9; 1 Jn 1:8; 1 Jn 3:2; Mt 28:19)
Christ's Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily, and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission. (Mt 24:35-42; 25:31; Mk 8:35-38; Jn 14:1-3; Ac 1:6-11; Rev 22:16,20; Ac 1:11; 1 Thes 4:16)
Response and Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen. (2 Thes 1:8; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2; 1 Cor 15:1-58; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Mt 12:36; 26:31-32; Ac 17:31; Ro 14:10; Re 20:12)
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our mission and what you can expect when you visit us!
Isn't being evangelical associated with nationalism and thereby
antithetical to your beliefs?
The word "evangelical" derives from the Greek word "gospel." This means good news. We are firmly committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, seeking to make heaven as crowded as we are able through our calling and ministry. We are evangelical in our understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Because of our commitment to Christ, we cannot join ourselves with any organization or teachings that contradict the teachings of Christ or the Word of God.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to proclaim the kingdom of God with an anticipation of Christ's soon return.
If I joined your church, will I be expected to know all of these beliefs in order to be a member?
No. The fact is that all of us grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Certain areas we understand only after a period of time. Our expectation, however, is that you would continue to grow and mature over time. The Holy Spirit will build you up as you seek God's face.