Encounter Jesus

Why Beliefs Matter

At ERCF, we believe faith is more than simply knowing about God. It's responding to His invitation, encountering His presence, and allowing Him to transform every area of our lives.

Our beliefs guide how we follow Jesus, love others, and serve our community. While no statement can fully capture the mystery of God, these biblical convictions anchor us in the historic Christian faith.

Whether you're exploring Christianity for the first time or have followed Jesus for many years, we invite you to discover the hope found in Him.

God
We believe in one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Saviour, and our King.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word and our foundation for faith and life
Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit empowers believers and transforms lives today.
The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, called to worship, discipleship, and mission.

Core Beliefs Summary

Our Full Statement of Faith

There is one God, the creator and ruler of the universe. God, the Father, eternally existent, has revealed Himself in His Son Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14s here
The Church is composed of everyone that truly belongs to Jesus! It is made visible by local congregations of believers who live in a committed relationship with each other for the purpose of worshipping God, growing in relationship with God and with each other. Experiencing and extending practical love, and reaching those far from God is the mandate of the church.
When the local church is healthy—it is the hope of the world!
Colossians 1:8; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:12
People are image-bearers of a beautiful, glorious God, to be like Him in character, and are the supreme object of His creation. Although people have tremendous potential for good, they are marred by a nature of disobedience toward God called sin. This nature separates humankind from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. Jesus—God assuming the nature of humanity—lived a sinless, human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven’s glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and will return bodily.
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; Ephesians 1
Salvation is a gift from God to mankind, and is received through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
People can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works – but only by trusting in Jesus Christ, His finished work on the cross, and God’s free offer of forgiveness can they be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment a person turns toward God by fully trusting Jesus for salvation.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, provides power for living and understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. We seek to live under His daily control.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1
The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth, in its original manuscripts, without any mixture or error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
Baptism (meaning “immersion”) is an act of faith in response to becoming Christians. In baptism, our immersion in water illustrates our total immersion into Christ and all He has done for us. Just as Christ rose from the grave in His resurrection, baptism symbolizes and declares we "died”, were "buried", and then participate in His resurrection as we come out of the water!
The disciples demonstrated their apostolic understanding by baptizing converts in the name of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:11,12; Acts 2:38, Acts 8:35-39; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5; I Cor. 10:1, 2; Col. 3:17; Colossians 2:9,10
Man was created to live forever! He will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin, or in union with God in Heaven, through forgiveness and trust in Jesus for salvation.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46

Rooted in the Historic Christian Faith

At ERCF, we joyfully stand within the historic Christian faith that has been confessed by believers across cultures and centuries.

The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed summarize the foundational truths of Christianity and have served as enduring expressions of biblical faith for generations of followers of Jesus.

While our ultimate authority is Scripture, these historic creeds help articulate the core beliefs shared by Christians throughout the world and throughout history.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
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 from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
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 worshipped 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.