Who is Jesus Christ?
from Sharing in Community of Christ
​Throughout history, Christians have sought to describe their faith in Jesus Christ. Traditionally, churches have used statements of belief and confessions of faith to articulate their understanding of Jesus Christ’s person and work.  Such statements provide important foundations for educating disciples and for addressing theological questions that arise from time to time.
​​While words are never ultimately adequate, the statement that follows describes what is at the core of our beliefs as the Community of Christ. We do not expect that there will be universal assent to this statement and reject any prescriptive use of it. Yet it is our prayer that the church will find this to be a compelling summary of our faith, and that it will be helpful to the mission of the church as it proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.
​As members of Community of Christ, we are bound together with Christians in every place and in every time by our confession of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, author of our salvation, and head of the church.
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*What is Salvation? 

​The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ: forgiveness of sin, and healing from separation, brokenness, and the power of violence and death. This healing is for individuals, human societies, and all of creation. This new life is the loving gift of God’s grace that becomes ours through faith and repentance.

​ Baptism is how we initially express our commitment to lifelong discipleship. As we yield our lives to Christ in baptism we enter Christian community (the body of Christ) and have the promise of salvation. We experience salvation through Jesus Christ, but affirm that God’s grace has no bounds, and God’s love is greater than we can know.

*From the booklet: "Sharing in Community of Christ"  You can download a FREE copy of this booklet from the Community of Christ website.  See the link at the bottom of this page.
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, both fully human and fully divine. In him we see ourselves and we see God, whom he tenderly called Abba, the compassionate One, who gave birth to all of creation and declared it to be “very good.” Together with the Holy Spirit, they are one. 
By the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus, born of Mary, came into the world to live and dwell among us to reveal God’s nature and will. He prophetically condemned injustice in the temple and proclaimed the good news of the coming reign of God on Earth, preaching liberation to the oppressed and repentance to oppressors. He taught his followers to love God, to love their neighbors, and to love their enemies. By eating with sinners, serving the poor, healing the unclean, blessing children, and welcoming women and men as equals among his disciples, Jesus declared that all persons are of worth in the sight of God.
Jesus was betrayed by his own friends, accused of blasphemy and treason, and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to die on a cross between two common criminals. By forgiving his murderers and choosing to take on the sin, pain, and suffering of the whole world, he reconciled all of humanity to God.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating his life and ministry, and triumphing over all injustice, even death itself. He ascended into heaven, having entrusted his followers with authority to minister in his name to the ends of the earth. He sent the Holy Spirit to be with them in their witness of the good news of the Resurrection. 
Christ is our peace, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility between us. He promises us the redemption and healing of our relationships with God, one another, and all of creation. 
The church, the body of Christ, is called to proclaim the gospel until Christ comes again. It is he who forgives us in baptism, and feeds us at his table. As disciples of Christ, we are all called to conform our lives to his by living in loving community with others, seeing Jesus in the faces of the least of God’s children, and serving those whom the world has forgotten. It is to Christ and to his gospel that we declare our loyalty and by which we will be judged.
The promises of God in Jesus Christ are sure—that by the Holy Spirit we will be given grace to do the things we have been asked: courage in the struggle for justice, passion for peace in the midst of violence, forgiveness of our sins, stewardship in place of materialism, healing of body and spirit where there is hurt, and eternal life in the face of death
​We live and serve in hope that God’s kingdom of justice and peace will indeed come, bringing healing to the whole, groaning creation. Putting our trust in the Risen Christ, present among us by the Holy Spirit, we press on together, giving blessing, honor, and glory to God, now and forevermore.
​Amen
Why do we follow Jesus in discipleship?
​As followers of Jesus Christ, it is important to understand the significance of the call to be his disciples. By accepting this invitation, we are called to emulate his life and ministry, which was rooted in love, compassion, and justice.
 
One way we can demonstrate our commitment to these values is by actively working to abolish poverty and end needless suffering. This may involve volunteering at a local shelter, donating to organizations that support those in need, or advocating for policies that address the root causes of poverty.
 
In addition to addressing poverty, we are also called to pursue peace on and for the Earth. This means taking action to protect the environment and promote sustainability, as well as working towards peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting understanding and empathy across cultures.
 
By undertaking these compassionate and just actions, we can truly embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and make a positive impact on the world around us.
 
In Community of Christ, you will discover your purpose and pursue Christ’s Mission of compassion, justice, and peace through ministries that can change your life, change your community and change the world.

Are you a follower of the way?​
​The term "follower of the way" was used to describe early Christians because they followed the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It signifies that Christianity is not just a belief system but a way of life that followers are called to embody.
 
Being a follower of the way, for a Christian, means living a life that reflects the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It involves embodying the values of love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility in all aspects of one's life.
 
A follower of the way seeks to emulate Christ's actions by showing kindness to others, serving those in need, and spreading the message of hope and salvation.
 
It also entails having a personal relationship with God through prayer, worship, and studying the Bible to deepen one's faith and understanding of God's will.

Ultimately, being a follower of the way is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and transformation, striving to become more like Christ in thoughts, words, and deeds.
Would you like to learn more?
​Sharing in Community of Christ explores Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs, of our church; and It contains information about our, Enduring Principles, Basic Beliefs, Mission Initiatives, and many other insights.  
Click button to download this FREE booklet from the Community of Christ website.
You can download this booklet anonymously.