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Accelerating
International Mission Strategies
Statement of Beliefs
The
Uniqueness and Universality of Christ:
We affirm that there is
only one Saviour and only one gospel, although there
is a wide diversity of evangelistic approaches. We recognise
that everyone has some knowledge of God through his
general revelation in nature. But we deny that this
can save, for people suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.
We also reject as derogatory to Christ and the gospel
every kind of syncretism and dialogue which implies
that Christ speaks equally through all religions and
ideologies. Jesus Christ, being himself the only God-man,
who gave himself as the only ransom for sinners, is
the only mediator between God and people. There is no
other name by which we must be saved. All men and women
are perishing because of sin, but God loves everyone,
not wishing that any should perish but that all should
repent. Yet those who reject Christ repudiate the joy
of salvation and condemn themselves to eternal separation
from God. To proclaim Jesus as "the Saviour of
the world" is not to affirm that all people are
either automatically or ultimately saved, still less
to affirm that all religions offer salvation in Christ.
Rather it is to proclaim God's love for a world of sinners
and to invite everyone to respond to him as Saviour
and Lord in the wholehearted personal commitment of
repentance and faith. Jesus Christ has been exalted
above every other name; we long for the day when every
knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess
him Lord.
Scripture
References: Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 1:18-32;
I Timothy 2:5-6; Acts 4:12; John 3:16-19; II Peter 3:9;
II Thessalonians 1:7-9; John 4:42; Matthew 11:28; Ephesians
1:20-21; Philippians 2:9-11
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