OUR BELIEFS
We believe that the Bible (the combined Old and New Testaments) is the inspired word of the one true God. The books of the Bible were written by many human authors in many contexts who, under the guidance and inner witness of the Holy Spirit, recorded and reported God’s words and actions. The Bible is God’s clearest means of self-revelation, and the only such revelation we need to fully know God.
We believe that the one true God is Triune: one God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity plays a different role in the world, the church and the life of a believer.
We believe that God created everything; that in the beginning everything was good; and that God created human beings – male and female – in God’s image. As God’s image-bearers, the first humans had agency (power to choose) and authority (power over the rest of Creation). The first humans rejected God’s will, severed ties with God’s Spirit, introduced disorder and chaos into Creation, and relinquished God’s life-giving love. However, God in His mercy instituted a plan to reconcile humanity to Himself and restore Creation. In the person of Jesus Christ, He took on human flesh; lived the perfect human life; and died a sinner’s death in our place. He rose from the grave, conquering death. Having removed the barrier of human sin, Jesus made it possible for all who believe in Him to receive the Holy Spirit – the agent of God’s love and eternal life.
We believe that history is unfolding according to God’s good plan. At the end of time, God will right every wrong, hold every act of evil and injustice to account, and restore Creation. Every believer in Jesus will be raised to new life at the end of time to experience eternal life in the renewed Creation.
We believe that the church is “the Body of Christ” – Jesus’ physical presence on earth. The church is made up of imperfect followers of Jesus who are called to be close to Jesus, become like Jesus, and bring Jesus’ offer of salvation to the world. Though it often falls short, the church is (when at its best) an embodiment of Jesus’ very personal love and grace and Jesus’ life-changing power and generosity.
AFFILIATION
First Christian Reformed Church of Detroit is part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ applies to all of life, and that Christian faith transforms lives, culture, and communities.