Mercy Church Statement of Faith

Introduction

Mercy Church exists to love God, love others and make disciples. We fully recognize and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over His Church. In unity with the historical Church, we affirm the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

The Great Commission (Matt. 28:16–20) is at the center of our work. Our direct mission is focused on preaching the Word and making disciples in the town of Newmarket, NH and throughout the Seacoast. We also support missions locally, nationally and around the world.

The Mercy Church Statement of Faith is founded on core biblical doctrines that are taught consistently and systemically throughout Holy Scripture. We expect all members of Mercy Church to affirm these doctrines and for all teaching at Mercy Church to remain consistent with these beliefs.

God

God is one eternal being consisting of three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They share one essence in the form of the Trinity with each person fully and equally God1. God is known as the great I AM2. He has always existed, will always exist3 and has created all things that exist4.

God is spirit5, holy6, and ruler over all things7. His attributes include omniscience8, omnipotence9, omnipresence10 and righteousness11. God is just12, good13, wise14, truthful15 and loving16. He sustains all things17 and is self-existent18, immutable19 and worthy of worship, honor and praise20.

Jesus

Jesus is the Son of God, eternally begotten and not made21. He took on human form, being both fully God and fully man, to live a perfect life and to die an atoning death for our salvation22. Jesus rose from the grave on the third day and ascended to heaven23. He is alive in heaven today, sitting at the right hand of the Father and acting as our intercessor and priest24. He is the source of our righteousness25 and will come again to judge the living and the dead, bringing about the Kingdom of God26.

Holy Spirit

God the Holy Spirit lives in us as believers27. He leads us in furthering the Kingdom of God. When someone receives salvation, they also receive and are sealed by the Holy Spirit28. This signifies that they belong to God and cannot lose their salvation29. The Holy Spirit guides, counsels, leads, convicts, admonishes, teaches and reveals the truth of Scripture to us30. He intercedes with and through us in prayer31. We are to work out our sanctification in partnership with the Holy Spirit32. He gives us spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the fortification of our faith. He grows the fruit of the Spirit in us as we engage with Him and grow in our faith and sanctification33.

Revelation

God has revealed Himself to humanity through creation34. He entered into a covenant with Israel and spoke through His prophets in the Old Testament35. Ultimately, Jesus, who is God's Word incarnate, was conceived immaculately through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary36. He is the image of the invisible God37 and came that the world might be saved through Him38. The Bible consists of 66 books, making up the Old and New Testaments, and is God's inspired, living and written Word39. It is true, authoritative and without error in its teaching. All Scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness40. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament and brought in the New Covenant41. The canon of Scripture is now complete, though God speaks to His people and leads them through the Holy Spirit42.

Creation

God created all things from nothing43 for His glory44. The full Trinity was present and involved in creation45. God's creation was good and very good46. Man was created in His image, distinct from the rest of creation47, to rule over the Earth48. Humanity was created as man and woman for fellowship and unity in marriage49. God has always been and will always be actively involved in His creation50. He created us to depend on Him and to be in relationship with Him51.

Sin

Sin is defined as "a transgression against divine law" (Dictionary.com) and thought of as living outside of God's design. It is both an action and a state of being. Original sin came into the world through Adam and Eve by Satan's temptation52. Due to this, all humans are born spiritually dead into a sinful nature inherited from Adam53. Sin breaks relationships with God, others, creation and oneself, leaving guilt and shame. Humans are unable to save themselves from sin54. Sin separates us from God, carrying the penalty of death55.

Salvation

Salvation is defined as “deliverance from the power and effects of sin”, “liberation from ignorance or illusion” and “preservation from destruction or failure” (Merriam-Webster). Sin has separated humanity from God56, destined us to eternal death57 and leaves us in need of salvation58. Salvation is given to those who possess saving faith in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord and believe that He rose from the grave59. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless saved by Jesus and born again with a new spiritual nature60. No one can earn salvation; it is a gift by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone61. Salvation brings justification62, adoption63, regeneration64, eternal security65 and a desire for God, His glorification and to serve Him66. Once saved, we are called to be sanctified67 and to grow in obedience68, righteousness69, the fruit of the Spirit70 and spiritual maturity71. That being said, we will not be without sin until Jesus returns and we are made new72.

The Church

The Church is made up of those who believe in Jesus and obey Him as Lord over their lives, the body of believers in Christ73 and the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit74. The Father has given the Church to Jesus as a bride to be redeemed, loved and ruled over75. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to lead, guide76 and grow the Church77. The Church is called to make disciples of all nations and to participate in corporate worship78, evangelism79, prayer, and fellowship80. Jesus tells us that evil will never ultimately triumph over God’s Church81. He also commands His Church to be baptized82 and to participate in communion83.

Baptism is a public profession of our faith in Christ and a symbol of our dying with Christ and our new spiritual life. Communion is the remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death and complete atonement for our sins.

End Times

In the end, Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead84. Those who believe in the salvation offered in the atoning death of Jesus Christ and submit to His Lordship will have eternal life in heaven85. Those who have not believed or that continue in rebellion against God will be eternally separated from Him and sent into punishment along with Satan and the fallen angels86. God will recreate the heavens and earth87, give His people new, immortal bodies and abolish death, pain and sorrow88. He will dwell with us, rule over us and make us co-rulers over His renewed creation89. We will share in Christ’s inheritance as co-heirs and adopted children of God90. No one except the Father knows the day Jesus will return. It will come suddenly and we must always be prepared91.

Scripture Citations

  1. 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 1:1–18, John 10:30
  2. Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
  3. Psalm 90:2, Revelation 1:8, Isaiah 57:15
  4. Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Nehemiah 9:6, Isaiah 40:28, Revelation 4:11
  5. John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 3:17
  6. Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8, 1 Peter 1:16, Leviticus 11:44
  7. Psalm 47:2, 1 Chronicles 29:11–12, Revelation 19:6
  8. Psalm 139:1–4, Proverbs 15:3, Hebrews 4:13
  9. Jeremiah 32:17, Psalm 62:11
  10. Psalm 139:7–10, Jeremiah 23:24
  11. Psalm 11:7, Daniel 9:7, 2 Timothy 4:8
  12. Psalm 7:11, Deuteronomy 32:4, Isaiah 30:18
  13. Psalm 34:8, Nahum 1:7
  14. Romans 11:33, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Job 9:4
  15. John 17:17, Numbers 23:19
  16. 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4–5
  17. Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3
  18. Exodus 3:14, John 5:26
  19. Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17, Psalm 102:25–27
  20. Revelation 4:11, Philippians 2:10–11, Psalm 96:8–9
  21. John 1:1–2, 14, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9
  22. Philippians 2:6–8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, Colossians 2:9
  23. Luke 24:6–7, Acts 1:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, Mark 16:19
  24. Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, 1 Timothy 2:5
  25. 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:22
  26. Acts 10:42, 2 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 25:31–32
  27. John 14:16–17, Romans 8:9, 2 Timothy 1:14
  28. Ephesians 1:13–14, 2 Corinthians 1:21–22
  29. Romans 8:38–39, John 10:28–29
  30. John 14:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:12–13
  31. Romans 8:26–27, Ephesians 6:18, Galatians 4:6
  32. Philippians 2:12–13, Galatians 5:16–17, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8, Ezekiel 36:26–27
  33. 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, Romans 12:6–8, Galatians 5:22–23
  34. Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1
  35. Exodus 19:5–6, Deuteronomy 4:13, Hebrews 1:1–2, 2 Peter 1:20–21
  36. John 1:14, Hebrews 1:1–2, Luke 1:34–35, Matthew 1:18–23
  37. Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3
  38. John 3:17, 1 John 4:9
  39. 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12
  40. 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Psalm 119:105
  41. Luke 24:44, Jeremiah 31:31–34, Hebrews 8:7–13
  42. John 16:13, Revelation 22:18–19
  43. Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:3
  44. Isaiah 43:7, Revelation 4:11
  45. Genesis 1:26, John 1:1–3, Genesis 1:1–2
  46. Genesis 1:25, Genesis 1:31
  47. Genesis 1:27, James 3:9
  48. Genesis 1:28, Psalm 8:6–8
  49. Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–5
  50. Nehemiah 9:6, Colossians 1:16–17
  51. Acts 17:27, John 15:5
  52. Genesis 3:1–7, Romans 5:12, 1 Timothy 2:14
  53. Psalm 51:5, Ephesians 2:3, Romans 5:18–19
  54. Ephesians 2:8–9, Titus 3:5
  55. Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2
  56. Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:10–12
  57. Romans 6:23, Ezekiel 18:20
  58. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:1–5
  59. Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 10:9–10
  60. John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17
  61. Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8–9
  62. Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1
  63. Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, John 1:12–13
  64. Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12–13
  65. Romans 8:38–39, John 10:28–29
  66. Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Romans 12:1–2, 1 Peter 2:9
  67. 1 Peter 1:15–16, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
  68. John 14:15, Romans 6:16, 1 John 5:3
  69. 2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 5:6, Romans 6:13, Ephesians 4:15
  70. Galatians 5:22–23, Ephesians 5:9
  71. Ephesians 4:15, Hebrews 6:1
  72. Romans 7:14–25, 1 John 1:8–10, 1 John 3:2
  73. 1 Corinthians 12:12–14, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:22–23, Romans 12:4–5
  74. 1 Corinthians 3:16, Acts 1:8
  75. Ephesians 5:25–27, Revelation 19:7–8, Revelation 21:9
  76. John 14:16–17, John 16:13, Acts 9:31
  77. Acts 2:47, Acts 9:31
  78. Matthew 28:19–20, Hebrews 10:24–25
  79. Romans 10:14–15, Mark 16:15
  80. Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, Acts 2:42, James 5:16, Hebrews 10:24–25
  81. Matthew 16:18, 1 John 5:4
  82. Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12
  83. 1 Corinthians 11:24–26, Luke 22:19–20, John 6:53–58
  84. Matthew 24:30–31, Revelation 20:11–15, Isaiah 2:4, Daniel 12:2, 2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 1:10–11, John 5:28–29
  85. John 3:16, 1 John 5:11–12, Hebrews 9:28, Joel 2:28–32
  86. Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:1–3, 2 Thessalonians 1:5–9, Revelation 21:8
  87. Revelation 21:1–5, 2 Peter 3:10, Isaiah 65:17
  88. 1 Corinthians 15:51–53, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Revelation 21:4
  89. Revelation 21:3, Revelation 11:15, Daniel 7:13–14
  90. Matthew 25:34, Romans 8:16–17, Galatians 4:4–7, Ephesians 1, 1 Peter 1:3–5
  91. 2 Peter 3:10, Mark 13:32–33, Matthew 24:36, Revelation 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3

Adopted: October 23, 2023