Statement of Faith & Creeds
At Every Nation Church Seattle, we hold to the following Statement of Faith. We also embrace and adopt the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed.
Statement of Faith
We believe... the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13)
We believe... that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe... in the special creation of the universe as indicated in Genesis. (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
We believe... in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood. In His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
We believe... in the creation of humanity in the image of God and in the rebellion of humanity as recorded in Genesis; our total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 18)
We believe... that sin is a transgression of, or falling short of, God's standard in action, thought, and character. All sin breaks relationship with God and others. All individuals are born with indwelling sin that affects our sense of identity, motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, from each other, and death. (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17)
We believe... in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection by which we obtain remission of sins. (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12, 22)
We believe... that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe... in the special creation of the universe as indicated in Genesis. (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
We believe... in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood. In His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
We believe... in the creation of humanity in the image of God and in the rebellion of humanity as recorded in Genesis; our total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 18)
We believe... that sin is a transgression of, or falling short of, God's standard in action, thought, and character. All sin breaks relationship with God and others. All individuals are born with indwelling sin that affects our sense of identity, motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God, from each other, and death. (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17)
We believe... in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection by which we obtain remission of sins. (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12, 22)
We believe... that for the salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential and by whose indwelling the Christian is united to Christ and enabled to live a godly life. (John 3:3; Romans 8:9-10, 13-14)
We believe... in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)
We believe... in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with evidence such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, empowerment to witness, to conquer sin, and to live a holy life. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 19:6)
We believe... in the exercise of spiritual gifts mentioned as evidenced in the early church. (1 Corinthians 12-14)
We believe... in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of judgment. (1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 19-21)
We believe... the Scriptures alone are authoritative to define what it means to be human, image bearers of God in all areas of life, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics. (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:17-20)
We believe... the Scriptures define marriage as the covenantal relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union for the family, the church, and society requires that we support a Biblical view of marriage. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33)
We believe... in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)
We believe... in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with evidence such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, empowerment to witness, to conquer sin, and to live a holy life. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 19:6)
We believe... in the exercise of spiritual gifts mentioned as evidenced in the early church. (1 Corinthians 12-14)
We believe... in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of judgment. (1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 19-21)
We believe... the Scriptures alone are authoritative to define what it means to be human, image bearers of God in all areas of life, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics. (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:17-20)
We believe... the Scriptures define marriage as the covenantal relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union for the family, the church, and society requires that we support a Biblical view of marriage. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33)
Apostle's Creed (ca. 180 A.D.)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 into hell.
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 [universal] and apostolic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 into hell.
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 [universal] and apostolic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Nicene Creed (381 A.D.)
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and
apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and
apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
Athanasian Creed (ca. 600 A.D.)
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith.
Which faith unless everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
And the catholic faith is this:
that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
neither confounding the Persons,
nor dividing the Essence.
For there is one Person of the Father;
another of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one;
the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.
Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Spirit.
The Father uncreated;
The Son uncreated;
and the Holy Spirit uncreated.
The Father unlimited;
the Son unlimited;
and the Holy Spirit unlimited.
The Father eternal;
the Son eternal;
and the Holy Spirit eternal.
And yet they are not three uncreated;
nor three infinites,
but one uncreated;
and one infinite.
So likewise the Father is Almighty;
the Son Almighty;
and the Holy Spirit Almighty.
And yet there are not three Almighties; but one Almighty.
So the Father is God;
the Son is God;
and the Holy Spirit is God.
And yet they are not three Gods; but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord;
the Son Lord;
and the Holy Spirit Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity;
to acknowledge every Person by himself
to be God and Lord;
so we are forbidden by the catholic religion;
to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten.
The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son;
neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers;
one Son, not three Sons;
one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
And in this Trinity none is before, or after another;
none is greater, or less than another.
But the whole three Persons are co-eternal and coequal.
So that in all things, as aforesaid;
the unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in unity,
is to be worshiped.
He therefore that will be saved,
let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation;
that he also believe faithfully the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the right faith is,
that we believe and confess;
that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
is God and Man;
God, of the substance [essence] of the Father;
begotten before the worlds;
and Man, of the substance [essence] of his mother,
born in the world.
Perfect God; and perfect Man,
of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead;
and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood.
Who although he is God and Man;
yet he is not two, but one Christ.
One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh;
but by assumption of the Manhood into God.
One altogether;
not by confusion of substance [Essence];
but by unity of Person.
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man;
so God and Man is one Christ;
Who suffered for our salvation;
descended into hell;
rose again the third day from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies;
And shall give account for their own works.
And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting;
and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.
This is the catholic faith;
which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
Which faith unless everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
And the catholic faith is this:
that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
neither confounding the Persons,
nor dividing the Essence.
For there is one Person of the Father;
another of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one;
the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.
Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Spirit.
The Father uncreated;
The Son uncreated;
and the Holy Spirit uncreated.
The Father unlimited;
the Son unlimited;
and the Holy Spirit unlimited.
The Father eternal;
the Son eternal;
and the Holy Spirit eternal.
And yet they are not three uncreated;
nor three infinites,
but one uncreated;
and one infinite.
So likewise the Father is Almighty;
the Son Almighty;
and the Holy Spirit Almighty.
And yet there are not three Almighties; but one Almighty.
So the Father is God;
the Son is God;
and the Holy Spirit is God.
And yet they are not three Gods; but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord;
the Son Lord;
and the Holy Spirit Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity;
to acknowledge every Person by himself
to be God and Lord;
so we are forbidden by the catholic religion;
to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten.
The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son;
neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers;
one Son, not three Sons;
one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
And in this Trinity none is before, or after another;
none is greater, or less than another.
But the whole three Persons are co-eternal and coequal.
So that in all things, as aforesaid;
the unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in unity,
is to be worshiped.
He therefore that will be saved,
let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation;
that he also believe faithfully the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the right faith is,
that we believe and confess;
that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
is God and Man;
God, of the substance [essence] of the Father;
begotten before the worlds;
and Man, of the substance [essence] of his mother,
born in the world.
Perfect God; and perfect Man,
of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead;
and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood.
Who although he is God and Man;
yet he is not two, but one Christ.
One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh;
but by assumption of the Manhood into God.
One altogether;
not by confusion of substance [Essence];
but by unity of Person.
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man;
so God and Man is one Christ;
Who suffered for our salvation;
descended into hell;
rose again the third day from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies;
And shall give account for their own works.
And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting;
and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.
This is the catholic faith;
which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.