17. We believe that Jesus Christ calls us to discipleship, to take up our cross and follow him. Through the gift of God’s saving grace, we are empowered to be disciples of Jesus, filled with his Spirit, following his teachings and his path through suffering to new life. As we are faithful to his way, we become conformed to Christ and separated from the evil in the world. (Phil. 3:10)
18. We believe that to be a disciple of Jesus is to know life in the Spirit. As the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ takes shape in us, we grow in the image of Christ and in our relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is active in individual and in communal worship, leading us deeper into the experience of God. (2 Cor. 3:17-18; Phil. 3:21)
19. We believe that God intends human life to begin in families and to be blessed through families. Even more, God desires all people to become part of the church, God’s family. We recognize and honor the single state as well as marriage between one man and one woman for life. As single and married members of the church family give and receive nurture and healing, families can grow toward the wholeness that God intends. We are called to chastity and to loving faithfulness in marriage. (Luke 8:19-21; Eph. 2:19; Gen. 12:1-3; Acts 3:25; Mark 10:9; 1 Cor. 7:10-11,38)
20. We commit ourselves to tell the truth, to give a simple yes or no, and to avoid the swearing of oaths. (Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12)
21. We believe that everything belongs to God, who calls the church to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us, and to participate now in the rest and justice which God has promised. (Ps. 24:1; Luke 12:35-48; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Mark 2:27-28; Lev. 25:23,42,55)
22. We believe that peace is the will of God. God created the world in peace, and God’s peace is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is our peace and the peace of the whole world. Led by the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the way of peace, doing justice, bringing reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance, even in the face of violence and warfare. (Gen. 1-11; Luke 2:14; Matt. 5:44; 6:14-15; Matt. 5:3-12,39; Isa. 11:1-9)
23. We believe that the church is God’s holy nation, called to give full allegiance to Christ its head and to witness to every nation, government, and society about God’s saving love. (1 Pet. 2:9; Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:19; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-4)
