Xenos Christian Fellowship encourages people of all
beliefs and persuasions to investigate what the Bible teaches. There is no
official membership at Xenos. However, we consider a number of biblical
doctrines to be central to our faith and vital to the integrity of all
aspects of our ministry. We affirm significant historic creeds of the
church, such as the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired word of God. The 66 books which constitute the
Bible are entirely reliable and truthful, and the Bible stands as the
central authority over our lives, our faith, and the direction of our
church.
We are committed to standard formulations of biblical inspiration such as
the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy."
(2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18)
The Trinity
Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. The Bible refers to these
persons as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is both
self-existent and personal.
(John 14:10, 26; 15:26)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless
life, died for the sins of humankind, was resurrected bodily on the third
day, ascended into heaven and is coming again as King and Judge.
Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be
reconciled to Him. Jesus’ life on earth also serves as the model for the
Christian life.
(John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God. He indwells us at the moment we place our faith in
Christ. He empowers us to live an effective Christian life by affirming
our salvation, encouraging us and giving us the strength to live a life
that is pleasing to God and personally fulfilling. The Holy Spirit also
endows each believer with a unique spiritual ability to serve the church
and the world.
(John 14:16; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12)
Salvation
Salvation is reconciliation with God through the atoning work of Jesus
Christ. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive it as a
gift through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This
right standing before God must be received and cannot be earned.
God freely offers salvation to all people, and our salvation is secure.
(Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 8:38,39; Ephesians 1:13; 2:4)
Humanity
Human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are unique among
all of God’s creation. Through the abuse of our God-given free will, we
have turned against God and this has resulted in spiritual death for all
humankind. Humanity lives in a state of alienation and profound need which
can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Without
this reconciliation, all people stand under God’s righteous judgment.
Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore,
still dignified and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us,
even though we are hostile to Him.
Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation
for a process of transformation.
(John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
The Church
The church is composed of all those throughout history who place
saving faith in Jesus Christ. The church is not an institution, but a
people.
God wants all Christians to live out their spiritual lives in a corporate
context. This context of Christian love relationships is a crucial feature
of our witness for Christ as it reflects God’s character to the world.
The church is God’s chosen instrument through which the message of
salvation is spread to all people. This mission is the central purpose for
the church. We are to carry the good news locally and worldwide and
demonstrate the gospel by relevant social action.
(John 13:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 28:19)
Satan
Satan is the personal, spiritual adversary of God and God’s
followers. Satan actively opposes the work of the church and the spiritual
vitality of Christians. We therefore take seriously, but in a balanced
way, the reality of personal, spiritual opposition.
Satan is doomed to final defeat and judgment when Christ returns.
(Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20)
Second Coming
This age will conclude with the personal, bodily return of
Christ. At that time, He will complete God’s plan to reestablish His
just and righteous rule over all humanity.
(Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20)
The Afterlife
At the final judgment, God will assign all people their eternal
destinies—either life or judgment. Those who have responded to Jesus
Christ with saving faith will receive the eternal life they have already
been promised (John 5:24), while others will live under eternal judgment.
Therefore, because eternal issues are at stake, there is an urgency to
communicate the gospel.
(Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)
