“It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate.”
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God1, and that it shows us what God is like and what he expects of us.
We also believe that Jesus Christ became the Word of God in a body2, and that we should accept and follow his teaching.
So what did he teach?
Firstly, he taught some things about himself. He said he was “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”3. He said, “I and the Father are one”4, identifying himself with the God of the universe. He called himself Lord5. He said, “I am the bread of life.”6
Then, he taught some things about us. He said that we must be ‘born again’7. This involves repenting (which means to change the direction of our lives) and believing (putting our trust in) Jesus8.
Thirdly, he taught how we can live a life pleasing to God. His famous sermon on the mount – addressing issues like anger, relationships, promises, giving, prayer, and anxiety – is just one notable example9.
He did, of course, teach a lot more than this! We explore some of the basics of the Christian faith on our Alpha courses. As a Baptist church, we also subscribe to the BU Statement of Principle.