Who is Jesus Christ?
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16:15 NRSV
Throughout history, Christians have sought to describe their faith in Jesus Christ. Traditionally, churches have used statements of belief and confessions of faith to articulate their understanding of Jesus Christ’s person and work.  Such statements provide important foundations for educating disciples and for addressing theological questions that arise from time to time.​

​While words are never ultimately adequate, the statements that follow describes what is at the core of our beliefs as the Community of Christ. We do not expect that there will be universal assent to these statements and reject any prescriptive use of it. Yet it is our prayer that the church will find this to be a compelling summary of our faith, and that it will be helpful to the mission of the church as it proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.
Our Belief in Christ
Audio recording from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ) "Hear Ye Him" radio sermons by Evan A Fry.  Although this sermon was broadcast over seventy years ago the message is still relevant today.
As members of Community of Christ, we are bound together with Christians in every place and in every time by our confession of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, author of our salvation, and head of the church. 
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*What is Salvation? 
The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ: forgiveness of sin, and healing from separation, brokenness, and the power of violence and death. This healing is for individuals, human societies, and all of creation. This new life is the loving gift of God’s grace that becomes ours through faith and repentance.

​ Baptism is how we initially express our commitment to lifelong discipleship. As we yield our lives to Christ in baptism we enter Christian community (the body of Christ) and have the promise of salvation. We experience salvation through Jesus Christ, but affirm that God’s grace has no bounds, and God’s love is greater than we can know.

*From the booklet: "Sharing in Community of Christ"  You can download a FREE copy of this booklet from the Community of Christ website.  See the link at the bottom of this page.
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, both fully human and fully divine. In him we see ourselves and we see God, whom he tenderly called Abba, the compassionate One, who gave birth to all of creation and declared it to be “very good.” Together with the Holy Spirit, they are one. 
By the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus, born of Mary, came into the world to live and dwell among us to reveal God’s nature and will. He prophetically condemned injustice in the temple and proclaimed the good news of the coming reign of God on Earth, preaching liberation to the oppressed and repentance to oppressors. He taught his followers to love God, to love their neighbors, and to love their enemies. By eating with sinners, serving the poor, healing the unclean, blessing children, and welcoming women and men as equals among his disciples, Jesus declared that all persons are of worth in the sight of God. 
Jesus was betrayed by his own friends, accused of blasphemy and treason, and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to die on a cross between two common criminals. By forgiving his murderers and choosing to take on the sin, pain, and suffering of the whole world, he reconciled all of humanity to God.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating his life and ministry, and triumphing over all injustice, even death itself. He ascended into heaven, having entrusted his followers with authority to minister in his name to the ends of the earth. He sent the Holy Spirit to be with them in their witness of the good news of the Resurrection. 
Christ is our peace, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility between us. He promises us the redemption and healing of our relationships with God, one another, and all of creation. 
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​The concept of peace has been sought after for centuries, and Christ's promise of peace brings hope to many. In a world that can often feel divided and hostile, the idea of breaking down those walls is powerful.
 
Christ offers redemption, which means that no matter what we've done or how far we've strayed, we have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. This promise is available to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
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In addition to our relationship with God, Christ promises to heal our relationships with one another. This means that we can work towards unity and understanding, even in the midst of our differences.
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Finally, Christ's promise of peace extends to all of creation. This means that we are called to be good stewards of the earth and to care for the environment. It also means that we are called to consider the impact of our actions on the world around us.
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Overall, Christ's promise of peace is a powerful reminder that we are called to live in harmony with one another and with all of creation. It is a call to action, to work towards reconciliation and healing in our relationships and in the world around us.
The church, the body of Christ, is called to proclaim the gospel until Christ comes again. It is he who forgives us in baptism, and feeds us at his table. As disciples of Christ, we are all called to conform our lives to his by living in loving community with others, seeing Jesus in the faces of the least of God’s children, and serving those whom the world has forgotten.  
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This call to live in community and serve others is a central theme in Christianity. It is through our actions that we demonstrate our faith and express our devotion to God. Jesus himself modeled this type of sacrificial love throughout his ministry, often choosing to spend time with the marginalized and forgotten members of society.
 
As disciples, we are challenged to follow this example and to see Jesus in the faces of those around us. This means recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their background or circumstances. It also means reaching out to those who are hurting, lonely, or in need of help.
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One way we can put this into practice is by volunteering our time and resources to serve others. There are countless opportunities to do this within our communities, whether it be through a local charity, church group, or other organization. By serving those whom the world has forgotten, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of others and reflect the love of Christ to the world.  Visit the ACTIVITIES page of this website for examples of what we are doing to make Christ's Mission - Our Mission.  We invite you to join us!

The term "follower of the way" was used to describe early Christians because they followed the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It signifies that Christianity is not just a belief system but a way of life that followers are called to embody. Being a follower of the way, for a Christian, means living a life that reflects the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It involves embodying the values of love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility in all aspects of one's life.
 
The promises of God in Jesus Christ are sure—that by the Holy Spirit we will be given grace to do the things we have been asked: courage in the struggle for justice, passion for peace in the midst of violence, forgiveness of our sins, stewardship in place of materialism, healing of body and spirit where there is hurt, and eternal life in the face of death.
We live and serve in hope that God’s kingdom of justice and peace will indeed come, bringing healing to the whole, groaning creation. Putting our trust in the Risen Christ, present among us by the Holy Spirit, we press on together, giving blessing, honor, and glory to God, now and forevermore. Amen

Project Zion Podcast Episode 84
Percolating on Faith - Why Jesus?
 

Join Carla Long as she speaks with Tony and Charmaine about why Jesus continues to play the central role in our faith and the importance of understanding who he was and who he continues to be.

Project Zion Podcast Episode 181
Placing the Authority of the Bible over Jesus

Carla Long sits down with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith, John Hamer, and Matt Frizzell to discuss the statement, “Placing the authority of the Bible over Jesus. Many believers and preachers say that Jesus is the way, but they preach and teach that the bible is the true and only authority. Therefore, they contort and distort God and Jesus to fit the authority of every passage and word instead of interpreting scripture based on the story and teachings of Jesus.”

Project Zion Podcast Episode 387
Percolating on Faith - Atonement
 

The word “atonement” often comes with a lot of theological assumptions about what is being discussed. However, did you know that the idea that God sent Jesus to die for our sins is only one out of many ways to view Jesus’ death and resurrection? This Project Zion Podcast looks at some alternative theological understandings that are rooted deeply in Christian tradition, history, and the belief that God is love.

Project Zion Podcast Episode 596
Coffee to Go - Proper 7

Nobody said it would be easy.  Certainly not Jesus! If you’re looking for an easy ride, it could be that discipleship is not for you.  It actually comes with a cost that is higher than some are willing to pay. The question is, what is too much for you and me?  Only we can decide that for ourselves. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into where the disciples are with Jesus this week, and what it means for us in this day and time.
Would you like to learn more?
Sharing in Community of Christ Explores Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs, of our church; and It contains church identity statements, Enduring Principles, Basic Beliefs, Mission Initiatives, and many other insights.  
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​Click button to download this FREE booklet from the Community of Christ website.​
You can download this booklet anonymously.