Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, living, eternally reliable Word of God, equally in all parts, and without error in its original manuscript and our primary and authoritative source of revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason. Therefore, the Bible is our final authority for faith and practice and is necessary for our daily lives as it continually points us toward the person of Jesus. [2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12]
我們相信聖經每部分都是神所默示的、具有權柄的、永活的、永遠可靠的話語。其原稿毫無錯誤，並且是我們從神領受啟示的最主要且具權威的來源，高於良心和理性，但並不與理性相悖。因此，聖經是我們信仰與實踐的最終權威，也是我們日常生活的必需，因為聖經盡都指向耶穌基督。（提摩太後書 3:16-17; 彼得前書 1:23-25; 希伯來書 4:12）

We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that he will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of his name. We believe that God has exhaustive foreknowledge of all future events, including the free choices of all moral agents, both angelic and human, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ [Isaiah 40-48; Psalm 104; Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-14, Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6].

We believe in God the Father, Creator of all things visible and invisible. [Colossians 1:15-16]

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who came into the world to reveal the Father and was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. Jesus Christ was the Creator of everything, for by Him all things were made. We further believe that in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form and that He was very-God and very-Man. [John 1:1-2, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Acts 7:37-38]

We believe in Jesus Christ’s pre-existence, incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutionary and atoning death, bodily resurrection, bodily ascension into heaven, exaltation, present rule at the right hand of God, coming personal return in power and great glory and everlasting Kingdom and dominion. [Acts 1:11; Acts 3:19-21; Daniel 7:14; Revelation 20:4]

We acknowledge His Lordship—that Jesus Christ is Lord over all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth. [Philippians 2:9-10]

We believe in the Holy Spirit, His present ministry, His indwelling, His empowering, His impartation of gifts for today and His transforming power in the lives of all believers. [1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14]

我們相信獨一的真神永存於三個位格：聖父、聖子與聖靈；這三位既是一神，就在神性、權能與榮耀上同等。我們相信神不僅創造了世界，且一直護理、維繫、治理並憑祂的旨意引導萬有；祂將在基督耶穌裡使萬物完全，使祂的名得榮耀。我們相信神全備的預知一切未來事件（包括所有天使和人類等自由道德主體的自由選擇）；祂垂聽並應允禱告；並透過耶穌基督拯救所有歸向祂的人脫離罪惡與死亡。（以賽亞書 40-48; 詩篇 104; 詩篇 139; 馬太福音 10:29-31; 28:19; 使徒行傳 17:24-28; 哥林多後書 13:14; 約翰福音 1:1-14; 以弗所書 1:9-12; 4:4-6; 歌羅西書 1:16-17; 希伯來書 1:1-3; 啟示錄 1:4-6）

我們相信父神，一切可見與不可見之物的創造主。（歌羅西書 1:15-16）

我們相信耶穌基督，神的獨生子。祂來到世上為要彰顯父神，並是神榮耀所發的光輝，是神本體的真像。耶穌基督是萬物的創造者，因為萬有都是藉著祂造的。我們更相信神性一切的豐盛都有形有體地居住在基督裡面；祂既是完全的神，也是完全的人。（約翰福音 1:1-2, 14; 提摩太前書 3:16; 使徒行傳 7:37-38）

我們相信耶穌基督先存，道成肉身，生自童女，活出無罪的一生，行神蹟，為替罪與贖罪而死，肉身復活，肉身升天，被高舉，現今在神右邊掌權。我們相信祂將來在權能與大榮耀中親自再臨，建立永恆的國度與權柄。（使徒行傳 1:11; 使徒行傳 3:19-21; 但以理書 7:14; 啟示錄 20:4）

我們承認祂的主權——耶穌基督是天上、地上和地底下一切萬有的主。（腓立比書 2:9-10）

我們相信聖靈，祂今天事奉一切信徒，居住於信徒心裡，賦予能力，賜下恩賜，在一切信徒生命中發揮更新變化的能力。（哥林多前書 12:4-11; 加拉太書 5:22-23; 以弗所書 1:13-14）

We believe man was created by a direct and immediate act of God. [Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:4]

We believe man, by transgression, fell from the state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created into total spiritual depravity, a state of death in trespasses and sins in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God. As such, he is unable to attain divine righteousness by his own efforts but must be redeemed and delivered by the power of the gospel. [Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4]

We believe repentance and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ are an integral part of God’s work of justification of the believer. Through faith in the shed blood of Christ, he or she is justified and made a partaker in the death of Christ. [Romans 5:1, 9]

We believe it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. [Ephesians 2:8-9]

We further believe that a follower of Christ should walk continually in grace while demonstrating righteousness and purity of heart, believing in the keeping power of God, walking according to the Spirit and not the flesh, not being conformed to the world but living a life that displays the character of Jesus Christ. [Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 4:1-5; Romans 12:1-2]

We believe the Holy Spirit reveals and convicts people of sin, and we are responsible to repent of that sin and respond with obedience. [2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalm 51; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; Romans 1:18-32; Matthew 9:12-13]

We believe that in the final judgment, which will accompany the return of Christ, every person will give an account to God of every aspect of this earthly life. Unbelievers will be separated from God for eternity in hell. Believers will experience the final resurrection and live eternally with Christ in the new heavens and the new earth. [1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15]

我們相信人是神直接而即時被造的。（創世記 1:26-27; 創世記 2:4）

我們相信人因過犯，從起初被造時的公義與聖潔墮落，陷入全然屬靈的敗壞和死亡，成為罪的奴僕與神的仇敵。因此，人無法靠自己的努力達到神的義，必須藉著福音的大能蒙救贖、得釋放。（羅馬書 5:12-21; 哥林多前書 15:1-4）

我們相信悔改與信靠主耶穌基督是信徒稱義不可分割的一部分。藉著信靠基督所流的寶血，信徒得以稱義，並在基督的死上有分。（羅馬書 5:1, 9）

我們相信信徒得救是本乎恩，也因著信；這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的；也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。（以弗所書 2:8-9）

我們相信，信徒活在恩典中的同時，應當活出公義與心靈的純潔；我們既信靠神保守的大能便順著聖靈而行，不順從肉體，為要彰顯耶穌基督，不效法這個世界。（猶大書 24; 羅馬書 8:25; 加拉太書 5:16-25; 羅馬書 4:1-5; 羅馬書 12:1-2）

我們相信聖靈啟示並使人知罪；我們有責任悔改，並以順服回應聖靈的啟示。（哥林多後書 7:10; 詩篇 51; 使徒行傳 11:18; 提摩太後書 2:25; 羅馬書 1:18-32; 馬太福音 9:12-13）

我們相信在基督再來時將有最終審判，每一個人都要為自己今世的一切向神交帳。不信的人將與神永遠隔絕，進入地獄；信徒將經歷最終的復活，並在新天新地中與基督永遠同住。（哥林多前書 3:10-15; 哥林多後書 5:10; 啟示錄 20:11-15）

We believe the Church is both universal and local. All who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone form the Church, in unity with all believers throughout history. Yet the church is also local, with believers gathering in a committed community, submitted to the authority of Christ, and under the leadership of local elders. [Ephesians 1:22-23]

Scripture describes the Church as:

• The Body of Christ [Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:22-23]

• The household of God [Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-4:7; Ephesians 2:11]

• The temple of God [1 Corinthians 3:9-17; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:4-10]

• God’s chosen people [Romans 11:17; Galatians 4:28-31; Ephesians 2:19]

This language is intimate and reveals Jesus’ commitment to and care for His people. Furthermore, the Church is God’s instrument for revealing His purpose and the fullness of Jesus on earth for His glory. [Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 1:23]

We believe in the Lord’s Supper and believer’s water baptism as acts of our obedience and a testimony of our faith. Though they are not a means of salvation, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer when acted upon in faith within the local church. Both of these ordinances are only for believers in Jesus. [Matthew 3:6; Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Matthew 28:18-20]

我們相信教會既是普世性的，也是地區性的。凡信靠基督裡、蒙神恩典稱義的人，就與歷史上所有信徒合一，組成教會。然而教會也是地區性的：信徒應聚集在一個委身的群體中，順服基督的權柄，並由地方長老帶領。（以弗所書 1:22-23）

聖經描述教會為：

• 基督的身體 （羅馬書 12:5; 哥林多前書 12:12-31; 以弗所書 1:9-10; 1:22-23）

• 神的家 （羅馬書 8:14-17; 加拉太書 3:26-4:7; 以弗所書 2:11）

• 神的聖殿 （哥林多前書 3:9-17; 以弗所書 2:21-22; 彼得前書 2:4-10）

• 神揀選的子民 （羅馬書 11:17; 加拉太書 4:28-31; 以弗所書 2:19）

這些親密的描述，顯明了耶穌對祂子民的委身與看顧。教會是神的器皿，在地上為要彰顯神的旨意與基督的豐盛，使祂得著榮耀。（以弗所書 3:10; 1:23）

我們相信聖餐與洗禮是順服的表現及信仰的見證。雖然這些禮儀不是得救的途徑，但當信徒在地區性教會中憑信心遵行時，這些禮儀就堅固並滋養信徒。這兩項禮儀都只適用於相信耶穌的人。（馬太福音 3:6; 馬可福音 16:16; 哥林多前書 11:23-29; 馬太福音 28:18-20）

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.  The husband and wife are of equal worth before God since both are created in God’s image. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the Church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his companion in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. [Genesis 1:27, 28; Genesis 2:20-25; Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 5:24; Genesis 2:20, 21; Titus 2:4, 5; Psalm 139:13-15]

We Are Church stands in agreement with the clear teaching of Scripture, which we hold as the final authority, as well as the nearly unanimous teaching of the Church since the New Testament era and the majority of Christians around the world today in affirming the following: 

God-ordained marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Sexual activity is a gift to be enjoyed solely within the context of marriage. Extra-marital sexual activity, homosexuality, pornography and other forms of sexually explicit media fall outside of the boundaries God placed on sexual behavior. Regarding the topic of homosexuality, We Are Church has consistently upheld a stance of clarity and compassion. Clarity that the practice of homosexuality is sinful, and compassion toward those who sin sexually, experience sexual confusion or deal with unwanted sexual desires.  [Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 7:21-22, Acts 15:20, Romans 1:22-27, I Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Timothy 1:8-11]

婚姻是一男一女之間，一生之久的委身結合與盟約。丈夫與妻子在神面前具有同等價值，因為二人都是按神的形象所造。丈夫要愛妻子，正如基督愛教會一樣。他有神所賦予的責任去供應、保護並帶領家庭。妻子當甘心順服丈夫僕人式的帶領，正如教會甘心順服基督的元首地位。她與丈夫一樣是神的形象，因此與丈夫平等；她有神所賜的責任敬重丈夫，並作他的伴侶，一同管理家庭、養育下一代。孩子從受孕那一刻起便是主所賜的祝福與產業。父母應當向孩子顯明神對婚姻的心意。（創世記 1:27, 28; 2:20-25; 1:27; 以弗所書 5:25; 5:24; 創世記 2:20, 21; 提多書 2:4, 5; 詩篇 139:13-15）

We Are Church 視聖經為最終權威，按着聖經明確的教導、教會自新約的教導、以及現今全球大多數基督徒的一致信念，確認以下立場：

神所命定的婚姻是一男一女之間一生的盟約。性行為是神所賜的禮物，只當在婚姻關係內享受。婚外性行為、同性性行為、色情媒體，都越過了神為性行為所設定的界限。關於同性戀議題，本教會一貫持守既清晰又兼具憐憫的立場：我們清晰同性性行為是罪，並堅持用憐憫對待性方面犯罪、經歷性方面困惑或被性慾望所困擾的人。（馬太福音 19:4-6; 馬可福音 7:21-22; 使徒行傳 15:20; 羅馬書 1:22-27; 哥林多前書 6:9-11; 6:12-20; 提摩太前書 1:8-11）

• Equality of Men and Women with Complementary Functions
  We affirm the equality of men and women, and we encourage female leadership in a wide variety of ministries. We believe local churches are to be overseen by biblically qualified male elders who empower the gifts of both men and women. More specifically, we do not believe a woman is meant to be in a position of spiritual authority over a man. Within We Are Church, this specifically means that the roles of elder (leader of the local WAC) or pastor (leader of a WAC house church) are for men only. Outside of these two, it is important to ensure that women feel the freedom to meaningfully use their gifts and serve in various roles in the body. 

  We also believe in male headship in homes where both a husband and a wife are present. These leadership functions are to be carried out with a humble, Christ-like servant leadership attitude and a posture of mutual submission out of reverence for Jesus as Lord. 

  [Gen. 2:4-25; Mark 10:35-45; John 13:1-16; Acts 2:16-21; 18:26; Gal. 3:28; Philip. 4:2-3; I Tim. 2:11-3:15; Titus 1:5-9; Eph. 5:18-33]
  
  男女平等與功能互補
  我們確認男女平等，並鼓勵女性在多種事工領域中擔任領導角色。我們相信，本地教會應由符合聖經資格的男性長老監督，而他們應當裝備並鼓勵男女信徒善用恩賜。我們認為女性不應在屬靈權柄上凌駕於男性之上。在We Are Church 具體而言，長老（地區性WAC領袖）和牧師（WAC家庭教會領袖）的崗位只可由男性擔當。至於其他崗位，我們必須確定女性有自由運用恩賜，在不同崗位上服侍。

  同時，我們相信在有丈夫和妻子共同生活的家庭中，丈夫應擔任領袖角色。丈夫必須帶著謙卑、效法基督的僕人式領導態度，敬畏主耶穌，並存有彼此順服的心志。

  （創世記 2:4-25; 馬可福音 10:35-45; 約翰福音 13:1-16; 使徒行傳 2:16-21; 18:26; 加拉太書 3:28; 腓立比書 4:2-3; 提摩太前書 2:11-3:15; 提多書 1:5-9; 以弗所書 5:18-33）
  
  

• Continuation of the Gifts
  We believe that the ministry of the Spirit in signs and wonders continues to be as broad, tangible, and powerful among believers today as it was in the early church. We also believe that all the biblical gifts of the Spirit continue to be distributed by the Spirit today; that these gifts are divine provisions central to spiritual growth and effective ministry; and that these gifts are to be eagerly desired, faithfully developed, and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines. 

  [John 14:12; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; Galatians 3:1-5]
  
  屬靈恩賜的延續
  我們相信聖靈在神蹟奇事中的作為，今日在信徒中間仍與在初期教會中一樣廣泛、具體、大有能力。我們也相信，聖靈今日仍然將聖經中所有屬靈的恩賜分賜給人；這些恩賜是神所命定的供應，對靈命成長和滿有果效的事工至關重要；信徒應當切慕聖靈恩，忠心地培養，並按照聖經的指引在愛中操練這些恩賜。

  （約翰福音 14:12; 使徒行傳 2:14-21; 4:29-30; 羅馬書 12:3-8; 哥林多前書 12:7-11; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; 加拉太書 3:1-5）