Doctrinal Basis
United for Mission
Our Doctrinal Basis is a joyful expression of our unity in mission. CUs are not churches; they are mission teams on campus! Because of this, we unite around the things of first importance (1 Cor 15:1-4), being only as narrow as the gospel demands but as generous as the gospel permits. For example, when planning events or choosing speakers, we focus on what is central to the gospel and welcome collaboration with all who agree on these essentials, even if we may differ on secondary issues. This helps us keep Jesus at the centre of our activities and promotes genuine unity without unnecessary division.
Our Doctrinal Basis outlines the core convictions of the Christian faith as we understand them from Scripture. Since the earliest days of the CU movement almost a century ago, it has been the foundation of our unity, shaped our ministry, and defined the message we proclaim. We openly hold to these beliefs, valuing both clarity in the gospel and unity around it.
Our Doctrinal Basis
The doctrinal basis of the Fellowship shall be those fundamental truths of Christianity as revealed in Holy Scripture set out in this clause:
1. The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
2. The sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
3. The divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
4. The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the fall, rendering everyone subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
5. The full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God; his virgin birth and his real and sinless humanity; his death on the cross, his bodily resurrection and his present reign in heaven and earth.
6. Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial death once and for all time of our representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and humanity.
7. Justification as God’s act of undeserved mercy, in which sinners are pardoned all their sins and accepted as righteous in God’s sight, only because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, this justification being received by faith alone.
8. The need for the Holy Spirit to make the work of Christ effective to individual sinners, granting them repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
9. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all those thus regenerated, producing in them an increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour, and empowering them for their witness in the world.
10. The one holy universal church, which is the Body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong.
11. The future personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge everyone, executing God’s just condemnation on the impenitent and receiving the redeemed to eternal glory