Evangelical Alliance UK Release New Basis of Faith

Evangelical Alliance UK has recently announced the adoption of a new Basis of Faith. It was fully agreed on 17th February by the Council after a three-year long consultation. The core conviction of the Alliance is now further elaborated after a deeper theological consideration.

The main changes on the new conviction included the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, personal conversion, the ascension and general resurrection. It has been drawn by a special working group of the Alliance’s theological commission formally instructed by EAUK.

Rev Dr David Hilborn, the Alliance's Head of Theology and Co-ordinator of the revision process, said after the Council vote, "I am delighted with the new Basis of Faith. It runs to roughly the same number of words as the previous version and maintains what was affirmed there, but manages more fully to reflect the witness of Scripture."

"The old version said nothing about the virgin birth, personal conversion, the ascension or the general resurrection. This covers all of those areas and says a good deal more about God's love and justice as well. It is expressed in clear and precise terms suited to the Alliance's ministry and mission in the 21st Century."

Joel Edwards, General Director of the Alliance, said, "The way our Theological Commission, Board and Council have worked together on this revision process is exemplary. Many people have participated in the process and there has been a lot of debate and re-working along the way, but it was great to see such unanimity when the final version was approved and adopted."

Dr Derek Tidball, Principal of the London School of Theology and Chair of the Alliance's Council, similarly commended, "It is a real improvement. It elegantly expresses the essentials of Evangelical faith, and defines clearly what underpins the Alliance's ministry and mission."

The new Basis is as follows:

We believe in...

1. The one true God who lives eternally in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
2. The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.
3. The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God - fully trustworthy for faith and conduct.
4. The dignity of all people, made male and female in God's image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.
5. The incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - born of the virgin Mary, truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.
6. The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.
7. The bodily resurrection of Christ, the firstfruit of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.
8. The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
9. The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
10. The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers- given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit's gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.
11. The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.

The conviction will be officially incorporated into the Alliance’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at its Annual General Meeting on 14th September.