The faith confessions written in this book have their foundation in the scriptures. Study notes are given after each confession for reference and meditation. This book unveils the benefits and power that occur when faith confessions are made. (Christian)

This revised study edition of the Book of Confessions contains the official creeds, catechisms, and confessional statements of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including the new Confession of Belhar that was added at the 222nd General Assembly (2016). Each text is introduced by an informative essay providing in-depth historical and theological background information. The book also includes two appendixes that explore the purpose of confessions. This study edition is ideal for seminarians and leaders looking for more extensive information about the history and theology of the confessions along with the official documents, all conveniently located in one volume.

In a sinful world, people sin against each other. Christians do too. Even in church, we often give and take offense. How do we handle this? Often with bitterness and grudges. But Christ did not die for us in order that we might live in hostility toward each other. He gives us a better way. Confession and Forgiveness, which Luther frequently used and sometimes even called a third sacrament, has often been neglected in the everyday ministry of our churches. Even so, many are now rediscovering this essential element which God has given us for our spiritual benefit. In these pages, learn from Scripture, from the Lutheran Confessions, and from powerful contemporary stories how to recover and employ this blessing in your own life, and become an ambassador of reconciliation. Book jacket.

People and churches across America are discovering that their secular friends and neighbors have been unknowingly waiting for the chance to experience the good God. Blue Ocean Faith is a network of churches that have seen thousands of secular people—from Harvard deans to public housing residents—connect with God. Blue Ocean founder Dave Schmelzer details six profound paradigm shifts that unlock a depth of connection to God that’s new for many churchgoers and that’s unprecedented for their secular neighbors. Embracing centered-set faith, becoming solus Jesus, and taking a third-way approach to LGBTQ congregants are among the game-changers that empower this rich life of faith. Rather than retreating from or drawing lines against our increasingly secular world, people of faith can join Jesus—as followers like Saint Francis of Assisi have done for millennia—in joyfully entering the world around them with profound wonder and an equally-profound offer of a life that really is life. “Blue Ocean Faith is a riveting book about an exciting new movement of churches emerging out of the ashes of American evangelicalism/fundamentalism. This could be a charter document for a new kind of Jesus movement. Everyone should read it,” writes David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University. With plenty of engaging storytelling, Schmelzer brings together ancient and cutting-edge insights in a book that might revitalize your experience of God, open up your connection to your neighbors and your city … and maybe even kick off a new Jesus movement.

Here in modern English is the most famous of Baptist Confessions containing the heart and soul of the Reformation in terms of clear Biblical truth. Here is a Confession of faith for churches to be founded upon, a faith for church members to know, love, defend and propagate, a faith that church officers can hand on to future generations. The Introduction which forms a preface to this Confession explains its origin and discusses several particularly relevant issues contained in the chapters, thereby increasing the usefulness of the whole.