Statement of Faith
The following is H.O.P.E. Christian Homeschool Co-op's statement of faith. It is important for those who belong to this co-op, as well as those who might be considering it, to understand what core beliefs this co-op stands for and is built upon. We do require that members agree with the Statement of Faith in full. However, if you find a point with which you disagree, we are open to discussion to determine if this group would still be a good fit for your family.
THE BIBLE
The Bible, made up of the Old and New Testaments, is the divinely inspired Word of God, without errors in its original manuscripts, and is therefore authoritative in all matters it addresses. It provides an unchanging, absolute standard for everyday living, superior to conscience and human reasoning. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD
There is one true and living God, who eternally exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are equal in every divine perfection and who execute distinct but harmonious offices in all the work of the Godhead. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:5)
MAN
Man was created by God in His own image, but through his sin incurred physical and spiritual death. As a result, all people are separated from God because of their sin and are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 6:26; Romans 3:23)
THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is the good news of God’s saving actions towards sinners through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, took on human nature, lived a sinless life, and died a substitutionary death for sinners. (John 3:16)
SALVATION
Salvation is a free gift that comes only by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Anyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus Christ and His death on their behalf receives forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life (John 3:16-17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 2:8-9)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit, with the Father and Son, has always existed. He causes our awareness of sin. From the moment of salvation, He lives with each believer comforting, teaching, guiding, and empowering them to live holy lives. (John 16:7, 8, 12-15)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, has always existed. He was the Father's agent in creation. He came to earth as God in human flesh, being born of the virgin, Mary. He was fully God and fully man. He is the only Savior. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross in our place to make payment to the Father for our sins. He rose from the dead and showed Himself in His risen physical body and later ascended into heaven. He is the head of the Church and will return one day to judge all men. (John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:11-14; John 14:6; Colossians 1:18)
SATAN
Satan is a real being, the enemy of God and man, and the author of sin. Satan and his followers will spend eternity separated from God in a literal hell. (Revelation 12:9; 2 Peter 2:4-10)
CHURCH
The Church is made up of all those who have trusted Christ for salvation. Jesus loves the Church and died for the Church, tenderly referring to the Church as His “Bride”. God has uniquely designed and equipped the Church to carry out His work on earth. Christ is the Head of the Church. (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:22-24)
MARRIAGE
God has established marriage as an exclusive relationship between one man and one woman and that all intimate sexual activity outside the marriage relationship is immoral. (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33)
GENDER
God created the human race male and female. All conduct with the intent to adopt a gender other than one's birth gender is immoral. (Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
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We are a Christian based homeschool cooperative. We are a non-denominational co-op, however, the views stated above are sincerely held by the leadership team. It will be understood that Jesus and the Bible are allowed to be discussed in accordance with the statement of faith. However, we will strive to major on the major and minor on the minors when it comes to various controversial Biblical and Theological views. For instance, some Christian families participate in yoga, while others believe it should not be permitted; for issues like these that can be controversial, we have chosen to err on the side of caution to keep Christ the focus and not these minor disagreements. Therefore, the following will not be permitted at co-op:
· Yoga
· Halloween festivities
· Teaching of evolution as fact
· Using C.E./B.C.E. when teaching history (we will use A.D./B.C. terminology)
· Teaching or promoting “woke” culture or Critical Race Theory