GOD >>>
There is one true God as described in the Bible. He’s the Creator of everything, the source of all life and of all good things. He’s holy and He’s just. He exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And He loves us.
US >>>
We’re all sinners- we disobey God, we’re hostile toward Him, we do evil things. Sin separates us from our God because He’s holy and we aren’t. We’re hopeless to make ourselves right with Him. The consequence of our Sin is death and separation from God forever.
JESUS >>>
Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was born of a virgin fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect, sinless life. When He died on the cross, He took the consequence of the world’s sins on Himself. Jesus was a spotless sacrifice that God accepted in our place. Nothing else would do; that’s why He mercifully sent Jesus for us. Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven, conquering death. Now He sits at the right hand of the Father. If we have faith in Jesus as our personal savior and recognize that it is only by this grace we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we receive His righteousness so that we too can live forever in Heaven with God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT >>>
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, sent by God the Father to live in us once we trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us grasp our salvation, understand truth in the Bible, see God’s will and purpose for our life and carry it out on a day to day basis.
THE BIBLE >>>
The Bible (both New Testament and Old Testament) is the Word of God and carries authority as such. We can learn reliable truth about the world, ourselves, and God by reading it. It teaches us about God’s creation and continual interaction with the world. It documents Jesus’ life and teachings, sacrificial death, and resurrection. It instructs us how to live a life pleasing to God in light of His mercy.
THE CHURCH >>>
The Church is made up of believers who worship God, learn as His Word is taught and applied, build communities of friendship and encouragement, lovingly serve others, and most importantly proclaim the good news about Jesus to the world as we’re commanded. Churches are made up of flawed people who make mistakes- sometimes hurtful ones, but God uses and loves the Church still- it is the Bride of Christ- His plan to accomplish His will in the world today; it must not be neglected or abandoned. Truce team members are encouraged to invite and accompany gays to their local churches. Truce's community and Bible study is a stepping stone, not an alternative to church.
BEING GAY >>>
Homosexual activity is a sin that is forgivable in Christ. An obedient follower of Jesus should turn from homosexual activity. It isn’t the only sin, it isn’t the “worst” sin, but it does oppose the expressed will of God for sexuality. There’s a distinction between being gay and engaging in homosexual activity- that is, preference versus behavior. Just as those with addictive personalities are not sinning by their mere existence, but are if they choose to live in drunkenness; so a gay person does not sin by their orientation, but only by engaging in sexual immorality. Whether gay or straight, everyone has sinned. God’s grace for those who trust in Jesus is sufficient for forgiveness of any sin committed by any person. Gay or not, without Jesus, we're all lost to death. Truce doesn't exist to change anyone's sexuality, but to lead them to the Lord. +
THE BOTTOM LINE >>>
Gays belong in Christian community. God loves gays. Jesus is for them.
+ PLEASE NOTE: The point of Truce is not to spread the above beliefs about homosexuality. Although they are among the founding principles of Truce and will be maintained and expressed in appropriate conversations as they arise, Truce's message is the Gospel- salvation in Jesus Christ for everyone and its goal is to peacefully engage people regardless of their orientation or stance on homosexuality. Opposing views on this topic can be divisive, that's why we're calling a truce in the name of Jesus.
