We use the word gospel a lot, because it’s the word that summarizes the basic Christian message. It’s the core of who we are as disciples of Jesus, so we want to be clear about what it is — and what it means to believe it.
The Gospel in Five Words
God saves sinners through Jesus.
01
God
The Triune God — Father, Son, and Spirit — working together in sovereign wisdom, power, and love to achieve the salvation of a chosen people.
02
Saves
God does everything, first to last: He plans, achieves, and communicates redemption; calls and reconciles; justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies. It is done entirely by God’s grace and received entirely by faith.
03
Sinners
As God finds us — guilty, helpless, and unable to save ourselves. Salvation, first and last, whole and entire, is of the Lord, to whom be glory forever.
04
Through
Not through our effort or merit, but through the work God has done on our behalf in His Son.
05
Jesus
God the Son became incarnate to live a perfect human life, die as the Lamb of God bearing God’s wrath against our sins, and rise again in victory over sin and death. He reigns as King and will give eternal life to all who entrust their lives to Him by faith.
Adapted from J.I. Packer’s introductory essay to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Responding to the Gospel
Repent. Believe. Follow.
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
Repent
To repent means to turn around completely — an about-face. We turn from other gods (other sources of meaning, purpose, and joy) and from other ways contrary to God’s character, and we look to God and His Word for meaning, purpose, joy, and direction.
Believe
To believe means to trust the teachings of the gospel and to entrust ourselves to the God of the gospel — accepting who God is, who we are, and what Jesus has done to save us, and committing ourselves to His power and His way.
Follow
To follow means to become a disciple of Jesus: to devote our lives to being with Jesus, obeying Him, and becoming like Him in every way. Jesus must be our King if He is to be our Savior.
A Reformational Church
The Five Solas
We are tethered historically not just to the Apostles’ Creed but also to the Protestant Reformation. While we aren’t part of a denomination, we share a common inheritance of faith with many other churches. From the Reformation came five statements — the “five solas” (Latin for “alone”) — that give us clarity about the Christian faith.
Sola Scriptura
Scripture Alone
The Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Scriptures are the very words of God, our final standard over every tradition or human authority.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Solus Christus
Christ Alone
Christ alone is the mediator between God and humankind. There is no other person, entity, or system by which we come to God.
1 Timothy 2:5–6
Sola Fide
Faith Alone
We are forgiven of our sins only by faith in Christ and His work on the cross for us.
Romans 3:21–22
Sola Gratia
Grace Alone
Salvation is the result of the grace of God alone. We could never earn it by good works, service, or the rites of the church.
Ephesians 2:8–9
Soli Deo Gloria
To God Alone Be the Glory
Because salvation is by grace alone, God alone receives the glory. Christ is the author and finisher of our salvation, and He alone is to be honored and magnified.
Romans 11:36
Our Final Authority
The Word of God
“The Holy Scriptures are the unfolding revelation of the greatness and graciousness of the Triune God… trustworthy, complete, and the primary source for equipping the Christian in faith and service to God.”
From Redeemer’s Statement of Faith
The Scriptures…
01
Are Coauthored by God
The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were written by human authors in particular places and languages, and they were simultaneously God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), authored by the sovereign and completely truthful God.
02
Are Our Final Authority
Because they were coauthored by God, the Scriptures hold authority over all matters of life and worship. Every person and every church is held accountable to their teachings.
03
Lead Us to the Gospel of Christ
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44). Rightly understood, the Scriptures lead us to see, trust, and worship Jesus, the Savior of the world.
04
Are Our Source of Spiritual Life
God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). When we read, pray, meditate on, and follow it, God speaks to draw us closer to Himself and form us into the image of Jesus.
In Whom We Believe
Redeemer Statement of Faith
These beliefs align us with many other wonderful churches worshipping God and serving His kingdom in our city. Tap any topic to read what we believe.
Elders affirm a fuller Elder Affirmation of Faith, available on request.
God
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
Revelation
Creation
Humanity
The Fall
Redemption
The Gospel
Obedience & Repentance
The Church
Mission
The Kingdom
What Makes Redeemer, Redeemer
Redeemer exists to celebrate and declare the gospel of God as we grow in knowing and following Jesus Christ.
The items below aren’t unique to us, but they are specific commitments we have felt called by God to take on as qualities that define our church.
Celebrate the Gospel
We believe the life of the disciple is a life of worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth.
Worship
To be a family who worships together on the Lord’s Day and enjoys lives of worship throughout the week.
Fellowship
To be a family that prioritizes the holy fellowship established by the Spirit, to stir one another up to faith and good works, and to sorrow and celebrate as a family.
Prayer
To be a family who seeks the Lord in prayer and adoration, for the needs of others inside and outside the community, and for growth in obedient devotion.
Declare the Gospel
We believe every disciple of Jesus is called to share their faith and work as a church family to bring the gospel to our city and around the world.
Local Church
To be a family who invests in future churches for the good of God’s mission of redemption.
City Welfare
To be a family who seeks the good of Birmingham through relationships, service, and faithful presence.
Gospel Hospitality
To be a family who welcomes the stranger, the lost, and the hurting. As the Lord generously welcomes us in, we are moved to do the same.
Global Mission
To be a family who takes the good news of Jesus around the world in word and deed, so that the nations might praise the Lord forever.
Know & Follow Jesus Christ
We believe the Spirit leads disciples to grow up in maturity in Christ.
Relational Shepherding
To be a family where every member is known, cared for, overseen, and led by the elders of Redeemer.
Word of God
To be a family who submits to the sufficiency and authority of God’s Word for all matters equipping the saints for the ministry.
Priesthood of All Believers
To be a family wherein each person’s God-given gifts and skills are put to use for the good of the community.
Go Deeper
Want to talk about what we believe?
Join Joel and Lauren Brooks for a New to Redeemer Dinner to ask questions over a meal, or take our Membership Class to learn who we are, what we believe, what we value, and where we’re headed.