January 01, 1989 by

Introduction

We are deeply stirred by what God is doing in our day, moved to penitence by our failures and challenged by the unfinished task of evangelization.... We are determined by his grace to obey Christ's commission to proclaim [the gospel] to all mankind and to make disciples of every nation.

1. The Purpose of God
He has been calling out from the world a people for himself, and sending his people back into the world to be his servants and his witnesses, for the extension of his kingdom, the building up of Christ's body, and the glory of his name....

2. The Authority and Power of the Bible
We also affirm the power of God's word to accomplish his purpose of salvation. The message of the Bible is addressed to all mankind... Through it the Holy Spirit still speaks today. He illumines the mind of God's people in every culture to perceive its truth freshly through their own eyes and thus discloses to the whole Church ever more of the many-colored wisdom of God.

3. The Uniqueness and Universality of Christ
Jesus Christ has been exalted above every other name; we long for the day when every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess him.

4. The Nature of Evangelism
To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord he now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe.... In issuing the gospel invitation we have no liberty to conceal the cost of discipleship.... The results of evangelism include obedience to Christ, incorporation into his Church and responsible service in the world.

5. Christian Social Responsibility
When people receive Christ they are born again into his kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world.

6. The Church and Evangelism
World Evangelization requires the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.

7. Cooperation in Evangelism
We pledge ourselves to seek a deeper unity in truth, worship, holiness and mission. We urge the development of regional and functional cooperation for the furtherance of the Church's mission, for strategic planning, for mutual encouragement, and for the sharing of resources and experience.