Our Beliefs

Grounded in Scripture and serving the local church

Thistlebend is a parachurch ministry formed to support and strengthen the local church, with teaching based on the Bible as final authority for faith and life.

Doctrine summary

What We Believe

Our ministry is grounded in the historic truths of the Christian faith and a commitment to the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word.

Thistlebend is not affiliated with any particular denomination or local church. Rather, we are a ministry devoted to serving and supporting women as they seek to know, love, and faithfully follow Jesus Christ.

Our desire is to come alongside women as they grow in their relationship with Christ while strengthening

and encouraging the local church. All of our teaching is grounded in God’s Word, as we believe the Scriptures are the final and sufficient authority for faith and life.

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Our Core Beliefs:

1:
The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God and is thus infallible and inerrant in its original manuscripts. As God’s perfect Word, we believe it is of supreme and final authority.
2:
In one triune God, who is Creator of all. He exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, having the same nature, attributes and perfections.
3:
In the deity of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. That without ceasing to be God the Son, became man, being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. That His redemption of man was accomplished through a) His sinless life and b) death on the cross as a voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice, and in c) in the literal resurrection of His body from the dead. We believe in His ascension into heaven and His present ministry of intercession as our High Priest and Advocate. We also believe in His personal, bodily, imminent return to earth to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
4:
In the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who convicts men of sin, righteousness and judgment, and who indwells believers, teaches them the Word of God, and enables them to live a godly life.
5:
That mankind was created in the image of God. That Adam, as the representative of mankind, sinned against God, and that because of Adam’s fall, mankind has inherited a sinful nature, becoming alienated from God. That apart from Jesus Christ, all men are consequently lost and without hope.
6:
That all are sinners and are totally unable to save themselves. Salvation is of God.
7:
That man can be justified and reconciled to God only through the work and power of Jesus Christ. That salvation and the forgiveness of sins is a gift of God’s grace received through personal faith in Jesus Christ. That this faith is a gift of God, not of themselves. That the Holy Spirit regenerates those whom God has chosen to save, causing them to be born again and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
8:
In the existence of Satan, the declared enemy of God and His people, who works to destroy the lives and souls of mankind.
9:
That mankind was created in the image of God. That Adam, as the representative of mankind, sinned against God, and that because of Adam’s fall, mankind has inherited a sinful nature, becoming alienated from God. That apart from Jesus Christ, all men are consequently lost and without hope.
10:
That the ordinances of the Church, given by the Lord, are water baptism and the Lord’s Table (Communion), as a remembrance of Christ’s death and shed blood.
11:
In the priesthood of all believers, and that salvation will be manifested by a changed life. That it is the obligation of believers to witness, by word and life, to the truths of God’s Word. New believers are to be taught to obey the Lord. That all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Living in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel

What is the Gospel?

God is holy and righteous, and although we were created for His glory, we have all sinned and fallen short of His glory (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 3:23). But in His great love and mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross in the place of sinners, and rose again, so that all who repent and trust in Him might be forgiven, reconciled to God, and receive eternal life (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 1 Peter 3:18). By grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, we are saved and made new, called to walk in the good works God has prepared for us, all for His glory (Ephesians 2:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

The gospel is true.

It is the glorious truth of God’s Word, revealing His holiness, His love, and His saving grace through Jesus Christ. As women who belong to Christ, we are called not only to know and believe this truth, but to take it to heart and live in light of it.

The gospel is bold.

It faithfully proclaims the truth of God, even when that truth is difficult to hear or contrary to the ways of the world. By God’s grace, we are called to stand firm in His Word, holding fast to the truth with courage and conviction.

The gospel is gentle.

We see the tenderness of our Savior, who does not break a bruised reed or quench a faintly burning wick. As we follow Him, may His gentleness increasingly characterize our words, our attitudes, and the way we respond to others.

The gospel reveals the love of God.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Having received such undeserved love and mercy, we are called to love one another sincerely, extend grace to those around us, and show compassion to those who are lost and hurting.

The gospel calls us to holiness.

God's grace never makes light of sin. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and are reconciled to God. And by His Spirit, we are being transformed to increasingly reflect the character of our Savior, turning from sin and learning to walk in faithful obedience to Him.

An Invitation to Respond

Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? The gospel invites you to turn from sin and come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting not in your own goodness or efforts, but in His finished work on the cross. Jesus promises, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).

Come to Him today, receive His forgiveness, and discover the joy of knowing Him, loving Him, and following Him as your Lord and Savior.

*Inspired by Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, May 24, Evening, on Philippians 1:27.

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