OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Tribal Diocese of Kandhamal (TDK) stands firmly within the Evangelical Christian tradition. We believe that the Christian faith is founded upon the revelation of God through the Holy Scriptures and centred upon the person, life, death, resurrection, and saving work of Jesus Christ.
We affirm the following foundational beliefs:
1. The One Triune God
We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, yet one God, equal in divine nature, glory, holiness, power, and majesty.
Bible References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1–3; Acts 5:3–4.
2. God the Father
We believe that God the Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, visible and invisible. He is holy, righteous, loving, merciful, sovereign, and faithful. Humanity was created in His image and is called to live in fellowship with Him.
Bible References: Genesis 1:1, 26–27; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 6:3; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 8:6.
3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and perfectly revealed the character and will of God.
We believe that Christ died on the cross for the sins of humanity, providing redemption and reconciliation with God. He was bodily raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, reigns as Lord, intercedes for His people, and will return personally and gloriously.
Bible References: Matthew 1:20–23; John 1:1, 14; John 10:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5–11; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 19:11–16.
4. God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is active in creation, revelation, salvation, and the life of the Church.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, gives new spiritual life, dwells in believers, sanctifies and transforms their lives, gives spiritual gifts for service, and empowers the Church to witness to Jesus Christ.
Bible References: Genesis 1:2; John 3:5–8; John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–14; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 1:13–14.
5. The Holy Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and the authoritative foundation for Christian faith, doctrine, conduct, and ministry.
Scripture reveals God's character, His purposes for humanity, His plan of salvation, and His will for Christian living. The Bible is to be faithfully taught, studied, obeyed, and applied to life.
Bible References: 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; John 17:17.
6. Creation and Humanity
We believe that God is the Creator of all things and that human beings are uniquely created in the image of God. Every person possesses God-given dignity and value and should therefore be treated with respect, compassion, justice, and love.
Bible References: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8:3–6; Psalm 139:13–16; James 3:9.
7. Sin and the Human Condition
We believe that sin has entered human life and has brought separation from God, spiritual brokenness, suffering, and death.
No person can restore fellowship with God through personal goodness, religious effort, achievement, or human merit. Humanity therefore needs God's grace and redemption.
Bible References: Genesis 3:1–19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10–12; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3.
8. Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We believe that salvation is God's gracious gift, received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Through Christ's death and resurrection, forgiveness and reconciliation with God are made available to those who believe. Salvation includes forgiveness of sins, justification, new birth, adoption into God's family, and the hope of eternal life.
Good works do not earn salvation; rather, good works are the fruit of a transformed life and genuine faith in Christ.
Bible References: John 3:3–7, 16; Acts 2:38; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21–26; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9–10; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:5–7.
9. The New Birth and Christian Growth
We believe that every person who comes to Christ is called to experience new life through the Holy Spirit.
Christian life is a continuing journey of spiritual growth in which believers are called to become more like Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, obedience, holiness, and service.
Bible References: John 3:3–8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 5:22–25; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 2:6–7; 2 Peter 3:18.
10. The Church
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of all who belong to Him.
The Church is called to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, teach the Word, care for people, encourage believers, practise fellowship, and serve society.
We believe that the local church has an important responsibility in nurturing believers and raising faithful and responsible Christian leaders.
Bible References: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:42–47; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16.
11. The Mission of the Church
We believe that the Church is entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples among all peoples.
We therefore encourage evangelism, missions, pastoral ministry, Christian education, prayer, discipleship, leadership development, and compassionate service.
Bible References: Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13–15; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; 1 Peter 3:15.
12. Christian Leadership and Service
We believe that Christian leadership is a calling to serve rather than merely a position of authority.
Leaders of the Church are called to demonstrate integrity, humility, faithfulness, accountability, compassion, and commitment to God's Word. Every believer is encouraged to discover and use their God-given gifts for the strengthening of the Church and service to others.
Bible References: Mark 10:42–45; John 13:12–17; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Romans 12:3–8.
13. Marriage, Family and Christian Conduct
We believe that marriage and family are important parts of God's design for human society. Christian believers are called to practise love, faithfulness, responsibility, forgiveness, mutual respect, and care within their families and relationships.
We encourage believers to live lives that reflect the character of Christ in their homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.
Bible References: Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:21–33; Ephesians 6:1–4; Colossians 3:12–21.
14. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We recognise Baptism and the Lord's Supper as ordinances commanded by Jesus Christ and practised by His Church.
Baptism publicly identifies the believer with Jesus Christ and His Church. The Lord's Supper is observed in remembrance of Christ and proclaims His sacrificial death while expressing the fellowship of believers.
Bible References: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–41; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:26–28.
15.The Holy Spirit
Christian life is a continuing journey of spiritual growth in which believers are called to become more like Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, obedience, holiness, and service.
Bible References: John 3:3–8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 5:22–25; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 2:6–7; 2 Peter 3:18.
Bible References: Mark 10:42–45; John 13:12–17; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Romans 12:3–8.
16. Prayer and Worship
We believe that prayer and worship are central to Christian life. Through prayer, believers communicate with God, seek His guidance, give thanks, intercede for others, confess their dependence upon Him, and seek His will.
We encourage both personal and corporate worship through prayer, Scripture, praise, thanksgiving, preaching, fellowship, and service.
Bible References: Matthew 6:5–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Philippians 4:6–7; Hebrews 10:24–25; John 4:23–24; Colossians 3:16–17.
17. The Spiritual Unity of Believers
We believe that all true believers in Jesus Christ belong to one spiritual family and one Body of Christ.
We therefore encourage Christian unity, mutual respect, cooperation, fellowship, and peaceful relationships among believers and churches while remaining faithful to the truth of Scripture.
Bible References: John 17:20–23; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1–6; Colossians 3:12–15.
18. The Return of Jesus Christ
We believe in the personal, visible, and glorious return of Jesus Christ.
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and God's ultimate victory over sin and death. We look forward with hope to the fulfilment of God's eternal purposes and everlasting life with Him.
Bible References: John 14:1–3; Acts 1:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, 51–57; Matthew 24:30–31; Revelation 21:1–4.
Witness to Christ
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the return of Jesus Christ, final judgment, and eternal life.