Statement of Faith: What We Believe

This Statement of Faith outlines the core beliefs that guide our work. It is drawn exclusively from the teachings of the Bible, avoiding denominational distinctions, traditions, or legalistic rules that may arise from human interpretations. We hold to the foundational truths of historic Christianity as revealed in Scripture, emphasizing the sufficiency and supremacy of the Bible itself.

The Authority and Inspiration of Scripture

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Scriptures are our sole rule for faith and life, providing everything necessary for salvation and godly living (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12).

At Resonate the Word, this conviction shapes our entire approach. We are solely focused on Scripture, ensuring that our music echoes the Bible’s words without injecting external ideas or paraphrases that deviate from the original text. Our goal is to help people internalize God’s Word through song, facilitating a direct encounter with its truths rather than relying on commentary or tradition.

The Canon of Scripture

We recognize the traditionally accepted canon of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament, as the complete, divinely inspired Word of God. These books were acknowledged by the early church as authoritative, bearing the marks of divine inspiration: they align with God’s character, contain prophetic fulfillment, and have been consistently affirmed by believers across centuries (Luke 24:44; 2 Peter 3:15-16).

While other writings from the early church era, such as the Apocryphal books (e.g., Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon), may offer valuable historical and cultural context, we do not consider them divinely inspired or part of the canon. Here’s why, based on historical evidence:

Lack of Recognition in the Jewish Canon: The Apocrypha was never part of the Hebrew Bible, which Jesus and the apostles affirmed as Scripture. The Jewish canon, as preserved in the Masoretic Text, excludes these books, and Jesus referenced the Old Testament divisions (Law, Prophets, Psalms) without including them (Luke 24:44).
Absence of New Testament Affirmation: The New Testament quotes or alludes to nearly every Old Testament book as authoritative but never cites the Apocrypha as Scripture. For instance, while Hebrews 11 references heroes from canonical books, it omits figures from the Apocrypha, even when opportunities arise.
Historical and Doctrinal Inconsistencies: Several Apocryphal books contain factual errors or teachings that contradict canonical Scripture. For example, Tobit 6:2-7 promotes superstitious practices like using fish organs for exorcism, which clashes with the Bible’s warnings against such rituals (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Similarly, 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 suggests prayers and offerings for the dead to atone for sins, a concept absent from the rest of Scripture and contrary to the finality of judgment taught in Hebrews 9:27.
Early Church Rejection: Influential church fathers like Jerome (translator of the Vulgate) argued against including the Apocrypha in the canon, viewing them as edifying but not inspired. They were formally added to the Catholic canon at the Council of Trent in 1546, largely in response to Protestant Reformation challenges, rather than through early consensus.

These writings can still be useful for understanding the intertestamental period, Jewish history, and cultural influences on the New Testament era. However, they do not carry the authority of God’s Word and should not be used to establish doctrine. At Resonate the Word, we limit our musical adaptations to the canonical books, ensuring our content remains purely biblical.

God: The Triune Creator

We believe in one eternal God, existing in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is the sovereign Creator of all things, infinitely holy, loving, and just (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8). He sustains the universe by His power and reveals Himself through creation and Scripture (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20).

Jesus Christ: The Son of God

We affirm that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became fully human through the virgin birth while remaining fully divine (John 1:1, 14; Luke 1:35). He lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitute for sinners, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return visibly to judge the world and establish His kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16).

The Holy Spirit: Our Helper

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, convicts the world of sin, regenerates believers, indwells them at salvation, and empowers them for holy living and service (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-23). He illuminates the Scriptures, enabling us to understand and apply God’s truth (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).

Humanity and Sin

We believe humanity was created in God’s image, male and female, to glorify Him (Genesis 1:27). However, through Adam’s sin, all people inherit a sinful nature and are separated from God, deserving eternal judgment (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23).

Salvation: By Grace Through Faith

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:24-25). It involves repentance from sin and trust in Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, resulting in forgiveness, new life, and eternal security (Acts 3:19; John 3:16; 10:28-29). Good works follow as evidence of genuine faith, not as a means to earn salvation (James 2:14-26).

The Church and Eternal Hope

The church is the body of Christ, composed of all true believers, called to worship God, proclaim the gospel, and make disciples (Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 28:19-20). We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and eternal life with God for believers, while the unrepentant face eternal separation (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:3-4).

Remaining Faithful to the Scriptures in Our Project

Resonate the Word is committed to upholding these biblical truths without compromise. By transforming Scripture into song, we seek to amplify the Bible’s voice in a world filled with distractions. Our music is designed to be intuitive and inspiring, guiding listeners through God’s Word in melody, whether exploring collections, singles, or specific biblical books. We avoid denominational biases, extra-biblical traditions, or legalistic interpretations, letting the text speak for itself. This approach not only honors the sufficiency of Scripture but also invites people to discover its power personally, encouraging a deeper, more resonant connection with the living Word.

If you’re inspired to engage with the Bible in this musical way, explore our resources and join us in letting the Word resonate in your life.