What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of United Church of Cohoes based on the foundational truths taught in the bible and in accordance with our ECO Presbyterian Denomination. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is a being of unimaginably wonderful power, goodness, and love.  
Psalm 118:1, Psalm 145:1-9, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14

the world exists because God created it so that it might be loved and blessed;  it belongs to God and therefore we should cherish and care for it. 
Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1-2; Isaiah 40:25-26; 1 Corinthians 10:26

all human beings have dignity because they were created by God in God's own image, and great worth because they are loved by God beyond our ability to measure. 
Genesis 1:27, 31; Psalm 8:3-6; John 3:16; Romans 5:8

this world also has pain and suffering because human beings have fallen and sinned, and are estranged from God, from each other, from ourselves, and from creation.  
Genesis 3:17; Romans 3:23; Colossians 1:21; Titus 3:3

God does not intend for sin and suffering to get the last word, but is at work to redeem and reconcile all of creation.  
Isaiah 11:6-9; Colossians 1:21-23; Revelation 21:1-5

God is revealed in the truth in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which are our unique and 
authoritative guides in faith and life.
Matthew 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God is expressed uniquely in the Son Jesus, who lived, loved, taught, died, and rose again for our sakes. Jesus is our master, teacher, savior, and friend, and now reigns forever with the Father and the Holy Spirit. 
John 14:6-7; Acts 2:32; 1 Corinthians. 15:3-4; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:15-20; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6

the Spirit of God is now available so we can be closer to God than the air we breathe.  
John 14:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26; Galatians 3:14;
Ephesians 1:13-14

the Church is the community through which God wants to bring love, healing, and growth to the human race, to which God invites everyone who is willing to follow Jesus to join.   
Matthew 18:18-20; John 1:12-13; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:28;
1 Peter 2:9

We live in hope because one day Jesus will return, love and justice will prevail, and God will set the world right.
Matthew 24:30-31; Luke 12:40; Romans 8:37-39;
Revelation 21:1-5