What We Believe
Here, we set out a short statement of the fundamental beliefs as a church:
Bible
We accept the Holy Scriptures, as originally given, as the infallible and inerrant Word of God, of divine inspiration. Recognizing them as our sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, we believe the doctrines taught therein.
God
In the only true and living God, the Holy Trinity of Divine Persons in perfect unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each of which is co-equal and co-eternal and sovereign in creation, providence and redemption.
In the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is holy righteous, full of grace, mercy, compassion and love. In His infinite love He sent forth the Son, that the world through Him might be saved.
Jesus
In the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, whose true humanity and full deity were mysteriously and really joined in the unity of His divine person. We believe in his virgin birth, His perfect life and teaching, in His substitutionary, penal atoning death on the cross, where He triumphed over Satan, sin and death. In His bodily resurrection and His ascension into heaven, where He now sits in glory at the right hand of God.
Holy Spirit
In the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, whose work is indispensable to regenerate the sinner, to lead him to repentance, to give him faith in Christ, to sanctity the believer in this present life and fit him to enjoy fellowship with God. For spiritual power and effectiveness, His ministry is essential to the individual Christian and to the Church.
Sin
That as a result of the fall all men are sinful by nature. Sin pollutes and controls them, infects every part of their being, renders them guilty in the sight of a holy God, and subject to the penalty which, in His wrath and condemnation, He has decreed against it.
Salvation
That through faith (and only faith) in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose death was a perfect oblation and satisfaction for our sins, the sinner is justified by God, who, instead of reckoning to us our sins, reckons Christ’s righteousness to our account. Salvation is therefore by grace and not by human merit.
Baptism & Communion
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the Churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into His Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
Second Coming
That the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly and gloriously to this earth. To receive His saints to Himself and to be seen by all men. As the righteous Judge, He will divide all men into two and only two, categories – the saved and the lost. Those whose faith is in Christ will be saved eternally, and will enter into the joy of their Lord sharing with Him in His inheritance in heaven. The unbelieving will be condemned by Him to hell where eternally they will be punished for their sins under the righteous judgement of God.
Humanity
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. God created us male and female, which is identified by our biological sex. Marriage is the exclusive union of one man and one woman and is a picture of the relationship between Christ and his bride the church. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed only within the context of marriage.
Church
The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel.
