what do we believe?
God
We believe in the three-fold revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, given in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. We believe that God is sovereign: in creation, in sustaining the universe, in the revelation of Himself, in saving mankind and in the final judgement of all people. He works out everything in accordance with His will.
(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 1:15-17 1 Peter 1:2)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is both fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead and is now at God’s right hand, interceding for His people and ruling as Lord over all.
(Rom 8:34; 1 Cor 15:3,4; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 2:9)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. It is He who makes people aware of their sin and their need of God and he lives in the hearts of all Christians. He reveals spiritual truth to us, gives us power for living and changes us to be more like Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that also gives different gifts for the common good.
(Gen 1:2; John 14:16,17; John 16:8; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
The Bible
We believe that God inspired the words of the Bible to be written. The Bible is the supreme authority to which we refer in all matters of faith & practice.
(Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21)
Mankind
We believe that God made man – male and female – in his own image, as the crown of creation, to have fellowship with Him. However, because of sin, we are all guilty before God and subject to His wrath and condemnation.
(Gen 1:27; Psalms 8:4,5; Romans 3:23; Romans 14:10, Ephesians 2:3)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift from God to man. God has had an eternal plan to rescue people from sin, death and hell and bring them into a relationship with Himself which they will enjoy both here on earth and with Him for eternity. We are saved when we turn from our sin and put our trust in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus; this is solely by God’s grace, and not because of anything good we have done. We believe that baptism in water is a symbol of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection to a new life.
(Romans 1:17; Romans 6:4,5; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:9)
The Church
We believe in one universal church, made up of all true followers of Jesus Christ. We believe that all Christians need to be committed to a local church, where they can join with other believers in worshipping God and showing his love to others. We believe that the church is a body, with Christ as the head, committed by his command to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world under the direction of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers.
(Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 4:11,12; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Tim 5:17)
The Return of Jesus
We believe in a future, personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus to the earth in power and glory.
(Matthew 16:27; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:12) |
