Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe that the Bible was given by Divine inspiration and is the infallible Word of God. It constitutes the only perfect rule and final authority in all matters of Christian faith and conduct. (II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; I Thess. 2:13)
God
We believe in the one living and true God, perfect, infinite and eternal, existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19; John 10:30; John 15:26; II Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-5)
Jesus Christ
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, sinless and perfect in holiness, who was born of the virgin Mary, who was crucified, who arose, ascended, and is coming again. (Matt. 16:16; Luke 1:31-33)
Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the son, and who by the Word and various others means convicts us of our sinfulness and constantly points us to Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all mankind. John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7-14.
Man
We believe that man was originally created by a definite act of God in His own image and likeness. Through disobedience, sin has come into the world, and death by sin, which has passed upon all men, for all have sinned. Every person, therefore, stands under the just condemnation of God and is unable to save himself or to present deeds worthy of merit before God. (Gen. 1:26,27; Gen. 2:7; Gen. 3:6; Rom. 5:12-21; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5)
Faith
We believe in the necessity of placing our faith wholly in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, Who died on the cross for our sins and to whom, as our risen Lord, we commit the full and complete control of our lives. (Acts 10:43; Rom. 12:1,2; II Cor. 5:21)
The Church
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is the universal company of God's redeemed people; His body of which He is the Head; His Bride, whom He loves infinitely; His temple, in which He dwells. This body of Christ is visibly expressed in local assemblies whose purpose it is to glorify God through worship, fellowship, instruction in God's Word, observing the ordinances and training in service to the world. The mission of the Church is to make disciples for Christ in all nations through the proclamation and teaching of the gospel. The Church is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ, through word and deed to a world that is separated from God. (I Peter 2:9,10; Eph. 1:22,23; Eph. 5:25-27; Eph. 2:19-22; I Thess. 2:14; Acts 2:42; Eph. 4:11-13; Heb. 10:25; Matt. 26:26-29; Matt. 28:18-20)
Baptism & Communion
We believe in the following ordinances:
a. Baptism upon confession of faith. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27)
b. Holy Communion (Lord's Supper) observed as a memorial of His atoning sacrifice, with Christ Himself as the Bread of Life. (Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11:23-25)
Life of a Believer
We believe that God expects every believer to live a life of obedience, in which every area of life is brought under the lordship of Jesus Christ and the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident. The goal of the Christian life is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This life is characterized supremely by self-giving love for God and for others. The life and character of Christ, which grows through the Holy Spirit, is noticeably distinct from the life of the world. Believers who resist the gracious working of the Holy Spirit and fail to grow in obedience are chastened in infinite love by the Heavenly Father so they may learn obedience. (John 14:21; II Cor. 10:3-5; Gal. 5:22,23; II Cor. 3:18; Matt. 22:37-40; I John 2:15-17; Heb. 12:5-14)
Marriage
We believe in the biblical teaching of marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Matthew 19:4-6; Genesis 2:24 and Romans 1:24-32. Therefore, our church does not encourage or support same-sex covenantal partnerships or marriages. (Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:22-28, 20:13, 1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Peace
We believe in the Scriptural teaching of peace, love and non-resistance as taught by Jesus Christ and the apostles. (Matt. 5:38-48; 26:47-56; Luke 6:27-38; John 18:33-37; I Peter 3:9)
Oaths
We believe in abstaining from taking oaths. (Matt. 5:33-37)
Church Discipline
We believe in the practice of Scriptural church discipline. (Matt. 18:15-18; I Cor. 5:5; II Cor. 6:1-7; Titus 3:10; Gal.6:1)
Return of Christ
We believe in the imminent, personal, pre-millennial return of Christ to take His people to be with Him. We believe that the ones who have died in Christ will be resurrected at the last trumpet to meet the Lord in the air, and the living believer will be changed to meet the Lord in the air. That all will stand before God to receive rewards for works approved by God or to suffer loss for works disapproved. That the believer will live eternally in the immediate presence of God. (John 14:3; I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-57; II Cor. 5:10) We believe that the unbelieving must face the eternal and holy Judge who will sentence them for their sins and will experience the punishment of eternal separation from the presence of God in the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 25:41; 22:13)
Satan
We believe in the personality and depraved nature and character of Satan, who is the great enemy of God and man; that he, along with the company of demonic beings serving him, works out his evil plan through the ungodly world systems limited only by the sovereign rule of God. We believe that through subtle and devious means he seeks to lead believers to be disobedient to the truth of the teaching of Jesus Christ. We believe that he was judged by Christ on the cross and will ultimately meet his doom in the lake of fire, where he will remain eternally. (Gen. 3: 1; Matt. 4:3-11; Rev.12:9,10; II Cor. 4:4; I John 3:8; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; Rev.20:10)