STATEMENT OF FAITH

… God

 

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.  The love, grace and sovereignty of God is manifest in His creation in which He sustains, rules, redeems and judges. 

 

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

 

… Man

 

Man is created in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God.  God created mankind both male and female in His image to love, be holy and care for creation. Being corrupted by sin, means divine wrath and judgement is incurred.

 

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

 

… Eternity

 

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. 

 

John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:31-46

 

… Jesus Christ

 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Truly divine and truly human, Jesus lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ will fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.

 

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9 11 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

 

… Salvation

 

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.  Christ died on the cross in our place and carried our sin, in doing so evil was defeated and we were reconciled to God.  Sinners are justified by the grace of God through their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

 

 … Eternal Security

 

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained through the obedience of the Christian to live a life holy and set apart for Gods purposes by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of man. 

 

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Matthew 25:31-46

 

…  The Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily.  The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.

 

1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:1; Galatians 5:25

 

… The Bible

 

The Bible, both Old and New Testament Scriptures, is God’s written word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5

 

…  Baptism

 

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Baptism does not make you a Christian, but shows the world that you have been saved.  While baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. 

 

Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20

 

… Communion

 

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. It also reminds us that Jesus will return one day.  The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation, rather it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. 

 

Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

 

… The Church

 

The church is not a building or structure but is the body of Christ both local and universal.  The priesthood of all believers given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love to all people.

 

Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 28:16-20, Micah 6:8; Hebrews 10:25

 

… Marriage

 

Marriage is the basic human relationship between one man and one woman and as such is intended to reflect the relationship between Jesus Christ the Bridegroom and His bride the Church.

 

Gen 2:18-25, Ephesians 5:25-32