What we believe The nature and unity of the Godhead
There is one God who is eternal Spirit. He is the Creator, as stated in Genesis, infinite in power, wisdom, holiness and love. He is essentially three persons in one being, known as the Trinity, and revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The deity and humanity of Christ
Jesus Christ, as the second person of the Godhead, is eternally one with God the Father, reflecting His person and glory. To become man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, thus being wholly God and wholly man.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the trinity, is eternally one with the Father and the Son; yet He is sent by them to achieve the divine purpose in the world and in the Church. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is synonymous with the new birth.
John 14:26; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13
The divine inspiration of the Scriptures
The Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the infallible Word of God. They were written by holy men of God, inspired by the Spirit of God and have supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
The sinfulness of all people
People were made in the image of God and for fellowship with Him. By disobeying God, they fell from their perfect relationship with God and their nature was corrupted. As a result, all are spiritually dead, under Satan's domination, are helpless and hopeless, subject to God's anger and condemnation. Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and every person.
Genesis 1:27; 2:17; Romans 3:23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:8
Christ's atonement for the sin of people
In order to redeem people from the guilt, penalty and power of sin, Jesus Christ became a man and died a sacrificial death as our substitute. God demonstrated His acceptance of His atoning death by the resurrection of Jesus. This atonement is sufficient for the whole world, but effective only in those who receive it. The sinner is justified and reconciled to God, not through any personal merit, but solely on the basis of God's gracious gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, received through faith.
1 Peter 1:19-21; John 1:1; 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8,9
The return of the Lord Jesus Christ
At the end of this age, according to His promise, Jesus Christ will return to the earth, personally and visibly, and in His glory. When He returns. He will reign with His saints forever.
John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 17:14
Prayer
Prayer is conversing with God. It is the communion of our spirit with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but directly addressing Him, aloud or mentally; individually or corporately. Prayer is a gift of God's grace, is offered in the name of Jesus, and is answered according to the sovereignty of God.
Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-8; John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15
The work of the Holy Spirit in salvation
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the acceptance of God's provision of salvation. He convinces sinners of their sinfulness and leads them to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Thus He brings them to spiritual birth as God's children and to fellowship in Christ. Working within the life of believers, the Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ real; He witnesses to their relationship with God; leads them into all truth; bestows gifts for effective service and produces graces for holy living. As the divine indweller, the Holy Spirit has adopted us into the family of God, so that the believer is eternally secure in Christ.
John 3:5-8; 15:20; 16:8,13; Romans 8:9,15,16; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 12:4-13; Ephesians 1:13-14
The baptism of believers
Baptism is an instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a declaration of a person's repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Baptism symbolises the believer's identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection; the remission of sins and the believer's walk in newness of life. It should normally be administered by total immersion.
The Lord's Supper / Communion Service
The Lord's Supper is an instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ, instituted by Him to be celebrated by believers in Christ with bread and grape juice, which symbolise His body given, and His bloodshed at Calvary. It commemorates our Lord's substitutionary death and gives us opportunity to express our gratitude. Its celebration expresses our fellowship with, and in Christ, as members of His body, of which He is the head. It is to be celebrated until He returns.
Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Church
The Church is the body of people whom God has separated from the world through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. All regenerate persons are members of the universal Church of God. This takes local form wherever believers unite for worship, fellowship and service, in accordance to Scriptural principles. All believers are called to a priestly ministry in the offering of spiritual sacrifices, and all are sent into the world to be witnesses of Jesus love and power to save. God calls individuals to positions of oversight and leadership, or to special ministries. The church recognises such by ordaining pastors, appointing deacons and other leaders, for the edifying of believers, and commissioning missionaries to spread the gospel.
1 John 2:15-17; Acts 2:41-42; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 12:1-2;
Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:27-30
The resurrection of the dead
After death, all our bodies return to dust and all our spirits return immediately to God - the righteous to be with Him forever, and the unrighteous to be reserved for His judgement. At the end of the age, there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.
Isaiah 26:19; Luke 16:19-31;23:43; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Rewards and punishments in a future state
God has appointed a day of final judgement for the world. At that time, Jesus Christ will judge those who have rejected Him and reward those who believe in Him for their service. The righteous will dwell with the Lord, forever. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of eternal punishment.
Matthew 25:21,46; John 3:36; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; Jude 1:10-13; Revelation 20:11; 21:8
