What We Believe
What We Believe
About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He is all powerful and completely good. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 89:8; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is both fully God and fully human. God so loved the world that he sent Jesus to earth for us. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose physically from the dead after three days to demonstrate His victory over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again to earth to reign supreme.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:24; 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
About Humanity
Every person is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. We are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude, and the actions it leads to, separate us from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Forgiveness and Reconciliation with God
Forgiveness and friendship with God are a gift from God to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s means of forgiveness can we be set free from sin’s penalty. A new life with God, eternal life, begins the moment we turn to Jesus and trust in him.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; Acts 20:21
About Eternity
We were created to live forever. We will either be eternally separated from God by sin or eternally in relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in relationship with God is eternal life, which starts now and will go on into heaven. Heaven and hell are real places. When Jesus returns there will be the final judgement, and Jesus and all who believe in him will inherit the new heaven and new earth.
John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 21:1-8.
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He works in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He comes to live in every Christian the moment we put our trust in Jesus. He provides the Christian with understanding and experience of spiritual truth, guidance in doing what is right, power for living for God’s way, courage to tell others about Jesus, and gifts for service.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Romans 8:9, 15-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God it is completely true and trustworthy. It is the supreme authority for Christian beliefs and behaviour, when properly interpreted.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 2:15.
About 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 Forgiver and Lord. Baptism does not make you right with God, but shows the world that you have already been made right with God. And while baptism is not required for forgiveness and a relationship with God, 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
About Communion
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is a practise given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us. The elements of bread and wine (or grape juice) are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Taking communion is not a way of getting right with God, rather, it is a celebration of a believer’s faith in what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
About the Church
The church is God’s community of believers here on earth. Jesus is head of the church, and the church is his body on earth. Each local church is to be led by godly leaders and every member has a part to play using the spiritual gifts God has given them. The purposes of the church are to worship God, serve people, share the good news of Jesus, be a fellowship of believers, and to develop disciples.
Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians 12; Matthew 22:36-40; Matthew 28:18-20;
As a mainstream Christian church we also affirm the Apostles’ Creed which has been believed by Christians from the earliest centuries of the church and is still affirmed by every major church around the world. As members of the Evangelical Alliance we also affirm their statement of faith.