WHAT WE BELIEVE
AND WHY
ABOUT GOD
We believe that there is one true, holy God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -each of whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. These three are co-equal and are one God.
In the beginning God created out of nothing the world and all that is in it. In so doing He manifested the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation—even when we mess it up. He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes...which includes His purpose for you.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22 | Psalm 90:2 | Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2 | 2 Corinthians 13:14 | Hebrews 1:2-3
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error - even if we don't understand it all just yet. It is the sole basis of our beliefs, composed of 66 "books" of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible at one and the same time speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors. The Bible is the unique and final authority on all matters of faith and Christian Lifestyle. There are no other writings inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16 | 2 Peter 1:20-21 | 2 Timothy 1:13
Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6 | Proverbs 30:5
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the eternal second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross, thus satisfying divine justice. His death was a substitutionary sacrifice for us, and through it He accomplished salvation for all who trust in Him alone.
God raised Him from the dead after three days - in the same body - to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory to sit at the right hand of God and be the only mediator between God and humanity. He will personally and visibly return to earth one day soon to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23 | Isaiah 9:6 | John 1:1-5, 14:10-30
Hebrews 4:14-15 | Titus 2:13 | Romans 1:3-4
Acts 1:9-11 | 1 Timothy 6:14-15 | 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us - but we must accept it. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn away from our self-ruled life qnd turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. The central purpose of God's revelation
in the Bible is to invite people into fellowship with Himself. Originally we were created to enjoy fellowship with God. But humans defied God and chose to go their own way thus alienating themselves from God.
Humanity suffered the corruption of its nature, rendering men and women unable to please God. The salvation of humanity is, then, entirely a work of God's grace, not the result, or in part, of human works, performances or power. Salvation must be personally received by repentance and faith. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full completion.
Romans 6:23 | Ephesians 2:8-9 | John 14:6, 1:12
Titus 3:5 | Galatians 3:26 | Romans 5:1
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He permanently 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. He imparts assurance, strength and wisdom and gives every believer a spiritual gift, or gifts, when they are saved. These spiritual gifts are to be used to build up the "body of Christ" - the church - and make it strong and effective. The Holy Spirit also guides believers in the understanding and application of what the Bible teaches, making it possible for them to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of God in heaven. As Christians we seek to live under His control each day.
& 2 Corinthians 3:17 | John 16:7-13
John 14:16-17 | Acts 1:8 | 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16
Ephesians 1:13, 5:18 | Galatians 5:25
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes us many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27 | Psalm 8:3-6 | Isaiah 53:6a
ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally 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 real places/dimensions of eternal existence. Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all humanity, there is a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgement that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation. God's judgement will reveal His justice in consigning them to perpetuate, in eternal retribution, their own rejection of God. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life according to God's purpose for them individually.
John 3:16, 2:35-36, 5:24-29 | Romans 6:23 | Revelation 20:15
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The consequence of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of His body, the church. There is one true church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. The Bible commands all believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and Lord's Supper as the enactments established by Jesus Christ, fellowship, and service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the community. Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the loving oversight of the elders and the support of other leaders, the members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose - making Christ known and glorified.
Acts 2:41-47, 4:32-37 | Matt. 16:18 | 1 Peter 2:9-10