Our Statement of Faith
As recorded in our church constitution.
We Believe ...
6.1. The Scriptures: The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, were givenby inspiration of God. Therefore, all scripture is authoritative, infallible andnot liable to err, and the only sufficient rule for faith and practice, and is the basis for our statement of faith.
6.2. God and Trinity: There is one true and living God who exists in three eternally distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thesethree are one being, united in purpose, and equally worthy of glory and adoration.
6.3. Creation: God created all that now exists in six days from nothing, and it was all very good. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, acted together in the work of creation. Out of living things, only man was created in God’s image. God granted him dominion over all forms of life and over the earthitself. (Gen. 1:1, John 1: 2-3, Heb. 1:2)
6.4. Divine Governance: God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures, and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin,nor to violate the free agency of His creatures, nor share responsibility for their sin (Eph. 1:11)
6.5. Election: Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women, to eternal life, as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. In the unsearchable realm of God’s sovereign will, all men remain responsible beings, subject to God’s commands to repent, and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ. (John 6:37; Rom. 8: 29-30; 2Thes. 2: 13-14)
6.6. The Fall of Man: God originally created Man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through temptation of Satan, Adam and Eve transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original holiness, and righteousness, whereby; our posterity inherit a nature corrupt, and wholly opposed to God, and His law. As a result; we are under condemnation, andas soon as we are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.(Gen. 1:26-27; 3: 1-7; Rom. 5: 12-19 Eph. 2: 1-3)
6.7. Human in Ability: The fall brought man into a state of utter depravity, meaning every dimension of his being, is distorted by sin. Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master, God as an enemy, and the message of the cross as foolishness. Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of his sin, or to trust in Christ ( Job 14:4; John 6: 44; Rom. 8: 7; 10:11)
6.8. The Birth and Life of Christ: God sent His only begotten Son into the world, to save Nations from their sins. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus was both man and God. He was tempted in all things, yet without sin; living the perfect life of righteousness. (John: 3:16)
6.9. The Death and Resurrection of Christ: Christ died on the cross; as the perfect sacrifice for sin, forever finishing the substitution work of atonement for His people. (Matt. 27: 50; Mark 15: 37-39; Luke 23: 46; Heb. 10:10-14) On the third day, Jesus rose in bodily form from the grave. The resurrection affirms the deity; and authority of Christ and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection (1Cor.15:4, 20; Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15)
6.10. The ascension of Christ: Jesus ascended into Heaven; to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is the one and only Mediator betweenGod and men, and head of His church. He intercedes forever on behalf of his people, and rules over all things for their sake.(Mark 16: 19; Acts 2:33,34 Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 9: 11-15)
6.11. The Holy Spirit: We believe that, God the Holy Spirit brings glory to theFather and the Son. He applies the work of Christ to believers, and distributes spiritual gifts to every believer according to His sovereign good pleasure, for the purpose of building the body of Christ. He is the comforter, the Spirit of adoption, the seal of our salvation, and the Guarantor of our inheritance in Christ. (John14:16-17; 16:14; Rom. 8: 14-17; Eph. 1:13-14)
6.12. Salvation: Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely; to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who byHis own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense; salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation; apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Acts 4:12
6.2. God and Trinity: There is one true and living God who exists in three eternally distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thesethree are one being, united in purpose, and equally worthy of glory and adoration.
6.3. Creation: God created all that now exists in six days from nothing, and it was all very good. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, acted together in the work of creation. Out of living things, only man was created in God’s image. God granted him dominion over all forms of life and over the earthitself. (Gen. 1:1, John 1: 2-3, Heb. 1:2)
6.4. Divine Governance: God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures, and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin,nor to violate the free agency of His creatures, nor share responsibility for their sin (Eph. 1:11)
6.5. Election: Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women, to eternal life, as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. In the unsearchable realm of God’s sovereign will, all men remain responsible beings, subject to God’s commands to repent, and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ. (John 6:37; Rom. 8: 29-30; 2Thes. 2: 13-14)
6.6. The Fall of Man: God originally created Man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through temptation of Satan, Adam and Eve transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original holiness, and righteousness, whereby; our posterity inherit a nature corrupt, and wholly opposed to God, and His law. As a result; we are under condemnation, andas soon as we are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.(Gen. 1:26-27; 3: 1-7; Rom. 5: 12-19 Eph. 2: 1-3)
6.7. Human in Ability: The fall brought man into a state of utter depravity, meaning every dimension of his being, is distorted by sin. Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master, God as an enemy, and the message of the cross as foolishness. Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of his sin, or to trust in Christ ( Job 14:4; John 6: 44; Rom. 8: 7; 10:11)
6.8. The Birth and Life of Christ: God sent His only begotten Son into the world, to save Nations from their sins. Conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus was both man and God. He was tempted in all things, yet without sin; living the perfect life of righteousness. (John: 3:16)
6.9. The Death and Resurrection of Christ: Christ died on the cross; as the perfect sacrifice for sin, forever finishing the substitution work of atonement for His people. (Matt. 27: 50; Mark 15: 37-39; Luke 23: 46; Heb. 10:10-14) On the third day, Jesus rose in bodily form from the grave. The resurrection affirms the deity; and authority of Christ and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection (1Cor.15:4, 20; Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15)
6.10. The ascension of Christ: Jesus ascended into Heaven; to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is the one and only Mediator betweenGod and men, and head of His church. He intercedes forever on behalf of his people, and rules over all things for their sake.(Mark 16: 19; Acts 2:33,34 Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 9: 11-15)
6.11. The Holy Spirit: We believe that, God the Holy Spirit brings glory to theFather and the Son. He applies the work of Christ to believers, and distributes spiritual gifts to every believer according to His sovereign good pleasure, for the purpose of building the body of Christ. He is the comforter, the Spirit of adoption, the seal of our salvation, and the Guarantor of our inheritance in Christ. (John14:16-17; 16:14; Rom. 8: 14-17; Eph. 1:13-14)
6.12. Salvation: Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely; to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who byHis own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense; salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation; apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Acts 4:12
Read more from our constitution here.