What We Believe
God
There is one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, holy, eternally existent in three co-equal
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For example, God is gracious, merciful, compassionate,
abounding in steadfast love and is the righteous Judge of all people.
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For example, God is gracious, merciful, compassionate,
abounding in steadfast love and is the righteous Judge of all people.
[Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4; Ps 18:30; 103:8; 119:156; 86:15; 25:10; 9:7–8; Is 6:3; Matt 28:19; John 1:1–3; 15:26; Eph 4:6; Col
1:16; 2:19; I Tim 2:5; Heb 9:14]
1:16; 2:19; I Tim 2:5; Heb 9:14]
Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly Man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin
Mary, and is sinlessly perfect. He died sacrificially as our substitute, suffering God’s punishment
for our sin. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand, where He now
ministers as our Great High Priest.
Mary, and is sinlessly perfect. He died sacrificially as our substitute, suffering God’s punishment
for our sin. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand, where He now
ministers as our Great High Priest.
[Luke 1:26–35; Rom 5:19; 1 Cor 15:1–19; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:20; 1 Tim 2:5–6, 3:16; Heb 4:14–16; 1 Peter 2:22, 24; 1 John 2:1, 3:5]
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is personal and fully God, possessing all the distinctively divine attributes. He
convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.
At conversion He:
convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.
At conversion He:
- baptizes (joins) the believer into the body of Christ
- indwells him personally and permanently
- seals him, guaranteeing his eternal security
- sets him apart to a holy life
- enables him to live a godly life
- endows him with spiritual abilities (i.e., gifts) which benefit the church
[Rom 8:9–11; 1 Cor 12:6–13, 28–31, 6:19; Gal 5:15, 22–23; Eph 1:13–14, 2:20, 4:30]
Bible
The Bible (Old & New Testaments) is verbally inspired by God and without error in the original
documents. It is entirely reliable and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The
grand theme of Scripture (the written Word) is God’s glory revealed through Jesus Christ (the
Living Word)
documents. It is entirely reliable and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The
grand theme of Scripture (the written Word) is God’s glory revealed through Jesus Christ (the
Living Word)
[Luke 24:27; John 1:1,14, 5:39; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21]
Mankind
Mankind was created by God in His image, and as such, has the capacity for fellowship with
God. Mankind, though, has rebelled and is sinful by nature and practice. The result of this
condition is separation from God that leaves mankind deserving a lost eternity in hell.
God. Mankind, though, has rebelled and is sinful by nature and practice. The result of this
condition is separation from God that leaves mankind deserving a lost eternity in hell.
[Gen 1:27; 2:16–17, Ps 51:5; Is 53:6; 59:2, Jer 17:9, Rom 3:23, 5:12; Rev 20:15]
Salvation
Mankind needs to be saved from the consequence of his sin and restored into a living
relationship with God, which is impossible for a person to accomplish by works or religious
observances. This, rather, is accomplished by the death and resurrection of Christ and is viewed
as a gift of God by grace. Any person who, in faith, acknowledges his or her sinful condition and
trusts in Christ’s finished work is, at the moment of conversion:
relationship with God, which is impossible for a person to accomplish by works or religious
observances. This, rather, is accomplished by the death and resurrection of Christ and is viewed
as a gift of God by grace. Any person who, in faith, acknowledges his or her sinful condition and
trusts in Christ’s finished work is, at the moment of conversion:
- forgiven and saved from the consequences of sin
- brought into a new relationship with God (eternal life)
- made secure in this salvation and relationship forever
[John 3:3, 16, 36; 10:27–29; Rom 3:28, 10:9, 10, 13; Eph 2:8–9; Tit 3:5; Heb 9:11–14; 1 Pet 1:18–
19; 1 John 5:11–13]
19; 1 John 5:11–13]
The Church
The universal Church is not an organization but a living organism known as the body of Christ. It
is composed of all true believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of where they meet. The local church
is a gathering of believers in a locality who meet in corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ
and to the oneness of the body of Christ. They gather for fellowship, teaching of God’s Word,
worship at the Lord’s Supper and prayer. They also evangelize those who are outside of Christ
with a view to making new disciples. Government and discipline are the responsibility of the local
church.
is composed of all true believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of where they meet. The local church
is a gathering of believers in a locality who meet in corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ
and to the oneness of the body of Christ. They gather for fellowship, teaching of God’s Word,
worship at the Lord’s Supper and prayer. They also evangelize those who are outside of Christ
with a view to making new disciples. Government and discipline are the responsibility of the local
church.
[Matt 28:18–20, 18:15–17; John 4:23, 17:21; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 5:1–6:4, 11:23–26; Eph 1:22–23, 4:11–16; Phil 1:1; Col 1:18]
There are two particular commands that Christ left the Church to practice through out the years:
- Baptism of believers by immersion in water as an outward public testimony of an inward
conversion. (Baptism is not a means of or an aid to salvation). [Matt 28:19; Acts 2:41, 8;12,
8:35–39; Rom 6:3–6; Col 2:12] - The Lord’s Supper for believers which is a remembrance of the Lord in His death for us. [Matt
26:26–29; Luke 22:15–22; Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16–17, 11:23–26]
Satan
God originally created a large number of spiritual beings (angels) for His service. One of these
beings, Satan, led many others (now called demons) in rebellion against God. While their ultimate
judgment and condemnation is certain, they currently seek to hinder the purpose of God by
influencing believers to sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit, though, is greater than Satan or his
demons and is able to help the believer resist sin.
beings, Satan, led many others (now called demons) in rebellion against God. While their ultimate
judgment and condemnation is certain, they currently seek to hinder the purpose of God by
influencing believers to sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit, though, is greater than Satan or his
demons and is able to help the believer resist sin.
[Job 1:6–2:10; Matt 4:1–11, 25:41; 2 Cor 11:13–15; 1 John 4:3–4; Rev 20:1–3,10; see also Is 14:3–23 , Ezek 28:12–19
