The Bible

 

We believe that the sixty-six books of the Bible are God’s revelation to people, written by human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that the Scriptures are without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is our complete and final authority for Christian faith and practice. We also believe that the Bible should be read and understood in terms of its plain meaning in context, taking note of literary, grammatical, historical and cultural features. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Tim. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 2:15)

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The TRINITY

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We believe in one God, existing eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are co-equal in deity and glory. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:18-19; 2 Cor. 13:14)

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The FATHER

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We believe that the Father is fully God, and is the Creator of the world. He is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all those who believe in Christ and who are adopted as His children. (Gen. 1:1-2:3; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-7)

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JESUS CHRIST

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We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the only Son of God. He existed eternally with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, but in due time He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as the perfect and complete sacrifice for sin by dying on a cross. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven, where He intercedes for us at God’s throne. We look forward to Him returning to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Jn. 1:1-14; 8:58; 10:30; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; 2:9; Matt. 1:18-25; Heb. 10:12-14; Mk. 16:1-6; Heb. 4:14-15)

 

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The HOLY SPIRIT

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We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God, co-equal in deity and personhood with God the Father and God the Son. He convicts people of their sin and need for Jesus Christ, and performs the miracle of the new birth at conversion. At that moment, He permanently indwells each new Christian and baptises them into the Body of Christ, the Church. He provides us with power for godly living, progressively transforming us to become more like Jesus. He also gives every believer gifts and abilities to humbly serve others. (Acts 5:3-4; Jn. 16:7-11; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Rom. 8:9-17; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:13; 2 Cor. 12:11-13)

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HUMANITY

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We believe that men and women are unique in creation, possessing a special dignity, being made in the image of God. However, Adam sinned and passed on that sinful nature to the human race, so that everyone is tainted with sin, and therefore alienated from God and under His judgement. Apart from believing in Jesus for salvation, human beings are lost eternally. (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-7; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:9-20; Eph. 2:1-3)

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SALVATION

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We believe that salvation occurs solely through the grace of God. It is not achieved by human effort or good works, because there is nothing that sinners can do to get themselves right with God. Only by responding to His gracious call, through acknowledging our sin and trusting in Jesus Christ alone can we be forgiven for our sins and made right with God. The moment a person trusts in Christ, they are declared righteous by God and adopted as His child, and eternal life begins. Once a person has trusted in Christ as their sin-bearer, they can never lose their salvation because it is based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, rather than anything that person has done or will do (Eph.1:7-8; 2:4-9; Gal. 2:15-16; Rom. 3:21-26; 10:9; 8:1-39).

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The CHURCH

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We believe that the Church is the family of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Spirit, and is made up of all those who have believed in Jesus Christ. Local churches are the visible expression of Christ’s Body here on earth, and are led by elders who serve under the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. Believers are to commit themselves to living in community with other Christians. The Church exists to glorify God through worshipping Him, praying to Him, teaching His Word, serving and fellowshipping together, and sharing the gospel of salvation with the world. The Church celebrates the ordinances of baptism and communion until Christ returns. (1 Tim. 3:14-15; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5; Acts 20:17-35; 2:42; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

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CREATED BEINGS

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We believe that God created spiritual beings known as angels, who are His spiritual messengers and agents. In times past, one of them, Satan, rebelled against God and has been the enemy of God and His people ever since. A number of the angels rebelled with him, and now serve him as demons. Satan was responsible for the temptation of Adam and Eve, and he now blinds the minds of people so they will not believe the gospel. He has been defeated at the cross, but will only finally be judged at the end of time. (Rev. 5:11-14; 12:1-12; Eph. 6:10-13; Gen. 3:1-7; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:7-10)

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FUTURE

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We believe that the return of Christ for His church is imminent, and that at the Rapture all believers both living and dead will be made perfect. The earth will then be judged through the tribulation period, after which Christ will return to rule the world as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for 1000 years. The unsaved will then be judged and condemned to Hell for eternity, while believers will enjoy eternal life in the New Heavens and the New Earth. (Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42-57; Matt. 24; Rev. 6-19; 20:1-6, 11-15; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 21:1-4)