What We Believe
Does it really matter what we believe? Our answer is simple – what you believe affects everything you do. It matters! However, some things have more effect than others. Some things are essential and others are secondary. The danger, of course, is that we get hung up on the negotiables and miss the essentials of our faith. You'll find here the things that we find essential – along with some verses from the Bible that you will find helpful to read. You will find that our beliefs align with those held by many other churches and we are part of the Evangelical Alliance.
You can find their statement of faith here. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.
You can find their statement of faith here. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.
God
We believe in the one true God who lives eternally in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The word most commonly used to describe God in this way is 'Trinity'. It's not a word you find in the Bible but it matches the description of God we find there.
References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43: 10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Corinthians 13:14
References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43: 10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Father
We believe in God the Father, the Almighty, creator of the heavens and the earth. He is perfect in holiness, perfect in love, perfect in judgement, perfect in every way. The Bible says that whilst in no way inferior or less than the Father, the Son and the Spirit proceed from the Father.
References: Genesis 1:1, 17:1; Isaiah 5:16, 6:3, 43:15; Matthew 11:25; John 6:57, 8:42, 14:16-17; Romans 11:17; 1 John 4:16
References: Genesis 1:1, 17:1; Isaiah 5:16, 6:3, 43:15; Matthew 11:25; John 6:57, 8:42, 14:16-17; Romans 11:17; 1 John 4:16
The Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In human form, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man yet without sin. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, as a representative and sacrifice in our place. We believe that we are justified (made right with God) by his death and the fact that he achieved this is demonstrated by his literal, bodily resurrection from the dead. We believe that his name and work are our sole means of salvation.
We believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, where he is exalted at the right hand of his Father above every other power and authority. He ministers as our High Priest (one who represents God to us and us to God) and Intercessor (one who prays for us.)
References: Luke 1:35; John 1:2, 14; Acts 1:9-10, 4:12; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:7, 20-21; Hebrews 4:14, 7:25; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1
We believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, where he is exalted at the right hand of his Father above every other power and authority. He ministers as our High Priest (one who represents God to us and us to God) and Intercessor (one who prays for us.)
References: Luke 1:35; John 1:2, 14; Acts 1:9-10, 4:12; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:7, 20-21; Hebrews 4:14, 7:25; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who is with the Church forever and who teaches and guides the Church in all truth. The Holy Spirit gives various gifts for the common good of the body of Christ and guides the Church and the individual believer in service toward the world and for the Church.
The Holy Spirit continues to manifest himself through spiritual gifts which he gives to each follower of Jesus. The individual believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, has his life in Christ and final eternal state guaranteed in the Spirit, and is supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit.
References: John 1:16, 14:26, 16:7-11; Acts 1:8, 10:19-20, 16:6-7; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:11-12, 4:30
The Holy Spirit continues to manifest himself through spiritual gifts which he gives to each follower of Jesus. The individual believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, has his life in Christ and final eternal state guaranteed in the Spirit, and is supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit.
References: John 1:16, 14:26, 16:7-11; Acts 1:8, 10:19-20, 16:6-7; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:11-12, 4:30
The Bible
We believe in the sixty-six canonised and commonly recognised books of the Old and New Testaments as inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings. We believe they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life.
References: 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21
References: 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21
Sin and Judgement
We believe that Man was created in the image of God. However, he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. We believe that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and become sinners in thought, word and deed. We believe that life does not end when we die. We believe that we will all be raised from the dead and will face the judgement seat of God. We all need a Saviour!
References: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23, 5:14; Ephesians 2:1-3, Matthew 25:45; John 5:28; Revelation 20:11-15
References: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23, 5:14; Ephesians 2:1-3, Matthew 25:45; John 5:28; Revelation 20:11-15
Salvation
We believe that eternal salvation is solely the gift of God. That all who in sincere contrition turn from their sins, believe the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done and receive the Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and become adopted sons of God.
References: John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:16, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5
References: John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:16, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5
The Church
We believe in one universal Church represented on earth by many different local groupings. God has called the believers in various places to join together into local churches as visible expressions of the Church in order to bring the power, the life, the character and the authority of God into the lives of people.
References: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:4-6, 5:22-32; 1 Peter 2:5-10
References: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:4-6, 5:22-32; 1 Peter 2:5-10
Jesus is coming
We believe in the personal, bodily return of Jesus. He will establish a new heaven and a new earth and death, sickness, suffering, pain and sorrow will be no more!
References: Matthew 24:30-31, Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21-22
References: Matthew 24:30-31, Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21-22