What we believe

The Triune God

We believe that there is one living and true God, who exists in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three, the Trinity, are equal in essence, power and glory, and are distinct in function.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Creation

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all of life, by direct act.

Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:16-17

The Father

The first person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to his purpose and pleasure. He has created humanity to bring him glory and honour, through his grace. While he is transcendent, he is actively involved in his creation, offering an eternal relationship with us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 1:3-6; Ephesians 2:1-10

The Son

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Fully God, fully man. He surrendered nothing of His deity during His earthly life. His sinless sacrificial offering on the cross satisfied the Fathers justice, offering atonement for all of humanity sins., for all time. We believe in his bodily resurrection, His physical ascension, and His visible return back to earth to establish His earthly kingdom.

John 1:14-18; Luke 1:34-35; 1 Corinthians 15: Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:9; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 8:34

The Holy Spirit

The third person the Trinity executes the will of God in this world through humanity by leading, guiding, filling, teaching and convicting. The Holy Spirit is not merely an impersonal force, but is a person, displaying the qualities of personhood (intellect, emotions and will). He equips believers upon conversion by giving them the gifts to be used for the building up of the church and by bearing fruit through their yielded lives.

John 16:5-16; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:30; John 3:3-8; Galatians 5:16-25

Depravity of Humanity

We believe humanity was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin, destined to enjoy an intimate relationship with God, but because of Adam’s willful disobedience, sin entered into the world, and has infected the entire human race. Therefore humans are totally depraved – born subject to imputed and inherent sin, and by nature and choice the children of Gods wrath. Humans are alienated from God and on their own or by any contribution, are unable to redeem themselves.

Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3

The Scriptures

We believe that only the sixty-six books of the Bible, making up the Old Testament and New Testament are the inspired and therefore inerrant Word of God. These books provide us with a perfect treasure of divine instruction and narrate Gods purpose in the creation of the world, His plan for salvation in Jesus, and the standard by which He will judge the world. The Bible is the true center of Christian union and will remain to the end of the world; because of this the authority and teaching of the Scriptures have a preeminent place in our church.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12

Salvation (The Gospel)

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins as the only sufficient sacrifice, offering the atonement of sins for all mankind through his life, death, burial and resurrection. While salvation is available to all, it is only experienced by those who respond to his gracious gift of faith apart from works. For those who do respond they are regenerated and baptized by the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God, given a new nature and placed into the universal body of Christ, making us eternally secure in Him. As a result our new relationship with god through His Son Jesus Christ, we are now called to a life of submission to the Holy Spirit, possessing spiritual fruit and walking in good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to do.

John 14:6; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 10:10-12; 1 John 5:11-13; Galatians 3:26; John 3:16

The Sacraments: Baptism & The Lords Supper

We believe that Christ instituted the sacraments of water baptism and the Lords Supper, which are to be observed by believers until He returns. Both sacraments visibly and tangibly express the Gospel, though they are not means of salvation, when the church in genuine faith celebrates them, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. We believe that by baptism a believer is publicy identified with his Saviour. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death until He returns, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe that every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, but that participation should always be preceded by serious self-examination.

Acts 2:38; Acts 8:26-38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Church

For those who have placed their faith in God through Jesus Christ for salvation is part of the universal body of believers known as the church. The believer in the universal church requires association with other believers and followers of Jesus Christ in a local assembly. The purpose of the local church is to bring God glory by leading people to Christ and to bring them to maturity in Christ. The members of the local church are to live their lives in humble submission to other Spirit-led believers and to the God appointed leaders of the church. The church demonstrates the reality of Gods kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel, pastoral care and leadership, and ministry to the poor and marginalised through sacrificial giving and practical service.

Matthew 16:17-19; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:14; Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 3:7-21; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Scripture is the Final Authority

We believe that all matters concerning the life and beliefs of the churches are to be settled by the Word of God; and though the churches are to be guarded and protected by elders; all are subject to the authority of Scripture.

1 Timothy 4:1-16, 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-15, 3:16, 4:1-4; Titus 1:5-16, 2:1,15; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Jude 3,17

Return of Jesus Christ

We believe in the personal, glorious and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he will exercise his role as final Judge and His kingdom will be accomplished. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be consigned to eternal punishment in hell separated from God. The righteous will enjoy eternal joy in fellowship with the Triune God.

Matthew 25:46; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 19:1-21; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1-22