WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Bible is inspired by God in its entirety, is without error in the original autographs, and is a complete and final written revelation from God. We believe the Word of God is our principal guide in life, the foundation upon which the church operates, and the basis for which the church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
(Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4, 21)
THE TRINITY
We believe that there is only one God, who is eternal and immutable, and manifests Himself in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30)
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer according to His perfect will, and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
(Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2, 102:27; John 3:16, 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3)
GOD THE SON
We believe in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His personal, visible return to earth.
(Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2, 8:58,11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:8)
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ.
(John 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26, 15:13,16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 9:14)
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.
(John 16:13, 14:16-17, 16:8-11; Romans 8:26)
We believe the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a distinct and separate experience to that of regeneration, occurring either subsequent to or simultaneous with salvation, evidenced by a greater dynamic in the Christian’s life, enabling that person to be a more effective witness.
(Acts 1:8)
We believe the supreme evidence of the Spirit-filled life is the fruit of the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:33-23; 1 Corinthians 13)
We believe in the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit with regard to spiritual gifts. These are for the edification of the church and must be exercised according to biblical guidelines.
(1 Corinthians 12-14)
SIN
We believe that all humanity are sinners by nature and choice. All mankind has broken the law and heart of God through desire, thought, and behaviour, and as a result are under God's righteous judgment.
(Romans 3:23)
THE GOSPEL
We believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the Good News that God forgives, regenerates and saves all who come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This is possible because, though all humans are guilty, Jesus Christ (who lived a perfect, sinless life and being the perfect, holy Lamb of God) was able to pay the just price our sins required. Therefore, His substitutionary, atoning death on the cross absorbed God's wrath that should have come upon us. This means God is able to forgive the spiritual crimes of all who come to Him without violating the demands of righteous justice. Since scripture makes it clear that Jesus died for the sins of the world, we believe the invitation to believe is open to all, and whoever desires may come to Jesus to receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.
(Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; Acts 3:19, 20:21; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 22:17)
THE CHURCH
We believe in the universal church - the living, spiritual body - of which Christ is the Head and all who are born-again through faith in Jesus Christ are members. We believe each member has a part to play in the body, each member does not have the same function, and that when each member does their share, it causes growth and edification of the body.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16; Romans 12:4-5)
ORDINANCES
We believe that Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church:
1) Full-immersion water baptism of believers and;
2) Regular sharing in the Lord’s Supper (communion).
(Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
GENDER ROLES
We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image; and that they were created equal in value and worth. According to God's perfect design and purpose, we believe men and women are created to fulfil distinct, yet complementary roles in the contexts of marriage, family, and the local church.
Despite tremendous societal pressure, we believe God, in His perfect wisdom, has clearly instituted male leadership and responsibility in the home and in the church, patterned after the sacrificial example of Jesus. We believe this limits the roles of pastoral leadership and doctrinal authority to qualified men.
(Genesis 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:1-12; Ephesians 5:22-6:4; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
MARRIAGE
We believe marriage is a sacred covenantal union between a man and a woman. We believe this is the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. We believe solemnizing marriages of the same sex is contrary to the Word of God and is a sin before God.
(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; John 4:16-18; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:9-11,18-20, 7:1-3,8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 1:9-11)
SACTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
We believe in the sanctity of human life in all stages from conception to natural death. Our church, based upon clear biblical teaching and a desire to obey God's holy scriptures, believes that life is to be preserved without exception.
(Psalm 82:3-4, Genesis 1:27, Psalm 127, 3, Exodus 20-13, Exodus 20:13, Micah 6:7, John 10:10)
ISRAEL
We believe that the nation of Israel has a special place in God’s plan, and that all of the promises of God to Israel will be fulfilled both now and in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in His millennium.
(Genesis 12:3; Psalm 122:1; Ezekiel 36-40)
THE RAPTURE
We believe the church will be delivered from the “hour of trial” which will come upon all who dwell on the earth. We believe that all true believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation.
(Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16, 5:9; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10, 7:13-14)
CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
We believe Jesus Christ will return to the earth with His saints (the church) and His holy angels at the end of the tribulation, and that the Millennial Kingdom will be established.
(Matthew 16:27, 24:30; Acts 1:11; Jude 1:14; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:4)
ETERNAL DESTINY
We believe in the bodily resurrection, God's judgment, and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. We believe that heaven is a literal place where the saved will dwell with the Lord forever; and that hell is a literal place where unbelievers, along with satan, will be tormented forever.
(Daniel 12:2; Matthew 3:12, 25:31-46; Mark 9:44-49; Luke 16:23-24; John 3:16, 3:36, 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:11-15, 21:8)