Our Beliefs
Statement of Faith
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. They are without error in the original manuscripts. (Ps. 19:7; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
There is but one God, the Maker, Sustainer and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all. To Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 145:3; John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 1 Tim. 1:17)
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person is distinct, but without division of nature, essence or being. (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all things, including salvation. This does not make God the author or approver of sin nor does it destroy the free will and responsibility of people. (Isa. 46:9-11; Prov. 16:33; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Tim. 2:4)
God originally created mankind in His own image, and free from sin. Adam transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness. So, all people after him inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law. They are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-7; 6:5; Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:1-3)
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law and suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He remains to make intercession for his people. He is the only Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe. (Isa. 53:10-12; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:21-26; 8; 1 Tim. 2:5; 7:25)
We believe that God the Holy Spirit brings glory to the Father and the Son. He applies the work of Christ to believers and distributes spiritual gifts to every believer according to His sovereign good pleasure for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. He is the Comforter, the Spirit of Adoption, the Seal of our Salvation, and the Guarantor of our inheritance in Christ. (John 14:16-17; Rom. 8:14-17; Eph. 1:13-14)
Regeneration is a change of heart, brought by the Holy Spirit, who awakens those spiritually dead in sin opening their minds to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they turn from sin, believe the Gospel, and love and practice holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone. (John 3:3-8; Eph. 2:1-6; Tit. 3:5; 1 John 5:1)
Saving faith is the belief in all that is revealed in God’s Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Christ alone for justification and eternal life. This faith is worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and leads to a life of holiness. (Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-5; 4:17-25; 10:14, 17; Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8; Jas. 2:14-26)
Justification is God’s gracious and full pardon of sinners who repent and believe in Christ. This justification is possible because of the complete payment that Christ has made through His righteous life, death for sins, and resurrection on behalf of sinners. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God. (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:4-9, 5:1-2; 8:28-34; 10:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:7-9; Titus 3:5-7)
Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ. Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God’s word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a life of loving obedience to all Christ’s commands. (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:27; Rom. 8:1-17; Gal. 5:13-25; Phil. 2:12-13)
Those whom God has saved, will never fall away from grace, but will endure to the end. Though they may fall into sin, they will be restored again to repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 6:37-40; Rom. 8:28- 39; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Jude 20-25)
The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, and holds all power for its government. It is composed of all His true disciples, who are commanded to commit themselves into local congregations. Christ has given these churches authority for administering the order, discipline, and worship that He has appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Pastors and Deacons. (Matt. 18:15-20; 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 5; Eph. 1:22; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Heb. 10:25)
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer. Baptism is immersion in water in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, the washing away of sins, and giving oneself to God, to live and walk in newness of life. Baptism is required for church membership. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13)
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine. It is to be observed by His churches till the end of the world. It is in no way a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate Christ’s death. It confirms the faith of Christians, and is a renewal of their communion with Christ, and their church fellowship. (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34)
God has created humans male and female and in His image. They are equal in personhood and importance with distinction in role and authority. God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment for a lifetime and is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and provides for the man and the woman companionship, biblical sexual expression, and the means for procreation of the human race. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to his people. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to lead their children towards faith in Christ and through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, lead them to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents in the Lord. (Gen. 1:27; Duet. 6:4-9; Ps. 139:13; Eph. 5:22-33, 6:1-4)
God in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all mankind in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:22, 27-29; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10)