What we Believe

Below is a summary of those doctrines commonly held by the Church and where we find these teachings in the Bible.

The Scriptures

The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3v16-17; 2 Peter 1v20-21; Psalm 119v105)

God

One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption. (Deuteronomy 4v39, 6v4; Zechariah 12v10; Matthew 3v16-17)

The Lord Jesus Christ

The essential deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and humanity; His virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners; His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven; His high priestly ministry and personal return. (Isaiah 53v9, Matt. 27v4,24, Mark 1v24, Luke 2v7, Luke 23v22,41,John 1v14, John 3v16, John 8v46, Acts 7v52, 2 Corinthians 5v21, Colossians 1v15-17, Hebrews 1v3, 4v15, 7v26,27; 9v14, 1 Peter 1v18,19, 2v22, 3v18, 1 John 2v1, 1 John 3v5)

The Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer. (Matthew 28v19, John 3v5-8, 14v16-17, Romans 8v10-11, Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Devil

The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom. (Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-1; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; 2 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:9-10)

Humanity

The creation of humanity, male and female, in the image of God, equal in value and complementary in role; the creation ordinance of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman  (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33); the entrance of sin through Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3); the fallen and totally depraved state of all humanity ; their subjection to God's wrath and condemnation; their responsibility to repent and believe the gospel  (Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Revelation 21:1-4,8). 

Justification

The justification of the sinner by God's grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; the eternal security of the believer. (John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 10:9-10, 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 1:16; Romans 5:1; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Galations1:6-10; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 3:4–7).

The Church

The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, separated from the state and in separation from all systems of belief that do not adhere to the Scriptures and are unfaithful to the gospel of salvation by grace alone; which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1:22–23, 4:11-16, 5:23; Colossians 1:24).

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism, being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is a symbol of their identification and union with Him in His death, burial and resurrection and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all, a renewal of commitment to Him and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

Marriage

Marriage is the creation ordinance of a lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33); 

The Future State

The unconditional immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; the eternal joy in heaven of the believer; the conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent. (Matthew 25:45; John 6:40; Revelation 20:11-15)

Christian Behaviour

The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives; the duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion. (Matthew 18:15-20; Ephesians 4:17-5:20,6:10-20, 1 Timothy 2).