We believe the following statements to be true. They are explicitly affirmed in scripture and have been embraced by God’s people throughout the ages.
God: There is one eternal God who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As Creator and Redeemer, God is the Author and Originator of all that exists and will one day complete its renewal in beauty and perfection.
1 John 5:7; Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4
Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Born in the flesh, He was the perfection of humanity and the fullness of God. As a young man, he was falsely convicted and unjustly subjected to a criminal’s execution by means of crucifixion. He died, was buried, and rose to life on the third day. He was seen by witnesses after his resurrection and before he ascended to heaven, where He is now present with God the Father.
Acts 2:22-24, 32-33; Col 1:15-23; Heb 1:1-3
Sin: Sin is placing ourselves at the centre of our existence and rejecting God’s purpose and blessing for our lives. It affects every human life – separating us from His presence, robbing us of our potential, and enslaving us to destructive and debilitating behaviour. Without God’s intervention, we are incapable of knowing His love and experiencing satisfying life.
Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23; Rom 7:18-25
Salvation: God forgives sin based on the sacrificial death of His Son. The path to forgiveness begins with the acknowledgement of sin and a desire to move in a new direction. Forgiveness is received when faith is placed in Jesus, as the one who died to save us from our rebellion. This act of faith restores our relationship with God and begins a new journey of following Christ.
Rom 3:21-26; II Cor 5:17-21
Holy Spirit: To every person who trusts in Jesus, God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit. His indwelling presence provides the assurance of eternal life, offers guidance in the face of uncertainty, brings comfort in times of upheaval, equips us to serve others, and empowers us for the godly living and the conquest of evil.
Acts 2:38; Eph 1:14; John 14:26-27; I Cor 12:4-9; Gal 5:22-23
The Bible: Scripture is God-breathed and carried by the Spirit. It is alive, active and eternal; true and trustworthy; flawless and pure; and more precious than gold and silver. We believe Scripture is useful, powerful and will accomplish its purpose: it teaches, convicts and corrects us; it protects, guides and equips us; it encourages us and gives us hope. Even more, we believe that Scripture bears witness to Jesus, who is the Word of God made flesh.
II Tim 3:16; II Pet 1:21; Heb 4:12; Mt 24:35; Ps 19:7; Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17; Ps 12:6; Ps 19:7-10; II Tim 3:16; Mt 5:18; Is 55:11; Ps 119:11; Jer 23:29; II Tim 3:16; Ps 18:30; Ps 119:105; Rom 15:4; Jn 1:14; Jn 5:39
The Church: The church is a community of those who follow Christ in faith. It exists wherever the people of God gather in the name of Jesus. It knows no social division, spanning the boundaries of age, gender, economics and ethnicity. God’s church exists to mediate His life-giving presence to a lost and decaying world. Its purpose is to reconcile people and nations to God, and to bring Him glory.
Acts 2:42-47; Eph 1:22-23; I Tim 3:15; Gal 3:26-28; II Cor 5:20; Col 1:5-6
The Future: Jesus Christ will eventually return in person to judge the living and the dead. Those who have accepted Christ will receive the fullness of eternal life and will dwell with God forever. Those who persist in rebellion will be forever cut off from His presence and left to their own destruction. God will end this age with the complete eradication of evil and the final restoration of His creation.
John 3:16; John 14:2-3; Is 61, 66; Rev 21