Statement of Belief
1. The Inspiration of the Scriptures.
We believe that the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God and are the revelation of God to humanity; they are the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
2. The One True God
We believe that the one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM", the creator of heaven and earth, and the redeemer of all people. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We speak of them as a Trinity or as one being of three persons. These three persons are coequal, coexistent, coeternal and consubstantial. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to person, nor confused as to relation, nor divided in respect to the godhead, nor opposed as to cooperation. Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist in, with and through each other, they are united eternally in fellowship, love and common purpose. In their fellowship and community, they share all they are and have in communion, openness and self- giving love. Hence, no person in the godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others.
3. The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is one person, the Son of God; that he is not divided into two persons but he has two natures, the human and the divine. He is truly God and truly man, composed of body and rational soul. He is consubstantial with the Father and the Holy Spirit in his deity and consubstantial with humankind in his humanity, except for sin. In his deity he proceeds from the Father, and in his humanity he was conceived by the Spirit, of the Virgin Mary. The distinction between the two natures is not diminished by their union, but the specific character of each nature is preserved and they are united in one person. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his substitutionary work on the cross, his bodily resurrection from the dead, and his exaltation to the right hand of God the Father.
4. The Fall of Humanity
We believe human beings were created good and upright, being made in the image of God. However, they fell into sin by voluntary transgression of God’s command and, thereby, incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
5. The Salvation of Humanity
We believe that a person’s only hope of salvation is through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who shed His blood on the cross that all may be saved. Salvation is received through repentance and faith. Being justified by grace through faith, we receive the righteousness of Christ, regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, and become heirs of God according to the hope of eternal life.
6. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification initially occurs at the time of salvation. It is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separation from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike. In Christ we become new creations, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. When Christ returns, the Holy Spirit will complete the work of sanctification in our lives.
7. Christian Character
We believe that the work of sanctification in the life of a believer results in a life characterised by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This kind of life rejects pride and rebellion and all behaviour stemming from this, sexual immorality and sexual perversion, lust, incest, idolatry, envy, murder, strife, drunkenness, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, insolence, arrogance, boasting, promoting evil deeds, disobedience, greed, covetousness and all forms of moral depravity.
8. The Fullness and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe that all believers should eagerly expect and seek to live lives filled with the Holy Spirit. We believe that the gifts of the Spirit continue to be experienced by the Church. They are given to empower the believer for life, ministry and witness. They are supernatural having their origin in God, but are also incarnational in that they operate in and through believers. They are intended to be part of the normal spiritual exercise of every believer.
9. The Ordinances of the Church
We believe in baptism in water following salvation. This ordinance is commanded in the Scriptures. In this act we declare to the world that we have died with Christ and have been raised with Him to live a new life. We believe in Holy Communion, also known as The Lord’s Supper, consisting of two elements, bread and wine. These symbols express our sharing in the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are also a memorial of His suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming. The observance of Holy Communion is to be celebrated by all believers until He returns.
10. The Church and Its Mission
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine gifts and graces for the fulfilment of the Great Commission. Every believer is an integral part of the universal Church and should find a place of connection and belonging in a local church.
11. The Kingdom of God
We believe that Christ came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is, therefore, already present but is not yet fully realised. It is seen wherever God’s reign is extended and is a present reality in the hearts and lives of believers. The Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit as the agency by which the Kingdom is extended. The Kingdom will be seen in its fullness when Christ returns and at the end of this age.
12. The Return of Christ
We believe in the physical and visible return of Christ. At this time, those who have died believing in Christ will be resurrected. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, along with those believers who are alive at the time of His return. This is the hope of all faithful believers from both Covenants.
13. Judgment
We believe that every person who has ever lived will face a day of judgment. The righteous are judged for rewards at the judgement seat of Christ. The wicked will face eternal separation from God in Hell.
14. The New Heavens and the New Earth
We believe in the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, the eternal home of righteousness and of all people deemed righteous in Christ.