Statement of Faith
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God
There is One True God, who lives eternally in three distinct but equal persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in His holiness, justice, wisdom, love and grace. He is the Almighty Creator and Preserver of all things, who created both male and female, in His own image, and gave them dominion over earthly creation.
(Gen 1:1, John 1:1-3, Ex 3:14, John 5:26, Mal 3:6, Matt 6:28-30)
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The Bible
God has revealed Himself in the Bible. Every word was produced through divine and verbal inspiration of God to human authors. The Old and New Testament Scriptures as originally given are our supreme and absolute authority. They are without error, and fully trustworthy for all matters of faith and conduct.
(2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Rom 15:4)
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The Human Race
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God.
(Gen 1:26, Gen 9:6, James 3:9, Col 3:10)
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Sin
As a result of the historic fall and the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve, man’s nature has been corrupted by sin. All men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners, hostile to God and thus totally unable to please God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please Him.
(Is 53:6, Rom 3:23, Rom 5:12, John 3:3, John 1:12, Phil 2: 12-13)
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The Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man with one exception; he is perfect, without sin. The living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth.
(John 1:1&14, Gal 4:4, 1 John 5:20, Col 2:9)
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His Work
The Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and died voluntarily on a cross in the place of sinners, taking God’s punishment for sin, and paying the price of sin with His own blood. He died, was buried and raised bodily from the dead. He ascended to Heaven and God has exalted Him as Lord of all. He intercedes for His people in the Father’s presence.
(Heb 2:14, 1 Cor 15:3-4, John 1:29, Luke 24:37-39, Phil 2:9, Rev 1:18)
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Salvation
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s free grace; it cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. Salvation is obtained only by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
We are made right with God and brought back into relationship with Him through the work of the new birth and The Holy Spirit. God will forgive all sinners who call on Him with repentance and faith – they will be adopted into God’s family and receive eternal life.
(Acts 2:38, Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:24, Gal 2:16, 1 John 3:2)
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Assurance
The security of the believer is based entirely on the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Assurance of salvation is the privilege and right of all the children of God, and is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:18, Rom 8:1, 8:16, 8:34)
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The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ. He convicts sinners and leads us to repentance, unifies us with Christ through the new birth and continually indwells our lives. He gives us strength in our discipleship and helps us to witness. He is our guide and gives us a true understanding ofscripture helping us to become more like Christ.
(John 3:3-5, John 15:8, 13-14, 1 Cor 6:19, Eph 5:18, Rom 8:14)
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The Church
The Church is the body of Christ both local and universal. Its head is the Lord Jesus Christ, to which all who are saved belong. The family of believers are committed to each other and gather together for worship, the preaching of the Word, the administering of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. God’s word teaches us that we should not neglect meeting together for mutual encouragement, for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. We are commanded to proclaim the gospel throughout the world and to disciple men and women of every nation.
(Matt 28:19, Eph 1:4-6, Heb 10:25-28)
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Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Baptism by immersion in water is an outward sign of obedience to the Lord and a witness to others. The Lord’s Supper as appointed by Christ is for all believers who are walking in closeness with Him. It is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice. Offered once for all. The bread and wine are symbols of His body and blood.
(Acts 2:38-42, Matt 28:19-20, 1Cor 11:23-34)
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The Second Coming
There will be a personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. Bringing eternal joy and fellowship with God for the redeemed in heaven and eternal condemnation to the lost.
(John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Thess 4:16-17, Rev 1:7, Matt 25:41, 2 Thess 1:7-9)