Our Doctrinal Statement

Our Doctrinal Statement

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Bible to be God’s written revelation to mankind. It is the normative source for truth and conduct and the authority for faith and the practice thereof. The Bible contains 66 books, all of which are God-breathed or inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). Every word thereof is inerrant – it is the only source of objective truth and it is infallible – incapable of error (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12). It was written through the process of dual-authorship - the Holy Spirit in partnership with human writers to record God's Word to mankind without error, while considering each writer’s personality and style. The Bible then, is our source for theology, a necessary safeguard against error, the foundation for proper Christian experience, the foundation for spiritual growth and character and the only source for determining morality and ethics (2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 2:42)

The Nature of God

We believe in One God (Deuteronomy 6:4) who is infinite and personal (1 Corinthians 8:4; Isaiah 45:5-7). He reveals Himself throughout holy scriptures (Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 40:5; Romans 1:19, 16:25). The God of creation (Genesis 1:1) makes Himself known through general revelation and special revelation (Psalm 19:1; Acts 14:17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Numbers 12:6-8). He is One God manifested in three forms – The Father, The Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. God is transcendent       (beyond us and our world - Romans 1:23), He is Immanent (present with us - Acts 17: 27-28), He is omniscient (all knowing – 1 John 3:20), He is omnipotent (all powerful -Psalm 62:11), He is sovereign (has all power, interest and authority – Psalm 47:8) and He is Good (expressed through His holiness and His love - Psalm 25:8; 1 John 1:5; 4:16).

God the Father

We believe that God is eternal (Isaiah 40:28), having no beginning nor ending. He has always existed from everlasting (Psalm 93:2) and will live forever (Isaiah 57:15). This same God is the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1) and is self -existent (Exodus 3:14). He is the only one with life within Himself (John 5:26). God has the freedom to act as He pleases, needing no consent from humans (Isaiah 43:12-13).

Jesus (The Son Of God)

We believe that Jesus the Son existed before time, and is the agent through which the Father created the universe and sustains it through Him (Hebrews 1:2) The Son is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:3) who is presently seated at the right hand of the father (Hebrews 1:3). He was begotten of the Father (Hebrews 1:5) and made a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 1:4) in order to save mankind from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus took on human flesh (Hebrews 2:14; John 1:14) and dwelt among men (Hebrews 5:7; John 1:9), fully God and man (John 14:8-9), conducted ministry among the people (Luke 4:18-20), was crucified on a cross (Luke 24:46), was resurrected from the dead (John 20), ascended into heaven (Hebrews 4:14) and is now our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:5;5:6). He too is spirit (John 14:16) and one with the Father (John 10:30).

The Holy Spirit (The Holy Ghost)

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration who baptizes believers into the body of Christ. He is the “sent one”, the helper for all mankind who was manifested on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1- 4). He is the promised One throughout the scriptures (John 14:16) who to us sanctifies, empowers, guides, comforts, convicts, instructs and is the seal for redemption. The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual gifts for the work of the kingdom (Acts 1:8; 2:3). He is the One who has sovereign control over the affairs of the church and is responsible for the perfecting of the saints (Ephesians 4:11-13).

The Church

We believe the Church is the universal body of Christ built of those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the spiritual body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) called by many titles including the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:23), a Holy Nation (1 Peter 2:9), Christians (Acts 11:26), Heirs of the Kingdom (James 2:5), Holy Priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), a Kingdom of Priests (Exodus 19:6), Sons of the living God (Romans 9:26), Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), the People of God (Hebrews 4:9). The church belongs to God (Matthew 16:18); It was purchased with Christ’ blood (Acts 20:28); Into it believers are continually baptized (Acts 2:27); Is edified by the Word of God (1 Corinthians 14:4); Is maintained by Faith (Galatians 2:20); Is the object of the world’s persecution (Acts 8:1-3) and the vehicle through which the world will come to know Christ (Matthew 28:19). It was formed on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and is expected to be present in communities worldwide to achieve Christ’ mandate to evangelize the world (Acts 14:23). Christ is the supreme authority over the church (Ephesians 1:22) who has appointed elders to rule over the church (1 Timothy 5:17-22). We teach discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2) and autonomy for local assemblies (Titus 1:5). The saints are called to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58) and we observe two ordinances – The Lord’s Supper and Baptism in Jesus Name (Acts 2:38-42).

Baptism

We believe Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. It signifies the union between the Christian and Christ. In baptism, God places His mark upon the one baptized. The repenting person therefore “belongs to Christ”. Since the time of the Apostles, the public confession of a person’s faith has been baptism. It brings us into union with Christ (1 Cor. 12:33). We are baptized by One Spirit into One Body (Eph.4:4-6) and become one with His people. By baptizing in water we see a symbolic entrance into Christ’ church, the local assembly. But there’s also entrance into Christ’ invisible universal kingdom – the Church of God. Baptism brings us into a new family, a kingdom of kings and priests. Peter calls it a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). Baptism separates us for the purposes of God. As a result of the act of faith, we can “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Jesus Christ. Sin no longer reigns over us. Our old self is crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:6).

The Lord’s Supper (Communion)

We believe the Lord’s supper “provides ongoing means of grace and fellowship between the Lord Jesus and His bride the Church”. It is also called the Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:24) and Holy Communion (1 Cor. 10:16). It reminds us of Christ’ sacrifice on our behalf. At the last supper (Passover meal with the disciples), Jesus redefined the elements of the meal. For centuries, the bread and wine was a reminder of the lambs sacrificed at Passover. Jesus gave them new significance – The bread would now represent His body and the wine His blood. He became the Passover lamb sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins.

When we participate, we receive spiritual nourishment. Just as food and wine nourishes the body, so too the sacraments nourish the believer’s soul. We feed upon Christ by faith. When we eat and drink we are celebrating spiritual unity with Christ. It is also a time of self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28-34). Although Christ is not physically present at the communion/Lord’s supper, He is spiritually present as He communes with His people. He joins us at supper. We can now look forward to the day when we dine with Him in the New heaven and the new earth.

Man

We believe that Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  Man was created to worship and fellowship with God. He was given free will and commanded to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). Mankind has value in the sight of God – we were made a little lower than the angels and given dominion over every created thing (Psalm 8:4, 6). Man has personhood, intellectual capacity, intellectual capacity, volitional capacity (for self-determination); moral or ethical capacity; creative capacity; the capacity for emotions and a religious capacity. God’s intention was for man to glorify Him (Colossians 1:16). But sin entered our world and man became disobedient to God (Genesis 3). As a result, ma was separated from God (Genesis 3:24).  Man became corrupt (Psalm 14:1-3) and all have fallen short. God did not leave man hopeless; He committed to making a way of redemption (Genesis 3:15).

Salvation

We believe that Salvation is a gift of God. It is a gift of Grace which cannot be obtained by good works. Grace is “that which counteracts the effects of sin”. God’s “Grace-gift is the means through which salvation is brought to mankind” (Titus 2:11). We are all guilty (Galatians 3:10). The law system required 100% obedience, which no man of himself can do. Jesus the sinless one (Christ) paid the penalty for the whole world’s law breaking – He sacrificed Himself on the cross, paying that penalty. Now we can be assured of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus declared it is our duty to serve Him (Luke 17:7-10). But we must go a step further, we must accept Him as Savior. After which, He imputes righteousness to us. Accepting the gift of Grace means God will see the penalty for our past, present and future sins as “paid in full”. We are declared “not guilty” (Romans 8:1). Therefore, through faith, believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, we can have salvation – not by our good deeds. Through baptism in Christ, having been justified, we are assured salvation. The next stage of the journey for the believer is the pursuing of holy living. Through Christ is the only qualification, and assurance is given to those who abide in Christ (John 14:17;15:1-6).

Last Things

Death

We believe the Bible teaches that there is a separation of body and soul (James 2:26). We believe that the redeemed have a place with God (Luke 23:43) and that there will be a rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). There will be a “bodily resurrection”. The redeemed go to be with Christ and the unredeemed go to hell (John 6:39, Romans 8:10). There will be a judgement where we will give account for our deeds done upon the earth (Revelation 20:11-15). The unrepentant will be cast into the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41 – 46) and cut off from God (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Rapture

We believe in the Rapture, the time when the saints will partake of heavenly blessings and to be with our Lord. It will also be a time of rewards according to our works (Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58)