What We Believe

Our Statement of Beliefs

The Bible

There is no other way to know God except that He reveals Himself to us and He has done so in the Bible. As originally given, the Bible is divinely inspired and infallible and is sufficient for knowing God. The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct, able to thoroughly equip the Christian for life and godliness.

God

There is only one God, who eternally exists in a perfect loving relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit – one God in three Persons (the Trinity). He is sovereign in all things – including creation, revelation, redemption and judgement – and is worthy of all glory, honour and praise.

Humanity

God made humanity in His own image, as the crown of creation, that we might have a unique relationship with God. However, since the Fall, all people are guilty of rebellion against God and human nature is thoroughly corrupted by sin and therefore subject to the wrath and condemnation of God. Fallen, sinful people – whatever their character or attainments – are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Jesus Christ.

God created humanity in the form of two biological sexes – male and female. The biological sex of each person is a good gift of God and therefore should be embraced and lived out by each person. One aspect of God’s design is the capacity of a one-flesh union as male and female. Christian marriage is the exclusive, life-long union between one man and one woman as the context for sexual intimacy and the foundation of the family. As such, marriage is a reflection of the union between Christ and the Church, His Body.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the eternal Word made flesh – supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He is both fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life, perfectly obedient to His Father – even to death on a cross. He died and was buried. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead and later ascended into heaven where He now rules at God’s right hand as Lord of all.

The Salvation of Humanity (the Gospel)

There is no other way a person can be saved from God’s wrath and brought into an eternal relationship with Him, apart from faith in Jesus Christ. This saving faith is entirely a gift from God – it cannot be earned, bought or deserved. It is only through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ upon the cross, as our representative and substitute, that the guilt, penalty and power of sin is removed. In that death, God demonstrates His love for us and establishes His victory over sin, Satan and death, and we are declared righteous in His sight. This Gospel brings salvation to all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement. He has been sent from heaven by the Father and the Son, and seeks to bring glory to Jesus Christ in all things. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, He enables a person to repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. He indwells all true believers, comforting and assuring them of eternal life; cultivating a Christ-like character in them; illuminating their mind to grasp the truth of Scripture; granting them gifts and empowering them for Gospel service.

The Church

The one who builds the Church and is the head of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ. The visible Church (the Body of Christ) is the gathering of people who have been saved through the Gospel, united by the Holy Spirit in faith, hope and love. This gathering is focused on knowing and doing the will of God as revealed in the Word of God. We are committed to the extension of God’s Kingdom on earth through Gospel proclamation. God has equipped the Body with various gifts that are to be expressed in love, for the building of His Church. Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are a means of testifying to the Gospel within this gathering.

The Future

God has appointed a day, which no person knows, when He will judge the world in righteousness and truth, through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ will personally and visibly come again in glory from heaven to judge the living and the dead. Those who have faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel will be granted eternal life. Those who do not have faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel will stand condemned by God. Upon that day there will be no more sin, death or pain for the old order of things will pass away and God’s Kingdom and glory will know no end.