What we Believe.

God

We believe there is one God in whom there are three equal Divine Persons, revealed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who of his own sovereign will created the heavens, the earth, and all that is contained within the universe, both seen and unseen.

(Matt 28:19; Jn 1:18, 14:11, 15:26; 1 Cor 8:6; 2 Cor 13:14; Gen 1:1,2; Jn 1:2,3)

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the living and active Word of God, sufficient for salvation and for life and godliness. It is God’s breathed-out words, written by his prophets and apostles, and is our ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice

(2 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 1:20,21; Deut 29:29; 1 Pet 1:10,11; 2 Pet 1:20-21)

Creation

We believe that all things were created by God, and that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God.

(Gen 1&2; Gen 1:26,27; Col 1:16,17; Jn 1:3; Is 42:5; 45:12)

The Fall

We believe all people are in a fallen, sinful, and lost condition (eternally separated from God). In this state, all people are helpless to save themselves. Anyone who does not accept by faith the work of Jesus Christ will not be included in the promise of eternal life with Christ. As such, all who reject the gift of Christ will be separated from the gift of eternal life.

(Rom 3:23; Rom 3:9-12; 5:12; Gen 3:11-13; 1 Cor 15:22; Rom 5:16-18; Matt 13:40-42; Rev 10:12-15)

Jesus

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternally existing, only begotten (not created) Word of God, the Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. God the Son took on human nature and was given the name Jesus. In him, both full divinity and full humanity are united in one person.

(Jn 1:14; Jn 1:2; 5:26; Matt 1:18, 23-25; Phil 2:7,8; 2 Cor 5:19; Jn 11:27)

Christ’s Death and Resurrection

We believe Jesus Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again. He appeared to people, then ascended to his Father, where he intercedes for his people.

(Rom 5:6,1; 1 Cor 15:3-8; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25)

Salvation

We believe that salvation from the penalty and consequence of sin is found only through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is a free and everlasting gift of God to be received by faith, and cannot be earned through good deeds.

(Rom 1:5, 5:9; 1 Pet 1:3; Rom 3:28; 5:1; Titus 3:5; Is 64:6)

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and reinforces righteousness in and through the minds of the repentant believer in God. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us toward Christlikeness and empowers us with the Gifts of the Spirit for the service of the church.

(Jn 16:7,8; 1 Thess 1:5; Titus 3:5,6; Ac 2:38; 5:32; Eph 4:7,8,11-13; 1 Cor 12:27-31; Gal 5:22,23)

Life After Death

We believe that those who have recognised and rejected their personal sin and who put their faith in Jesus Christ will receive the promise of resurrection and will be included in the eternal kingdom promised by Christ. Those who reject the gift of grace through Jesus Christ will be resurrected to receive the consequences of their rebellion, namely, to experience God’s judgment apart from his goodness and blessing.

(Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:42,43; 1 Thess 4:16,17; Matt 13:40-42; Rev 20:12-15)

Satan

We believe that there is a spiritual opponent of God’s faithful who goes by the name of the devil, or the accuser, or Satan. This enemy has been defeated by the work of Christ and will face eternal judgement at the conclusion of all things. We also believe that this enemy, though defeated, is still able to accuse and oppose the church today.

(Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:8; 1 Pet 5:8-9; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:10-15)

The Return of Jesus

We believe in the personal, visible, bodily and glorious return of Jesus Christ. He will return at a time appointed by God – unknown to mankind – to judge the living and the dead with justice and truth.

Heaven and Hell are real places, and all humanity will find their eternal destiny in one or the other. A person's eternal destiny is determined by their faith in Jesus Christ. We affirm the bodily resurrection of the dead and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, where God's people will dwell in His presence forever.

(Acts 1:10,11; Matt 16:27; 1 Thess 4:14-17; 1 Cor 15:23,24)

The Church

All believers who recognise their sin and confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour are part of the global body of Christ with Christ as the head (Heb 12:23; Eph 1:22; Col 1:18).

The church is the visible expression of this body, where believers encourage each other, use their spiritual gifts to build God's family on earth and proclaim the news of the gospel and display it’s fruit.

(Acts 14:23; Eph 4:15-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11).

Marriage and Human Sexuality

We hold to the orthodox biblical view that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6), reflecting Christ’s love for His church.

We recognise that everyone comes to Jesus with unique backgrounds and challenges. God's grace is for all, and we welcome everyone to explore and embrace the forgiveness and new life Jesus offers, while walking together in love and truth.

Ordinances

We believe there are two ordinances instituted by Jesus Christ that every believer in Christ and every church of Jesus Christ should make a priority in their expression of obedience to Christ:

• Water Baptism as a public witness of faith in Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19; Ac 8:36-38; 19:4,5). Our practise is Believer’s Baptism by full immersion.

• The Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death. (Lk 22:19,20; 1 Cor 11:23-25). Our practise is weekly communion with grape juice in individual cups and a cracker.