The Scriptures

We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired and given by the Holy Spirit. As originally written, the Bible contains, conveys and is the Word of God. Because all Scripture is God-breathed it speaks with the authority of God and is our final and supreme authority regarding truth.

(2 Tim 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Ps 119:105; Ps 119:89; Prov 30:5-6; Rev 22:19; John 12:48; John 10:35; Matt 5:17, 18; 2 Peter 1:1-6)

God

We believe there is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22; Deut. 6:4; Gen. 1:1)

Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully human.

(Rom. 1:3-4; Heb. 1:8; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5)

Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is eternal and infinite. The Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost by the Father and the Son to live in Believers.

(Gen 1:2; 1 Sam 16:13; Jn 15:26; Acts 5:3, 4; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19; 12:11, 13; Eph 4:30; Titus 3:5)

Humanity

We believe humankind was originally sinless and in perfect fellowship with God, but when tempted by Satan sinned. This resulted in separation from God and physical death. All humanity are now sinners by nature and practice.

(Gen 3:1-24; Rom 3; 5:12)

Salvation

We believe salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, offered to us on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death for sin on the cross. It is received personally by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is in no way obtained or increased by human effort. This salvation contains within itself deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin, a perfectly righteous standing before God, the provisions for victory over the power of sin, and the promise of future glorification in God’s presence. We affirm that God desires all individuals to be saved from conscious and eternal torment; that Jesus Christ gave Himself a ransom for all men and that in taking the punishment for all individuals, He made a way for all to be saved who place their faith in Him.

(John 3:14-18; Acts 20:21; Rom 6:23; 10:13; Eph 2:8, 9; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Tim 2:1-6; Luke 13:34, 35; 19:41- 44)

The Church

Universal Church

We believe the church is comprised of all those who by faith have been united to the risen and ascended Son of God. The church, which is completely distinct from Israel began at Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for the coming of His own at the Rapture. All believers in this age, whether Jews or Gentiles, are baptised by the Holy Spirit into Christ at conversion and so become a spiritual body of which Christ is the Head.

Local Church

The members of this universal church are instructed to assemble in local congregation for worship, instruction in the Word, fellowship, prayer, the Lord’s Supper and the observance of the ordinance of Baptism.

Marriage

We believe marriage as ordained by God and commanded in the Scriptures, is a life-long covenant between one man and one woman at the exclusion of all others and thus do not recognise any other union as marriage. Scripture condemns all forms of sexual intimacy outside of the marriage relationship, yet at the same time affirms the beautiful place of sexual expression between husband and wife.

(Gen 2:23-25; Heb. 13:4; Acts 15:20; 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rom. 1:26ff; Eph. 5 ; 1 Thess. 4;3-7; Song of Solomon; Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:1-9)

Christian Growth

We believe Christians still struggle with sin, being part of this fallen world, but are declared at salvation to be new creations, righteous before God. They then become more and more like Jesus - in thought, action, and relationships as they respond in obedience to God’s Word, walk by the Spirit, and participate in their local church. Although never achieving perfection in this life, Christians are to pursue spiritual growth, realising in practice what God has provided in position. (2 Cor 5:17, 21; Rom. 6:1-14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Acts 20:32; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:22; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:15- 16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 6:1-14; 1 Thess. 4:1-8)

Satan, Demons and Angels

We believe Satan was originally a creation of God of the highest order, but through pride he fell and became the enemy of God, and the deceiver of humanity. We believe God created personal, angelic beings, some of whom rebelled against God under the leadership of Satan and wage war against God on the earth while the remaining loyal angels continue to obey God in ministering to believers.

(Eph. 6:11-12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5, 13-15; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:7-9; Heb 1:7, 14; Ezek 28:12-17; Isa 14:12-14; Eph 2:2; 2 Thess 2:8, 9; 1 Tim 4:1; James 4:7; 1 John 3:8; Rev 17-18; 20:10)

The Intermediate and Eternal State

We believe at death the spirit and soul of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence. Those who have not trusted in the Lord are eternally punished. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:42; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Rev 20:12-15)