What we believe
This is a summary of the core truths that shape our faith, our teaching, and our life together:
God has revealed Himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
Passages for study:
Psalm 19; Luke 1:1–4; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Hebrews 1:1–2; 2 Peter 1:16–21; 3:1–2; Revelation 22:18–21.
We believe in one God who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The sovereignty (ultimate control) of God in creation, providence and redemption (bringing us back to Himself).
Passages for study:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 45:5–7; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Isaiah 40:12-31; Daniel 4:33-37; Matthew 28:19; John 1:14,18; John 17:1-10; Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:3-14; Revelation 21:1-7
All men and women, originally created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted, and all men and women are by nature without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore subject to God’s wrath and under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again (made new inside), forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please Him.
Passages for study:
Genesis 8; Psalm 51; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 15:17-20; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-10
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority, and all His words are true. On the cross, He died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin. He did this by turning away God’s wrath and atoning (making amends for) the sins of those who trust in Him. He redeems them (buys them back) by His death once and for all. He rose from the dead physically and in His resurrection body, ascended into heaven to be our Great High Priest, representing His people in the presence of the Father. He will return again personally, universally, finally and gloriously.
Passages for study:
John 1:1–2; John 14:7–10; Matthew 16:15–18; Philippians 2:5–12; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–35; Galatians 4:1–4; Mark 13:31; Luke 4:22; John 5:45–47; Isaiah 53; Romans 5:8–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10–21; 1 Corinthians 15; Acts 1:9–11; Ephesians 4:8–10; Hebrews 2:17–18; 4:14–16.
The justification of the sinner is solely by grace through faith in the saving work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Passages for study:
The work of the Holy Spirit is essential in the life of every believer. He brings about regeneration, giving new spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead. Through His work, people are brought to repentance and faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit continues to work in believers through sanctification, transforming them into the likeness of Christ. He equips God’s people for ministry, empowers them to serve the church, and enables true worship that honours God.
Passages for study:
Ezekiel 36:23–27; Titus 3:4–7; John 1:11–13; 3:1–7; 6:63; Romans 8; John 14:17–26; 16:7–15; 1 Corinthians 2:11–14; 2 Corinthians 3.
We believe in the resurrection of the body and the final judgement of all humankind by our Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the age, all people will be raised from the dead and will stand before Christ to give an account of their lives. Those who reject Christ will face the just and eternal punishment of God, while those who trust in Him will enter into eternal life and blessedness in the presence of God. Christ will return personally and gloriously to establish His final and perfect kingdom.
Passages for study:
John 14:1–6; 5:24–29; 11:21–27; Acts 1:6–12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Titus 2:11–14; Revelation 1:4–8; 19:1–9, 21.
All who place their faith in Jesus Christ are united by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the Head. The ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion) were instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ for His Church. Baptism does not save a person from sin but is an act of obedience to God that follows genuine faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. It is a public expression of repentance and identification with Christ. Likewise, the Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice for sin and does not involve any change in the substance of the bread and wine. Rather, it is a memorial given by Christ for believers to remember His death and to proclaim the gospel until He returns.
Passages for study:
Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 14:17-25; Acts 2:38-47, 8:26-39; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24.
God instituted marriage as a sacred covenant between one biological man and one biological woman. It involves a public commitment in which a man and a woman are united in a lifelong relationship of faithfulness, love, and mutual support, to the exclusion of all others. Marriage reflects God’s design for companionship, the nurturing of family life, and the raising of children. It also serves as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church.
Passages for study:
Genesis 2:20–25; Ephesians 5:22–33; 1 Peter 3:1–7; 1 Corinthians 7.