Basis of faith
1. GOD
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal
persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is
unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the
almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all
things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
2. THE BIBLE
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 and is
always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
3. THE HUMAN RACE
All men and women, being 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 without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to
God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God
and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order
to know and please him.
4. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. 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, redeeming them by his blood. He
rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into
heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his
people in the presence of the Father.
5. SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a work of God's grace and cannot be earned or
deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is
offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom
he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe in
Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God
and receive eternal life.
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to
apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual
life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells
all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces
increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers
its members for worship, service and mission.
7. THE CHURCH
The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to
which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local
churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to
each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the
administering of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; for pastoral care
and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ
is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and
encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where
they are faithful to the gospel.
8. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord's Supper have been given to the churches by
Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union
with Christ and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual
life. The Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice
offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine.
All its blessings are received by faith.
9. THE FUTURE
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead
and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to
eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life
of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new
and will be glorified forever.
