Statement of Beliefs

Trinity: We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three
persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory. We
believe that this triune God created all, upholds all and is sovereign over all. (Gen.1:26; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 1 John 5:7).

God the Father: We believe in God the Father, an eternal personal Spirit, perfect in
holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs
of His people; that he hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and
death all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. (John 3:16)

Jesus Christ: We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, fully man and fully God. We believe in His sinless
life, miracles and teaching; His atoning death; bodily resurrection, ascension into
heaven, His continuing intercession for His people, and His personal, bodily return
to Earth at the time of God’s choosing. (Isa.9:6; John 1:1,14; Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:5-11;
1 Thes. 4:16; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; 3:16).

Holy Spirit: We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came to convince the world of sin,
righteousness and judgement and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry
all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in
Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. (John 16: 7-15;
Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:9-10)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Given at Pentecost, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is
the promise of the Father. He is sent by Jesus after His Ascension to empower the
Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth (Joel 2:28,29; Matt. 3:11;
Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4,17,38,39; 8:14-17; 10:38,44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6; 1 Cor.
12:13).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of
spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the
resurrection and confirm the power of the gospel. We believe in the ongoing
ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit for the building
up of the Church, proclaiming of the gospel, and the glory of God. (Rom. 1:11;
12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-40; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:5-16;
Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 4:10).

Creation of Mankind: We believe that mankind is created in the image of God.
That man and woman are created equal in nature, but different in roles. Mankind is
intended to enjoy a right relationship with God, with one another, and with the
creation in which they have been placed. (Gen.1:26-27; 2:7-8; Gal. 3:2)

Sin: We believe that sin, having entered the world, has broken the right relationship
between us and God. Consequently, this has affected our relationship with one
another and with creation. However, God loves all people and desires that they be
saved and restored to a right relationship with Him. Without this relationship we
remain separated from God in this life and the next. (Romans 3:23; 5:12-13; 6:23;
Gal. 5:17)

Salvation: We believe that salvation is the free gift of God made possible through
the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is freely given to all those who
turn to Him in faith and repent. (Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9;
Titus 3:4-7; Heb. 9:22)

Satan: We believe that Satan actively seeks to destroy life; that he is working in the
world to prevent people from knowing God and to foster doubt and faithlessness in
God. He is neither God’s equal nor God’s opposite. (Mark 4:15; 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Pet.
5:8)

Holy Bible: We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the
inspired Word of God. They speak clearly and authoritatively on all things necessary
for life and doctrine. (Prov. 30:5; Rom. 16:25,26; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20,21)

The Church: The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the
Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfilment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Jesus
Christ is the head of the Church. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part
of the Church as a member of the Body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all
believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:11, 20-23; Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22; 4:16)

Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is
commanded by the Word of God to be baptised in water in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, which we believe to be by immersion. (Matt.
28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48;)

The Lord’s Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when
elements symbolising the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ are taken in
remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16;
11:23-26).

The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ: We believe in the personal, visible and
imminent return of Christ (John 14: 1-3; Acts 1: 10-11; 1 Thess. 4: 15-17)

Resurrection of the Dead: We believe that at the end of our life our bodies will be
returned to dust. The spirits of the righteous are returned immediately to God. The
spirits of the unrighteous await judgement. At the end of the age when Jesus Christ
returns, there will be a bodily resurrection of all people. All people will be judged
according to their response to the gospel. (John 6:40; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:
16-17)

Rewards & Punishment in a Future State: All people will be subject to God’s
judgement. Judgement will be by God through Jesus Christ. The unrighteous will be
consigned to the Lake of Fire, the place of unending punishment. The righteous will
be judged and rewarded according to their works as a believer and dwell forever
with Him in heaven. Both of these states are fixed and eternal. (Matt: 25: 45-46;
John 17:3; Acts 10:42; Rev. 20:11-15)

THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
We believe that the Christian ordinances are commanded by Christ to be
administered, not as a means of salvation but as visible signs and seals of the fact
and reality of salvation.
Baptism – We believe that baptism is a public confession of Christ as
Saviour and Lord. It is an expression of one’s union by faith with Christ in
death, burial and resurrection and therefore is to be administered by
immersion only to those who have given evidence of faith in Christ as their
personal saviour.
Communion – All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be invited to
partake of the Lord’s Supper in obedience to the command “Do this in
remembrance of Me”, proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.
1 Cor. 11:24-26