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what we believe

  1. THAT the BIBLE both Old Testament (O.T.) and New Testament (N.T.) is the only written WORD OF GOD, that it is written without error in its original writing and that its authority in matters of belief and behaviour is absolute and final. Unlike any other book, its writing was guided and planned by God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Individual parts of Scripture are to be interpreted in the light of the whole Bible. It is primarily a book of salvation, which reveals God's plan for mankind in Christ. It has a living message with power to change lives.

  2. THAT the one true eternal GODHEAD exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are all equally God. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (knows everything), omnipotent (all powerful), eternal and unchanging. The Scriptures emphasise his holiness, love, mercy, grace, faithfulness and just judgement extended to man in Christ.

  3. THAT the unique historical JESUS CHRIST was eternally pre-existent with the Father, but was incarnated as a man to fulfill God the Father's plan for man's redemption. He was fully man and fully God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and gave himself as the ransom sacrifice for the sin of mankind. He is the only mediator between God and mankind. The historical event of the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity.

  4. THAT the HOLY SPIRIT is the third person of the Trinity invisibly present with and indwelling God's people everywhere as the source of all acceptable worship and service. The inspirer of the Bible who shows us what the Bible means. Christians are commanded to be 'filled with the Spirit' as a continuous and regular experience so that their lives may be holy and their service effective. The baptism of the Spirit is a separate experience subsequent to conversion and, usually, water baptism. The gift of speaking with other tongues usually accompanies this experience. He produces the 'fruit of the Spirit' in the life of the believer and also gives a variety of spiritual gifts to glorify Jesus in Christian service.

  5. THAT SALVATION is the result of a sincere personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Man is unique in his creation as a moral being, and responsible for his actions but he rebelled against God and became a sinful and fallen being under God's judgment and subject to the devil's dominion. Through the cross, Christ became the sinner's substitute and died as an atoning sacrifice to reconcile God and man. Man cannot save himself by good works or by a mere profession of religion. A Christian is a person who has received Christ as Saviour and Lord. He is justified by faith and sanctified, or made holy, by the Holy Spirit. The believer should increasingly want to be more like Jesus. We are not saved by good works but we are saved for good works. Bible truth should be practised in daily life. True believers have eternal security, but eternal life can be forfeited by apostasy.

  6. THAT God promises miraculous PHYSICAL or bodily HEALING as a part of Christ's salvation. Jesus Christ healed many sick people. His miracles were signs of his divine authority. Christ commissioned his followers to heal the sick. It is God's will that mankind should enjoy both physical and spiritual health.

  7. THAT the CHURCH is the universal Body of Christ. It consists of all those in every age who truly believe in Christ as Saviour. The unity of the Spirit between individual believers is more important than minor differences among denominations. The Church is based on the sole authority of the Bible, which is the only basis of genuine spiritual unity. It is a living fellowship rather than mere buildings; an organism rather than an organisation. Christ is its example in everything. Its main mission is to preach the gospel. There is a priesthood of all believers under the guidance of God appointed leaders who exercise pastoral oversight in each assembly. The Holy Spirit should be sovereign in all aspects of Church life.

  8. THAT the SACRAMENTS of water baptism and the Lord's supper were instituted by Jesus Christ as symbols of the gospel. The WATER OF BAPTISM signifies death to the old life and emergence to the new life. We use total immersion as it conforms to New Testament practice.THE LORD'S SUPPER is a fellowship "meal" by which the bread and wine bring to remembrance and symbolise the receiving of Christ's body and blood, given for us in death. Believers come together as a family. It anticipates Christ's return and should be partaken with reverent self examination.

  9. THAT CHURCH and STATE each has its own particular function and that they both have duties each to the other. The state derives its authority from God and should not command that which is contrary to the Bible. The Church has a duty to be the nation's conscience. Religious liberty is an essential democratic freedom.

  10. THAT the Christian's hope is the personal future RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, which demonstrates that God is Lord of history. The present world system cannot be perfected. The waiting Christian's duty is watchfulness, prayerfulness, and obedient service. The precise date is not stated in the Bible, but signs were given to indicate the approaching time of the end.

  11. THAT the main purpose of Christ's return is to gather dead and living Christians by RESURRECTION and TRANSLATION. Christ will be the Judge of the righteous, and the wicked Christians will be accountable for their service. Unbelievers choose their own condemnation. Christians will be raised from death to enjoy eternal life with God. The unbeliever is eternally separated from God. Death does not end human existence. The body, not the soul, sleeps in death.

  12. THAT Christians look forward to the MILLENNIUM (1000 year reign) when Christ will be acknowledged as Lord of all the earth. God will recreate the universe, destroying the old order with fire. Nature will share man's deliverance from sin. Satan will be overthrown. The Church and the entire nation of Israel will be united. This does not imply racial favouritism but rather the fulfilment of God's promises to bestow both temporal and spiritual blessings on restored Israel as the servant nation prior to and during the millennium. Christ's sacrifice accomplished a personal redemption for any individual who believed in him and a national redemption for Israel when, as a nation, it returned to God.

  13. THAT SATAN is a personal, supernatural being who is the enemy of God and man. God's sovereign will and plan limit his attacks on believers. His sin was rebellious self exaltation. The present world system is organised according to his principles. Christ has broken the power of Satan over mankind. The eventual overthrow of evil is total, and assured. In the gospels, demons are described as wicked and disembodied spirits. The Gadarene maniac acted and spoke as one controlled by another personality. Demons seek to exert their influence on Christians but they are subject to the authority of Christ which has been delegated to the believer

  14. THAT there are two main divisions of ANGELS:
    (a) Fallen Angels
    Like man, angels were created with the power of choice. Under the leadership of Satan many rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven. Hell has been prepared for their everlasting punishment.
    (b) God's Angels
    Angel means literally messenger. Angels belong to an order of being higher than man is at present. They protect and deliver God's people in time of danger. They are not to be worshipped.
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