Statement of Faith
GOD’S WORLD
Adam and Eve, the parents of all humankind were created in the image of God to worship their Creator by loving and serving Him, and exercising dominion under God’s rule by inhabiting, possessing, and ruling, caring for and enjoying God’s good creation.
Sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, because of which dominion was lost and all people are alienated from God and each other and, as a result, they and all creation are under God’s judgement. All people have sinned and come short of God’s standard of holiness and righteousness.
God holds each person responsible and accountable for choices made and actions pursued through the exercise of free will. Human responsibility and accountability do not limit God’s sovereignty. God’s sovereignty does not diminish human responsibility and accountability.
Salvation from the penalty of sin is found only through the substitutionary, atoning death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the only sinless One, and because God is both just and holy, Jesus took upon Himself the just punishment for our sins. In doing so, He fulfilled His covenant and demonstrated His unfailing love for us.
Through His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus has destroyed the power of Satan, who is destined to be confined forever to hell along with all those who reject Jesus as Lord.
Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling in believers, and through the work of Calvary, believers are empowered to participate in the restorative work of the Kingdom of God in readiness for the Age to Come. Through the Spirit’s work in this Present Age, in restoring the dominion that was lost and the believer’s participation in the Kingdom of God, the eschatological redemption of Creation at Christ’s Second Coming awaits.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The divinely inspired and infallible Word of God and its consequent entire trustworthiness and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Bible, which is comprised of the books of the Old and New Testament, is the Spirit inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God and derives its authority from the Kingdom of God.
THE GODHEAD
One God eternally existent in three persons comprising the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is one God and He is sovereign and eternal. He is revealed in the Bible as three equal divine Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God depends on nothing and no one; everything and everyone depends on Him. God is holy, just, wise, loving and good.
God created all things of His own sovereign will, and by His Word they are sustained and controlled. God is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is also Father of all whom He has adopted as His children. Because of God’s faithfulness and His fatherly concern, nothing can separate His children from His love and care. (John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13,14; John 17:21)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
His humanity, deity, virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death for the sins of the world, resurrection for our justification, ascension to the Father’s right hand and abiding intercession and personal return to reign upon earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternally existing, only begotten Son of the Father. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, truly God and truly man. He lived a sinless life and died in our place.
He was buried, rose from the dead in bodily form and ascended to heaven.
Jesus is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:16; John 1:33) He is King of the universe and Head of the Church, His people whom He has redeemed.
Having already inaugurated the Kingdom of God, He will return to gather His people to Himself, to judge all people and bring in the consummation of God’s Kingdom. (John 1:4; John 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16; Romans 4:25; Mark 16:19; Matthew 24:29-31)
SALVATION
That all have sinned and come short of the God’s glory and standard of righteousness and that by faith in and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, right relationship is restored with God. (Romans 3:23; 10:10; Galatians 5:22-26)
THE ORDINANCES
Repentance and Water Baptism for believers by full immersion as acts of obedience to Christ. (Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38) The Lord‟s Supper celebrated regularly in remembrance of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
DIVINE HEALING
Secured for every person through faith in Christ’s completed work and deliverance from all bondage to the power of Satan.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the Promise of the Father, God’s Empowering Presence. The Holy Spirit is the divine seal and guarantor of God’s promises to His people. Through salvation, a believer receives the person of the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the power which releases the living waters of God inside the believer. (See Matthew 3:11, Luke 24:49, John 7:38, 39; 14:15-17,26, Acts 1:5; 2:14-18.)
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in other tongues. (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; Romans 8:26, 27; I Corinthians 14:4). The Ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this age He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers the believer for Godly living and service. Every believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit. He convicts people of their sin, leads them to repentance, creates faith within them and regenerates them. He is the source of their new sanctified life bringing forth His fruit in the life of believers. He gifts believers according to His sovereign will, enabling them for service in the work of God’s Kingdom. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:39; Mark 16:17)
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The gifts of the Holy Spirit for the equipment of Ministry and the edification of the Church; to continue in this present Age until the Perfect has come and the consummation of God’s Kingdom on “earth as in heaven.” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Matt 6:10) The Holy Spirit is the Divine administrator of His gifts, distributing them at will for the purpose of building the church. (Mark 16:17; 1Corinthians 12:11; Hebrews 2:4)
THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL
Comprising all born-again believers of all Nations and denominations under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18, 24)
BIBLE PROPHECY & ESCHATOLOGY
Its fulfilment in world events, heralding the climax of this age and the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and consummation of His Kingdom. ( 2 Peter 1:21)
THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
“We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Entry to the new heaven and new earth is made possible only through the salvific plan of God revealed through Jesus Christ. Only righteousness will dwell in the new heavens and new earth. (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:7-13; Revelation chapters 20:11; 21-22).