Our Beliefs
We strive to see all people reconciled to God and mature in Christ.
We acknowledge that members of our church community may disagree in good conscience on a variety of theological issues. In what follows we attempt to articulate certain beliefs which we regard as important for the spiritual health and faithful identity of this church community.
Scripture: The Bible is the divinely inspired written witness to God's desire and plan to reconcile the world to himself. When interpreted according to God's purposes, it is authoritative concerning all matters of faith and conduct. (Luke 24:25-27, 45-48; Acts 17:11; Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 3:15-16)
God the Father: The Bible speaks of one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, who is revealed by God's unique divine Son and Word, the one Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. (Deut 6:4-5; John 1:1-18; 1 Cor 8:5-6, 12:4-6; Eph 4:4-6)
Humanity: God created humans in God's image, intending that they enjoy loving and holy relationships with both God and each other. These relationships were broken due to human sin. They remain broken because humans universally fall short of God’s perfect character and are guilty of rejecting God's loving ways. (Gen 1:27-3:24; Rom 3:9-20, 5:12; 1 John 1:5-10, 2:9-11)
Who Jesus Is: Jesus Christ is the unique divine Son of God, through whom all things were created. As the divine Word made flesh, who perfectly reveals his Father, Jesus is both truly God and truly human. (Heb 1:1-4, Phil 2:5-12, Col 1:15-20, John 1:1-18)
What Jesus Did: To reconcile guilty humanity to himself, God graciously sent Jesus Christ, his Son and Word, who became a man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed the Kingdom of God with power and authority, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, was buried, and rose to life on the third day, as the Scriptures foretold. He ascended into heaven and has been given supreme authority by his Father. He will appear again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. (Matt 1:18-25; Mark 1:15; Luke 23-24; 1 Cor 15:3-8, 24-28; 1 Thess 4:15-5:4)
Salvation: Reconciliation between guilty humanity and our holy God requires atonement and forgiveness, which we can neither earn nor demand. Instead, God graciously offers both to all people through Jesus Christ alone, by means of his perfect life, death, and resurrection. To receive this gift, we must trust God with our sin and God's provision for that sin. We thereby turn from sin toward God in a posture of trust, dependence, and worship. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom 10:9-13; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 2:19)
Baptism: Baptism is a public witness to God's faithfulness and is commanded for those entering the family of God. Those baptised renounce sin and profess a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus. We practice baptism by immersion and on the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:37-39; Rom 6:1-4; Gal 3:26-28)
The Lord's Supper: We also practice the Lord's Supper as a memorial for believers of Jesus' work of reconciliation, symbol of our total dependence upon him, and reminder of his future return. (Mark 14:22-25; John 6:25-69; 1 Cor 11)
Who the Holy Spirit Is: The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus. The Holy Spirit conveys the presence and power of Jesus and his Father, indwelling the people of God and empowering those who patiently seek to know God. The Holy Spirit also pursues and convicts people of their sin. (John 16:8; Rom 8:9; Gal 4:6; 1 Pet 1:11-12; 1 John 4:13)
Evidence of the Holy Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit is evident through life-transformation towards Christ-like character and holy unity in the church. This presence is also evident when the gifts of the Spirit are used to build up the church. The Holy Spirit continues to act in power today, as in the early church. Healing, miracles, signs, and wonders all occur today according to God's redemptive purposes. (John 14:12-14; Rom 5:5; 1 Cor 12-14; Gal 5:13-26; 1 John 4:20)
The Kingdom of God: Those reconciled to God through Jesus are forgiven their sins and granted eternal life. They welcome the Kingdom of God in their own lives and communities by obeying Jesus as Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit. They celebrate reconciled relationship with God and practice love for one another. Those who reject reconciliation with God through Jesus reject divine forgiveness and face eternal punishment, permanently separated from God. (Matt 25:31-46; Luke 12:5; John 3:16, 5:24, 10:27-29)
Other Powers and Authorities: We acknowledge the existence of various powers and authorities, including Satan and demons, that stand in opposition to Jesus and resist his advancing Kingdom. All such powers and authorities have been decisively defeated and subordinated to Jesus, who is Lord of all. (Matt 28:18; 1 Cor 2:6-8, 15:24; Eph 6:12; Col 2:15)
Human Dignity: We affirm the dignity and worth of all human persons, those born and those unborn. (Gen 1:27, 9:6; Ps 8; Jas 3:8-10)
Marriage: We believe in the sanctity of marriage, as a lifelong exclusive covenant between one man and one woman. (Gen 2:23-25; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:21-33)