Our Beliefs

The Scriptures

We believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments as originally given. The Scriptures, complete and final, are infallible and have unlimited inerrancy. (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21)

 

The Godhead

We believe that in one living and true God there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance, but distinct in existence. This Holy Trinity being Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

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The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; that He is essential Deity and perfect humanity, and is the only mediator between God and man; that He died for us, arose bodily from the dead, and having ascended to Heaven, performs His High Priestly ministry. (John 1:1-2, 14, Luke 1:35, Isaiah 9:6, 7:14, Philippians 2:5-8, Galatians 4:4-5)

 

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Personality of the Holy Spirit and in His work of reproving the world of sin, of righteousness and judgement to come; that the Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner, indwells believers, and through sealing and sanctifying them, enables them to live in a Christ-like manner. (John 16:8-11, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 1:13-14). We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit (e.g. speaking in tongues, gifts of healing, gifts of prophecies) have ceased in this age. (1 Corinthians 13:8)

 

The Devil 

We believe in the reality and personality of the Devil; that he was created by God and is subject to God; that he rebelled against God, is involved in evil activity against God’s purposes, and that he will be cast into the lake of fire as his final doom.

(Ephesians 6:11-12, Isaiah 14:12-17, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 20:10)

 

Man

We believe that humanity was created, male and female, equal in value and complimentary in role, by God in His image; that sin entered through Adam’s disobedience, and as a result man incurred both physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. We believe that mankind is in a fallen and totally depraved state, and subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.  (Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3,12).

 

Salvation

We believe in the necessity and sufficiency of the Atonement: that salvation is by grace alone, through  faith alone, in Christ alone; that salvation is for the whosoever will, with a responsibility on each individual to either accept or reject the Gospel message. We believe in the justification of the sinner by God’s grace, and in the eternal security and preservation of every true believer.

(Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 1:4-5).

 

The Church

We believe the local church comprises a company of baptised believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism. (Acts 2:42; Acts 14:23, 27; Colossians 1:18). We believe in obedience to the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

We believe in the autonomy of the local church; the offices of Elder and Deacon, and the gifts of Evangelist and Pastor/Teacher.

(2 Corinthians 8:19, 23: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; Ephesians 4:11).

We believe in the priesthood of all believers, and their unity in the body of Christ. (2 Peter 2:5, 9).

 

Baptism

We believe that baptism is the immersion of believers in profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a symbol of identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12).

 

The Lord’s Supper

We believe in the weekly “breaking of bread” by believers as the remembrance of the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ until He comes, the emblems of bread and wine being purely symbolic. (Luke 22:14-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:17-30).

 

The Future State

We believe in the eternal existence of the soul, and in the resurrection of the body; that at death the soul of the believer goes to heaven, and the soul of the unbeliever without Christ suffers eternal conscious punishment and torment in hell.

(Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

 

The Return of Christ

We believe in the eternal, personal, bodily, visible, imminent, pre-millennial and pre-tribulational return of the Lord Jesus Christ. All believers will be caught up to be with the Lord prior to the seven years of tribulation. At the end of the tribulation, Christ will return with His saints to establish His literal kingdom on the earth for 1000 years. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:1-6).

 

Christian Behaviour

We believe it is the responsibility of all believers to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. It is the obligation of every church member to exercise godly discipline in their lives, and to live in separation from the world as taught in Scripture. (Romans 12:1-2; 2 John (9-11).

 

Marriage

We believe that marriage is, by definition, heterosexual; that is, exclusively between a man and a woman, and cannot be redefined.

(Genesis 2:23-25; Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:31).