Statement of beliefs

There is only one God, who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each of whom is fully God. God is the almighty and loving Creator, Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory. As sovereign creator and redeemer, he is worthy of all glory, honour, and praise.

The Bible consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. The words of the Bible, as originally given, are the inspired and infallible Word of God. The Bible is sufficient for our knowledge of God and salvation, and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

Men and women together are created in God's image, and therefore enjoy a unique dignity. Humanity has been granted dominion over the created order, and has the responsibility of stewardship for creation. From creation, God has ordained marriage as the union of one man and one woman for life. In the fall, humanity turned away from God in disobedience, resulting in physical death and spiritual separation from God. Every person is guilty of sin–rebellion against God–and deserving of God’s righteous anger and condemnation. Human nature is thoroughly corrupted by sin and people are unable to turn themselves to God or live in right relationship with him without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, is both fully God and fully human. As a demonstration of God’s love, he was sent to Earth for our salvation. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, was tempted, and lived a sinless life in perfect obedience to the Father. He suffered and died on the cross. He rose bodily from the dead, and in his resurrected body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as ruler over all.

Salvation is entirely the gracious gift of God to undeserving humanity. It cannot be earned by any good works or achieved by human righteousness. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and sinful humanity. Salvation is accomplished only through the atoning death, once for all time, of Jesus Christ as our representative and substitute. By his death he took on himself the consequences and punishment for human sin, making a way for people to be restored to right relationship with God. This salvation is offered in the gospel and is received by turning to God from sin and trusting in Jesus Christ. Through this faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are declared to be righteous in God's sight.

The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven by the Father and the Son. His role is to bring glory to Jesus Christ. He enables people to turn to God the Father, and to trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. He makes the death of Christ effective to individual sinners, imparting spiritual life. He acts as counsellor and comforter to believers, and witnesses to the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit dwells in all those he has regenerated, working in their minds to illuminate the Bible, producing in them his fruit, granting them his gifts, and empowering them for service. He grants his gifts for the purpose of service and building the church.

The universal church consists of all those who are saved by God’s grace. God has destined that there be one people of God drawn from all the peoples and nations of the world united through faith in Jesus Christ.

The visible church is the community of believers gathered around Christ and his Word for worship, fellowship, edification, and mission. The church is intended by God to bear witness to him and actively seek the extension of his rule. Within the church community both men and women are to seek proper expression of their gifts. In church, as in marriage, the distinctives between men and women are to be expressed within relationships of mutual dependence and service. Only biblically qualified men are to take on the role of senior pastor or to preach in the regular public assembly.

At a time in the future known only to God, the Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. He will execute God's condemnation on all who have not turned to God through Jesus Christ, and he will welcome his people into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. On that day all sin, suffering and death will be completely destroyed, and God will be glorified forever.