We assent to the Doctrinal Statements of the FIEC
The following is the Statement of Faith as shown in our Church Constitution
GOD
There is one God who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in His holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty creator who sustains and governs all things according to His sovereign will for His own glory.
THE LORD JESUS
The Lord Jesus is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and lived a sinless life in obedience to His Father. He taught with authority and all His words are true. He died on the cross in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, whilst redeeming them by His blood. He arose from the dead in that very body that had lain in the tomb. He ascended into heaven where He is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes with the Father on behalf of His people.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply His work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the scriptures. He lives in all believers, bringing assurance of salvation and producing an increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission.
THE BIBLE
God has revealed Himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible, as originally given, is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible is sufficient as it stands. Nothing is to be taken from it neither is anything to be added to it, either by new revelation or by the tradition of man. It contains everything necessary for man’s salvation, faith and life. It has supreme authority as the only rule for faith and practice.
THE HUMAN RACE
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted rendering all spiritually dead and unable to save themselves. All are guilty sinners and hostile to God. Therefore, all are under the just condemnation of God and need to be born again in order to be reconciled to God and to know and please Him.
SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and is neither deserved nor can it be earned. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus and is offered to all through the gospel. Before the foundation of the world, God chose in Christ those who would be saved. In His love He forgives those whom He has chosen and in His infinite grace, grants them faith, leading to repentance. He adopts them into the family of God and gives them eternal life.
THE CHURCH
The church is the body, of which Christ is the head and to which all who are born-again, belong. It is expressed visibly in local fellowships of believers who meet together in the unity of the Holy Spirit for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for pastoral care, evangelism and to serve those in need.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were given to the church by Christ as visible signs of the gospel and for the strengthening of faith.
Baptism of believers by immersion, in obedience to the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, is an outward expression of an inward and spiritual grace, not a means of conveying regenerating grace. As such, baptism may be administered to anyone who professes repentance toward God and bears witness to his faith in Christ as his personal Saviour.
The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice for sin and does not involve any change in the substance of the bread and wine. It is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice which was offered once for all.
THE FUTURE
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The unsaved will be sent to eternal punishment in Hell and the saved will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.