Doctrinal Statement

Summary

The doctrinal position of the Church can best be categorised as evangelical.
Basic to this position are 3 fundamentals:

*  God exists, and He seeks to be involved in the world and in our lives
*  we can come to God because of the redemptive work of Jesus
*  the Bible is true, and it is God's 'word of love' to reveal Himself and to guide us.

DOCTRINAL BASIS
The following summary of our beliefs in no way supplants the supreme authority of the Scriptures as the basis for our faith and practice. The references cited are intended as a study guide only and do not represent the entirety of scriptural teaching on the given subject.

1. The Scriptures - The Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books making up the Old and New Testaments, in their original writings were given by inspiration of God, and are the infallible and authoritative Word of God. 2 Tim 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20.

2. God
Unity. There is only one God the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfection and being infinite in them all. To Him everyone owes the highest love, reverence and obedience. Isaiah 43:10-13, 1 Tim l:17.

Trinity. God is revealed as Father, Son (or Word) and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. Mk 28:19, John 10:30-33, John 20:28, 2 Cor 3:17-18

Creation. God created all things from nothing. Adam and Eve were created by God in His own image in perfect righteousness. Gen 1-2, Col 1:16, Heb 11:3

Providence. God continually governs all Creatures and events, working out His plan for all Creation. Yet God is in no way the author or approver of sin, nor does He remove the responsibility of man for his own sin. Psalm 22:28, Romans 8:28

3. Satan (the Devil) - Satan is a malignant spirit being who is always hostile to God, His Work and His people. Mark 1:l3, 1 Peter 5:8.4. The Fall of ManThe sinful condition into which man fell consists of original sin, which is that tendency to sin which pollutes every area of life; and its outworking, actual sins which all res- ponsible people have committed. Thus, while God gives man responsible freedom, man requires the Grace and Power of God to repent of sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Gen 3:1-24, Romans 3:23.5. God's Grace and our Salvation

The Mediator. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, is the only appointed Mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature and being born of the Virgin Mary, He, without sin, perfectly fulfilled the law and suffered and died on a cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose again and ascended to the Father above. He continually intercedes for His people. He is the Prophet, Priest and King of His Church and Sovereign of the universe. 1 Cor 15:3-8, 1 Tim 2:5-6.

Regeneration and Calling. Regeneration (the new birth) is the implanting of a new nature by the Holy Spirit. God calls sinners into fellowship with Jesus Christ by His Word and His Holy Spirit, their minds being spiritually enlightened and their wills and affections being renewed. John 3:5-7, Eph 1:1-14, 2 Thess 2:13-15.

Repentance. The repentant person, by the Holy Spirit, is convicted of the evil of his sin and humbled because of it with Godly sorrow, causing a hatred of it and a purpose to endeavour to walk before God so as to please Him in all things. 2 Chron 7:14, Acts 2.38

Faith. Faith is an attitude of complete trust in Christ, of reliance on Him alone for all that Salvation means. Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-13, Eph 2:8-10

Justification and Adoption. Justification is an act of God's free grace whereby He pardons sin and accounts us righteous.  This is not based on anything done by man, but only on the Righteousness of Christ imputed and received by faith alone. The justified person is adopted into the Family of God. John 1:12, John 6:29, Romans 5:1, Eph 1:5.

Sanctification. Those who are united to Jesus Christ are being renewed in their whole nature after the image of God. It is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in all believers. They are then enabled to pursue a life of holiness in obedience to all the commands of  Christ, though never attaining to perfection in this life. Phil 3:12, 1 Thess 5:23

Security. Those whom God has accepted in Christ and sanctified by His Spirit will never totally or finally fall away from a State of grace. John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39.

4. God's Church - Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church, which is composed of God's people in every age. According to God's Word, Christians are to gather in local Churches. To each of these Churches He has given authority for administering order, discipline and worship. Eph 2:19-20,1 Peter 2:4-12

Baptism. Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus obligatory on every believer, in which the believer is immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, and of the remission of sins. Mt 28:19. Romans 6:4.

The Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, to be administered with the elements symbolising His broken body and shed blood. It is to be observed by His Church until He returns. Its purpose is to commemorate Christ's death, to confirm the faith and the character of Christians, and to be a bond and a renewal of their communion with Christ and their fellow believers. 1 Cor 11:23-29

5. The Christian  Life - God has commanded us to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. The Christian's guide is laid down in the Scriptures. Mark 12:30-31, John 13:34.

The Lord's Day. The Scriptures command us to meet together regularly with other believers. We thus seek to honour "the Lord's Day". Hebrews 10:25. Rev 1:10

The State. Civil Government is ordained of God and it is the duty of Christians to obey such Government, except in cases where its rule is in clear contradiction to Scripture. Christians are to pray for their Government Leaders. Romans 13:1-7, 1 Tim 2:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13-14

6. Things to Come

The Return of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in a visible, personal and bodily manner. Acts 1:10-11, 1 Thess 4:16-17, Heb 9:28

Resurrection. The bodies of men return to dust after death, but their spirits return immediately to God; the justified to rest with Him, the wicked to be reserved until the judgement when all the dead  will be raised. John 5:28-29, Rev 20:11-15

The Judgement. God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world through Jesus Christ, when everyone shall be judged according to their deeds. The wicked will go into everlasting punishment in hell with the devil and his angels. The justified, with glorified bodies, will live and reign with Christ forever. Mr 25:31-46, John 12:48, Rev 20:10, Rev 22:1-5