What We Believe
The Trinity
There is one God who exists as three co-eternal, co-equal persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
​
God is all knowing, all powerful, all wise, all loving, holy, beautiful and perfect
God the Father
God the Father so loved the world He sent his one and only Son into the world to save mankind. He is the one to whom prayer is normally directed, the one who forgives sin on the basis of Christ's payment and the one to whom Jesus will one day give over the kingdom.
God the Son
The Son willingly submitted to his Father, in coming to earth in order to make right what man made wrong. Jesus added a fully human nature to his divine nature, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose three days later. He now sits on his Father's throne and will come back soon to establish his kingdom on earth.
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the agent through whom God works in the world. He made sure the original Scriptures were without error and were exactly what God wanted to be written. As well as giving believers a new nature he prays for them, helps them grow in holiness, connects them with the very life and love of God and guarantees their salvation.
"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matthew 28:19)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
(Galatians 5:22)
The Bible
The Bible is God's supernatural revelation to mankind. It was without error when originally given, and has been faithfully handed down to us. It is all the divine revelation believers need to live a full, faithful and fruitful life.
Creation
God created the universe out of nothing in 6 literal 24 hour days. All of creation was good. This accounts for all the natural beauty, harmony, unity and diversity that the universe exhibits. This also rules out any form of macro-evolution. God continues to sustain his creation.
Mankind
Mankind was created in the image of God. Thus all people, regardless of ethnicity or gender or age, have inherent dignity and worth. Mankind was created for relationship with God. They were created male and female, as hetrosexuals.
Sin
God gave newly created man one command, a test of love, as it were. Man failed this test and so sin entered into the universe and into the very heart of people. Sin refers to rebellion against God in all its forms. The result of sin is death, in all its forms - relational death, spiritual death, physical death. Sin explains all evil, not just evident in history but in every human heart.
"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...and God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:1, 1:31)
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful, increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:27-28a)
"...sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned..."
(Romans 5:12)
Salvation
While mankind is sentenced to all kinds of death because of their sin, God has provided a way of escape. All those who trust in Jesus Christ, the God-man, and believe that he died and rose again to deal decisively with their sin problem, will be saved. The initial salvation from the penalty of sin is followed by ongoing deliverance from the power of sin. One day, when they see Jesus face to face, believers will be saved from the very presence of sin.
Church
The universal church, (which began on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2), refers to everybody who has truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The local church refers to a body of these believers who meet regularly to worship and serve God. Among other things, the church has been commanded to evangelize the world, disciple people, practice believer's baptism and to remember the Lord Jesus' death, resurrection and soon return via a tradition called communion
Angels
God created angels as a higher order being to man. One third rebelled against God under Satan's leadership and are called demons. They seek to destroy people and keep them from believing the truth. The others, angels, worship and serve God in heaven. They also, mysteriously, serve believers on earth.
The Future
Soon the Lord Jesus will return to take the church to be with him in heaven. This is called the Rapture. A seven year tribulation period will then begin on earth known as the Tribulation Period. This time is designed to judge rebellious humanity and humble the nation of Israel so that she will receive Jesus, her Messiah. At the end of the seven years Jesus will return to sit on David's throne in Jerusalem from where he will establish his 1000 year kingdom. This is called the Millennium. After this will come the new heavens and the new earth. All people will live forever, either in heaven or hell.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Then Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war...his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him...Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter'...On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:11-16)
Distinctives
Dispensational
God has a future for ethnic/national Israel in which he will fulfill all the promises he made to them in the Old Testament.
Complementarian
Men and women have been created as equals before God to have complementary roles within the home and the church.
Cessationist
The spiritual gifts detailed in the New Testament are no longer evident today.