THE GODHEAD

There is one God, but there are three distinct persons whom we call God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  They exist individually co-equal with each other but at the same time are the one God.  He is Creator of all things. He has existed throughout all time.  He is all knowing and all-powerful.  He is just and never changes

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Holy Spirit is sent by God to convict men of the truth of all things and to glorify God.  His blessing is given to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and His presence within encourages, guides and teaches the believer to behave like the Lord Jesus Christ.  His influence and our obedience to God produce in the believer love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  The presence of these behaviours, called fruit, is the mark of a believer along with the confession of Jesus as Lord.  He may impart special gifts to believers that bring glory and honour to God and that benefit the Church.

THE BIBLE.  

The Bible is the message of God to mankind and reveals to us the living Word of God.  It has been inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by human hands.  It is the basis for all that we believe, and we hold only to the truth contained within.  We recognize the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament as inspired scripture.

THE CHURCH.  

The Church consists of all people who believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.  The Church is also called the Body of Christ.  The head of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Each local congregation of the Church is made up of believers who meet to worship God together, to share fellowship with one another, to encourage one another, to teach and explore biblical truths and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to all mankind.  

HUMANKIND.  

God created humankind in order to share fellowship with us.  However, humankind turned away from God and disobeyed His commands.  This disobedience is called sin.  For this reason, we are all under his Judgement and deserve death.

THE LORD’S SUPPER.  

The local assembly of believers unite in their love of Christ and share the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion or Breaking of Bread.  This is the sharing together of bread and wine as symbols in commemoration of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and is a memorial to His death until He comes again.  It is a command of Jesus that we remember Him in this way.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST:  

The Lord Jesus Christ is the human incarnation of God the Son.  He was with God in the beginning and is the Creator of all things.  He was born on Earth to a virgin and became fully man.  He lived on Earth in obedience to Scripture and to His Father’s commands: in so doing He performed many miracles and fulfilled the prophecies in scripture concerning Him.  He was executed by men on a cross as though a criminal.  He was laid in a tomb and then was raised to life on the third day.  He appeared to many people and then He later ascended into the heavens. He reigns as King even now.  

BAPTISM.

Baptism by water is an outward symbol of personal repentance and a personal faith in Jesus Christ.  It also symbolizes the recognition of an individual as a part of the Church.  The act of baptism does not in any way impart salvation, but it is an outward sign of inward Grace.  It is a command of Jesus that believers be baptized.

SALVATION.  

Jesus’ death on the cross was in the place of each believer.  His substitution is accepted by God as payment for the punishment we deserve for our disobedience to Him, but only if we place our faith in Him.  Only God can grant us this gift – we can in no way earn His favour by any work of our own.  This is called Grace and it is the love of God granted to us undeservedly.  The proof of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice is the Resurrection.  Through His resurrection, Jesus has become the Saviour of the World.  Through His salvation, we live in the Hope of our own resurrection to life eternal.

THE FUTURE.  

At the end of days, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to our world in power and glory.  All the people who have died will be raised to life. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire, along with Satan, Death and the Grave.  The Righteous shall live with Jesus as King forever.