BELIEFS

The Bible

We believe the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters of faith and life, that it is divinely inspired, without error in every word, and completed as originally delivered. (2Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:116).

God

We believe in the one God, Creator of all things, eternal, holy, and sovereign, existing in three equal Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; John 4:24).

The Person and Work of Christ

We believe in the total depravity of man who cannot save himself (Romans 3:10); in election according to the foreknowledge of God (2 Thessalonians 2:13); in the Virgin Birth of Jesus, (Matt. 1:18-25); in the Deity of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8); His sinless life (Hebrews 4:14-15); in the all sufficiency of His sacrificial death (1 Peter 3:18); in His bodily resurrection (Luke 24); in justification by faith alone through the righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:1); in the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and sanctification (John 16: 8-11; Romans 8:13); in the maintaining of good works (Ephesians 2:10); and the divine preserving of the saved to be finally perfected in the image of Christ (I Peter 1:5).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is by the grace of God. We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ given for us on the cross paid the full penalty for our sins and provides the sole basis for God’s forgiveness. Salvation occurs when an individual turns from sin and self to Christ and places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for sin. (Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:22; 5:9; 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus' Return

We believe in the visible and actual Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). We believe in the resurrection of the dead in Christ to eternally live in the manifest presence of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16; I Corinthians 15:42-44; 51-53; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). We believe in the resurrection to judgment and everlasting punishment of unbelievers (John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6,7; Revelations 20:11-15).

The Church

We believe a New Testament Church is a community of baptized believers voluntarily associated for the ministry of God’s Word and prayer; the observance of the ordinances of Baptism (immersion) and the Lord's Supper; for mutual edification and care; for the advancement of the Gospel to the ends of the earth; and whose leadership consists of pastors (elders) and deacons. (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13).

Christian Living

We believe that the Word of God teaches that a believer’s life is to be totally devoted and useful to Christ, characterized by a deep love for the family of God as well as neighbours; and different from the world through freedom from the power of sin as well as the avoiding of practices which are harmful in their spiritual influence personally and/or a spiritual hindrance to others (Romans 6: 22; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 13:12-13; 14:13,20-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 1:13-16).

RELATIONSHIPS

We believe God’s Word teaches and confirms that marriage is the union of one (1) man and one (1) woman to the exclusion of all others. (Genesis 2:21-24; Proverbs 18:22; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:4-6). We believe further that a believer should neither marry an unbeliever, nor enter into any deeply influential alliance with an unbeliever. (Ezra 9:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1)