- We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, written down by the apostles and prophets as inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit guiding that work (2 Peter 1:21), so that it is without error and provides all we need to live a life pleasing to God (2 Peter 1:3). It has been accurately preserved through the centuries and faithfully translated into English by careful scholars and linguists. It teaches us how God in love sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world, and that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life (John 3:16).
- We believe in One God who eternally exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father planned our salvation and sent His only Son to die on the Cross to pay the penalty of our sin (Ephesians 1:3-7). The Spirit convicts us of our sin (John 16:8) and when we respond in faith, applies the work of Christ to our lives to cleanse us from our sin (Titus 3:5-7).
- We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man; that He was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35); that He lived a perfect, sinless life (1 Peter 2:22); and that He died on the cross for our sins, and rose again the third day, in fulfilment of prophecy (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
- We believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). As God in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), He is uniquely qualified to be our substitute and to take away our sin (1 Peter 2:24). His resurrection and ascension to God the Father’s right hand assures us of our salvation (Romans 4:25; Hebrews 7:25). This salvation is a gift of grace, and cannot be earned by any merits of our own; it is neither by good works nor by a good life (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works are rather the grateful response of our hearts (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8).
- We believe that when God saves us by His grace, He gives His Holy Spirit to enable us to live in a way that pleases Him (Luke 24:49). He gives to us a new heart, with new desires: a love for His Word, a love for His people, and a desire to speak with others about Him.
- We believe that the Bible is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. In the book of Acts, we find the earliest history of the church founded by Jesus Christ and in the epistles we find the instructions given to the church by the apostles. These writings demonstrate a simplicity of order, with Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), each local church being accountable to Christ (Revelation 1:20), and elders/overseers responsible for shepherding these churches (1 Peter 5:1-4).
For a fuller explanation of our beliefs and practices, check out our Statement of Faith.