Statement of Faith

1. The Bible

We believe that the Holy Bible was inspired by God, written by men, and is completely free from error (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Luke 1:1–4). It is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction and reveals the principles by which God will judge us (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12–13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20–21). It includes within it the only way of salvation (Luke 16:29–31; Galatians 1:8,9; 2 Timothy 3:15). It will remain to the end of the world as the supreme standard and final authority by which all matters of life and doctrine should be tested (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Peter 1:23; Psalm 119:44,45,165).

2. The True God

We believe that there is only one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5–7; Mark 12:29). He is the eternal, infinite Creator and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6; Psalm 139:1–16; 147:5; Isaiah 46:10; John 1:3; 21:17; Colossians 1:15–17; Hebrews 11:3). He is merciful, just, and loving, and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his glory (Psalm 145:8–9; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Exodus 15: 11; Psalm 19:1–2; Isaiah 43:7; Jeremiah 13:11; Colossians 1:15–23; Revelation 4:11; 5:9–14).

3. The Trinity

We believe that there is only one God, who exists eternally as three distinct persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16–17; 28:19; Mark 1:9–11; John 10:30; 17:11; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2); each is fully God and equal in every divine perfection, each executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

4. Jesus Christ

We believe the eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 18; 1 John 4:2), being conceived of the Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:34, 35), and is true God and true man (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:6; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 4:2; Luke 2:40,52; John 11:35; Hebrews 5:7–8; 1 John 1:1–3). He is the only incarnation of the one true God, who perfectly reveals God to man. He lived a sinless life, died physically on the cross in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, and was bodily resurrected three days later and thereafter bodily ascended to heaven (Romans 5:19; Gal. 4:4, 5; Matthew 3:15; Philippians 2:7,8; Hebrews 4:15). In his death, he made full atonement for our sins and became our sacrificial substitute, forgiving our sins, absorbing the wrath of God and adopting us into the family of God (Genesis 2:15–17; Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13; Romans 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 15:45, 47; Philippians 3:9; Mark10:45; Hebrews 2:16–17; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).

5. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven by the Father and the Son to glorify Christ and to apply the work of salvation in the lives of people (John 16:14). He convicts the world concerning sin, gives new birth and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ezekiel 36:25– 27; John 3:3,5; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). All true believers have been baptized by the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:1:8; Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13), and he lives within them, bringing assurance of salvation and enabling them to live godly lives according to Scripture (John 14:17; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4–15; Ephesians 1:17–19). He brings believers into the Body of Christ, builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service, and mission (Ephesians 5:18–20). He does this by giving different people in the church different gifts for the building up of the church according to his will (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4–10; Ephesians 4:7–11; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).

6. Man

We believe that the entire human race is created in the image of God. God created male and female, having equal dignity and worth, but distinct roles (Genesis 1:26–27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; James. 3:9). We believe that through the voluntary sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we are all born in sin (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 6:5; Romans 5:10,15; 8:5– 8; Ephesians 2:1–2; 4:17–19). As a result, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice, being by nature utterly void of the holiness required by God and completely inclined to evil. Therefore, the human race is unable to turn to God and is under just condemnation to face eternal punishment without defense or excuse (Romans. 1:18; 2:5; 3:9–19; 3:23; Ephesians 2:3).

7. Salvation

We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and not as a result of works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 4:25; 6:4,11,14; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:20; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Ephesians 1:19–20; 2:5– 6; 1 Peter 1:3). The work of salvation was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ through his life and death on the cross and is freely made available to anyone who believes through the proclamation of the gospel (John 3:16; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:14,15,17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Colossians 1:13; 2:13–15). Because of his love, God elects, predestines, adopts, redeems, forgives (Ephesians 1:7), justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies his people.

8. Justification

We believe that justification is the blessing in which those who believe in Christ are declared righteous (Romans 3:20–28; 8:33). It includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. It is given freely by God, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done but solely through faith in the work of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24). This brings us into peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needed for time and eternity.

9. Sanctification

We believe that every believer has positional sanctification and is promised progressive and ultimate sanctification. Progressive sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10,14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2). It is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and is carried out in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who is the sealer and comforter, in the continual use of spiritual disciplines, including reading and hearing the Word of God, self– examination, and prayer (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Philippians 2:12–13; Ephesians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5).

10. Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved all men and women, regardless of their caste, colour, or creed must be regenerated or “born again.” Regeneration consists of God giving a holy disposition to the mind, and it is caused by the power of the Holy Spirit in a manner beyond our comprehension (John 3:3–7; Titus 3:5–7). This is in connection with divine truth so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (John 5:24). Regeneration is completely a supernatural, internal, spiritual, invisible act of God’s Holy Spirit and cannot be done by force, enticement, or allurement. Its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 2:10; 4:20–24).

11. Assurance of Salvation

We believe that all who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ can have assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ. (John 5:24; 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 5:9–10; 8:1,31–39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:10–13; Jude 24).

12. The Church

We believe that the church is composed of all believers, is the body and bride of Christ formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:4–6; 5:25; Hebrews 12:28; Isaiah 44:22; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:20–28; 4:3; 5:1,21; 8:1,30, 33–34; 10:4,9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 10:14) and exists in two aspects, universal and local (Acts 9:31; 20:28–30; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1–2). The universal church is an elect company of believers, baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body, its mission is to witness to its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations (Matthew 28:19–20; 2 Timothy 2:2). It will be caught up to meet the Lord after which He will return to setup His kingdom (John 14:1–3; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–5:11). The local church is a group of baptized believers who have covenanted to gather regularly to worship God, to observe the ordinances, and to glorify Jesus Christ through a loving effort to disciple others by preaching the gospel and exercising spiritual gifts. The biblical offices in the local church are those of elders and deacons (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22–23; 2:19; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:42; 6:2–3; 20:28; Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Timothy 3:1,8).

13. Spiritual Gifts

We believe that the purposes for which the Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers are for the edification of the church (Ephesians 4:7–12; Romans 12:5–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–31; 1 Peter 4:10–11). We believe that the gift of tongues and the other miraculous gifts are no longer in operation because they were given for the purpose of confirming the Word of God during the time of writing the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:1–11; 13:8–10).

14. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in order to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior in a solemn and beautiful symbol. It symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, and it is a response to the command of Christ (Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12). The Lord’s Supper takes place as believers, by the sacred use of bread and cup, commemorate together the dying love of Christ and is always preceded by solemn self–examination (Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:15–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

15. Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society and those officials are to be prayed for and conscientiously honored. They are to be obeyed except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth (Romans 13:1–7; Deuteronomy 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Daniel 3:15–18; Revelation 19:16).

16. Dispensations

We believe that God has revealed different dispensations or stewardships with corresponding rules of life, of which the present dispensation is the age of grace (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 3:2; 9; Colossians 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:4)

17. Blessed Hope

We believe that according to the Word of God, the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in the Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking. (Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7)

18. The Tribulation

We believe that the translation of the church will be followed by the fulfillment of Israel’s seventieth week, during which the church, the body of Christ, will be in heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:1–10). The whole period of Israel’s seventieth week will be a time of judgment on the whole earth, at the end of which the times of the Gentiles will be brought to a close. The latter half of this period will be the time of Jacob’s Trouble, which our Lord called the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24 (Daniel 9:24–27; Matthew 24:15–31; 25:31–46). We believe that universal righteousness will not be realized previous to the Second Coming of Christ, but the world today is day by day ripening for the judgment and that the age will end with a fearful apostasy.

19. Second Coming of Christ

We believe that the period of Great Tribulation in the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth as He went, in person in the clouds of heaven, and with power and glory to introduce the Millennial Age, to bind Satan and place him in the abyss (Daniel 7:17–27; Revelation 20:1–7), to lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, to restore Israel to her own land and to give her the realization of God’s covenant promises, and to bring the whole world to the knowledge of God (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31–33; Acts 1:10– 11; 2:29–30).

20. The Eternal State

We believe that at death, the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified bodies (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8), when Christ comes for His own, whereupon soul and body be reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35–44, 50–54).