Beliefs

The Scriptures

The Bible, Old and New Testaments, is God’s special revelation to mankind and is the sufficient and only infallible rule of faith and conduct. Although men composed the Bible, these writers were moved by the Holy Spirit to write God’s words (verbal and plenary inspiration) without error and without overriding their personalities and education.

Galatians 1:11–12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21

The Trinity

There is only one true and living God, existing as three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Person is divine, distinct, eternal and equally deserving of our worship and obedience.

2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6

Man

God created man and woman in His own image. The chief purpose of their creation was to bring glory to God, but man disobeyed God and incurred the penalty of physical and spiritual death. Adam’s sin is imputed to all humans, and this original sin causes separation from God beginning at the point of conception. Humans are sinners by nature, by choice and by divine declaration. Every unredeemed human is at enmity with God.

Genesis 1:27; Romans 8:8; James 4:4

Salvation

Since sinful man stands condemned before a holy God, God from eternity past decreed to redeem some humans through Christ. The shed blood and death of the Messiah purchased salvation for God’s elect from every generation.

Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 5:9

Christian conduct

Christians are to make it their priority to be found pleasing to the Lord. They are to love God with all their heart and love their neighbour as themselves. They are to be faithful stewards of God’s resources. They have been delivered from sin to be slaves to righteousness. Understanding their new freedom, believers are to obediently serve only the Lord, grow in His grace and knowledge, overcome sin in the pursuit of holiness, separate from worldliness and live blamelessly.

Matthew 22:37–39; 1 Peter 4:10; Luke 16:11

The Church

Jesus Christ is the Head, Builder and Chief Shepherd of the church. His flock is made up of all born-again believers: members of one unified, loving and living spiritual body. Under the supreme authority of Christ, the church has the mandate to encourage and instruct believers through the Word, discipline the unruly, exercise spiritual gifts, pray and fellowship, appoint qualified men to the offices of elder and deacon, and advance the gospel, all under the corporate banner of worship in the name of Christ for the glory of God. The church is also responsible for keeping the Lord’s ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper.

Ephesians 1:22–23; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 8:38

Death

Every human being is destined to die physically. Upon death, believers will immediately be ushered into the presence of God, where they will enjoy heavenly rest and joyful fellowship with Christ for eternity. They eagerly await final glorification, when they will receive their resurrected bodies.

Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 1 John 5:11–12