We would like to consolidate out statement of faith to ensure that the language is clear and that there is no need to have multiple versions.
WE BELIEVE IN...
GOD: There is only one God, who exists in a relationship of three persons: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). God has revealed His existence in the creation of the world and in our consciences.
(Matthew 3:16, 28:19; Romans 1:20, 2:14-15; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE BIBLE: God has given us a written revelation of Himself in the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. It is the written Word of God given through humans by the Holy Spirit (inspiration). It is without error as originally given (inerrant), fully reliable (infallible), and our supreme authority for all matters of belief and behaviour. It tells us everything we need to know about God and how we should relate to Him (sufficient).
(Psalm 19:7, 119:96; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 1:14, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3, 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
HUMANITY & SIN: All human beings are made in God’s likeness, with inherent dignity and value. However, all people have been alienated from God and corrupted by sin, because humanity has rebelled against God. So there is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin’s guilt or penalty: death.
(Genesis 1-3; Psalm 8; Mark 7:21; Romans 1:21-25, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3)
JESUS CHRIST: In love and in history, God has taken the initiative to save us by sending His Son, Jesus. Jesus is fully God and fully human. As our representative, He lived a sinless life and died suffering the penalty for our sins on the Cross (atonement). He was resurrected in victory over death. He reigns in heaven today for the sake of His people.
(John 1:1-4, 1:4, 8:58, 17:8; Acts 1:1-11; Romans 3:24-26, 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:31, 4:4-5; Colossians 2:9-15; Hebrews 2:6-17, 9:25-28, 10:11-14; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 4:10)
SALVATION: On the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God freely offers the gift of salvation and eternal life to sinners (grace). Through trusting in Jesus (faith) we can receive forgiveness for sin’s penalty (justification), the subduing of sin’s power so that our lives can be changed (sanctification), and the assurance of our own bodily resurrection to life in the new creation (glorification).
(Romans 5:1-11, 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14)
THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit gives new life (regeneration), in relationship with God as His children, to all who trust in Jesus. He dwells within us and is working with us to transform our minds, desires and actions to be like Jesus in all His beauty (sanctification).
(Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:3-8; 14:15-17, 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:5-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:7; Galatians 5:15-25; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
THE CHURCH: Followers of Jesus belong to the church community. The church exists to worship God; to nurture the growth of Christians through preaching the Bible and celebrating Baptism and Communion; as well as to multiply followers of Jesus to live for God throughout the world by sharing the gospel.
(Matthew 18:15-20; 22:36-40, 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-2)
THE FUTURE: When Jesus returns He will renew creation. He will reward those who have trusted in Him with the blessings of resurrected life, glorifying God and enjoying fellowship with Him forever (Heaven). He will also judge unbelievers, who will face the eternal consequences of their sin: separated from God’s love and suffering God’s just condemnation on evil (Hell).
(Matthew 25:46; John 3:16-18; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 15:24-28, 15:52-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; 2 Peter 3:1-11; Revelation 21-22)
