Statement of faith

THE WORD

The Bible is the infallible Word of God, divinely revealed and written by men chosen and inspired by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3 : 16, 2 Peter 1 : 21).

We know from what we have read in the Bible that all scripture is inspired by God, that men spoke them by the power of the Holy Spirit and that we should not add or take away from scripture.

JESUS IS FULLY GOD

Jesus Christ, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, was fully man and fully God. (Matthew 1 : 18 – 25).

Jesus did not come into existence when he was born in the manger in Bethlehem during the reign of Augustus Caesar. The Bible tells us that his existence has "been from of old, from everlasting", having a glory with God "before the world was." His conception was a unique, supernatural act of the Holy Spirit, making him God, in the form of a man.

JESUS RETURNED TO HEAVEN

He ascended bodily into heaven where God has exalted him as Lord over all. (Luke 24 : 49 - 51, Hebrews 10 : 12).

Jesus ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples as he taught them for the last time. One account tells us that as they looked upwards to where a cloud separated them from their sight, two men (angels) in white garments appeared telling them that he will come again to the earth "in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS THE TRUE GOD

He has revealed himself in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equally co-existing and mutually inseparable. (Isaiah 45 : 22, Matthew 3 : 16-17).

There is only one God. That which may be known about Him can be seen in His Word, His creation and His Son. He is not remote, but actively involved with the world He has made, and accessible only through his Son. He is everywhere at once, knows all things, can do all things and is the Maker of all things and the Father of mankind.

JESUS CRUCIFIED

Jesus was crucified for our sins, he died and was buried. (Matthew 27 : 57 – 60).

It was foretold approximately seven hundreds years before his birth that Jesus Christ would be crucified to pay the penalty for our sins that we could not pay. He was declared dead: "Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead" - the centurion who assisted in his crucifixion, and the people responsible for his burial confirmed it. While buried, the Bible tells us that he "went and preached to the imprisoned spirits" - those people who had died in their sin prior to the coming of Jesus.

JESUS WILL RETURN

He will come again at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead, and to establish his kingdom. (Matthew 25 : 31 -34, 41, 46).

Jesus is currently seated at the right hand of God where he waits for the command to come again to the earth. This time he will come in power, authority and splendour, not as a sacrifice but as judge of all the earth.

CONFESSIONS OF SINS

We believe in confession for the forgiveness of sin. (1 John 1 : 9).

Confession of sins must be made to God alone, and never to a man. Only God can grant the forgiveness that gives salvation. Forgiveness is also at the heart of Christianity. It is made possible only because of what Jesus has done for us and that is why confession to a man, without having a contrite heart towards God does nothing to change your position as a sinner in God's sight.

JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD

He was incarnated to be born as a man so that he could become our saviour. (2 Peter 1 : 16-18).

God is spirit. Jesus already existed in heaven with God as the Son of God before he was born as a man, therefore the title Son Of God does not relate to the physical existence as we understand human relations. Jesus became the visible likeness of the invisible God for our benefit. His identity was first revealed at his baptism when the voice from heaven said "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3), This confirms his equality with God.

JESUS RESURRECTED

He was resurrected bodily on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15 : 3-4).

Jesus' victory over death is at the heart of Christianity; he was dead and is now alive. He remained in the tomb where he was buried until he was brought to life again by the same supernatural power of the Holy Spirit that caused his conception. After his resurrection he was seen over a period of approximately 40 days, interacted with the people around him. Those who doubted the original report of his resurrection were able to touch him and examine the wounds in his hands, feet, and side. If Jesus was not bodily resurrected there can be no hope of salvation. Everyone who dies will be bodily resurrected to stand before Jesus when he returns as judge.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit has been given to all believers by Jesus. (John 14 : 16 – 18).

The Holy Spirit is the third person of God and is equally God. It is he who converts the hearts of people to enable them to become Christian believers and it is by his indwelling presence that believers manifest the character and power of God.