What we believe
There is only one God (Is. 44.6; 45.5,6) which is infinitely perfect (Mt. 5.48; Dt. 32.4) and exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 3.16,17 ; 28.19).
Jesus Christ is both true God and true man (Phil. 2.6-11 ; Heb. 2.14-18 ; Col. 2.9). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and he was born of the Virgin Mary (Mt. 1.18; Lk 1.35). He died on the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitute sacrifice and all who believe in him are justified by his shed blood. He rose from the dead according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15.3-5; 1 Jn 2.2; Act. 13.39). He now sits at the right hand of the Divine Majesty as our High High Priest (Hb. 4.14, 15 ; 9.24-28). He will return to establish his Kingdom of justice and peace (Mt. 25.31-34; Act. 1.11).
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to dwell in the believer (Jn 14.16,17), to guide, teach, and empower him, and to convince the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn 16.7-11; 1 Cor. 2.10- 12).
The Old and New Testaments, without error (inerrancy) as originally transmitted, were verbally inspired by God, and are the complete revelation of his will for the salvation of the world. They constitute the divine and unique rule in matters of Christian faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3.16; 2 Pet. 1.20, 21).
Humanity was originally created in the image and likeness of God (Ge. 1.27). Her disobedience resulted in her downfall, and she thus incurred physical and spiritual death. All humans are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and are saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ro. 8.8; I Jn 2.2). The fate of the unrepentant and unbeliever is eternal existence in conscious torment, but the believer’s inheritance consists of eternal joy and bliss. (Mt. 25.41-46 ; 2 Th. 1.7-10).
Salvation is offered only in Jesus Christ. Those who repent and believe in him are united to Christ by the Holy Spirit and are thus regenerated (born again), justified, sanctified and given the gift of eternal life as adopted children of God. (Titus 3.5-7; Act. 2.38; Jn 1.12; 1 Co. 6.11).
It is the will of God that, in union with Christ, every believer should be fully sanctified. (1 Th. 5.23). Being thus separated from sin and the world and totally consecrated to God, he receives the power necessary to lead a holy life and render effective service towards the completion of the commission of Christ. (Act. 1.8). This is accomplished when the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, which is both a distinct event and a progressive experience in his life. (Ro. 12.1, 2 ; Gal. 5.16- 25).
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural abilities given by God through the exercise of which believers are empowered to serve effectively and directly in particular situations. (1 Cor.12.1-11) They serve the dual function of building up the church and demonstrating the presence of God within his church. (1 Cor.14.1-25)
The healing of our mortal body is possible by virtue of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer for the sick and anointing with Oil, as commanded in scripture, are privileges for the Church Today. (Mt. 8.16, 17; Jas 5.13-16).
The universal Church, of which Christ is the head, includes all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are purchased by his blood, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and commissioned by Christ to go out and testify throughout the world, preaching the gospel to all nations (Eph. 3.6-12 ; 1.22, 23). The local church, a visible expression of the universal church, is a group of believers in Christ who come together to worship God, to practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to pray, to build themselves up through the Word of God, to fellowship and to witness in words and deeds to the Good News of salvation, both locally and globally. Local churches connect with other like-minded churches for accountability, encouragement and missionary purposes (Act. 2.41-47; Hb. 10.25; Mt. 28.19, 20; Act. 1.8; 11.19-30; 15).
There will be a bodily resurrection for the just and the unjust ; for the former, a resurrection to eternal life(I Cor. 15.20-23), for the latter, a resurrection for judgment (2 Thes. 1.7-10).
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be bodily (in his person) and visible (I Thes. 4.13-17). As the blessed hope of the believer, this vital truth is an incentive to holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ’s commission. (1 Cor. 1.7; Titus 2.11-14 ; Mt. 24.14; 28.18-20).