What we believe
Articles of faith
1. God
We believe there is one true and living God. That God is Creator, Preserver, and Sovereign of the Universe. That HE is infinite in every excellence. That in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons: FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of Redemption. That HE is worthy of all possible honour, confidence, and love.
2. jesus christ
We believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD, and GOD the SON. That HE is the Captain of our Salvation, the HEAD of the CHURCH, the JUDGE of all men. We believe in HIS Virgin Birth, Sinless Life, Vicarious Death, Bodily Resurrection and Ascension, and Second Coming for HIS Saints at the Rapture, and later with HIS Saints to set up HIS Kingdom on the earth. He is our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, the only ONE we need to recognise.
3. holy spirit
We believe that the HOLY SPIRIT is a DIVINE PERSON: Equal with GOD The FATHER and GOD the SON and of the same nature; that HE was active in the Creation; that in HIS relation to the unbelieving world HE restrains the Evil One until GOD’S purpose is fulfilled; that HE convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that HE bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that HE is the Agent of the New Birth; that HE seals, baptizes, endues, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
4. holy bible
We believe the whole BIBLE, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 inclusive, is the verbally inspired and infallible WORD OF GOD. That it is a complete and final revelation of the will of GOD to man; and that it is the ONE and ONLY sufficient and perfect rule of faith and practice.
5. man
We believe that man was created by a distinct and direct act of GOD, not evolved. That he was created innocent, but by voluntary transgression fell from this state in consequence of which all mankind are now by nature, sinners, totally depraved, and under the reign of condemnation and death.
6. salvation
We believe that any sinner, who, by faith, throws himself upon the mercy of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, will be saved. The Process of this is the New Birth; the Agent of it is the HOLY SPIRIT; the Justification of it is CHRIST’S death as the sinner’s substitute; the Fullness of it is Sanctification; the Occasion of it is Repentance and Faith; the Manner of it is Pure Grace; the Benefits of it are Eternal Life, and can never be lost; the Purpose of it is to Glorify God through JESUS CHRIST.
We believe that Christ died equally for all men (i.e. “unlimited redemption”).
7. the church
We believe that the TRUE CHURCH consists of all those, and only those, who are Born Again from Pentecost (Acts 2) to the first resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:52). It is fully known to GOD alone.
A local Church is an assembly of scripturally baptized (immersed) believers, associated by Covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; serving the ordinances of Christ, governed by HIS laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by HIS WORD. Its scriptural officers are Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons; its duty and privilege is to glorify and honour the LORD JESUS CHRIST before GOD and man.
The Local Church has the absolute right of self-government, free from all interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; its ONE and ONLY HEAD is CHRIST. When such Churches co-operate, each Church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation. On all matters of membership, polity, and discipline and benevolence, the will of the Local Church is final. In function, the Church is to be Executive of the will of CHRIST, not legislative.
8. ordinances
We believe there are two Ordinances for the Church:
1. BAPTISM. This is the immersion in water of believers into the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. This shows forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen LORD JESUS CHRIST, with its effect in our death to sin, and resurrection to a new life; and it is prerequisite to the Lord’s Supper.
2. THE LORD’S SUPPER. In this the members of the CHURCH, by sacred use of unleavened bread and the “fruit of the vine”, commemorate together the death of CHRIST, “till He come”.
9. perseverance of the saints
We believe that a persevering attachment to CHRIST and a profound regard for the things of CHRIST distinguish real believers from mere superficial professors. That a special Providence watches over the welfare of the saints, and that they are “kept by the power of God…” We believe that a Christian’s conduct cannot effect his eternal destiny, but that it does, however, affect his fellowship with the Lord, his enjoyment of Salvation, his usefulness to the Church, his helpfulness to other souls; and that persistence in unbecoming conduct brings chastening from the Lord.
10. eternal destiny
We believe that beyond death there is endless and unalterable experience of conscious suffering for the lost, and of conscious blessedness for the saved.
11. satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed Heavenly honours, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell from it and drew after him an host of angels. That he is now the unholy god of this world; he is man’s great tempter; the enemy of GOD and HIS CHRIST, the author of all false religions, and the power back of the present apostasy; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of GOD’S SON and the judgment of an eternal justice of Hell, a place prepared for the devil and his angels.
12. creation
We believe in the Genesis account of Creation. That it is to be accepted literally, not figuratively or allegorically. That man was created directly in GOD’S OWN IMAGE and after HIS LIKENESS; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and that God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind”.
13. civil government
We believe that Civil Government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our LORD JESUS CHRIST: WHO is the only LORD of the Conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
14. finally
We believe in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural CHRIST, WHO had a supernatural birth, Who lived a supernatural life; WHO spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who died a supernatural death, WHO rose in supernatural power, WHO ascended in supernatural glory, WHO interceded in supernatural priesthood, and WHO will one day return in supernatural victory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.