What we believe
There is only one true God who is the eternal King, Creator and Redeemer of all that is. He is perfectly holy, just, loving and truthful. He has revealed himself to be eternally self-existent – one being in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Bible is the inspired and authoritative and only infallible word of God.
Mankind was created in the image of God to know and enjoy him; yet we wilfully rejected the Lordship and glory of God for which we were intended. Because of this, sickness, death, suffering and judgment entered the world and now creation experiences the effects and consequences of sin.
The Lord Jesus Christ the one and only Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin, Mary, and is God’s Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit to inaugurate God’s kingdom on earth. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, was resurrected and ascended into heaven, and is now alive today in the presence of God the Father and in his people. He is “true God” and “true man.”
We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Anyone can be restored to fellowship with God through repenting, believing and receiving Jesus as their Saviour and King. The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, justifies, adopts and empowers us as we enter the kingdom of heaven as his sons. This involves us being baptised in water and receiving the Holy Spirit – usually through the laying on of hands.
The sanctifying power of the indwelling Holy Spirit enables the believer to live a holy life and minister supernaturally. The baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4, is poured out on believers that they might have God’s power to be his witnesses.
The victorious redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides freedom from the power of the enemy – sin, lies, sickness and torment.
The church consists of all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. He gave his church the ordinances of baptism and communion. The church exists to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ and further advance his kingdom by undoing the works of the enemy, preaching and living the good news of God’s love, discipling the nations, baptising and teaching them to love and obey God.
God’s government is ever increasing and we look for the blessed hope, which is the glorious and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign with his overcoming bride – the church.
There will be a resurrection of the saved and the lost; God will bring eternal life and reward to the faithful and divine condemnation to the disobedient. He will establish a new heaven and new earth (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 21-22).
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Note A: BELIEVER'S BAPTISM
In Bible times baptism was an every day Greek word. It was used for dyeing a garment; filling a bucket; for someone overwhelmed with grief. It means to 'dip' or 'immerse' or to be placed 'down into' something (Jn. 3:22-23; Act. 8:38-39). There is the thought of washing (ActS 22:16) and burial with Christ – we become one with Jesus in salvation history (Romans 6:3-4). It is also a command of the Lord Jesus - that we are baptised after we have repented and believed (Matthew 28:16-20). We may not be totally sure when we first believed, but we can always look back to our baptism as a clear point when we set out to follow Christ. God will bless the obedience of our faith. If we know we should be baptised but are quite unwilling, have we truly made Christ Lord of our lives? Do we merely call him "Lord, Lord"? We practice ‘believer’s’ baptism – not ‘adult’ baptism. We are not looking for a certain level of holiness or understanding in any prospective candidate; rather, we are looking for faith in Jesus Christ.
Note B: RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
Christ is the one who 'drenches' us with the Spirit (Matthew 3:11). If Christ chose to be utterly dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit, surely we need him more? (Matthew 3:16)
'Christ' means 'the Anointed' or 'the One empowered by God'.
The Holy Spirit reassures us that we are truly accepted in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14). His coming ushers us into a miraculous relationship with God (Romans 5:5; 8:15-16).
He empowers us for supernatural life and service (Acts1:8; John 14:12).
If the New Testament believers didn't receive the Spirit when they first believed the apostles made sure that they received him later (Acts 2:4; 8:14; 10:45; 19:2, 6).
This wonderful gift is for all God's children (Acts 2:38-39).
We need to go on being filled so that we may overflow Jesus Christ everywhere we go (Ephesians 5:18).
