What we believe

God

There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal Persons: the Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator, Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.

The Bible

The Bible (both Old and New Testaments) was inspired by God through humans and is, therefore, fully reliable, trustworthy, authoritative and sufficient in all matters of faith and conduct.

The Human Race

Humankind was created in the image of God to obey, worship and love him, but rebelled through Adam and Eve, our first parents, with the result that every aspect of human nature has been corrupted. All men and women are, therefore, spiritually lifeless, hostile to God and under his just condemnation. They need to be born again spiritually and reconciled to God.

The Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. On the cross, he died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sins. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all.

Salvation

Salvation is entirely a work of God’s unmerited kindness to humankind. It has been made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all. All who repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are reconciled to God by faith alone, adopted into his family and enjoy eternal life.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ. He convinces people of their sin, imparts spiritual life through the new birth and explains and applies the Bible. He lives within Christians, assuring them of their salvation and helps them be more like Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the Church and Christians.

The Church

All true Christians, whether living on earth or in heaven, belong to the universal (“catholic”) Church with Christ as its Head. It is made visible in local congregations of Christians who are committed to each other for the worship of God, for the teaching of the Bible, for the administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for pastoral care, support and discipline, and for evangelism.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Christ has given baptism and the Lord’s Supper to the Church as visible signs of the Christian faith. Baptism is a symbol of union with, and new life in, Christ and of belonging to his Church. The Lord’s Supper (or “Breaking of Bread” or “Communion”) is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice (of himself on the cross) offered once for all time.

The Christian Life

Christians, through the Holy Spirit, seek to live a life worthy of Christ, to become more like him and to spread the gospel. All Christians are accounted kings and priests in his service.

The Future

The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person in triumph to raise the dead and to judge the world justly. Unbelievers will be sent to eternal punishment and Christians will be taken to be with Christ forever in eternal joy and fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.