STATEMENT OF FAITH

25 May 2015

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe that the statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the statement of faith. In all conflicts regarding interpretation of the statement of faith, the pastor and leadership team on behalf of the church, have the final authority.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Holy Scriptures -

We believe the Bible is God-inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

The Eternal Godhead -

We believe God is One in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

The Fall of Man -

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but by voluntary disobedience, he fell from innocence and purity. (Romans 5:12)

The Plan of Salvation -

We believe that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, signing the pardon of all who believe on Him. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

Salvation through Faith -

We believe that we have no righteousness and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8)

Repentance and Acceptance -

We believe that upon sincere repentance and a wholehearted acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord, we are justified before God. (1 John 1:9)

The New Birth -

We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a new birth experience. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)

Believer's Baptism -

We believe that baptism by immersion in water is a demonstration of the inward work of salvation. (Matthew 28:19)

Spirit Baptism -

We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to endue the believer with power to overcome sin and to be a fully effective witness. (Acts 1:8)

Daily Christian Living -

We believe that it is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit daily and mature in the faith. ( Galatians 5:16; Hebrews 6:1)

The Gifts/Fruit of the Holy Spirit -

We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon a child of God and that he should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22)

Divine Healing -

We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ to heal physical and emotional affliction through the prayer of faith. ( James 5:14-16)

Laying On of Hands -

We believe the laying on of hands is for blessing, for the prayer of faith, for ministry and for consecration. (Mark 5:23; 10:16; Acts 8:17; 1 Timothy 4:14)

Communion -

We believe the bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body and the cup symbolizes the new covenant in His blood for forgiveness of sin and a relationship with God. (1 Corinthians 11:23-31)

Tithes and Offerings -

We believe the method ordained of God for the support and spread of His Kingdom is through giving tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ -

We believe in the physical return of Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom and rule as King of kings.

The Final Judgment -

We believe that all people shall stand some day before God to receive eternal life or death. ( 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Heaven -

We believe that heaven is the glorious, eternal home of Christ-followers. (John 14:1-3; Revelation 7:15-17)

Hell -

We believe that hell is the place of eternal separation and torment of all who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. (Revelation 20:10, 15)

Additional Beliefs

(i) Marriage

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one, legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenant union, as delineated by Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility owned, leased, or rented by this church and its ordained staff will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man and one woman as their gender was determined at birth. Whenever there is a conflict between the church's position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church's statement of faith and biblical positions will govern. (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:6-9)

(ii) Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of marriage as defined in (i) above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage are sinful perversions of and contradictory to God's natural design and purpose for sexual activity. (Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26- 29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

STATEMENT OF FAITH