Declaration of Faith
1.The verbal inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures (both Old and New Testaments) as originally given, being in themselves, and not only containing, the Word of God, without error. Also in their final authority and sufficiency in all matters of faith and conduct in the personal life of the individual christian, and in the corporate life of the Church. (2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16)
2.The unity of the Godhead and the eternal divine coequality of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The sovereignty of God in creation, providence, redemption and final judgement. (John 10:30, 15:26, 16:13-15, Romans 2:6)
3.The total depravity of all human nature in consequence of the fall, making man subject to God's wrath and condemnation; The New Birth (regeneration), through repentance and faith, as being necessary according to the Word of God. (John 3:5&16, Romans 3:23, 6:23)
4.The true and proper deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His real and perfect manhood, the authority of His teaching and the infallibility of all His utterances. His atoning work through His substitutionary suffering and sacrificial death, His physical resurrection and ascension into heaven and His present priestly intercession for His people at the right hand of the Father. (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:31-35, John 10:30, 14:6, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 4:15 & chapters 8, 9 & 10), 1 John 1:9)
5.The justification of the sinner by grace through faith alone in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal salvation of every true believer in Him (John 10:28-29, Romans 5:1-2, Galations 2:16)
6.The return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory. The resurrection of the body and the judgement of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, with the eternal blessedness of the righteous and the eternal punishment of the wicked. (Matthew 25:31-46, John 3:18, 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:12-58)
7.The deity and personality of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of His regenerating work to make the death of Christ effective to the individual sinner, granting him repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; His sanctifying work as He indwells all who believe. Also His work in the local church, empowering and engifting, guiding its government, ministry and worship, according to the word of God. (John 3:5, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 & 14, Ephesians 4:1-14, Galations 5:22-26)
8.The Spiritual Body of which Christ is the head, know as and referred to in the Word of God as 'The Church', and revealing itself as: -
i) The universal church embracing all redeemed true believers called of God through the Gospel, born of the Spirit and justified by faith,
ii) The local Church being a part of the universal Church wherein true redeemed believers find communion and expression of their faith in fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. (Ephesians 4:14, 1 Corinthians 12,13 &14)
9.Christ's ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism by immersion of those who have come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as an ordinance of Divine institution but not conveying regenerating grace. The Lord's Supper as an act of remembrance of our Saviour and His sacrificial work, but not as being a sacrifice for sin nor involving any change in substance of the bread or wine. (Matthew 26:26-29, Luke 22:15-20, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
10.The personality of the devil. (Job 1:6-12, Luke 10:18)
