STATEMENT OF FAITH:

 

1. The Holy Scriptures: (Bibliology)

   We believe:

1. that Scripture in its original form is composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments;

2. that the Holy Spirit of God inspired and influenced the writers, so that these writings are the Word of God;

3. that Scripture, by virtue of the Divine origin and inspiration of its words, is credible and inerrant in all that it states and confirms;

4. that these parts of Scripture (the Old and New Testaments) are the final revelation of God to His people;

5. that every direct translation is faithful to the original writings, and that has been declared with responsibility, clearly revealing the truths necessary for our salvation, a God-fearing lifestyle and maturity in Christ;

6. that Scripture alone is our sufficient, final, and supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice;

7. that so-called contradictions between translations and Bible books are defended and explained by Scripture itself;

8. and that no other writings, visions, dreams, and so-called prophecies may be substituted for the Holy Scriptures in the preaching and revelation to the congregation.

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1. Rom. 3:2; Matt. 5:18; Luke 24:27; Rev. 22:18-19; Deut. 4:1-2; Prov. 30:5-6;

2. 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Luke 1:70; Acts 1:16; 3:18; Eph. 6:17; Hebr. 3:7;

3. John 10:35; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 14:26;

4. Matt. 24:35; Rom. 3:2; Acts 7:38; 1 Cor. 9:8-10; 4:6; Deut. 4:1-2; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19;

5. 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:16; Acts. 17:11; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Ps. 19:8-15;

6. Jude 3; Luke 16:29-31; Matt. 4:1-4; Mark 7:9-13; Rom. 15:4;

7. 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet.1:20-21;

8. Jer. 23:28; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3; 2 Cor. 4:2-5.

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2. God the Father: (Theology Proper)

We believe:

1. in one God who exists from eternity in three equal Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

2. each Person of the Trinity is fully and equal to God, while they are unique in their Person and work;

3. that this triune God is perfect, eternal, and Sovereign in His essence;

4. that God had already decided before creation to save sinners through the sacrifice of His Son. According to His sovereign plan, He appointed Christ to rule over history and unite everything under one Head, namely Christ;

5. that all that consists of Him, through Him, and unto Him, is created to manifest the glory of His wonderful Name;

6. that God's sovereign rule extends over all world rulers, powers, and principalities, including Satan and his fallen angels;

7. and that God does not share His honour with others.

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1. Deut. 6:4; Is. 46:9; 1 Cor. 8:6; 1 Tim. 2:5; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Matt. 14:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rev. 1:4-6;

2. John 1:1-3, John 3:16; 1 Cor. 8:6, 1 Cor. 12:4-5; Gal. 4:4-6; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet.1:1-2;

3. 1 Tim. 6:15-16; Is. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15; Deut. 7:9; Ps. 86:15; Ps. 89:15; Ps. 117; Rom. 8:37-39; 1 John 4:16; Rom. 11:33-36; 1Tim. 1:17; Is. 55:9; Rom. 16:27;

4. John 3:16; Eph. 1:4-5, 11, 13; 1 Tim. 1:15; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8; Gen. 50:20; Is.9:7; 46:8-11; Dan. 4:35; Acts 17:26; Eph. 1:10

5. Is. 48:11; Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:5, 6, 14; 2:7; Rev. 5:13

6. Job 1-2, Eph. 1: 20-22; 3:10; 6:12; Col. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:22

7. Is. 42:8; 48:11; John 5:23.

 

3. Creation:

We believe:

1. that God in the beginning created all things, visible and invisible in six days, sovereign, and took delight in them;

2. that He made man exclusively male and female to be His image bearers. He created them with an equality and called them to rule over and care for His creation;

3. that man's life is sacred to God, that it begins at conception and must not be terminated by a man at any time, because only God gives life and takes life;

4. that God created marriage as an exclusive, lifelong unit of mutual submission between a man and a woman that is grounded on the principle of complementarianism. The man as head must responsibly and lovingly take the lead and as her husband’s helper, the wife should support him and submit to him;

5. and that the first man, Adam, sinned and thereby incurred himself - and all men - the penalty of physical and spiritual death. Because of Adam's sin, all people are guilty and punishable before God by nature and by choice.

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1. Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11; Gen. 1:1, 31

2. Gen. 1:26-31; Mark 10:6; Jak. 3:9

3. Gen. 9:6; Ps. 119:73; Ps. 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Is. 42:5; Zech. 12:1 12:1; Luke 1:41; 1 Sam. 2:6; Job 1:21; Ex. 4:11

4. Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5-6; Eph. 5:22-31; Hebr. 13:4; Lev.18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:26- 27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11

5. Gen. 3:6-8, 16-19; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-19, 23; Rom. 5:12,17; Rom. 7:9; 1 Cor.15:22; Eph. 2:3.

 

4. The Son of God: (Christology)

 We believe:

1. that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and who is Himself fully God;

2. He became fully human in the fullness of time. The fullness of God dwells in Him bodily, and He was like us in every way, but without sin;

3. that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and that His name was called Jesus (meaning "God saves");

4. that He is therefore the perfect and only Mediator between God and man;

5. that Jesus Christ is the complete and exclusive manifestation of God's essence.

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1. Ps. 2:7; John 1:1; 1 John 1:1-2

2. John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:5-8; Hebr. 2:14; 4:15; Col.1:15-19; 2:9

3. Luke 1:31, 35; Matt. 1:21; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:47-48; Col.1:19; Col. 2:9

4. John 14:6; Eph. 2:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Hebr. 9:15; 12:24; 1 John 2:1;

5. John 1:18; 14:9.

 

5. The Life and Death of Jesus Christ: (Doctrine of Atonement)

We believe:

1. that the Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, that He was perfectly obedient to His Father in every way, and that He ushered in the promised Kingdom of God in all His words and deeds;

2. that for the joy that was set before Him, He offered Himself as the perfect, substitute, and atoning sacrifice for sinners who believe in Him;

3. that He triumphed over sin, death, and all the powers of evil, and thus redeemed for Himself a people from every tribe, language, and nation;

4. that the Son of God on the cross had to endure God's wrath over our sins;

5. that His shed blood (as the proof of His death) is the only basis for our salvation, as well as the greatest revelation of God's glorious grace to us.

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1. Is. 53:7-9; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:22; Hebr. 4:15; 1 John 3:5;

2. Is. 53:5-12; Rom. 3:23-25; 2 Cor. 5:21; Hebr. 9:14; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:2;

3. John 12:31; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; Hebr. 2:14; 9:26; Eph. 1:11-14; Col. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 5:9; 7:9;

4. Is. 53:5-6; Matt. 27:45-46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Rom. 5:9; Hebr. 9:14, 22; 1 John 4:10;

5. Rom. 8:32; Eph. 1:5-7; Col. 1:14, 20; Hebr. 9:22; Rev. 5:9.

 

6. Jesus Christ's Resurrection, Ascension and Second Coming: (Eschatology)

     We believe:

1. that the Lord Jesus was crucified, buried, and physically raised from the dead on the third day with a glorified body;

2. that He was glorified as the First Fruit of God's new creation; that He ascended to Heaven where, as Ruler of all things, He sits at the right hand of the Father;

3. that He currently intercedes as eternal High Priest and Advocate for all who are drawn to God by Him;

4. that He Himself will return visibly, bodily, and triumphantly in glory to judge those who are still alive and those who are already dead.

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1. Acts 2:32; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:17, 23

2. 1 Cor. 15:20; Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:22

3. John 1:12-13; John 14:16; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 8:34; Hebr. 7:25

4. Matt. 24:29-30; Luke 17:24; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 John 2:28; 2Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet.4:5; Rev. 1:

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7. The Holy Spirit: (Pneumatology)

We believe:

1. that the Holy Spirit is God; the third Person in the Holy Trinity who gives eternal life, shaped the world, and validated specific individuals for His purpose. He is speaking through the Holy Scriptures;

2. that God anointed Jesus Christ with the Spirit for His ministry; that at Pentecost He gave the Spirit to the Church to dwell in us, to guide us, and to unite us. We believe that every believer has received a gift for various works of service;

3. that all believers receive the Holy Spirit in His fullness when born again;

4. that the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, helps believers understand the Word, and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Spirit unites us with Jesus and transforms the Christian into conformity to His image through the process of sanctification;

5. that the Holy Spirit pours out God's love into believers' hearts, enabling them to pray and witness to Him. God sealed His children with the Holy Spirit for the day He will redeem their bodies;

6. that the Holy Spirit will give gifts to all believers in Christ as He wills. He does this for the orderly edification of the church, which is characterized by the fruits of the Spirit;

7. that any gift/s that manifests and or is practiced in such a way as to move beyond the scope of God's final and complete revelation in Christ, or to affect the absolute authority of Scripture, must be rejected.

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1)    Rom. 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:6, 17-18; John 6:63; Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps. 33:6; Ex. 35:30-31; Num. 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:10;      

2 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; Hebr. 3:7; 2 Tim. 3:16

2)    Is. 61:1; Matt. 3:16; Luke 4:18; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 10:38; Rom. 8:11, 14; Eph. 4:3-4, 11, 12; Rom. 12:4- 7;

1 Cor. 12:7-11

3)    1 Cor. 12:13, Rom. 8:15; Gal 4:6

4)    John 16:8, 13-14; 1 Cor. 2:9-16; Eph. 1:17-18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19; Gal. 5:2-23

5)    Rom. 5:5; 8:26-27; Eph. 6:18; Acts 1:8; 2 Kor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30

6)    1 Cor. 12:4-6; Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4 :12-16; 1 Pet. 4:10; 1 Cor. 14:40

7)    1 Cor. 12-14.

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8. Sin and Man:

Anthropology: (The Doctrine of Man)

We believe:

1. in the literal version of creation, that man was created by God as the crown of God's creation;

2. that man was created in the image of God and was commissioned to rule over creation;

3. that the image of God in man is expressed and lived through relationships, creative action and accountability to God and man;

4. that man, through his disobedience, has fallen from his state of perfect creation into a state of radical/total depravity;

5. that by his act of sin, by one man, death came into the world. Through this one act of sin, sin was passed on to all men and that all men are spiritually dead from birth;

6. that man falls into two categories, namely, those who are saved and those who are lost.

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1. Gen.1:26-27;

2. Gen. 1:28-30, 2:7;

3. Gen. 2:15-17; 2: 21-25;

4. Gen. 3:6,19, 4:8, Psalm 51:7;

5. Gen. 3:23-24; Rom. 5:6, 12; Eph. 2:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5;

6. Rom. 8:1-14; Joh. 3:18, 36; 1 John 3:10, 5:11-13.

 

Hamartiology: (The Doctrine of Sin)

We believe:

1. that sin is the failure of any attempt to meet God's moral standards of perfection, in essence, action and attitude;

2. that through the deception of Satan in the Garden of Eden, man, through his disobedience and thoughtless actions, has come to a fall of utter depravity;

3. that the basis of ultimate and complete victory over sin can only be found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ;

4. that those who believe in Jesus Christ are declared righteous, based on Christ's perfect work on the Cross;

5. that the ultimate completion of our salvation will be accomplished at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

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1. Gen. 6:5; Is. 64:6; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 7:23; Rom. 3:23-24;

2. Gen. 3:1-7; 6:5; Psalm 14:1-4; 51:7; 53:1-3; Rom. 3:9-18; 5:20-21, 7:17-18; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:14;

3. Rom. 5:1,9, 15-17; 6:1-2, 6-7, 23; 1 Cor. 15:3,17;

4. John 1:29; Rom. 8:2; 4: 20-25; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal 3:6;

5. Rom. 7:24-25; 1 Cor.13:10-12; 15:50-53; 1 John 3:2.

 

Salvation: (Soteriology)

We believe:

1. by virtue of Jesus' finished work on the cross and through the persuasive work of the Holy Spirit, every born-again person, who believes in Jesus and accepts the Gospel message, becomes a new creature;

2. on this basis, sinners receive forgiveness of sin and eternal justification through Jesus’ shed blood;

3. this justification and forgiveness lead to repentance as a condition of salvation and the first sign of sanctification without which no one will see God (the Lord);

4. that the believer, from his union with Christ, shares in all the benefits of grace that are in Him. These benefits include, amongst others the adoption as children, and the gift and eternal sealing of the Holy Spirit;

5. that everyone who turns away from his sin by the persuasive work of the Holy Spirit by trusting in Christ has the assurance that he will be accepted and kept by Him.

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1. John 1:12-13; John 3:3, 18; 2 Cor. 5:17; James 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23-25;

2. Luke 18:14; Rom. 3:26; 4:5; 5:1-2; Eph. 2:13; Phil. 3:8;

3. Luke 19:8-10; Acts 2:38; 17:30; Mark 1:15; 2 Cor. 7:10-11; 1 John 1:8-9; Hebr. 12:14;

4. John1:16; Eph. 1:3, 5, 13-14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-6; Phil. 1:19;

5. John. :39, 10:27-29; Rom. 8:13-17; Col. 3:1-17; Phil. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:3.

 

 9. The Church: (Ecclesiology I)

We believe:

1. the Church is made up of all those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, are restored by the Holy Spirit, and are reconciled to the Father (and thus to each other);

2. the church is God's people, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit through whom He makes known His purpose in history;

3. the local congregation is the proclamation of the universal church, a community of believers in a specific place where God's Word is preached and lived, where the two institutions (ordinances) – the Baptism of the believer and the Lord's Supper – are celebrated;

4. that both men and women in the local congregation were called to serve, and that male headship should be visible;

5. that every local congregation is under the rule of Jesus Christ. The Office of the elder is Biblically reserved for men. The congregation is led by the elders, in such a way that it does not alienate the members of their authority, as Biblically defined. Both members and elders perform practical service (diaconal work);

6. in New Testament God appointed only two offices to His church, namely those of Elder and Deacon.

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1. Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1:18; Hebr. 12:23;

2. 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 1:23; 3:9-10; 1 Pet. 2:9-10;

3. Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 2:18-21; 1 Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim 4:1-5; 1 Pet 2:5, 9-10; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23- 32; Rom. 6:1-4; Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1-5; Tit. 3:10;

4. Acts. 2:17-18; 1 Cor. 11:3; 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 1 Pet. 3:7; 4:10-11;

5. Acts. 6:1-7; 14:23; 15:3-4, 22-28; 20:28; Matt. 18:17; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9;           1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Pet. 5:1-3;

6. 1 Tim. 3:1-13.

 

 10. The Institutions: (Ecclesiology II)

We believe:

1. that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Church two institutions (ordinances), namely, the Baptism of the believer and the Lord's Supper. The Church must uphold these institutions in obedience. It serves as a testimony to the most vital facts of the Christian faith, while neither Baptism nor Communion brings salvation;

2. that Baptism is by singular immersion of the professing believer in water: a confession of identifying himself with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection;

3. that the believer, in partaking of the Lord's Supper, shares in our Saviour's body (the bread) and in His blood (the wine/grape juice) in remembrance of His death, until He comes again.

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1. Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 6:1-4; Gal. 3:27; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 Cor. 11:23-32;

2. Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27;

3. Mark 14:22-28; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-34.

 

 11. The Mission of God: (Missiology)

We believe:

1. The mission of the Church (every born-again child of God) is to make disciples of all peoples, tongues, and nations through the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in all the world. This is done through Church planting and the establishment of believers to obey all that Jesus taught His disciples;

2. that by loving our neighbour as ourselves - with compassion, in practice, and with wisdom - we show the love of God to all;

3. that we should do all this according to the Scriptures, in the shadow of the Cross and the power of Jesus' resurrection.

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1. Ps. 22:27; 67:1-7; Matt. 16:8; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 14:22; Eph. 4:11-16; Titus 1:5;

2. Luke 10:25-27; John 13:35; 2 Cor. 5:14; Gal. 6:9-10;

3. Mark 8:34-35; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 1:18-23; Eph. 1:19-20; Phil. 3:10; James 2:8.

 

12. The End Times: (Eschatology)

Amid acknowledging that there are various viewpoints regarding the end times, we acknowledge the following non-negotiables.

 

We believe:

1. that Jesus will return visibly, bodily, and triumphantly in glory to judge those who are still alive and those who are already dead;

2. in the bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous;

3. that all believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for what they have done in the body and that the unbelievers will appear before the Great White Throne judgment to be condemned;

4. that those whose names are written in the Book of Life shall enter eternal life, but the wicked shall enter eternal damnation;

5. that according to God's promises, we look forward to a new heaven and earth in which righteousness dwells, where we will be with the Lord forever and He with us: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

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1)   Matt. 24:29-30; Luke 17:24; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-18, 5:1-11; 1 Joh. 2:28; 2 Tim.4:1; 1 Pet.4:5; Rev. 1:7;

2)   Job 19:25-27; Ps. 16:10; Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 6:5; 1 Thess. 4:16-17;

3)   John 5:22, 27-29; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:10; Hebr. 9:27; Rev. 20:11;

4)   Matt. 7:21-23; 13:49-50; 25:31-46; Mark 9:45-49; Rev.13:8; 20:11-15; 21:27;

5)   1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1; 22:20.

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Biblical Principles:

 

As Bible-driven Christians, we believe in:

1. The DIRECT RULERSHIP OF CHRIST (Lordship of Christ) over every believer and the congregation (local church). Without transferring His rulership to anyone else, Christ exercises His authority directly over the believer and the congregation.

2. The CHURCH as the gathering of those who have been saved by Jesus Christ and restored by the Holy Spirit. As a revelation of the universal church, the local congregation is a community of believers in a specific place where the Word of God is preached and upheld. The congregation is autonomous and remains so regardless of responsibilities they assume through voluntary commitment.

3. The BAPTISM OF THE BELIEVER as an act of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ; as a public testimony of repentance to God, faith in Jesus Christ, and rebirth by the Holy Spirit. It involves the singular immersion in water – in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

4. The CONGREGATIONAL PRINCIPLE that each member has the privilege and responsibility to share fully in the life of the congregation through his gifts and abilities. By the authority of Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the privilege and responsibility of every church member (including the leaders) is subject to the Lordship of Christ. We recognize that God gives His Church the gift of (i) Plurality of Elders. Their primary function is to lead in a spirit of servanthood, as overseers to equip the congregation and to oversee the spiritual affairs of the Church. (ii) God also gave Deacons the primary function of ensuring that the practical affairs of the congregation function in an orderly manner.

5. The PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS through which every Christian through Christ, our High Priest, has direct access to God and shares in His work of reconciliation. It involves intercession, worship, faithful service, and bearing our witness of Jesus Christ to the end of the world.

6. FREEDOM OF RELIGION, namely, that no individual may be coerced by the State or any secular, clergy, or religious group in matters of faith. The right of the individual's conscience must be respected. Every believer has the right to declare Scripture responsibly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

7. THE SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE. By the providence of God, these two institutions differ in their nature and function. The State is responsible for law and justice, for an orderly society and to ensure the welfare of its citizens. The Church is responsible for preaching the Gospel, for proclaiming God's will and living it out, for caring for the faithful, as well as for calling the State to order through her prophetic voice.

8. MARRIAGE as an exclusive, lifelong union between a man and a woman as God instituted it from the beginning. We believe in principle of complementarianism in which the husband as head takes loving guidance in a responsible manner, and the wife supports her husband.