WHAT WE BELIEVE
Nine core articles of faith
We hold to nine core articles of faith. They are classic evangelical and pentecostal theology, covering God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, humanity and sin, salvation, grace and eternal security, eternal life, and the Church.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
WHAT WE STAND ON
1 · We believe in God
Creator and Lord of the universe. He has existed from eternity, expressed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one, yet express different aspects of God Almighty.
Genesis 1:1, 26–27; 3:22 · Psalm 90:2 · Matthew 28:19 · 1 Peter 1:2 · 2 Corinthians 13:14
2 · We believe in Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on the cross. He was raised from the dead after three days and conquered sin and death. He ascended to the glory of heaven and will one day return to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22–23 · Isaiah 9:6 · John 1:1–5; 14:10–30 · Hebrews 4:14–15 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · Romans 1:3–4 · Acts 1:9–11 · 1 Timothy 6:14–15 · Titus 2:13
3 · We believe in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He gives the Christian power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives spiritual gifts to each believer who seeks them. As Christians we seek daily to live under his control.
2 Corinthians 1:7 · John 16:7–13; 14:16–17 · Acts 1:8 · 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16 · Ephesians 1:13 · Galatians 5:25 · 1 Corinthians 14:1 · Ephesians 5:18
4 · We believe in the Bible
The Bible is God's word to us. It was written by human authors under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the ultimate source of truth for Christian belief and Christian living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. The sum of Scripture is truth, and we must seek to understand it through the eyes of those who first received it.
2 Timothy 3:16 · 2 Peter 1:20–21 · 2 Timothy 1:13 · Psalm 119:105; 119:160; 12:6 · Proverbs 30:5
5 · We believe in human insufficiency
Human beings are made in God's image, to reflect him. Humanity is God's masterpiece. Although everyone is given great potential for good, we are all lost to disobedience towards God. The Bible calls this “sin”. This human condition separates us from God, from one another and from the whole of creation. It leads to ruin, and there is no adequate way to help ourselves out of it. All humanity needs saving.
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 8:3–6 · Isaiah 53:6a · Romans 3:23 · Isaiah 59:1–2
6 · We believe in salvation
Salvation is God's gift to us. We cannot earn it; we receive it by trusting in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. Trusting Jesus shows itself in a life that seeks to follow his example and makes him both Lord and Saviour of our life.
We believe this truth in our hearts, and we confess it with our mouths and through our lives. Then we receive forgiveness for our sin and our human insufficiency. We have become children of God.
Romans 6:23 · Ephesians 2:8–9 · John 1:12; 14:6 · Titus 3:5
7 · We believe in eternal security
Because God gives us eternal life in Jesus Christ, salvation holds for ever. It is sustained by God's grace and power, not by our own effort.
Salvation therefore cannot be “lost”. A Christian can only choose to let go of grace by turning away from faith in Jesus Christ and from a life of following him.
John 10:29 · 2 Timothy 1:12 · Hebrews 7:25; 10:10–14 · 1 Peter 1:3–5 · Galatians 5:4 · 2 Peter 3:17 · James 5:19–20 · 2 Timothy 2:18 · Jude 1:11 · 1 Timothy 6:10, 21
8 · We believe in eternity
Human beings were made to exist for ever. We will either exist in eternity separated from God by sin, or in eternity with God because of forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is damnation and hell. To be for ever in fellowship with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; 14:17 · Romans 6:23; 8:17–18 · Revelation 20:15 · 1 Corinthians 2:7–9
9 · We believe in the Church
The Church is established by God, and therefore powerful and significant, and believers need to meet regularly for fellowship, prayer and “the breaking of bread”.
Baptism and the fullness of the Spirit are essential to living the holy and fruitful lives God intends for us. God has equipped each of us to fulfil his purpose for our lives: to worship him, to serve his church and to serve the society we are part of. God wants to heal and transform us, so that we can live healthy, blessed lives and help others as we take part in God's mission of bringing his kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Colossians 3:16 · Acts 2:42–47 · Hebrews 10:24–25 · Acts 1:5, 8 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 · Ephesians 2:10 · Romans 12:2 · 3 John 1:2
COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
Faith is something you do together
You don't have to agree with all of it to belong. Come as you are — there's no standard to reach before you can be part of the community.