OUR BELIEFS

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"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" - 2 Timothy 3 v 16 -17

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​WE BELIEVE THAT...

• The Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). We believe in the full and verbal inspiration of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures. They are the Word of God without error and are reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible is the sole authority on all matters of faith and Christian practice.

• There is one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct but equal.

• God is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. God is all knowing, all powerful and ever-present. He is the creator and upholder of all things.

• Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was born of a Virgin in Bethlehem; He was a real man who lived a sinless life; He could not sin; He died on the cross at Calvary; was buried; rose again from the dead; appeared to His disciples for 40 days; and then ascended into heaven having promised to come again. He is in Heaven now and engages in priestly intercession for His people at the right hand of the Father.

• Man is a sinner and mankind is separated from God by sin from birth (Psalm 51 v 5) and by sin in practice (Romans 3 v 23). The total depravity of human nature is a consequence of the Fall (when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden).

• Man needs to be saved (1 Tim. 2:1-5) but it is impossible for man to save himself by his own works. The salvation of the sinner is solely by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture says "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2 v 8-9)

• All men can be saved. This is possible because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is offered freely to all (John 3 v 16) but not all are saved.  

• Salvation through faith unites man with God and makes the believer fit for God's presence eternally

• The work of the Holy Spirit is essential for a true and spiritual understanding of the Scriptures; for salvation and sanctification and for ministry and worship.

• The Church is not a building but a group of people. It consists of all Christians (those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ), throughout time from the Day of Pentecost to when Christ returns for them (at the Rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

• Believers on the Lord Jesus should gather together to the name of the Lord Jesus and form local churches (as expressions of the whole Church). These groups of believers, who are helped and guided by the power of the Holy Spirit, are baptised and “continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers". (Acts 2 v 41-42) 

• Local churches should celebrate the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These were instituted by the Lord Jesus.

• The Bible teaches the resurrection of the body; that at death the spirit of man does not cease to exist or become unconscious. The Bible does not teach a general resurrection. It teaches that the dead will be raised either to life or to condemnation and that all will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ. It teaches eternal blessedness for those who are saved and eternal punishment for those who reject the Lord Jesus as the way of salvation.

• Jesus Christ is coming back again to call to Himself all those who truly believe in Him and to take them to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4 v 13-18). After a short period of tribulation on the earth the Lord Jesus will return in great power and glory to reign as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This will be a reign of perfect peace for a literal period of one thousand years. This will be followed by the eternal state.  

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WE SEEK TO...

• Live lives which are in keeping with the teaching of the Word of God and worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1 v 10).

• Witness to our beliefs so that others might be saved and come to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1 v 8).

• Preach the Word of God and teach the truths set out above.

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THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

• It is fully and verbally inspired. The Bible has come from God (2 Timothy Ch. 3 v 16). This includes not only the general ideas, but the words themselves.

• Whilst composed of two main parts (the Old Testament and New Testament) and sixty six books the Bible is essentially one book. We cannot pick and choose which parts to believe and obey.

• No other book can be compared to the Bible in its spiritual value.

• Through the Bible God speaks to men in general and to individuals who are willing to listen.

• The Bible is without error and wholly reliable in both fact and doctrine. The Bible is not only accurate in what it tells us about God, but also in recording historical facts. Where the Bible has been checked by history and archaeology it has always proved to be correct.

• The Bible is our sole authority. The Bible guides us in all that we believe and practice. Everything must be judged by its agreement or conflict with Scripture.

• God and His revelation do not change with the time (Jude v 3). The Bible enables men to deal with questions arising in any century.