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- GOD
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal
persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable
in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator,
Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his
sovereign will for his own glory.
- THE BIBLE
God
has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New
Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors,
so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of
God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible
alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all
matters of belief and practice.
- THE HUMAN RACE
All
men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and
equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and
love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of
human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without
spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is
therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born
again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.
- THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The
Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to
the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the
cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing God's punishment for
their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in
his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord
of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father.
- SALVATION
Salvation
is entirely a work of God's grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It
has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in
the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting
them repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified by
faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT
The
Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply
his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and
gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all
believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing
likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members
for worship, service and mission.
- THE CHURCH
The
universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which
all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which
are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the
worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism
and the Lord's Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for
evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and
between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True
fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the
gospel.
- BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Baptism
and the Lord's Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as
visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ
and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The
Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice offered once for
all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are
received by faith.
- THE FUTURE
The
Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and
judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal
punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal
joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be
glorified forever.
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