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 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 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 administration 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.
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.