What we believe

We believe that the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. It was written by people led by the Holy Spirit; it is without error in its original writings, and it is the supreme and sufficient authority in all matters of faith and life. So we read it, teach it and seek to obey it, because it is the living voice of God to every person in every age. Why do we read the Bible?

We believe in one living and true God, eternal, the Creator of all things, perfect in his holiness, justice and love. He is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in being, glory and power.

We do not believe in three gods, but in one God who has revealed himself in the Bible as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery beyond our understanding, but we accept it because God has revealed it, and we worship him with reverence and joy.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son, the Word who was with God and was God. He became a man: he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He is truly God and truly man in one person.

• He lived a perfect, sinless life, and revealed the Father to us through his words and deeds.
• He died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sinners, bearing the punishment for our sins in our place.
• He rose bodily from the dead on the third day, victorious over sin and death.
• He ascended into heaven and is now at the Father’s right hand, where he intercedes for believers; he is the only mediator between God and humanity.
• He will come again in glory, personally and visibly.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin and renews the human heart, so that a person is born again. He lives in every believer, teaching, comforting and guiding them, producing in them the character of Christ, and he gives believers gifts to build up the church and to serve one another.

We believe that the church is the body of Christ, and Christ alone is its head. It includes all believers in every time and place, and it is seen in the local church: a community of believers who have been born again and have publicly confessed their faith in baptism, committed together to worship, the teaching of the Word, prayer, fellowship, service and sharing the gospel.

We believe that each local church is self-governing under the authority of Christ and his Word, its members seeking his will together in a spirit of fellowship, while gladly working alongside other churches. Why do we need the church?

We believe that Christ commanded his church to observe two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Baptism is for believers who have professed their personal faith in Christ. It is by immersion in water, as a public witness to their union with him in his death, burial and resurrection.

The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s death for us. Believers share in the bread and the cup, proclaiming his death until he comes and renewing their fellowship with him and with one another.

These two ordinances do not bring salvation; they are acts of obedience to Christ and an expression of the salvation we receive through faith. If you have a question about baptism, we would be glad to talk with you.

We believe that every believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, and so can pray, read the Word and come to God with confidence. Every believer, man or woman, is called to serve God and others with their gifts and to bear witness to Christ in their life. Church leaders are servants who shepherd and teach, not intermediaries between God and people.

We believe that God created human beings free and accountable to him, and that true faith cannot be forced; it is a free response of the heart. So we respect every person’s freedom in what they believe, and we stand up for freedom of conscience and religion for all.

We believe that the church should remain independent of the authority of the state, and that religion should not be imposed by force of law, while we respect the civil authorities and pray for them. We share our faith with love and kindness, and we do not pressure anyone.