Our statement of faith
What we believe, said plainly.
You have every right to know exactly what a community teaches before setting foot in it. Here is our full statement of faith, with nothing softened and nothing hidden.
This text is our reference point. If an answer in the faith questions library seems to contradict it, it is the answer that needs correcting — write to us and we will revisit it.
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01
The Scriptures
We believe the Bible is true, authoritative, sufficient and without error. As God’s special revelation, the Bible is the only text inspired by God for humanity.
Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
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02
God
We believe there is one God, sovereign, just, holy, creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally as one in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As creator, the triune God is entirely different and separate from creation. Creation therefore depends on God for its entire existence.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
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03
The glory of God
We believe that all things exist for the glory of God.
Psalm 148; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 1:3-14
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04
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is co-equal with the Father, that he is the eternal Son of God, that he was born of a virgin, and that he is fully God and fully human.
Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3
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05
The work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin and restore humanity to a right relationship with God; that he rose bodily from the dead, defeated death itself, ascended to heaven and will one day return. In humbling himself to honour the Father, he is honoured and glorified by the Father.
John 1:29; John 10:1-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:5-11
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06
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to convict of sin and make people aware of their need for Christ. He dwells in every believer from the moment of salvation, gives the Christian power to live, understanding of spiritual truth, and direction to live in the likeness of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12
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07
Humanity
As the crown jewel of God’s creation, we believe the human being is made in the image of God. That image, however, has been marred by sin, an active attitude against God. That attitude separates human beings from God, by birth and by action.
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 6:5; Psalm 8:3-6; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 12:21; Romans 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3
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08
Eternity
We believe the human being was created to exist forever: either eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation, by faith in the finished work of Christ. The penalty and consequence deserved by sin are physical and spiritual death.
Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:19; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15; Revelation 20:15
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09
Salvation
We believe that salvation is God’s gift to humanity. Human beings can never make up for their sins by self-improvement or good works. It is only by the grace of God, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin, that anyone can be saved from the consequences of sin, reconciled to God and inherit eternal life.
John 1:12; John 3:16; John 3:18; John 10:29; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:26; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:5
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10
The Church
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the head. It is a group of believers intentionally practising Acts 2:42 for the glory of God, in their community and among the nations. The local church is an organic fellowship that grows through identifiable stages from its beginning: first dependent on others, then moving towards independent maturity. Along that journey, the church becomes more organized, more stable, more influential in its community, and able to plant its own churches. The purpose of the Church is to demonstrate the reality of the kingdom of God, to glorify God by loving him, making disciples and proclaiming the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:2; Mark 16:15-16
You do not have to agree in order to come.
You can be part of our communities while disagreeing, while doubting, or while believing none of it. The questions library is there to explore, not to convince.