We believe there is one living and true
God, existing eternally in a trinity of three persons who act together
in creation, providence, and redemption. God's purpose is to reconcile
the world to Himself, that all people might be redeemed from sin.
The Father, a co-equal person in the Godhead,
reigns with providential care over all life and history in Creation. The
Father initiated salvation by sending His Son and He is the Father of all
those who by faith accept His Son as Saviour.
The Son, a co-equal person in the Godhead,
became man in Jesus Christ; he is fully God and fully man. Jesus was conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He revealed Himself as
God to mankind through His sinless life, miracles, teaching and resurrection.
Jesus provided salvation for all who believe in Him as Saviour through
His atoning death, in our place, on the cross, and by His bodily resurrection.
He ascended into heaven and rules over all creation.
The Holy Spirit is a co-equal person within
the Trinity. He is sent by the Father to bear witness to the Son; He convicts
individuals of their sin and of the righteousness of Christ. He draws them
to the Saviour and testifies to their new birth. The Spirit indwells every
believer; He empowers, guides, teaches, fills, comforts, encourages, sanctifies
and produces the fruit of godliness in all who yield to Him. He gives spiritual
gifts to believers for ministry.
We learn about God through the Bible.
Scripture is the accurate and trustworthy record of God's self-revelation
to mankind given through divine inspiration. The Bible was inspired by
God, so that not only the themes of Scripture, but even the words and phrases
used by human authors originate from God. The Bible, because of its inspired
nature, is thoroughly trustworthy and without error and is the supreme
authority and guide for all Christian doctrine and conduct.
Humanity (male and female) was created
by God in His own image. Our purpose is to glorify and have fellowship
with God and to be wise stewards over God's creation. Each individual is
a unique creation of God, possessing dignity and worthy of respect. Because
mankind deliberately chose to disobey God, sin is part of our nature. Our
natural tendency is to disobey or rebel against God and His commands. The
consequences of sin include guilt and suffering, moral confusion and spiritual
blindness, and ultimately death. We cannot overcome sin and restore a relationship
with God on our own; salvation is the initiative of God.
In His love and mercy, God has provided
mankind with salvation from sin and death through the atoning death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation cannot be merited or earned; it
is the free gift of God offered to all, but must be received personally
through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
God, in His own time and His own way,
will bring all things to their appropriate end and establish a new heaven
and new earth. Christ will return to earth suddenly, personally and visibly
in glory; the dead will be raised and everyone will be judged by Christ
in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to the eternal punishment;
the righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will dwell forever
with God.