Statement of Faith

Revelation and the Word of God

The Bible is God‘s revelation, the Word of God. It is the ultimate authority for faith and practice.

God

There is one true God existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is true God and man. He suffered as a substitutionary sacrifice to provide eternal salvation for mankind. He was buried and on the third day He rose again and ascended into heaven where he is now seated at God‘s right hand, ruling over all things and interceding for us as Advocate and High Priest, until He comes again to establish His kingdom upon the earth.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, the Executive of the Godhead; the Comforter who indwells, guides and empowers the believers for victorious living and effective service. He calls and keeps the church in faith and holiness, and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.

Man’s Sin and Guilt

Man was created in the image and likeness of God; hence, he is of infinite worth and dignity. Through disobedience, he fell into sin and incurred physical and spiritual death.

Salvation

Salvation is by grace through the redemption provided by the Lord Jesus Christ and received by faith in Him. Upon repentance from sin and the exercise of faith in Christ, the believer is justified in God‘s sight, adopted into God‘s household, born again, and united in Christ.

The Church

The church is the community of believers from all cultures, tribes and languages. It is called to belong to Christ, to confess and proclaim His lordship among peoples. Thus the church is commissioned to: (1) make disciples of all nations and integrate them into local congregations; (2) proclaim the uniqueness and finality of Christ; (3) manifest God‘s sovereign rule by proclaiming the Gospel through acts of justice, righteousness, mercy and peace. The sacraments/ordinances to be observed are Baptism and the Lord‘s Supper.

1) Baptism symbolizes the believer‘s identification with Christ in his death and resurrection, and expresses his resolve to die to sin, self and the world and be loyal to Christ.

2) The Lord‘s Supper is a proclamation of Christ‘s death, a remembrance of the Lord, and a renewal of commitment of the participants.

The Ministry

The whole church is commissioned to continue and fulfill the mission of Christ. All believers serve God and their fellowmen in the church and in the world by the exercise of spiritual gifts and through their earthly occupations and stations in life.

Within the ministry of the people of God are those who are called and ordained to perform special functions like Gospel proclamation, shepherding, equipping the body of believers and administration of the sacraments/ordinances.

Sanctification and Power for Service

God wills the consecration and sanctification of all believers, thereby receiving power for holy living and effective service. Sanctification occurs after conversion, but it should be a continuing and growing experience. The believer the power of the Holy Spirit for service.

Divine Healing and Health

In His mercy, power and sovereign will, God can heal the sick. Provision is made in the atoning death of Christ for the healing of the body. The anointing with oil and praying for the sick by the elders of the church, as set forth in James 5:13-16, is to be practiced.

Christian Hope and the Life to Come

God will accomplish his eternal purpose in history and bring all things to their consummation in Christ. In the end, Christ will come again personally and visibly to establish God‘s rule over all things. At His coming, God will call believers to eternal life, and unbelievers will be judged for their sins and suffer everlasting punishment.

This hope is a holy motive for consecrated living and faithful stewardship.

Sexuality and Marriage

The Bible teaches us that God made us male and female. This relationship– between a man and a woman within a lifelong faithful marriage– is repeated again and again throughout the Bible, and is the only sexual relationship sanctioned and blessed by God. Genesis 1:27; 5:2; 2:24; Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:4-6. While the Bible disapproves of homosexual acts, it does not condone hatred of homosexuals or homophobia. Instead, Christians are directed to “love and respect everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9. “For He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (As amended on April 27, 2019)