What we believe?
In one God, the Creator of all, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ( Deut 6:4; Col. 1:16-17: Matt. 28-19)
In the Bible as the divinely inspired and inerrant Word of God, the revelation of His mind and will to man, the infallible and all-sufficient guide for salvation, and all aspects of the Christian life and testimony ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21 ).
In the sovereignty of God, and in the free will of man to obey or to obey not the Gospel. ( 2 Thess. 1:8 )
In the full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is true God and true Man, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin into perfect and impeccable humanity ( John 1:1; Phil. 2:6; Matt. 1:23-25; 1 John 3:5 ). That He could not sin. ( 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 13:8 )
In the depravity of every aspect of the human nature through the fall in the Garden of Eden, humanity being tempted and deceived by Satan, a real and personal devil, the arch-enemy of God and man. ( Gen 3:1-9; Rom 5:12; Jer. 17:9 )
In the absolute inability of the sinner to be saved from eternal punishment by self-righteousness or good works ( Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8-9 ).
In the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust ( John 5:28-29 ), the everlasting blessedness of the saved ( 1 Thess. 4:17 ), and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost ( Rev. 20:15 ).
In the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary, through which sacrifice Christ has effected complete and eternal redemption ( Rom 3:24; Eph. 1:7 ). God set His seal of approval on the work of Christ when He raised Him bodily from the dead and enthroned Him at His own right hand in Heaven, being made the only Head of the Church ( Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:18 ). He is the Lord of the individual ( John 13:13 ), the High Priest over the House of God ( Heb. 7:20-28; 10:21 ), the Advocate on behalf of His people ( 1 John 2:1 ), and the Judge of all ( Acts 17:31 ).
In the immediate and eternal salvation of every person who truly believes on Christ, and rests, by faith, upon His finished work as the only righteous ground on which a holy God can forgive sins, and that all believers are to give the witness of a good conscience before God, being baptized by immersion ( Acts 8:36-39; John 1:12; Rom 4:5 ).
That all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour are instantly born again of the Holy Spirit, indwelt by Him, and by the same Holy Spirit are baptized into the one Body of Christ, the Church ( 1 Cor. 12:12-14 ).
That the early Church met together and “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers,” and that this is God’s pattern for the Church today. ( Acts 2:42; 20:7 )
In the personal, imminent, and premillennial coming of the Lord to the air to rapture the Church ( 1 Thess. 4:13-17 ).
In the revelation of the Lord in glory at His second advent, to establish His kingdom visibly on earth and to reign in righteousness ( 2 Thess. 1:6-10 ), after which shall be set up the Great White Throne judgment in the heavens for the judgment of “the dead, small and great” ( Rev. 20:15 ), the present heavens and earth will pass away and a new heaven and earth will be formed wherein righteousness shall dwell and the eternal Day of God will be ushered in (2 Pet. 3:10-13).
Our Principles and Practices
THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY
The local assembly is autonomous (independent) and governed solely by the elders in the congregation and is in no way subject to outside legislation or leadership. The assembly of saints gathers unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and is subject to Him only. (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18 )
THE ELDERSHIP
The elders (under-shepherds, overseers, bishops, pastors) are directly responsible to the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus for the teaching, counseling, discipline and correction in spiritual matters pertaining to those who have come into fellowship in the assembly. ( 1 Pet. 5:2-4; Heb. 13:7,17 ) The elders are also accountable to the saints in the local assembly fellowship. ( Titus 1:7-9 )
THE CHURCH
ITS PURPOSE:
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ the church is to preach ( Luke 24:47 ), pray ( John 16:23-24 ), baptize ( Acts 10:48, 19:5 ), discipline ( 1 Cor. 5:4-5 ), and gather ( Mat. 18:20 ) Scripture has established that the purpose of gathering is for doctrine, fellowship, worship and prayer. ( Acts 2:42 )
ITS FUNCTION:
The assembly functions by the instruction of God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit and exercises the gifts that have been given for the edifying and maturing of the saints.
( II Tim. 3:16; Eph. 3:16; 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11 )
THE ORDINANCES
BAPTISM
The command to baptize comes with authority from the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, ( Mat 28:19; Mark 16:15-16 ), and from Apostolic practice. ( Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 18:8 ). All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are to be baptized ( Acts 2:41 ), by immersion (Acts 8:38), signifying identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. ( Rom. 6:3-6 )
THE LORD’S SUPPER
This ordinance was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ before His crucifixion, ( Mat. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20 ), and was confirmed through the apostolic teaching ( 1 Cor. 11:23-32 ). Only true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are entitled to partake of the Lord’s supper. ( Acts 2:41-42 ) Frequency for this ordinance is “as often”, ( 1 Cor. 11:25-26 ) and the practice of early believers was weekly. ( Acts 20:7).
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
In the dispensation of grace, all believers are unconditionally constituted a “kingdom of priests” ( 1 Pet. 2:5,9 ) so that the believer priests, equally with Christ the High Priest, have access to God in the holiest. ( Heb. 10:19-22 ).
The believer priest as a sacrificer offers
his own body ( Rom 12:1 )
praise to God, ( Heb. 13:15 )
his substance, ( Heb. 13:16 ; Rom.12:13 ).
The believer priest is also an intercessor. ( 1 Tim. 2:1; Col 4:12 ).
HEADSHIP
Both men and women are God’s special and unique creations, the ones for whom Christ died. Nevertheless God, in His Word, provides for headship and subordination among equals. ( Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 3:18-19 ). Even as there is equality in the Godhead, yet Christ, subordinate to the Father, demonstrates the role of headship between man and woman.( 1 Cor. 11:3 ). The Word of God delegates to man the responsibility for authority and leadership in the local church for ministry, prayer and teaching in mixed audiences. ( 1 Cor. 14:33-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-12 ). Scripture instructs men to exercise authority with their head uncovered and women to cover their heads to demonstrate God’s divine order in the local church. ( 1 Cor. 11:4-16 ).
TONGUES
God intended tongues to cease after the infant church period ( 1 Cor. 13:8,10 ).
Tongues were meant as a foundation gift only and as a sign to unbelieving Jews. ( 1 Cor. 14:22: Heb. 2:3-4 )
There is no scriptural place for the practice, promotion or pursuing of tongues today and we would discourage anyone from following this direction. We will not allow any teaching opposed to these views within the assembly or it’s meetings.
MARRIAGE
The scriptures teach that marriage is the indissoluble union between one man and one woman for life ( Mat. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9 ). The bonds of marriage are broken only by the death of one partner ( Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-11 ). Cases of divorce and remarriage will be considered in the light of the teaching of scripture.