Doctrinal Statement

The Doctrinal Statement of the Church, which is regarded as a summary of those doctrines commonly held by the Church and is subordinate to Scripture, reads:

• 3.1 The Scriptures

  The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

• 3.2 God

  One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.

• 3.3 The Lord Jesus Christ

  The essential deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and men; His virgin birth, real and sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners; His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven to the right hand of God; His high priestly ministry for all who come to God through him and His personal return.

• 3.4 The Holy Spirit

  The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.

• 3.5 The Devil

  The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.

• 3.6 Humanity

  The creation of humanity, male and female, in the image of God, equal in value and complementary in role; the creation ordinance of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman; the entrance of sin through Adam's disobedience; the fallen and totally depraved state of all humanity; their subjection to God's wrath and condemnation; their responsibility to repent and believe the gospel.

• 3.7 Justification

  The justification of the sinner by God's grace alone through faith alone in the atoning merits of our Lord Jesus Christ alone; the eternal security of the believer.

• 3.8 The Church

  The church, the body of Christ, made up of those drawn from every tribe, language, people and nation throughout history who are added to it by the work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; the scriptural expression of the church in the world as the local company of baptised believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism, which God has commissioned the church to do by preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, by all means consistent with the nature of the Gospel and that God commands all people everywhere to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; in separation from all systems of belief that do not adhere to the Scriptures and are unfaithful to the gospel of salvation by grace alone; the ordinances of baptism as commanded by the New Testament and the Lord's supper as instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ: baptism being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a symbol of their cleansing and identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection; the Lord's supper being a remembrance of Christ until He comes for those believers who, from the work of grace in their hearts, show forth fruits of righteousness and a renewal of commitment to Him; the offices of elder and deacon; the gifts of evangelist and pastor-teacher; the priesthood of all believers and their unity in the Body of Christ; the separation of church and state.

• 3.9 The Future State

  The unconditional immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; the eternal joy in heaven of the believer; the conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent.

• 3.10 Christian Behaviour

  The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives; the duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion.