Statement of Faith
OurChurch is built on a core set of beliefs, these are the beliefs in which we have unity and on which we base our fundamental decisions.
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27,3:22
Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2
2 Corinthians 13:14
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.
Matthew 1:22,23
Isaiah 9:6
John 1:1-5,14:10-30
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Romans 1:3-4
Acts 1:9-11
1 Timothy 6:14-15
Titus 2:13
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the expression of Christian character in believers.
Acts 1:8
Galatians 5:22-23
1 Corinthians 3:17
John 16:7-13,14:16-17
Galatians 5:25
1 Corinthians 2:12,3:16
Ephesians 1:13,5:18
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
2 Timothy 3:16, 1:13
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
Proverbs 30:5
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
Genesis 1:27
Psalm 8:3-6
Isaiah 53:6a
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 59:1-2
SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 14:6, 1:2
Titus 3:5
Galatians 3:26
Romans 5:1, 10:9-10
THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that the change that takes place in people when they are “born again” is very real. They receive righteousness through Jesus Christ, and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit; therefore, they should have new desires, interests and pursuits.
John 3:3
2 Corinthians 5:17
ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17
Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Revelation 20:15
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
DAILY CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that people who have been born again grow in sanctification - which means that they separate themselves from the value system of the world and embrace and live according to the values of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. As they do so, they increase in holiness, faith, power, prayer, love and service.
2 Corinthians 7:1
EVANGELISM
We believe that evangelizing and making disciples is the primary “business” of the church; every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed.
James 5:20
Mark 16:15
WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that people who have been born again should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself was baptized and instructed His followers to be baptized. Baptism also confirms that Christ is the Lord and King in each believer’s life (Romans 6:4). We believe in observing the Lord’s supper, or communion, just as Jesus instructed. This means that born-again believers take the broken bread and the fruit of the vine as a remembrance and celebration of the new life that is theirs because of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. It is also looking forward to His return as triumphant King.
1 Corinthians 11:24-26
Matthew 28:19
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that follows salvation. All believers have a portion of God’s Spirit within them. However, being “baptized” means that the Holy Spirit is present in a new dimension. Holy Spirit baptism empowers believers to exalt Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace. We believe that those who experience Holy Spirit baptism today will experience it in the same manner that believers experienced it in the early church; in other words, we believe that they have the opportunity to speak in tongues - languages that are not known to them.
Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4
THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit gives ministry gifts to believers; in other words, the Holy Spirit gives people special abilities for ministry. These gifts will build up groups of believers and help them mature in Christian faith (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Further, Spirit-filled believers should show the spiritual “fruit” that has been given to them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.
Romans 12:6-8
Galatians 5:22-25
HEALING
We read in James 5:14-16, that those who are sick amongst us are to call for the anointing of oil by the Elders. The Elders hold positions of authority, full of faith and the Holy Spirit. The anointing of oil is symbolic of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in this situation to bring healing to the sick. We believe that healing is part of the atonement of Christ and deliverance from the bondage of the power of satan is available to all.
James 5:14-16
Isaiah 53
Matthew 8:16-17
TITHES & OFFERINGS (STEWARDSHIP)
We believe every fully devoted follower of Christ should be known for generosity in all areas of their life. Fully devoted followers see themselves as stewards before God of all the resources they have and for this reason they are willing to share generously. We believe that God calls us to responsibly steward our finances and resources in order to bless and support the church and wider community. Under the old covenant God instructed His people to be generous through the principle of the tithe which means 10% and offerings were given beyond that. Today under the new covenant we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to be generous on all occasions. The tithe is a great starting point for believers to learn to trust God in the area of their finances as long as it is engaged in as an act of worship coming out of a heart of faith and love, not a legal practice of the law.
Malachi 3:6-12
Genesis 14:20
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
2 Corinthians 8:7
Acts 4:32-37
Hebrews 13:5
James 4:13-17
END TIMES
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; we are as certain that His second coming will occur as we are that His first coming is a historical fact. No one knows the exact time of His coming, but believers will continue to spread the gospel around the world until He does come again. Our role is to help people to stay on their discipleship journey, watching, waiting and preparing themselves ready to meet their Saviour when He returns or should call them home.
Matthew 24:36, 42, 44
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
Philippians 1:9-10, 3:20-21
Revelation 22:7,12,20
Revelation 1:1, Mt 24:36
JUDGMENT
We believe that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Born-again believers will be sent to a place of everlasting life, and nonbelievers will be sent to a place of everlasting punishment.
Revelation 20:11, 12
2 Corinthians 5:10
HEAVEN
We believe that heaven is the habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17). Hell We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deep sorrow and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels; it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Saviour.
Matthew 13: 41, 42
Revelation 20:10, 15
CHURCH RELATIONSHIP
We believe that it is essential for all believers to join with and become part of a congregation of other believers. It is important to worship together, observe the ordinances of the church, encourage and support one another, and work together to advance the Lord’s kingdom.
Hebrews 10:24, 25
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is established by divine appointment; civil laws should be upheld at all times except when they are in opposition to the Word of God.
Romans 13:1-7
IN ADDITION
We have liberty. Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
In All our Beliefs, we show charity. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Romans 14:1,4,12,22
1 Corinthians 13:2