Faith Statement
- God as the Source of Grace, worshipped in three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His Son Jesus Christ, full God and fully man, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, rose, and ascended to glory.
- The Creation as a Gift of God’s grace. God has created all things and the creation is therefore good and to be cared for. God created mankind as male and female in his image and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage is the union of one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family.
- The Bible as the Revelation of Grace. The canonical books of the Old and New Testament are to be received as the reliable revelation and record of God’s grace. The Bible has been given to lead us to salvation, to be the ultimate rule for Christian faith and conduct, and the supreme authority by which the Church must reform itself and judge its traditions.
- The Atonement as the Work of Grace. Jesus Christ came to save lost sinners. Though sinless, he bore our sins, and their judgment, on the cross, thus accomplishing our salvation. He lived the life we could not live and died the death that we deserve.
- The Resurrection as the Vindication of Grace. By raising Christ bodily from the dead, God vindicated him as Lord and Saviour and proclaimed his victory. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is unique and universal. He is the Son of God, humanity’s only Saviour from sin and judgement. By his death and resurrection, he secured the redemption of all who come to him in repentance and faith. Salvation is in Christ alone.
- The Church as the Community of Grace. The Church is God’s covenant community, whose members, having been justified by grace through faith, inherit the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. As a fellowship of the Spirit manifesting his fruit and exercising his gifts, it is called to worship God, grow in grace, and bear witness to him and his Kingdom. God’s Church is one body and must strive to discover and experience that unity in truth and love, especially through its confession of the faith and in its observance of the Sacraments.
- The Sacraments as the Signs and Seals of Grace. The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion proclaim the gospel as effective and visible signs of our justification and sanctification. Baptism is the sign of forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Spirit, new birth and entry into the fellowship of the People of God. Holy Communion is the sign of the living presence of Christ through his Spirit to his people, the memorial of his sacrifice for sin, and an occasion to offer thanksgiving and praise.
- Ministry as the Stewardship of Grace. The mission of the people of God is the proclamation of the gospel by the preaching of the word, caring for the needy, challenging evil, and promoting justice and the responsible use of the world’s resources. It is the vocation of Christian leaders to build up the body of Christ in truth and love, as pastors, teachers, and servants of the people of God.
- Christ’s Return as the Triumph of Grace. The final manifestation of Christ’s grace and glory will be seen when he comes again to raise the dead, judge the world, vindicate his chosen and bring his Kingdom to its eternal fulfilment in the new heaven and the new earth.
