Concerning the Bible We believe that the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the verbally inspired Word of God. It is sufficient in itself as the only and infallible authority for doctrine and practice (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

Concerning God We believe that there is one God Who is an all-powerful, sovereign, personal spirit (Mark 12:29; John 4:24, Psalms 135:6). He is eternally a triune being – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; each is to be honoured and worshipped equally as true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 5:3-4; John 5:23).

Concerning the Lord Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son. He eternally pre-existed before His coming to earth (Micah 5:2); was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22); died a substitutionary, atoning death (1 Peter 3:18) sufficient for all mankind (1 John 2:2); rose bodily from death (Luke 24:39); ascended bodily into Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); from where He will personally, visibly return to remove His redeemed from the Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); and later will return physically to reign for one thousand years on the Earth (Revelation 20:4,6,7)

Concerning the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who indwells all true believers from the instant of the new birth (1 Corinthians 3:16, Titus 3:5).  The Holy Spirit brings individuals to an awareness of their sin (John 14:8), and restrains evil in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:7). He dispenses spiritual gifts to believers in accordance with His sovereign will (Ephesians 4:7-13, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).  We hold that “speaking in tongues” is not a manifestation of the Holy Spirit today.  We believe that the sign and revelatory gifts such as tongues, interpretation, prophecy, working of miracles, etc., ceased with the completion of the written revelation of the Word of God near the end of the first-century Apostolic Age (1 Corinthians 13:8, 2 Corinthians 12:2, Ephesians 2:20, Hebrews 2:3-4). However, we do believe in God’s graciousness in answering the prayers of His people, in accordance with His sovereign will.
(James 5:14).

Concerning Man We believe that man was created in a perfect state by a special, instantaneous act of God (Genesis 1:26-28). By a deliberate act of disobedience, man became sinful and thus the progenitor of a sinful race (Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12). Mankind is now alienated from God, having inherited a sinful nature and is under His just judgement and wrath (Romans 1:18, 3:19). This means exclusion from the presence of God forever. Man is without any ability whatsoever to restore or save himself (Romans 4:4; 7:18; Mark 7:21-23).  Man is responsible before God to have a change of heart toward Him, and receive the offered salvation by faith (Acts 17:30, Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8). We reject as unbiblical the teachings of John Calvin commonly known as Calvinism.

Concerning Salvation We believe in the eternal happiness of the saved in Heaven and the eternal punishment of the lost in Hell (Revelation 20:15). We believe that man in himself does not merit acceptance by God, and that he cannot earn such acceptance in any way by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:18-19). A person is saved from eternal judgement and put in a right relationship with God, only as a gift to be received by personal faith in the completed atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  All the redeemed throughout time are saved solely by grace through faith (Romans 4:13-16). In addition, all truly saved people are kept by the power of God, and cannot be lost again. (John 5:24, 10:27-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5). We reject as unbiblical the teachings of John Calvin commonly known as Calvinism.

Concerning the Church We believe that God intends believers to be baptised and united to a local, visible fellowship for worship, instruction, prayer, testimony, observance of the ordinances, and the service of Christ (Acts 2:42, Ephesians 4:11-12, Matthew 28:19-20).

Concerning Baptism and the Lord’s Supper We believe that the only scriptural baptism is the total immersion of believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (John 3:23, Acts 8:32).  Baptism does not have saving power (Romans 1:16). It is a testimony of the salvation which the believer has already received, and identifies him or her with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Romans 6:3-4).

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ which occurred once for all time (Hebrews 9:26-28). The bread and grape juice are mere symbols of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is bodily present in Heaven (Hebrews 9:24).

Concerning Co-operation We will not co-operate in any joint activities with any church, organisation or project that, by teaching or practice, compromises the teachings of the Word of God (Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14, Titus 3:10). We will however, gladly co-operate with and assist churches of like faith and doctrine.

Church Covenant Having trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, been scripturally baptised in obedience to His command, and holding the above doctrines, we the undersigned freely undertake before God to walk together in mutual Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this local church, to contribute to its needs, to be faithful in attendance at Worship, and to assist the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.

For further information, contact Pastor Derry O’Sullivan on 085 702 1425.