The Bible

The Bible, as originally given, is inspired by God. Through it God speaks to us and every word is infallible. It is our only authority for what we believe and practise.

God

There is only one God, revealed in the Bible as three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, co-eternal and co-equal.

The Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He is both eternal God and a perfect, sinless man. God is love, and through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross He has provided the way in which sinful people can be brought into a right relationship with Him. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice for sin and through it there is freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin.

On the third day after His crucifixion the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the dead and in His risen, glorified body He ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person for those who have believed in Him, both those who have died and those who are alive, and together they will be with Him for ever.

Man

Man, created by God in His image and likeness, sinned. As a result all men are sinful and guilty before God and subject to God’s righteous wrath and condemnation.

Salvation

Salvation can not be earned or deserved. It is God’s free gift, given when a person repents and trusts Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him both as Saviour and Lord. Because of God’s undeserved love and mercy the person who trusts in Christ receives complete forgiveness of sins, becomes a child of God and receives eternal life which they can never lose. There will be a final judgement when those who have not been saved will suffer eternal punishment.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the moment of conversion. His major task is to glorify the Lord Jesus in the life of the believer, producing increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour. It is the Holy Spirit who gives the power to fight against sin and to witness to the world. He also gives gifts to build up the church.

The Church

There is one universal Church - the Body of Christ. Into this body, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is Head, all believers are baptised in the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion.