What We Believe.

1. About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. We believe the doctrine as taught by the Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian Creeds and the 39 articles (page 476 in A Prayer Book for Australia).

See: Genesis 1:26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

2. About Jesus Christ

Jesus is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. His death is a substitute for ours. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death, declaring the effectiveness of his work on the cross. He ascended to Heaven and will return to consummate His Kingdom and to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

See: 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

3. About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son and is present in the world to make all people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Spirit gives every believer gifts for the building up of the Church.

See: 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16;
Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

4. About the Bible

The Bible, being the 66 books usually read, is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the only source of authority for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth in all that it affirms and contains all that is necessary for salvation.

See: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160;
Proverbs 30:5

5. About The Creation, Humanity and Sin

The created world reflects God’s glory but is separate from God. The world is upheld and sustained by God. People are made in the image of God to be in relationship with God, and to be like God in character. People are the crowning work of God’s creation. Every person has tremendous potential for good yet all of us are disobedient towards God. This is called sin. Ingrained in every person is a corrupt and sinful nature, where humanity is very far gone from God’s righteousness. This disobedience separates people from God, rendering humanity subject to God’s wrath and condemnation, and distorts their relationship with one another and the rest of creation. Indeed, the very creation itself has been marred.

See: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

6. About 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 way of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life, ask God’s forgiveness and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life with God begins when we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith and submit to His Lordship. See: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; 1:2; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

7. About Assurance of Salvation

Our Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not the self effort of the Christian. The Word of God, the work of Christ and the witness of the Holy spirit assure us of our salvation and free us from living with the fear of condemnation and judgement. The Christian is called to grow in faith, obedience and holiness of life, but our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is maintained by the grace and faithfulness of God.

See: John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

8. About the Future

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the guarantee that we will also be resurrected. When Christ returns, those who believe in Him will be raised in a new and glorified body to eternal life with God. Those who have rejected Christ will be raised to judgement for their sins and will be separated from God in eternity.

See: Revelation 20 & 21; 1 Corinthians 15; John 5:1-29; Matthew 25:31-46;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; John 3:16; 1 John 2:25;
1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 8:8; 25:41,46

9. About the Church

The Church of Christ is the gathering together of the faithful, in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments (being baptism and holy communion) are duly administered. The Church is to be a place of love, learning, service, fellowship and prayer. It is clear from the Bible that God expects us to meet together as a church.

See: Acts 2:42; 1 Peter 4-5; 1 John; Hebrews 10:25