Our Beliefs

THE BIBLE

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We therefore accept the Bible as the truth,  without any mixture or error.  It is the final authority on all matters of morality, conduct and faith, and is the completely relevant and trustworthy standard for our daily lives.  The Bible is not just a book, but a living guide, full of God’s wisdom and guidance. Through scripture, we learn about God’s character, how to live and act, and how to grow in our spiritual journey. We believe that by reading and studying the Bible, we are able to draw closer to God and deepen our understanding of His love.

(Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4, 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16)

THE TRINITY

We believe in the Trinity, which is the doctrine that there is only one true God, existing as one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons of the Trinity are distinct and unified, co-existing in perfect harmony and working together to create and sustain the world. We believe has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He is loving, eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, wise, good, just and merciful. We recognize that God is the Creator and the source of all life. Although each member of the Trinity displays different and distinct functions/roles in the story of creation and redemption, they each possess equal power and authority, working together to bring about His plans for humanity.

We believe that the Trinity is an essential part of understanding God and His purpose for us. By embracing the Trinity, we can have a deeper relationship with the Lord and better understand His will for our lives.

(1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19, 3:16-17; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11)

GOD THE FATHER

God is great; He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. God is good; He is our Father. As our Father, He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His children and His promises.  God the Father is our provider and source of all life - it is in Him that we live, move and exist.  He is the designer and Creator of all that is, who created us to have a relationship with Him.

(Genesis 1:26; Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Psalm 139; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4)

GOD THE SON

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the central figure of Christianity, the Word of God made flesh.  Jesus Christ is fully God, but at the same time, fully human. He came into this world as God incarnate, born of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He is the only way for people who are far from God to come back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, demonstrating for us how to live life in relationship with God.  Because He lived a sinless life, He could be a substitution for us, taking our place on the cross, thereby paying in full the penalty for our sin. He was crucified, buried, and resurrected three days later; and by virtue of His atoning, sacrificial death became our Redeemer, defeating death in His resurrection so that we could have life.

(Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 1:27-35; 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16)

GOD THE HOLY SPIRT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the unifying power between God and humanity, and is the source of our comfort, guidance, and strength.  His presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He is active in the world today as the active participant in the believer’s everyday life.  He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and appreciate the Bible, and helps us to live out its teachings in our lives. We believe that the Holy Spirit is with us always, faithfully guiding us in our walk with God. He comforts us, leads us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit both equips and empowers us to share the good news of the gospel with boldness and demonstrate the love of God to others.  Evidence of the Holy Spirit is seen in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, speaking in unknown tongues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.

(Genesis 1:2; Psalms 951:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:1-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17)

MAN & SIN

Humanity is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Every human being is uniquely created by God, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. We were created to have fellowship with God, but became separated in that relationship through Adam’s sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort, and are deserving of eternal separation from God.

(Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11)

REPENTANCE

Humanity was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell into sin. Our only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ. Repentance is a personal decision and commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. Through our repentance - confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, and the acceptance of His substitutionary work of the cross on our behalf - we individually receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation, becoming children of God and receiving the gift of eternal life.

(Genesis 1:26-31, 3:17; John 3:15-16; Acts 2:38, 3:19; Romans 5:12-21, 10:9-10)

SALVATION

We believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance of our sins. We believe the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation and the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift given freely through the grace of God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.  The Bible teaches us that no matter what mistakes we make, God’s love and grace are always available to us. We believe that through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are able to have the assurance of salvation and the promise of eternal life with God

(Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1, 10:9-10; Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:16, 20; 3:8, 13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:22-28; Revelation 3:20)

RAPTURE

This is the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected first, followed by those living who shall be transformed. We believe His coming is imminent, and will come at time undisclosed in Scripture.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

SECOND COMING

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth a second time in power and glory to establish His authority on earth, thereby lifting the curse of sin that currently rests on creation. This will occur at a time undisclosed by Scripture, therefore, we live everyday in expectation of Christ’s return.

(Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64: Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7)

ETERNITY

Man was created to exist forever. Those who are saved (who have repented and accepted Jesus) will exist eternally in union with God.  Those who are lost (not having accepted Christ) will exist eternally separated from God by sin. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven, to be eternally separated from God is Hell. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

(Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34, 41; Mark 9:43-48; John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27, 11:16; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8)

THE CHURCH

The Church at large is comprised of Christ-followers around the world, past and present, and is not limited to one organization, including ours.  The local church is a local community of believers, unified through faith in Christ, who come together voluntarily for worship, fellowship and edification. The local church is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.  We believe our entire purpose is summed up in Love God, Love Others, Repeat.

(Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3)

PRAYER

We believe in the power of prayer, both individually and corporately, as an expression of faith in God's work in our lives. Prayer is an essential part of a Christian life and is used to talk to God and to communicate with Him.  Through Jesus’ salvation, we no longer need an intercessor to go between God and us; we can address Him directly.   Through prayer, we seek to deepen our understanding of God's will and His plans for our lives. Praying helps us grow closer to God and to gain a better understanding of His will and how we can best serve Him. When we pray, we open ourselves up to God and He will answer us in His own way and in His own time. Prayer is a beautiful and powerful way to communicate with our Heavenly Father and to seek His love and guidance, and we believe that no monumental thing can be done without prayer preceding it and continuing through it.

(Psalms 145:18; Proverbs 15:29; Matthew 7:11; Luke 18:1; Romans 8:26; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8)

WATER BAPTISM

We believe Baptism is a symbolic act to publicly profess one’s salvation. God commands it, but our salvation is not reliant upon it. We believe that baptism is essential to Christian discipleship, and it is a beautiful way to proclaim our commitment to follow Jesus. We practice what is often referred to as Believer’s Baptism - baptism by full-immersion, symbolizing our identifying with the death and resurrection that Jesus went through for us. This is done by an individual’s personal choice, in full understanding of its meaning & significance in our faith journey. Baptism is a sacred and meaningful experience, and we are deeply committed to helping believers celebrate this important milestone in their journey of faith. By celebrating and honouring baptism, we are proclaiming our faith in Jesus and our desire to serve Him and others.

(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38)

SPIRIT BAPTISM

As part of our growth as disciples of Christ, there is a separate and distinct experience from salvation where we can be baptized with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to empower us to both live as Jesus taught us to live, and share the gospel with boldness and power.  Jesus is the one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit (according to Matthew 3:11).  This experience most often includes the sign of speaking in other tongues as recorded in Acts 2:4, as well as the demonstration of God’s power through signs and miracles.

(Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 2:4, 38; 8:17-18; 9:17; 10:44-46; 19:6)

SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the process of growth in a believer’s life, begun in regeneration and carried on in our lives through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  This is a process we cannot do on our own, as only God can sanctify a person.  However, are called to be active participants in the process, not being passive in our faith, but working with the Holy Spirit as He leads us.

(1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:10)

SPIRITITUAL DISCIPLINES

As Christ-followers, the regular practice of spiritual disciplines are essential to our growth as disciples. Spiritual disciples are those practices we find in the Bible that promote growth among believers; things such as (but not limited to) Bible study, prayer, fasting, service, rest and gathering together for worship and celebration.

(Mark 6:31; Luke 5:16; John 4:23; Romans 12:1, 4-5; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:16; 10:24-25)

COMMUNION

Communion (The Lord’s Supper) is a unique time when the elements of bread and juice express, in a spiritual way, the body and blood of Christ. Communion is taken by believers in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

(Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 8:36-38, 10:47-48; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25)