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1. GOD
There is one God, who exists eternally
in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice,
wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator, Saviour and Judge
who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign
will for his own glory.
2. THE BIBLE
God has revealed himself in the
Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every
word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible
as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without
error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone
speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all
matters of belief and practice.
3. THE HUMAN RACE
All men and women, being created
in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth.
Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a
result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human
nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual
life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore
under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again,
forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please Him.
4. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully
God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born
of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father.
He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross
he died in the place of sinners, bearing God's punishment for
their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead
and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is
exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence
of the Father.
5. SALVATION
Salvation is entirely a work of
God's grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished
by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel.
God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them
repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified
by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal
life.
6.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has been sent from
heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation.
He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true
understanding of the Scriptures. He dwells in all believers,
brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness
to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for
worship, service and mission.
7. THE CHURCH
The universal Church is the body
of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong.
It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations
of believers who are committed to each other for the worship
of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism
and the Lord's Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and
for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed
within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement.
True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful
to the gospel.
8. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S
SUPPER
Baptism and the Lord's Supper have
been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the
gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into
his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord's Supper
is a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice offered once for all
and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings
are received by faith.
9. THE FUTURE
The Lord Jesus Christ will return
in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness.
The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous
will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with
God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.
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