A Summary of The Key Beliefs We Hold To:
What is Doctrine? Doctrine simply means the Biblical teaching on various matters and the essential beliefs of the Christian Faith. There are eleven basic Christian Doctrines, which we believe are essential to understand and grasp, in order for us to become mature as Christians and to serve as a Biblical foundation on which the Church is built.
- Revelation - God has revealed himself generally through creation and man's conscience and specifically through Jesus Christ and the Bible.
- The Doctrine of God - We believe that God exists and has revealed himself and therefore we can know him. There is only one God who is three in one; Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.
- The Doctrine of Creation - God created the universe out of nothing. God is reflected in his creation but he is distinct from it. God created in freedom and love.
- The Doctrine of Angels - Angels are ministers, servants, and messengers from God. Satan is a fallen angel whose goal is to get revenge on God by corrupting and destroying all of God's works. Demons, like Satan, are fallen Angels.
- The Doctrine of Man - Man is created by God in the image of God for a covenant relationship and is destined for immortality. Man is made up of body soul and spirit.
- The Doctrine of Sin - Sin originated in the angelic realm with Satan. Sin results in the alienation of Man from God, himself, his fellow man and creation. Original sin refers to man's capacity for and tendency to sin.
- The Doctrine of Jesus Christ - Jesus is fully man and fully God. Jesus was tempted yet remained sinless. Jesus is the final and supreme revelation of God to mankind. He is the incarnation of God on earth. Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Jesus will come again in glory and power.
- The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity. He possesses all the attributes of God and performs and shares in the Works of God. He is integral to the life of the believer by leading us to a place of salvation and enabling us to live the Christian Life.
- The Doctrine of Salvation. Salvation is a six-fold process: Election; Calling; Justification; Sanctification; Perseverance; Glorification.
- The Doctrine of the Church - Jesus is the head of the Church. He founded it, it belongs to him, and it is answerable to him and not to any man. There are many Biblical pictures that describe the nature of the Church: a family, a building, a body, a bride, and a flock of sheep to mention but a few. There are two practices prescribed by Christ to be performed by his Church. These are Baptism and Communion.
- The Doctrine of Last things - There will be an end to the world and time. We are living in the last days since the time of Christ, but there will be a last day when Jesus comes again. There are various Millennial views as to the sequence of events after Christ returns, which include the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of mankind and the destruction of Satan in Hell, and lastly the dawning of a new heaven and a new earth.