Basis of our Faith
Here is the basis of our faith, the foundation of of what we believe and our character as a Church.
(We have added a slightly more comprehensive version of this page under the 'Fuller Theology' tab)
Bible
The Bible is Gods word, written down. There are no other books like it - it is reliable and it is relevant.
It should be read carefully and regularly- definitely by Christians, ideally by everyone!
Each book (the Bible is a collection of 66 short books) should be taken in its context and taught carefully to all. Why? It is a guide, how to live as a Christian and it will reveal Gods purposes for you.
It is complete- it should not be added to or taken from.
Trinity
There is one God. God has always existed and always will. He is all powerful, all knowing. He is immeasurable, uncontainable. He is perfect: blameless, true and loving.
God consists of three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. One God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - This is known as the Trinity.
God the Father
God the Father created everything, he spoke and it appeared; he keeps this world alive. This is amazing, God is supernatural. His standards are beyond our ability, his love is beyond our ability. He is just, but he is also forgiving.
He is interested in all of us, he is big enough to care about the smallest thing that affects our lives.
Jesus
Jesus is Gods son - God didnt create him, he is naturally the son of God. Jesus was with God long before he came to earth. At creation, Jesus was there and worked with God in making everything. When above it says God still keeps everything alive, he does this through Jesus. Jesus, like the Father is everlasting.
He came into the world at 00AD to die as a sacrifice for our sins (wrongdoings). In the three years before his death he taught widely about how we should live. He performed miracles and forgave people. When he died (on the cross), he was punished for all sins past and present.
He rose again three days later, performed more miracles and taught some more before ascending to heaven.
Now he lives with God, representing us to Him.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit as its title suggests is spirit- it is not confined to follow a physical form, again this is supernatural and amazing.
He is with us now, His purpose is to bring people to realise their wrongdoings and to turn to God. Once that takes place He lives in Christians and helps them understand the Bible correctly.
Man
God made man - male and female - in His own image, to have a relationship with Him. Tempted by Satan, man rebelled against God and the relationship was broken. Having broken the relationship, there was nothing man could do to repair it (only Gods forgiveness could do it!).
Away from God, man is driven by selfish desire and is encouraged by Satan to remain that way. This condition is opposed to Gods way. Without Gods offer of forgiveness through Jesus, there is no hope.
Gospel
The term Gospel means good news.
Jesus Christ is the gospel, he was born, he lived, he died, he rose again and ascended to God.
Our rebellion against God and rejection of Him could not go unpunished. So, Jesus died in our place, being punished for our sins past, present and future.
Jesus death displays His love and grace. Now he represents us to God. No-one else could do that for us all.
Man's response to the Gospel
When man receives the gospel message he must confess his sins and accept it as truth; this must be a genuine response.
A life touched by the gospel is a changed life. It is a life of faith clearly seen by its service to Gods Kingdom.
Man's reward through the Gospel
Through the gospel, man is declared innocent and is saved from Gods punishment (salvation).
Man is given eternal life in Gods presence. God accepts man as His son.
Man is no longer ruled by his tendency to sin, but is free to live Gods life-plan.
Transformation
The Holy Spirit causes man to realize the Gospel and after the initial response, the change-process begins; we change to be more like Jesus.
Sin is still with us, but loosens its grip as we learn to live more like Jesus through his teaching and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
As we do, people will notice Gods glory within us and will praise Him for it.
Everyone who responds to the Gospel is urged to persevere in transformation. This is achieved through Bible study, prayer and worship.
Empowered by the Spirit
When man responds to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit comes to live within and empowers man to tell others and to serve.
After salvation, Christians are encouraged to pursue being further filled with the Spirit in order to witness the Gospel with more power in many ways.
Church
The Church = the people who genuinely follow Jesus Christ.
So as a collective term, the Church is every Christian in the World. So strictly speaking, there is one Church worldwide.
(In practice the various traditions, cultural and regional differences between people mean that the Church has become divided the church into different denominations and congregations. These differences may be just packaging (dress code / music style) but may be more crucial (Jesus role in the Gospel) but this should not be the case as there are certain areas of Biblical truth cannot be approached as pick n mix!)
God creates the Church, calling people to follow Him, there He guides and preserves them.
The Church exists to worship and glorify God, to work for Him on earth. This work is to spread the gospel and see people come into relationship with Him; through relationship with Him, society (and the World) will be changed.
When someone hears and responds to the Gospel, they should join other Christians in this mission; this is vital.
Jesus Return
The time will come when Jesus will physically return to earth. At this time the dead will rise and all will be judged. Satan, his hosts and those whove rejected Jesus will be separated from His presence forever; eternal punishment. All who have accepted Jesus will live with Him forever, serving, worshiping and enjoying His amazing presence.
Then the unfinished creation will be completed- all things declare Gods glory and He will renew all things.
Here is the basis of our faith, the foundation of of what we believe and our character as a Church.
(We have added a slightly more comprehensive version of this page under the 'Fuller Theology' tab)
Bible
The Bible is Gods word, written down. There are no other books like it - it is reliable and it is relevant.
It should be read carefully and regularly- definitely by Christians, ideally by everyone!
Each book (the Bible is a collection of 66 short books) should be taken in its context and taught carefully to all. Why? It is a guide, how to live as a Christian and it will reveal Gods purposes for you.
It is complete- it should not be added to or taken from.
Trinity
There is one God. God has always existed and always will. He is all powerful, all knowing. He is immeasurable, uncontainable. He is perfect: blameless, true and loving.
God consists of three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. One God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - This is known as the Trinity.
God the Father
God the Father created everything, he spoke and it appeared; he keeps this world alive. This is amazing, God is supernatural. His standards are beyond our ability, his love is beyond our ability. He is just, but he is also forgiving.
He is interested in all of us, he is big enough to care about the smallest thing that affects our lives.
Jesus
Jesus is Gods son - God didnt create him, he is naturally the son of God. Jesus was with God long before he came to earth. At creation, Jesus was there and worked with God in making everything. When above it says God still keeps everything alive, he does this through Jesus. Jesus, like the Father is everlasting.
He came into the world at 00AD to die as a sacrifice for our sins (wrongdoings). In the three years before his death he taught widely about how we should live. He performed miracles and forgave people. When he died (on the cross), he was punished for all sins past and present.
He rose again three days later, performed more miracles and taught some more before ascending to heaven.
Now he lives with God, representing us to Him.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit as its title suggests is spirit- it is not confined to follow a physical form, again this is supernatural and amazing.
He is with us now, His purpose is to bring people to realise their wrongdoings and to turn to God. Once that takes place He lives in Christians and helps them understand the Bible correctly.
Man
God made man - male and female - in His own image, to have a relationship with Him. Tempted by Satan, man rebelled against God and the relationship was broken. Having broken the relationship, there was nothing man could do to repair it (only Gods forgiveness could do it!).
Away from God, man is driven by selfish desire and is encouraged by Satan to remain that way. This condition is opposed to Gods way. Without Gods offer of forgiveness through Jesus, there is no hope.
Gospel
The term Gospel means good news.
Jesus Christ is the gospel, he was born, he lived, he died, he rose again and ascended to God.
Our rebellion against God and rejection of Him could not go unpunished. So, Jesus died in our place, being punished for our sins past, present and future.
Jesus death displays His love and grace. Now he represents us to God. No-one else could do that for us all.
Man's response to the Gospel
When man receives the gospel message he must confess his sins and accept it as truth; this must be a genuine response.
A life touched by the gospel is a changed life. It is a life of faith clearly seen by its service to Gods Kingdom.
Man's reward through the Gospel
Through the gospel, man is declared innocent and is saved from Gods punishment (salvation).
Man is given eternal life in Gods presence. God accepts man as His son.
Man is no longer ruled by his tendency to sin, but is free to live Gods life-plan.
Transformation
The Holy Spirit causes man to realize the Gospel and after the initial response, the change-process begins; we change to be more like Jesus.
Sin is still with us, but loosens its grip as we learn to live more like Jesus through his teaching and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
As we do, people will notice Gods glory within us and will praise Him for it.
Everyone who responds to the Gospel is urged to persevere in transformation. This is achieved through Bible study, prayer and worship.
Empowered by the Spirit
When man responds to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit comes to live within and empowers man to tell others and to serve.
After salvation, Christians are encouraged to pursue being further filled with the Spirit in order to witness the Gospel with more power in many ways.
Church
The Church = the people who genuinely follow Jesus Christ.
So as a collective term, the Church is every Christian in the World. So strictly speaking, there is one Church worldwide.
(In practice the various traditions, cultural and regional differences between people mean that the Church has become divided the church into different denominations and congregations. These differences may be just packaging (dress code / music style) but may be more crucial (Jesus role in the Gospel) but this should not be the case as there are certain areas of Biblical truth cannot be approached as pick n mix!)
God creates the Church, calling people to follow Him, there He guides and preserves them.
The Church exists to worship and glorify God, to work for Him on earth. This work is to spread the gospel and see people come into relationship with Him; through relationship with Him, society (and the World) will be changed.
When someone hears and responds to the Gospel, they should join other Christians in this mission; this is vital.
Jesus Return
The time will come when Jesus will physically return to earth. At this time the dead will rise and all will be judged. Satan, his hosts and those whove rejected Jesus will be separated from His presence forever; eternal punishment. All who have accepted Jesus will live with Him forever, serving, worshiping and enjoying His amazing presence.
Then the unfinished creation will be completed- all things declare Gods glory and He will renew all things.