STATEMENT OF FAITH & PRACTICE

      We Believe

1. The Divine Inspiration, Authority and Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures - (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-11).
2. The Unity of the Godhead with the distinction of Persons in that Unity namely the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to whom equal honour is due - (Deut. 6:4; Gen. 1:2,26; John 1:1,2; 5:17,22,23; 14:25,26; 16:7,27,28; Phil. 2:6; Heb. 1:1-3,8).
3. 1. That the Son of God truly became man being begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary - (John 1:14; Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4; Matt. 1:20-25; Luke 1:35).
   2. That His death was a sacrifice to God and a propitiation for the remission of sins - (Rom. 4:25, 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:24-28; 10:12-14).
   3. That He was raised from the dead - (Matt. 28:5-7; 1 Cor. 15:20).
   4. That He ascended to the right hand of God and is now the all-sufficient High Priest of His people - (Mark 16:19,20; Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25).
   5. That He will come again to receive His people unto Himself and to set up His Kingdom - (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Luke 1:32,33; Isa. 9:6,7; Dan. 2:44,45; 7:13,14).
4. That in consequence of the fall of Adam man became "lost" and at "enmity against God"; that he is also "without strength" to do the will of God - (Psalm 53:2,3; Luke 19:10; Rom. 3:19; 5:6,12-19; 8:5-7).
5. The need of the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification - (John 3:5-8; 16:8-11; Titus 3:4-7; 2 Thess. 2:13,14; 1 Peter 1:2).
6. 1. That the justification of the sinner before God is by faith in Christ alone - (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:4,5; 5:1; Gal. 2:16).
   2. That every justified one is also born of God - (John 1:12,13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).
   3. That such new birth results in and is made evident by holiness of life and good works - (Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Titus 3:4-8).
7. 1. That at death the spirit of man does not cease to exist or become unconscious but is either in the presence of God or in hades - (Eccl. 12:7; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:6-8).
   2. That the dead will be raised either to life or to condemnation and that the blessedness of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous will be alike eternal - (1 Cor. 15:51-57; Phil. 3:20,21; Rom. 14:9,10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Dan. 12:2; Acts 17:31; Rev. 20:11-15).
8. The gift of the tongues (languages) was only meant to be temporary during the apostolic times for the revelation of the Word of God and for authentication of the apostolic authority that the gift of languages ceased after the Bible was completed as 1 Cor. 13:8 clearly states in the original Greek tenses; that its purpose was to the unbelieving Jews; that its purpose was fulfilled when the Jewish nation has been set aside as a witness and the Gentiles were grafted in; that the modern tongue movement has violated the rules in 1 Cor. 14 and is unscriptural - (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:9; 10; Rom. 11:24-25; Rev. 22:18-19).
9. The scriptural observance of the ordinance of Believer's Baptism by immersion on personal confession of faith and the commemoration of the Lord's death in the Breaking of Bread on the first day of the week in so far as circumstances allow - (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41,42; 8:36,38; 10:47,48; Luke 22:19,20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
10. The reception at the Lord's Table of all Believers known to be sound in faith and godly in life - (Rom. 15:7; 1 Cor. 5:6-8; 10:14-17).
11. The conducting of meetings for worship under the guidance of the Holy Spirit with opportunity for the exercise in the assembly of all true gifts for edification subject to the Lordship of Christ - (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12; 13; 14; 1 Peter 4:10,11).
12. The preaching of the Gospel of God and the establishing of assemblies (churches) of believers, in accordance with Divine Command - (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15 and Luke 24:44-48).
13. The recognition and the appointment of Elders who are male members of the church fitted by God for spiritual leadership and for episcopal and pastoral duties - (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
14. The appointment of Deacons who are male members of the church, and who possess qualifications for the office of Deacon in accordance with the Scriptures and who are delegated with responsibilities for all matters relating to finance, property, transport, personnel and the general welfare of the church - (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7).