OUR BELIEFS
OUR FAITH AND PRACTICE IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS OF BELIEF PERTAINING TO MISSIONS
These statements provide the biblical basis for why we do what we do in missions.
THE ETERNAL GODHEAD
We believe that there is one God, who is the eternal, self-existent one; who has revealed himself as a tri-unity (Trinity) of three divine Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who are distinguishable, but indivisible. He is Creator and preserver of all things visible and invisible. He rules his creation as sovereign King with absolute authority.
God is light, God is spirit and God is love. He is just and holy, but gracious, full of compassion, mercy, goodness and kindness, who forgives transgression and sin. He has all-knowledge, all-wisdom, all-power (almighty), and is present everywhere simultaneously. He has revealed himself as personal, relational and knowable.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead, who was and is the eternal Son of God. We believe in his virgin birth, his absolute deity and full humanity, his sinless life, the authenticity of his miracles, his substitutionary and atoning death, his bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and his present mediatorial work in heaven.
Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 24:39, Acts 1:9, 2:22; 10:38, Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 4:8-10, Hebrews 7:25-26; 9:12, 1 Peter 2:22
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead, who is God’s present and active presence in and through the church, and God’s indwelling and empowering presence within believers. His inward presence is the guarantee (seal) of resurrection and eternal life. We believe in his work of convicting and regenerating sinners, and we believe in his work within believers of sanctification, comfort, guidance into all truth, and empowerment for ministry and mission.
Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:11; 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 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2, Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:2, Revelation 22:17.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and are therefore without error in their original writings, and the basis of faith and practice for the church.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, 89, 105, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16,
THE FALL OF HUMANITY
We believe that the two original humans (Adam and Eve) were created by God in his image and likeness, morally upright and sinless. We believe that the devil (Satan) tempted them to sin voluntarily against God’s specific command. This is known as the Fall. Consequently, all of Adam and Eve’s descendants – all humanity – are now born with a sinful nature, separated from God, spiritually darkened and lost, and in utter need of redemption.
Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-21
THE ATONEMENT
We believe that God’s answer to humanity’s sinful state is found in the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, whose sufferings, shed blood, resurrection and ascension have made full atonement for the sins of the whole world. Through his substitutionary death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin and, through his resurrection, breaks the power of sin. God’s loving initiative through Jesus has provided full and free forgiveness, righteousness before God, and freedom from sin, Satan and eternal death.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7, Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6, John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24, Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:25-26, 1 Peter 1:19-20
SALVATION OF HUMANITY
We believe that salvation is received through repentance toward God for one’s sin and placing one’s faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This experience.