We are an independent evangelical church. Independent means that we are not part of a particular denomination of church (e.g. Anglican, Baptist, Methodist). Evangelical means that we believe in the authority of the Bible.
We believe there is only one true God – the God of the Bible. He has existed since before time began and will live forever. Although there is only one God he exists as three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This idea of three equalling one is known as the Trinity. It's difficult for human beings to understand because there is nothing else like it in our experience.
Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
We believe in the authority and authenticity of the Bible – it is the written Word of God and is completely reliable. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about our faith and how we should live our lives.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe that God, the creator of all things, made human beings in his image – we believe that we were created to know God and to care for his creation.
God said: “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life – the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.” (Genesis 1:26)
We believe that Jesus was both fully God and fully human – he was born of the Virgin Mary whose pregnancy was a miracle brought about by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the only human to have lived a perfect, sinless life.
“He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
We believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world – we have all missed the mark, failing to live to God's standard, and we deserve to be judged. To spare us from the consequences of this judgement Jesus died on the cross, exchanging his perfect life for our imperfect lives. In the ultimate act of love God himself took the blame for our sins.
“He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” (1 Peter 2:24)
We believe that Jesus was raised from the dead – his resurrection is proof that all those who have followed him sincerely will also be raised from the dead to live with him forever. After his resurrection Jesus ascended to heaven where he now sits at God's right-hand.
“Now he sits on the throne of highest honour in heaven, at God’s right hand.” (Acts 2:33)
We believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven – our sin separates us from God but if we say sorry to him and put our trust in Jesus, believing that he died for our sins, then we are freed from the punishment that we deserve and are made right with God.
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in all followers of Jesus – after Jesus ascended to heaven he sent the Holy Spirit so that we are always in the presence of God. The Spirit helps us to become more like Jesus and empowers us to do his work.
Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, who will never leave you. When the Father sends the Counsellor as my representative – and by the Counsellor I mean the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.” (John 14:16 & 26)
We believe that the Church is the living Body of Christ – everyone who follows Jesus becomes part of the body. Each of us has our own unique purpose but together we are one. The Church exists to worship God, to tell the world the good news about Jesus and to promote justice and love.
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)
We believe that Jesus will return to the earth as King – the dead will be raised and there will be a final judgement leading to the eternal blessing of the forgiven and the eternal punishment of the unforgiven. God will create new heavens and a new earth where nothing evil will exist and where he will be worshipped forever.
“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:11 & 16