WHAT WE BELIEVE

1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURE

We believe that God has revealed Himself in His Word – the Bible which consists of 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is fully, uniquely, divinely, and supernaturally the inspired Word of God. It was written by men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Because we are finite and sinful beings, we cannot know God’s truth completely, but with the help of the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit, we are able to know God’s truth revealed in the Bible truly. The Bible is the most necessary, infallible, inerrant, sufficient, divinely authoritative, and final rule for the faith and life of Christ’s disciples. Thus, there is no need for further revelation beyond the full and final revelation of the Bible. It is the supreme standard by which all human behaviors, beliefs, and opinions will be judged by God.
(2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Ps. 119:18; 1 Cor 2:12; Ps. 19:7; Is. 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35; Rev. 22:18-19; Prov. 30:5-6; Heb. 4:12-13)

2. THE ONE TRUE GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY

We believe that there is one, and only one true living God. He is an infinite, immense, uncreated, eternal, most wise, intelligent Spirit without body, parts. He is the creator of everything and sovereign ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and is worthy of our confidence, worship, honor, and service. God is immutable (unchangeable) in His holiness, justice, wisdom, mercy, love, and in all his perfection does all things for His own glory. Sinful humanity cannot know God apart from God’s gracious self-revelation.
This one true God co-exists in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. The three persons of the trinity have distinct roles but perfect unity of purpose in accomplishing our salvation for the glory of God.
(Deut. 6:4; Is. 40:28; Rev. 4:11; Is. 6:3; Num. 23:19, Jas. 1:17; Is. 48:9,11; Rom. 3:11)

3. GOD THE FATHER

We believe that God the Father, the First Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes of all things according to His own purpose and grace. He is the Creator of all things. As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator, He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.

(Psalms 145:8-9; 1 Cor. 8:6; Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 4:6; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47; 1 Peter 1:17; Ephesians 1:4-6; John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9)

4. GOD THE SON

We believe that Jesus, the second person of the trinity, is the Christ and the Son of God. He is the only incarnation of the One true God, who perfectly reveals God to man. In Jesus Christ the transcendent God becomes immanent. The Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross in the place of sinners (penal substitutionary atonement), bearing God’s punishment for their sin (propitiation), redeeming them by His blood. On the third day, He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and being the only mediator between God and man. He intercedes for His people in the presence of the Father.

(Mk. 1:1; Jn. 1:14, Col. 1:15-16; Jn. 1:18; Matt. 1:20; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1Jn. 2:1; Eph. 1:7; Acts 2:23-24; Acts. 1: 10; Heb. 1:3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:34)

5. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven by the Father and the Son to glorify Christ and to apply the work of salvation in the lives of people. He convicts the sinner, gives new birth (regeneration) and gives a true understanding of the Scripture. All true believers have been baptized by the Holy Spirit, and He lives within them, bringing assurance of salvation and enabling them to live godly lives according to Scripture. He brings believers into the Body of Christ, builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission. He does this by giving different people in the Church different gifts for the building up of the church according to His will.

(Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:8; 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; 6:19; Rom. 8:13-14; Eph. 5:18-20; 1 Cor. 12:4-6)

6. MAN

We believe that man was created by God in His own image and free from sin. God created man as male and female only, having equal dignity and worth, but distinct roles to reflect God’s original creation design and are meant for human good and human flourishing. The purpose of man’s existence is to glorify God by worshipping, obeying, loving, and enjoying God. But through the temptation of Satan, man sinned against God and because of sin, every intention and inclination of our hearts are corrupt, and our nature is polluted (total depravity). We are sinners both by nature and deed. Every unrepentant (unregenerate) man is under the condemnation of God’s perfect, just, righteous, and eternal wrath. We desperately need forgiveness for our sins and to be reconciled to the holy God.

(Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18; Ps. 37:4; Rev. 4:11; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 5:12; 1 Jn. 1:8,10; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:3; Heb. 9:27)

7. SALVATION

Salvation is being spiritually born again, having the penalty of our sins forgiven, being reconciled to the one true God, experiencing true internal spiritual peace, and the assurance of eternal life (life afterlife).

We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. This is not by our works (of tradition, religion, morality, ethics, or self-effort). The work of salvation was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ through His sinless perfect life, substitutionary atoning death on the cross, and His triumphant resurrection, and is freely made available to anyone who repents and believes through the proclamation of the Gospel. Because of His love, God elects, predestines, redeems, forgives, justifies, adopts, sanctifies, and glorifies His people.

(John 3:3; 1 John 2:2; Rom. 5:1; 1 Peter 1:3; Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:9; John 3:16; Eph. 1:4, 5, 7; Rom. 8:30)

8. ELECTION

We believe that election is the sovereign act of God before the foundation of the world in which He chose some persons unto everlasting life through Jesus Christ; others being left to the act in their sin to their just condemnation. This election was according to His eternal and unchanging purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, have chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace.

(Rom. 8:28-30; 11:5-6; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Thes. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; 1 John: 4:19; John 15:16; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Titus 3:4-7.)

9. SPIRITUAL REGENERATION

We believe that all men, regardless of their caste, colour, or creed, are born dead in their sins. They are unable to save themselves by their own initiatives. In spiritual regeneration, the Holy Spirit changes the hearts, gives new life to people who were dead in sins, enables them to repent from their sins and believe in the Gospel. According to the Bible, spiritual regeneration (Conversion/Born again) is completely a supernatural, internal, spiritual, invisible act of God’s Holy Spirit and cannot be done by force, enticement, or allurement.

(Rom. 3:10; Eph. 2:1; Eze. 36:26; John 3:5-6; Eph. 2:5; Eph. 1:13; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Titus 3:5-7)

10. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

(Mark 1:15, Acts 11:18, Eph. 2:8, I John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31 Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, II Cor. 7:11, Tim. 10:12-13, Ps.51, Rom. 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb. 4:14, Ps.2:6, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 7:25, II Tim. 1:12)

11. JUSTIFICATION

We believe that Justification is the great Gospel blessing which Christians receive by believing in Jesus Christ. It is the legal act where God declares men to be righteous in His sight because all their sins have been forgiven by God, and Christ’s righteousness is counted (imputed) as their own. It is an instantaneous, once and for all act of God in its entirety, in which He deems sinners to be just and righteous completely because of His grace. In other words, in Justification, sinners are declared to be Christ-like. Justification is received by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone.

(Rom. 4:25; 5:1; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:24,28)

12. SANCTIFICATION

We believe, sanctification is a progressive act of growing in Christlikeness. It is an actual internal spiritual change in a person whereby we are made partakers of God’s holiness. This work which began in us at the time of regeneration is now carried on in the hearts and lives of believers by the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. He works in us as we use the means of grace given to us such as the Word of God, the fellowship of believers, prayer, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, etc. to conform us to the likeness of Christ.

(John 17:17, 19; Phil. 1:6; Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 2:12-13)

13. PERSEVERANCE

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

(John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20- 21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps.121:3; Ps. 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb.1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4)

14. BAPTISM

We believe that baptism is the ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ for the church to display the Gospel. In Christian baptism, the one who has professed repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ is immersed in water and is baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a sign of our death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ Jesus. Baptism does not give us salvation, but it is an outward display of the internal work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian. It is an act in which a believer publicly commits himself to Christ, symbolising union with Him, entrance into His church, and being marked off from the world. It is to be continued in His church until the end of the world.

(Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:11; 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; Romans 6:5; Acts. 2:41; Matt. 28:19,20)

15. LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ for the church to display the Gospel. It is to be observed by baptized believers in the church in remembrance of Christ’s once for all sacrifice on the cross. In the Lord’s Supper, the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ body and his blood that were broken and shed for the forgiveness of sins of His people. The elements (bread and wine) do not change their substance in any way. The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity for the church for solemn self-examination. It is also a joyful celebration to commemorate together the dying love of Jesus Christ. The church should continue observing this ordinance in unity until Christ returns.

(Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:24-25, 28, 26.)

16. THE CHURCH

We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers of all ages from every race, nation, and language. They all are part of Christ’s body, the universal church, of which Christ is the only head.
This universal church is made visible in local churches. Each “local church” is the household of God, the assembly of the living God, and the pillar and foundation of the truth. The local church is a group of baptized believers who have covenanted together to gather regularly to worship God, to encourage one another, to hear the preaching of the Word, to receive pastoral care and discipline, to evangelise, and to observe the ordinances. The purpose of the church is to display the glory of God. The biblical offices in the local church are those of elders (bishops/pastors), who lead, and deacons (servants), who serve the church. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the Gospel.

(Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:24-25; Eph. 3:9-10; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1; Acts 6:2-3; 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1,8; Gal. 2:9)

17. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

(Rom 13:1-7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3; Ex 18:23; Jer 30:21; Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt 28:1-20; Dan 3:15-18; Dan 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2:1-12; Rom 14:9-13)

18. MARRIAGE

We believe that Marriage is divine institution ordained by God and His glorious design to be covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union with commitment between one (biological) man and one (biological) woman as husband and wife. It is ordained by God for the mutual help of husband and wife and is meant to signify the covenant love between Christ and His bride, the church.
We believe that neither is it lawful and biblical for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.
It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgement to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore they should not be unequally yoked by marrying with unbelievers (who do not believe in Jesus as Saviour and Lord), or idolater (who do not worship the one true God), as per the commandment made by our Lord in the Holy Bible.

(Gen. 2:18, 24, 24:57,58; Prov. 2:17; Nehemiah 13:15-17; Matt. 19:5,6; 1 Cor. 7:36-39; 1 Tim. 4:3; Hebrews 13:4.)

19. THE FUTURE

We believe that at the end of the ages, the Lord Jesus Christ will return in His glory. God will raise the dead again and judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wicked (those who rejected Jesus Christ) will not have eternal life in the New Heavens and New Earth. In the new creation there will be no sin, sickness, pain, or death.

(Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 22:20; 1 Cor. 15:52; Heb. 9:27; John 3:36; 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Rev. 20:15; Isaiah 65:17; Rev. 21:1,4,27.)