DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES
The Role of Men and Women in Ministry
We believe that men and women are equal in created dignity and in salvation. Both receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit and are involved in the work of the gospel. Women were witnesses to the resurrected Christ (e.g. Matthew 28) and are to pass on this good news. Many of the gospel workers mentioned by Paul in Romans 16 are women. Older sisters are encouraged to teach younger sisters (Titus 2:4). However, the role of pastor and elder in the New Testament is given to men alone (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2:11-15). This is sometimes described as a 'complementarian' view of the sexes.
For a fuller understanding of this theological position see the 'Danvers Statement' HERE.
Marriage and Homosexuality
We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. Such marriage is presented in a positive light in Scripture. In both the Old and the New Testament homosexual activity, along with all other sexual intimacy outside of heterosexual marriage, is declared by God to be sinful. Nowhere in the Bible is there any hint that marriage can exist between two or more people of the same sex (Genesis 2:18-25, Lev 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:18-32).
For a fuller understanding of this theological position see the 'Nashville Statement' HERE.
CORE BELIEFS
DOCTRINAL BASIS
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The existence of one, eternal immutable God, creator and Lord of the universe, who in the unity of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, both governs all things according to his will and is accomplishing his purposes in the world and in the Church.
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The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God. Christians must therefore submit to its supreme authority and sufficiency, both individually and corporately, in every matter of belief and conduct.
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The inherent value of all human beings, made by God in his own likeness, and their sinfulness and guilt since the Fall. This has rendered them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation, and has resulted in their alienation from his life, suppression of the truth, and hostility to his law.
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The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, is fully God; he was born of a virgin; his humanity is real and sinless; he died on the cross, was raised bodily from death and is now reigning over heaven and earth.
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Salvation from the guilt, penalty and all consequences of sin solely through the work of Jesus Christ – his perfect obedience, penal substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and exaltation as Lord. He alone is truly God and truly man, the only mediator between God and man. There is salvation through no other person, creed, process or power. The entirety of a sinner’s justification, from beginning to end, is only by his grace alone appropriated through faith alone.
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The necessity and sufficiency of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual’s new birth and growth to maturity, and for the Church’s constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power and mission.
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The universal church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. Its existence reveals God’s ultimate purpose to bring everything together under Christ. It is made visible in local congregations of believers, who are a holy people called to declare the praise of him who saved them, and to proclaim his gracious offer of salvation to those who are lost. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between local churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel.
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The personal and visible return in glory of the Lord Jesus Christ to raise the dead and bring salvation and judgement to final completion. God will fully establish his kingdom when he creates a new heaven and new earth from which evil and evildoers, suffering and death will be excluded, and in which he will be glorified forever.