top of page

"The purpose of this church is to glorify the God of the Scriptures (the Eternal God, the Creator and Ruler of the heavens, the earth, and every living creature) by maintaining and promoting His worship both individually and corporately, by edifying His saints, and by evangelizing sinners."

Covenant

Covenant

God has graciously entered into a covenant relationship with His believing people. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant Covenant, which infallibly secures all the benefits of the covenant for all of Gods people. God has in this New Covenant made us members of the body of Christ.

​

Therefore, we have covenant responsibilities to each other, as well as to God. God has promised in this covenant to write His laws in our hearts and to cause us to walk in His ways (that is, to enable us to keep our covenant responsibilities).

The motivation and ability to obey Gods laws spring from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, by His death, satisfied the holy wrath of God that was against us due to our sinful nature.

 

It is by the enablement of the Holy Spirit that we obey, in loving gratitude for Christs righteousness, which has been imputed to us, and not to establish our own righteousness before God. We obey with the confidence that the end of Christs death will be realized in us (that is, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us; and that we should be a people zealous of good works. 

  • Trinity
    We agree to worship only the one true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. We will have no other gods before Him.
  • Worship
    We agree to worship God in His appointed way and to exclude from our worship anything that He has not appointed.
  • Gods Holy Name
    We agree not to use the name of our God emptily or to take it upon ourselves carelessly, but to walk in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
  • Lords Day
    We agree to cease from our own works on the Lords Day, if they are not works of mercy, piety, or works of necessity, and to positively sanctify the Day by special exercises of public and private worship.
  • Obedience
    We agree to honor and obey, within the bounds of Scripture, all our superiors, whether in family, church, state, or business; and, if we be superiors, to deal reasonably and lovingly with our subordinates and thus to teach them by word and example to fear God and keep His commandments.
  • Purity
    We agree to avoid whatever tends to destroy us or our neighbors and to engage vigorously in all lawful endeavors to preserve our own lives and the lives of others, especially by ready reconciliation and faithful exhortation in the Church.
  • Holiness
    We agree to possess our bodies in holiness as vessels joined to Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and to avoid all uncleanness of thought, speech, or action.
  • Diligence
    We agree to be diligent in our vocations, that we may provide for our own households, avoid theft of time, money, or goods, and to give to them that are in need.
  • Truth
    We agree to earnestly promote truth among men and to avoid anything that would prejudice the truth or injure our neighbors good name.
  • Contentment
    We agree to be fully content with our own condition in life, to rejoice in the advancement of our neighbor, and to avoid envying him or coveting anything that is his.
  • God-Centeredness
    God commands us to glorify him in all we do. Furthermore, He requires us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (1 Cor 10:31; Mark 12:30). - We, therefore, affirm that our lives in their entirety must be lived before God, under his authority, and for his glory alone. In the light of this, we endeavour to be focused on honouring and pleasing God in our personal lives, our worship and all our corporate activities (Eccl 12:13). - We deny that there is a place for man-centredness or for the promotion of our own popularity, carnal success or self-image (Jere 45:5; Rom 2:29).
  • Logic and Reason
    God has created human beings as rational creatures in his own image (Gen 1:27; Ps 32:9). - We, therefore, affirm the necessity of logic and reason as tools for the correct understanding of truth, which is not contradictory (Isa 5:20). - We deny that faith is illogical or irrational (Isa 1:18). We further deny that logic apart from revelation or reason apart from the Holy Spirit’s illumination is sufficient for knowing truth (1 Cor 2:6-16).
  • Authority
    God is the only being with intrinsic authority. Consequently, all human authority is delegated by him (Rom 13:1; Mat 28:18). - We, therefore, affirm that God has established three spheres of human government, and that He alone defines what their responsibilities are. (a) Family Government Family Government is for the upbringing and education of children, as well as for the nurturing of orderly human relationships in honour, discipline, and love. The family is the basic unity of society (Eph 5:22-6:4; Deut 6:4-9). (b) Church Government Church Government is for the spiritual well-being and ministry of God’s people (1 Cor 12:12- 27; 1 Thess 5:12-15; Heb 13:7, 17). (c) Civil Government Civil Government is for the well-ordering and protection of society; this includes the appropriate punishment of criminals (Rom 13:1-7). - We deny the existence of any sphere of Government that is without accountability to God. We also deny that any government may assume the responsibilities God has assigned to another sphere of authority. This means that, while there must be a separation of church and state, there is no separation of the state from God (Ps 2; Rev 11:15).
  • Sanctity of Life
    God the Creator has the sole right to give and take human life, since all human life belong to Him alone (Neh 9:6; Isa 42:5). (a) Abortion: - We, therefore, affirm that life begins at the moment of conception and that abortion is the taking of a human life (Ps 51:5). - We deny that abortion is merely an issue of a woman’s right of choice over her own body (Ps 139:13-16). (b) Death Penalty: - We further affirm the responsibility of civil government to execute the death penalty for premeditated murder, in order to demonstrate the sanctity of life and to deter such crime (Gen 9:6; Rom 13:4 Ecc 8:11). - We deny that the just execution of a murderer by God-ordained authorities is itself murder, and that such criminals have a right to life (Num 35:30-34).
  • Marriage and Sexuality
    God created mankind male and female, and ordained marriage as a life-long union between a natural man and a natural woman (Gen 2:18-25). - We, therefore, affirm that by nature only heterosexual marriage is legitimate, that God hates divorce (Mal 2:16), and that any expression of sexual intimacy is holy only in the covenant of marriage (Exd 20:14; Heb 13:4). - We deny the legitimate and permissibility of divorce “for any and every reason” (Mat 19:3-9; 1 Cor 7:10-16). Likewise, we deny the legitimacy and permissibility of homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, pornography, paedophilia, bestiality, prostitution, incest and other forms of sexual perversion (Rom 1:24-27).
  • Discipline
    God is a God of order and justice, who disciplines those He loves for their good (1 Cor 14:33; Heb 12:5-11). - We, therefore, affirm the duty of churches to discipline their unrepentant members, excommunication being the final means of grace for their reconciliation (Mat 18:15-17). We affirm the responsibility of parents to discipline their children in the spirit of loving correction. This discipline may include corporal punishment (Prov 22:15). - We deny that all such discipline in the church and the home is unloving or harmful to its recipients when done according to the rules of Scripture and in the Spirit of Christ (Lev19:17; Prov 13:24).
  • Gender Roles
    God our Creator has established a difference in the creation and roles of men and women, which we are not at liberty to change (Gen 1:27; 1 Cor 11:7-9). - We, therefore, affirm the male headship of responsibility in the home and the church, to be exercised in the spirit of Christ-like sacrificial servanthood ((1 Cor 11:3; Eph 5:22; 1 Tim 3:1-5). - We deny that women are inferior to men in value (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:11-12), and we deny that women may serve in leadership roles as Pastors or Elders (1 Tim 2:11-14).
  • Vocation
    God calls each of his people to serve him in various ways in this world (1 Cor 7:20-24; Col 3:22-25). - We, therefore, affirm the sanctity of labour and the validity of all vocations which are not contrary to the righteous requirements of Scripture (1 Thes 4:11-12; 2Thes 3:6-10). - We deny that work and business are outside the realm of Christian living, and we deny that they may be performed as something other than service to Christ (Eph 6:5-9).
  • Racial Harmony
    God has created all mankind in his own image; all people are of one blood, having descended from Adam (Gen 5:1-3; Act 17:26-28). Furthermore, God in Christ has broken down every barrier of hostility that sin has made to separate us, creating one new humanity in Christ (Eph 2:13-18). - We, therefore, affirm the dignity and human brotherhood of all mankind in addition to the unity of believers in Christ regardless of race, colour, or ethnicity (Col 3:11). - We deny that there is any basis in the reason or in the Bible for ethnic or racial discrimination by any person against other people (Rev 7:9).
  • Creation
    God is the Sovereign Creator of the heavens and the earth and every living creature (Gen 1:1-2:3; Heb 11:3). - We, therefore, affirm that the account of creation in Genesis is a record of historical events, that God created everything out of nothing, after its own kind, and that man was specially created in the image of God. - We deny the philosophy of evolutionism in all its various expressions.
  • Animals and the Environment
    God has given mankind dominion over that part of his creation which is not made in his image and needs to be subdued, especially since the Fall and God’s subsequent curse (Gen 1:26-28; 3:17-19). - We, therefore, affirm the stewardship of human beings to use animals and the environment for the glory of God and benefit of humanity within the guidelines of Biblical principles of ecology. We also affirm God’s ownership of all land and mankind’s responsibility to use it for God’s glory, considering the needs of fellow human beings and future generations (Gen 9:1-17; Ps 24:1). - We deny that animals have rights or value equal to that of human beings, we also deny that the environment is without corruption, is self-determining, or shares in the nature of God in any way (Rom 8:20).
  • Pluralism (of Religion)
    The only true and living God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who has revealed Himself in the Holy Scripture (Isa 43:10-11; Mat 28:19; 1 Joh 5:20). - We, therefore, affirm that He alone is to be worshipped and obeyed in all of life, and that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour for sinners (Exd 20:3; 1 Tim 2:5). - We deny that any other religion or creed is valid and should be considered as respectable and equal to biblical Christianity (1 Kin 18:21; Act 5:29).
  • Freedom of Religion
    God has ordained civil government for the ordering of society in order to ensure the peaceful co- existence of all citizens irrespective of race or creed (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-4). - We, therefore, affirm that the responsibility of civil government to ensure that citizens are free to practice and propagate religion according to their consciences. - We deny that civil government has the right to prescribe or forbid any religion (be that religion Christianity, pluralism, secularism, or any other).
  • Evangelism
    God has ordained evangelism (the proclamation and teaching of the biblical message about Christ and him crucified) as the primary human activity through which He will call his elect people to salvation (1 Cor 1:17-25). - We, therefore, affirm that in this regard our core activity is to be engaged in God-centred evangelism and missions (Mat 28:18-20), at individual and corporate levels. - We deny that evangelism is an activity aimed at entertaining the lost and meeting their felt social needs (1 Cor2:1-5)
  • Sufficiency of Scripture
    God has revealed all that is necessary for life and godliness in His Word (2 Tim 3:16-17). - We, therefore, affirm the complete sufficiency of the Scripture for faith and obedience in all areas of life (2 Pet 1:3; Mat 4:4). We also affirm the completion of God’s revelation in the sixty-six books of the Bible (Jud 3). - We deny that any further revelation is being given today through so called prophets and apostles (Eph 2:20), or through any revelatory gifts (1 Cor 13:8-13; Heb 2:3-4). We further deny that human traditions or conventions should be followed without continual evaluation in the light of Scripture, since such things have no intrinsic authority (Mat 15:1-9; Col 2:20-23).
  • Expository Preaching
    God has ordained preaching as the primary means by which His people are brought to faith and sanctified (Rom 10:17; Eze 374-6; Joh 17:17; Jam 1:18-25). - We, therefore, affirm the centrality of expository preaching since this best reflects the mind of God and most edifies His people. We place a high premium on a Christ-centred exposition of the Scripture (Ps 1; Luk 24:27, 44). - We deny that things such as films, drama and musical programs, while having a place in life in general, should take the place of preaching of the Word in corporate worship (2 Tim 4:14).
  • Genuine Christianity
    A true Christian is a person whose nature has been transformed by the Holy Spirit from a God-resisting orientation to a God-seeking orientation (1 Joh 5:18-20). - We, therefore, affirm that all true Christians display certain marks of regeneration, namely: ongoing and continual dependence on Christ alone (1 John 5:10-12); habitual obedience to His commands and habitual rejection of evil (1 John 2:3; 3:7-10); sacrificial love for God and fellow believers (1 John 3:10, 17 4:7-21); the ability to overcome the ungodly pressures of a society antagonistic to its Maker (i.e. the “world”) (1 John 5:4); perseverance in faith and obedience (1 John 2:19; Matt 24:13; Heb 3:14). - We deny that a person who makes mere outward profession of Christianity without displaying the above-mentioned marks is a genuine Christian.
  • Personal Devotion to God
    God is a living God who dwells among His people in covenant relationship (Eph 2:22; Heb 8:8-12). - We, therefore, affirm the individual believer’s personal walk with God in all of life, enjoying communion with Him in a vital relationship – which includes commitment to a local church (Mic 6:8; 1 Joh 1:3; Phi 2:1). - We deny that mere intellectual adherence to an orthodox creed or confession apart from a regenerated heart issuing in good works is truly Christian (2 Tim 3:5; Mat 23:25-28).
  • Good Works and Social Concern
    God has created His people in Christ for good works, which are to be done in obedience to God’s commandments as the fruit and evidence of a true and lively faith, for the glory of God (Eph 2:8-10). - We, therefore, affirm the importance of engaging in good works such as helping orphans, looking after widows, caring for the poor and speaking for the dumb (unborn children) (Jam 1:27; 1 Tim 5:3-16; Isa 58:6-7; Prov 31:8-9). - We deny that good works are the ground or basis (rather than the evidence) of our salvation (Rom 11:5; Gal 3:10-14).
  • Autonomy and Interdependency of churches/congregations
    God has instituted the local church as a self-governing body through which His people will be evangelized, edified, and engaged in good works for His glory. He has also revealed in His Word that a local church may co-operate with other local churches (2 Cor 8:16-21; Mat 18:18-20). - We, therefore, affirm the principle of local church autonomy, as well as that of the interdependency of local churches. We also affirm that local churches may co-operate with each other in order to unite their efforts and resources around common projects. - We deny the need to form an institution with officers bearing instruments of power that would undertake or even replace the autonomy of any local church. We also deny that any local church should ignore its relationships with other local churches; in particular, no church should receive members from another local church without regard for disciplinary measure taken by that church.
  • Unity of the Church
    God’s Word teaches the essential unity of God’s people based upon union with Christ, truth and righteousness (Eph 4:3-6; 1 Cor 12:12-27). - We, therefore, affirm a biblically and doctrinally based cooperation among true churches of Jesus Christ for the purpose of reaching the whole world with the Gospel of Christ (Joh 17:20-23). - We deny that there is any basis for ecumenism that calls for an organizational unification of the Protestant Churches of the world (and ultimately of all professing Christians) which disregards the essential and fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the virgin birth, the atoning work of Christ, regeneration, conversion, justification by faith alone, and sanctification (Amos 3:3).
  • Liberty of Conscience
    God in Christ has purchased the liberty of believers, freeing them from the guilt of sin, God’s wrath, unbiblical traditions and regulations of men, Satan and the fear of death (Gal 5:1; Col 2:8-23; Heb 2:14-15). - We, therefore, affirm that believers are bound in their conscience only to God and to His Word, not to the impositions of men and of Satan (Rom 14:1-15:4). We further affirm that Christian liberty is nothing but freedom to serve God within the boundaries that God Himself has set (Rom 6:8-22). - We deny that Christian liberty gives license to sin of any kind (Rom 6:1-7). We further deny that any church or its leaders has a right to expect obedience from members when they teach things that are contrary or additional to God’s Word (Mat 15:1-9; Col 2:20-23).
  • Hyper-Orthodoxy
    Our Lord Jesus has warned his church against staining out gnats while swallowing camels (Matt 23:24). - We, therefore, affirm that in essentials there must be unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity (Tit 1:9-11; 1 Cor 8:1-13; Col 3:12-15). - We deny that our understanding of infallible truth is itself infallible and that all matters are equally important; therefore we deny that all matters require contention and division among those who differ (Matt 23:23).
Articles of faith

ARTICLES OF FAITH

  • The God of all comfort, who is always present, has granted to those who are justified by Jesus Christ and have repented from sin and believed in him the privilege of being comforted and encouraged in their afflictions, strengthened in their love, hope, and faith, assured of their sonship and eternal life, assisted in their prayers, instructed in the words and ways of Christ, given access to and filial communion with God, liberated from spiritual bondage, enabled to mortify sin and please the Lord, united to Christ and to each other, and sealed until the day of redemption through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.
     

  • The personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers is not manifested through the ability to perform miraculous feats or through hearing heavenly voices, receiving direct revelation, foretelling the future, or speaking in tongues, which were special apostolic endowments and signs that were associated with the founding of the church and have ceased. Instead, it is manifested through the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. However, God is sovereign and can choose to override the laws of nature and carry out His sovereign purpose as He sees fit.

  • Unlike the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, which is the root and cause of saving faith (John 3:3), the gift of the Holy Spirit results from the exercise of saving faith and is conditioned upon it (Acts 2:38), nevertheless the Spirit is not received subsequent to conversion as a second blessing, but immediately upon the exercise of saving faith, so that no true believer is devoid of the Spirit of God, nor is this “gift of the Holy Spirit” patiently tarried for after conversion, or carnally peddled (Rom 8:8-9, 1 Cor 12:13, Gal 3:2-3).

  • Although the Holy Spirit resides irrevocably in the hearts of all true Christians from the moment of their conversion, being received once and for all (Eph 1:13-14), nevertheless the same Spirit continues to be supplied to them throughout their lives, so that it is the duty of those already indwelt by God’s Spirit both to request further supplies and to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13, Eph 5:18).

  • The gift of the Holy Spirit is never taken away from true Christians, but He can be so grieved by their rebellion and backslidings (Isaiah 63:10); therefore it is the duty of all believers neither to grieve nor to quench the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30 1 Thess 5:19).

  • All true believers in every era had the Holy Spirit in their hearts and enjoyed the benefits of his special presence with them (Numbers 27:18, 1 Pet 1:11), but subsequent to the ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:33), in the era of God’s New Covenant with Israel, the people of God (Heb 8:10-12), not merely individually but now also corporately, are the temple of God, the place of his special habitation (1 Cor 6:19, Eph 2:19-20), their distinguishing trait now being this gift of the Holy Spirit, so that unless a person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit he has neither inheritance among God’s people under the New Covenant nor any right to membership in the church of Christ (Rom 8:8-9).

bottom of page