Faith

FAITH

1. SCRIPTURES ( THE HOLY BIBLE) – The Divine Inspiration, Authority and Sufficiency of the Holy Scripture, the Holy Bible – (2 Tim 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19: 7-11).
2. GOD – The Unity of the Godhead with the distinction of Persons in that Unity namely the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to whom equal honour is due (Deut 6:4; Gen 1:2,26; John 1:1,2; 5:17,22,23; 14:25,26; 16:7,27,28; Phil 2:6; Heb 1:1-3,8).
3. JESUS CHRIST
   1. That the Son of God truly became man being begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary – (John 1:14, Rom 8:3; Gal 4:4; Matt 1:20-25; Luke 1:35).
   2. That His death was a sacrifice to God and a propitiation for the remission of sins- (Rom 4:25, 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 9:24-28; 10:12-14).
   3. That He was raised from the dead- (Matt 28:5-7; 1 Cor 15:20).
   4. That He ascended to the right hand of God and is now the all-sufficient High Priest of His people- (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9; Eph 4:8-10; Heb 4:14-16; 7:25).
   5. That He will come again to receive His people unto Himself and to set up His Kingdom – (John 14:3; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Luke 1:32,33; Isa 9:6,7; Dan 2:44,45; 7:13,14).
4. MAN – That in consequence of the fall of Adam man became lost and at enmity against God; that he is also without strength to do the will of God – (Psalm 53:2,3; Luke 19:10; Rom 3:19;5:6,12-19; 8:5-7).
5. SALVATION – The need of the Holy Spirit’s work in regeneration and sanctification – (John 3:5-8; 16:8-11; Titus 3:4-7; 2 Thess 2:13,14; 1 Peter 1:2).

PRACTICES

1. 1. That the justification of the sinner before God is by faith in Christ alone – (Rom 3:21-26;4:4,5; 5:1; Gal 2:16).
   2. That every justified one is also born of God – (John 1:12,13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).
   3. That such new birth results in and is made evident by holiness of life and good works – (Eph 2:10; 4:24; Titus 3:4-8).
2. 1. That at death the spirit of man does not cease to exist or become unconscious but is either in the presence of God or in hades – (Eccl 12:7; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; 2 Cor 5:6-8).
   2. That the dead will be raised either to life or to condemnation and that the blessedness of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous will be alike eternal – (1 Cor 15:51-57; Phil 3:20,21; Rom 14:9, 10; 2 Cor 5:10; Dan 12:2; Acts 17:31; Rev 20:11-15).
3. The gift of the tongues (languages) which was manifested during the apostolic times for the revelation of the Word of God and for authentication of the apostolic ministry (Acts 2:4), is not encouraged for the practice in the church by the Scriptures (1 Cor 13:8; 1 Cor 14; 1 Cor 1:22;13:9; 10; Rom 11:24-25; Rev 22:18-19).
4. The scriptural observance of the ordinance of Believer’s Baptism by immersion on personal confession of faith and the commemoration of the Lord’s death in the Breaking of Bread on the first day of the week in so far as circumstances allow – (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:41,42; 8:36,38;10:47,48; Luke 22:19,20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-26
5. The reception at the Lord’s Table of all Believers known to be sound in faith and godly in life – (Rom 15:7; 1 Cor 5:6-8; 10:14-17)
6. The conducting of meetings for worship, prayer, Gospel, thanksgiving and for Bible study under the guidance of the Holy Spirit with opportunity for the exercise in the church of all true gifts for edification subject to the Lordship of Christ – (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12; 13; 14; 1 Peter 4:10,11)
7. The preaching of the Gospel of God and the establishing of assemblies (churches) of believers, in accordance with Divine Command – (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15 and Luke 24:44-48).
8. In the devotional practices of the Church, Acts2:41, 42 with the Ordinances are upheld.
9. The recognition and the appointment of Elders who are male members of the church fitted by God for spiritual leadership and for Episcopal and pastoral duties – (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7;Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
10. The appointment of Deacons who are male members of the church, and who possess qualifications for the office of Deacon in accordance with the Scriptures and who are delegated with responsibilities for all matters relating to finance, property, transport, personnel and the general welfare of the church – (1 Tim 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7)