The Bible is the Word of God, which has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. It has final authority in matters of belief and living, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
There is just one God, in three persons in relationship together: the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. God created and sustains everything, is wholly perfect, just and loving.
Humans were created by God, and in his image. All humanity has rebelled (sinned) against God, and by themselves, no one can repair their relationship with God which is broken by sin, or earn their way into a right relationship with God. The result of this is eternal condemnation and separation from God.
Jesus is God, and like the Father and the Holy Spirit, has always existed. Jesus became a man – conceived by God and born of a virgin. He led a perfectly sinless life, during which he revealed God to people, healed many and performed other miracles. He then died on a cross as a sacrifice; a substitute for humanity; taking the full force of God’s just punishment for people’s sin.
Three days after death, Jesus was resurrected to life. He was identified by people who knew him before his death, and appeared to many others before ascending to heaven. He will return at a time known only to God to judge all who have ever lived.
Every person has sinned, is condemned to death because of it, and cannot save themselves from this. However, anyone can have salvation freely because of Jesus’ death and resurrection in their place. The only means of salvation is through Jesus. Though totally undeserved, any person who admits their sin before God and asks to be forgiven is saved because of Jesus. In this way, their punishment has been dealt with, and they have been made a child of God. They must commit their lives to Jesus as their God and King, always turning away from sin.
When Jesus returns to judge, those who have been saved through him will be declared blameless before God and will continue to experience their eternal life with God in a new creation.
The Holy Spirit is God. He works in the life of believers, first making it possible for them to realise their sin and need for salvation, revealing to them the truth about God and enabling their request for forgiveness. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer, empowering them to live godly lives and to understand God’s Word; and gives gifts in the form of abilities which are to be used for the benefit of the Church.
The Church is the group of all believers; a body of which Jesus is the head. The Church gathers around Christ in Heaven now; the expression of this on Earth is when a local church meets – worshipping God together and enjoying fellowship with each other. God has given Christians a responsibility to use all He has given them to build the Church while they wait for Jesus to return.
For more on what we believe about Jesus and Christianity please check out our Jesus page.
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