statement of faith
As members of the Church, we subscribe to the following Doctrines and Practices of the Christian Faith in accordance with Scriptures.
SECTION A - DOCTRINES
1. WE BELIEVE that both the Old and New Testaments in the original texts constitute the divinely inspired Word of God inerrant, infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and doctrine.
2. WE BELIEVE in one God, co-existing eternally in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. WE BELIEVE in the eternal deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of virgin Mary, become man without ceasing to be God, and that He lived a perfect and sinless life on earth and was crucified, buried and on the third day rose again, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.
4. WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ after resurrection appeared physically before many witnesses and after 40 days ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for the saints.
5. WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible, bodily and imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His second advent is essential to the fulfilment of God's plan for all mankind.
6. WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit came first from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and of judgement and to regenerate, sanctify, comfort and seal those who believe in Jesus Christ and to empower them to use spiritual gifts for the carrying out of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ
7. WE BELIEVE that the Church is the Body of Christ whose members have been baptised into the Body by the Holy Spirit upon regeneration and is endowed with spiritual gifts for the edification of the Body and the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
8. WE BELIEVE the speaking of tongues is not an essential demonstration of the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit and is not essential to the salvation of man.
9. WE BELIEVE that man is sinful by nature and choice and is totally unable to remedy his lost condition except by the Grace of God.
10. WE BELIEVE that salvation of man's eternal being is the effect of regeneration or spiritual rebirth brought about by the Holy Spirit of God and is the gift of God granted to sinful man by the grace of God through repentance toward God and personal faith in Jesus Christ whose atoning blood was shed on the cross once and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
11. WE BELIEVE in water baptism of believers which symbolises the believer's union with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
12. WE BELIEVE in the observance of the Lord's Supper commemorating and proclaiming the sacrifice of our Saviour for all mankind till His return.
13. WE BELIEVE that the life of the believer is to be separated from worldliness by consistent Christian living and conduct before God and man, and to be in the world as a witness to the life-giving Light.
14. WE BELIEVE in the absolute necessity of maintaining the purity and unity of the local Church, according to the Word of God, in doctrine, discipline and practice by those who are members of the Church by virtue of their obedience to Christ in salvation and water baptism.
SECTION B – PRACTICES
1. BAPTISM: The observance of the Baptism of believers is normally by immersion on personal confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:35-38; 10:44-48).
2. THE LORD'S SUPPER: The remembrance of the Lord's death through the Lord's Supper shall be observed regularly, and normally all baptised members whose conduct is consistent with their confession of their faith shall be received at the Lord's table. (Luke 22:14-29; Acts 2:42, 46, 20: 7; Rom 14:1-9, 15:7, 1 Cor 5:6-8; 11:23-26).
3. FELLOWSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP: Every member subject to the lordship and worship of Christ shall participate in fellowship, prayer and instruction of believers and the exercise of spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church. (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4:1-16; Heb 10:23-25; 1 Pet 4:7-11).
4. EVANGELISM & MISSION: The local Church in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, both as individual and collective witnesses, shall proclaim the Gospel to their families, immediate neighbour, nation as well as to regions beyond. (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24: 44-48; Acts 1:8; 1 Pet 2:9; 3:15).
5. STEWARDSHIP: Every member has the responsibility and privilege to contribute his gifts, talents, time and resources to the work of God and for the extension of His Kingdom. It is also the responsibility and privilege of each member to tithe and contribute willingly, regularly and generously according to his ability as God enables. (Rom 12:1- 13; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8 & 9).
6. LEADERSHIP: The Church leaders, namely the Elders and Pastors, are God's appointed overseers, and likewise, the Deacons are God’s appointed servant leaders of the Church and are to discharge their responsibilities and duties faithfully, with propriety and honour, `shepherding the flocks' as Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd, would desire.
The Elders' and Pastors’ qualification for office are specified in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and duties are outlined in 1 Peter 5:1-3.
The Deacons’ qualification for office are specified in 1 Tim 3:8-10 and 1 Tim 3:12 – 13, and duties are referenced in Acts 6:1-6.
Church leaders as enjoined by scripture shall receive due respect and recognition by all Church members (1 Tim 5:17-19).
7. WORSHIP: All members shall meet regularly for the public worship of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and shall maintain family and personal devotions (Ps 27:4; Heb 10:24, 25; Song 1:6; Ps 122:1; Ps 1:1-3).
Every family shall endeavour to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord and to lead them into a saving knowledge of the Lord by regular instructions of the Word of God. (Prov 22:6; Deut 6:4-9; Eph 6:4).