What We Believe
We believe that the Bible, both the Old Testament and
the New Testament, is the inspired Word of God, the only infallible
rule of faith and life. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
sent to redeem the world; we love and trust Him as the one who saves us
from our sin; and with repentance and joy we embrace Him as Lord of our
life.
God
We
believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has
eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2
Jesus Christ
We believe
that Jesus Christ is both God and human. He was conceived by the Holy
Spirit and born by a virgin.
We
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world; we
love and trust Him as the one who saves us from our sin; and with
repentance and joy we embrace Him as Lord of our life. Jesus Christ is
the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless
human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of
all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days
to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's
glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1
Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15
The Holy Spirit
We
believe that the Holy Spirit makes all of us aware God's presence. He
delivers God's free gift of grace and lives in us. The Holy Spirit
reveals truth and causes us to understand the word of God.
We
believe God gives new life through Jesus Christ and empowers us to live
this life by the activity of the Holy Spirit. In a world where people
often confront pain, suffering, and problems, God wants us to show His
world what this new life is.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians
2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible
We
believe that the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, is
the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life.
We believe that the Bible is the foundation of our faith. The Bible is
the infallible inspired Word of God, without errors or mistakes, and the
only rule for faith and our daily living.
We
believe the Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for
Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the
truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6
Human Beings
We
believe that people are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like
Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation.
Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are
marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This
attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Salvation
We
believe that God made this world good. But human beings wanted to live
without God and turned their backs on Him and His plan for their lives.
We
believe that all men are sinners and cannot be restored to fellowship
with God by any power of their own.
We
believe that God will accept all who repent of their sins and believe
that Jesus Christ is the only basis of salvation. "For God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish, but have eternal life." -- John 3:16
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26
Eternal Security
We
believe that because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the
true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been
genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the
grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is
the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Eternity
We
believe that people were created to exist forever. We will either exist
eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through
forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell.
To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are
real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15
The Church
We
believe that God called the church to be his hands and heart in our
neighborhoods and in our world.
We
believe that the mission of the church is to bring the word of God to
people who are apart from Him so that they might be saved. The
Christian church is universal and acknowledges Jesus Christ at its head.
We
belong to God's family only because of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
Christianity is not something we do but something Jesus did for us. He
made us God's children.
Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:28-30
What is our only comfort in life and death?
We
believe that we are not our own, but belong -- body and soul, in life
and in death -- to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid
for all our sins with His precious blood, and has set us free from the
tyranny of the devil. He also watches over us in such a way that not a
hair can fall from our head without the will of our Father in heaven: in
fact, all things must work together for our salvation. Because we belong
to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal life and makes
us wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A 1
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