What We Believe

Faith Statement

We believe in the almighty God who is three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Cor. 13:14; Matt. 3:16-17). The attributes of God include self-existence, love, omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience.

We believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son, who lived a sinless life, gave His life for the redemption of mankind and rose again on the third day (Heb. 7:26; John 1:1-14).

We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity. He teaches, guides, comforts, convicts and sanctifies believers (Matt. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:2).

We believe that all the Scriptures are revealed and inspired as the Word of God. Their authors were superintended by God. All Scripture is given for the instruction of the Church (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

We believe that all human beings are created by God in His own image. However, all human beings became sinful by nature due to the sin of their first parents.

We believe that salvation is the ultimate redemption from sin and the judgment of God, and reconciliation to God. There is salvation only through Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:6-10).

We believe in the Church as the body of Christ, composed of the people of God. The Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. We also believe that the Lord instituted and ordained the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper for the edification of the Church (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 4:1-6).

We believe in the final bodily resurrection of the saints at the return of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18). We also believe that all the unsaved will be eternally condemned.

We believe that angels and demons exist and that both are spirit beings, and that their capability is restricted by God. The angels are God's emissaries, accomplishing His purpose in the world. Demons will be judged at the end of the age and will be subjected to eternal punishment.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Athanasian Creed

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

And the Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord.

For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord, So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after; none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.

Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood; Who, although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh but by taking of the Manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

The Chalcedonian Creed

"We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us."

The Five Solas of the Reformation

• Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone)
• Solus Christus (through Christ alone)
• Sola Fide (by faith alone)
• Sola Gratia (by grace alone)
• Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)

Our Convictions on Key Issues

1. Alcohol

Our conviction is that alcohol should not be consumed by Christians, as it can be a hindrance to spiritual life and can lead to abuse of one's own body. Though in places the Scriptures do not seem to condemn its use completely (Eccl. 9:7; Ps. 104:14-15; Matt. 26:27-29; Luke 7:33-34; John 2:9; 1 Tim. 5:23), they definitely address the dangers of alcohol abuse. Additionally, there are passages which demonstrate the positive benefits of abstaining from it (Num. 6:2-4; Prov. 20:1; 23:31; Luke 21:34; 1 Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Pet. 4:3). The Bible calls drunkenness sin; hence, in our view, it is wise to abstain from that which leads to sin.

2. Tobacco

Our view on tobacco falls in line with that on alcohol. As tobacco contains substances that cause a person to become addicted, it is good to refrain from using it in any form. We think of the words of the Apostle Paul: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything" (1 Cor. 6:12).

3. Marriage

We believe that the family is the basic institution established by God. Consequently, a man should marry one woman, making a commitment which lasts for a lifetime (Gen. 2:24). Though there is no distinction in the dignity bestowed upon men and women, there is a distinction in the individual functions and roles within the family given to each. Husbands should lead the family and wives should be a helper. The husband should love his wife and the wife should submit to her husband. Key verses: Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5; Eph. 5:31.

4. Divorce

The man and woman united in marriage should not be separated, except for the reason of infidelity in the marriage. Key verses: Matt. 19:9; Mark 10:12; Mal. 2:16; 1 Cor. 7:11, 15.

5. Remarriage

In our view, remarriage is only permitted in Scripture on the grounds of the death of one's spouse. Key verses: Matt. 19:9; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12.

6. Premarital Sexual Activity

Sex should be confined within the boundaries of marriage, between a man and a woman who are joined together in marriage. Therefore, premarital sex is sinful. Key verses: Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:6-9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:4.

7. Extramarital Sexual Activity

Extramarital sexual activity is condemned as sin in the Bible, and believers are warned to flee from it. Any form of sexual immorality is sin, is contrary to the Biblical standard of living and shows that a person lacks self-control. Key verses: 1 Cor. 6:13-20; Matt. 5:28; 1 Thess. 4:3-5.

8. Cohabitation

Since cohabitation involves a couple living together as husband and wife outside the marriage covenant, it must be avoided. It is not the way God intended men and women to live. Only after marriage may a person leave his or her family and start a family with their spouse. Key verses: Gen. 2:24; Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2.

9. Abortion

The Bible consistently teaches that children are a gift from God. From the moment a woman conceives, the child is a full human being; hence, to abort a baby is to take a life. The unborn child must be seen as a person in the image of God and must be protected. Key verses: Ps. 139:13-16; 127:3-5; 22:10; Gen. 1:27; Jer. 1:5; Job 31:15; Isa. 44:24; Gal. 1:15; Eph. 1:3-4; Luke 1:41ff.; 2:6-7.

10. Homosexuality

We do not support the view of same-sex marriage, as it is a direct violation of the Bible (Rom. 1:18ff.). The Bible teaches that homosexuality came about as a consequence of sin and condemns it as sinful. However, homosexuals can be saved like any other person if they repent and seek the forgiveness of God. Key verses: Rom. 1:18; 1 Cor. 6:13-20; Matt. 5:28; 1 Thess. 4:3-5.

11. Pornography

Pornography is another form of self-gratifying sexual immorality that enslaves a person. It is a deviation from God's design for marriage and sexual life, and is equivalent to adultery as it provokes lust. Pornography has harmful effects on a person and on his or her relationships. A person must flee from it. Key verses: Matt. 5:27-28; 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-5.

12. Financial Debt

Though it is not a sin to borrow, the Bible speaks about good stewardship of our resources. All resources belong to God, and we must faithfully steward them for Him. We believe a person must learn to live with contentment and should avoid debt as much as possible. If he or she has to borrow, it must be repaid in due time so as to become debt-free (Ps. 37:21). Key verses: Deut. 8:18; Ps. 37:21; Prov. 13:22; Luke 14:28; Rom. 13:7-8; Phil. 4:19.