Our faith and practice is based on the following statements of belief pertaining to missions
These statements provide the biblical basis for why we do what we do in missions.
The Eternal Godhead
We believe that there is one God, who is the eternal, self-existent one; who has revealed himself as a tri-unity (Trinity) of three divine Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who are distinguishable, but indivisible. He is Creator and preserver of all things visible and invisible. He rules his creation as sovereign King with absolute authority.
God is light, God is spirit and God is love. He is just and holy, but gracious, full of compassion, mercy, goodness and kindness, who forgives transgression and sin. He has all-knowledge, all-wisdom, all-power (almighty), and is present everywhere simultaneously. He has revealed himself as personal, relational and knowable.
The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead, who was and is the eternal Son of God. We believe in his virgin birth, his absolute deity and full humanity, his sinless life, the authenticity of his miracles, his substitutionary and atoning death, his bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and his present mediatorial work in heaven.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead, who is God’s present and active presence in and through the church, and God’s indwelling and empowering presence within believers. His inward presence is the guarantee (seal) of resurrection and eternal life. We believe in his work of convicting and regenerating sinners, and we believe in his work within believers of sanctification, comfort, guidance into all truth, and empowerment for ministry and mission.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and are therefore without error in their original writings, and the basis of faith and practice for the church.
The Fall of Humanity
We believe that the two original humans (Adam and Eve) were created by God in his image and likeness, morally upright and sinless. We believe that the devil (Satan) tempted them to sin voluntarily against God’s specific command. This is known as the Fall. Consequently, all of Adam and Eve’s descendants – all humanity – are now born with a sinful nature, separated from God, spiritually darkened and lost, and in utter need of redemption.
The Atonement
We believe that God’s answer to humanity’s sinful state is found in the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, whose sufferings, shed blood, resurrection and ascension have made full atonement for the sins of the whole world. Through his substitutionary death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin and, through his resurrection, breaks the power of sin. God’s loving initiative through Jesus has provided full and free forgiveness, righteousness before God, and freedom from sin, Satan and eternal death.
Salvation of humanity
We believe that salvation is received through repentance toward God for one’s sin and placing one’s faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This experience is also known as the new birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit whereby the believing sinner is regenerated, justified, adopted into the family of God and becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus and heir of eternal life.
We believe that the justification and redemption of sinners is available to all people by God’s grace, through faith in Christ alone. Consequently, those who put their faith in Jesus enter into a personal, intimate and loving relationship with God.
The Church
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, a vital living extension of Jesus himself, of which he has been appointed ‘head’. It is the community of believers, all of whom have a function, and is called to be the visible expression of his supernatural body. It came into being on the Day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out upon the first believers. The present work of the Church is the worship of God, the maturity of all Christians (into Christlikeness) and the evangelisation of the world.
Mission & The Great Commission
We believe that, since the Fall, God has been active in his mission to restore humanity to himself. His mission culminated in the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ, to provide salvation and redemption. The risen Jesus commissioned and sent the Church in the power of his Spirit to continue his mission of proclaiming the Good News of salvation to all the languages, cultures and people groups of the world.
Gifts & Power of the Spirit
We believe in the present-day operation of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (charismata), as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in gospel ministry, which may be accompanied by supernatural expressions, to authenticate its message and bear witness to the authority of Jesus’ name.
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent, visible and personal return of Jesus Christ in power and great glory to judge both the living and the dead.
Eternal Destinies
We believe that the Scriptures set out only two destinies for humanity as determined by Jesus, the righteous Judge: the joyful prospect of eternal life in the presence of God for those who have trusted in Christ for their salvation; and the agonising prospect of eternal separation for those who do not know or have not put their faith in Jesus.
We believe that the devil and his angels and whoever’s name is not found written in the book of life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death. We believe that God is ‘…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance’,hence he has commissioned his people for mission.