Home » Who We Are » Our Beliefs

Our Beliefs

Some of the things that form the basis of our faith and life together are listed below. Feel free to ask us more why about we believe these things.

 

We believe in God. Do you believe that there is a God? We do! This is a core conviction, one that shapes our whole way of living and thinking. We are not alone. Most people believe in ‘God’ in some way. We believe that God is personal and powerful, and certainly beyond our ability to understand or explain. We believe that God created the world for us to enjoy with God, and that God created it good… perfect! We urge you to think long and hard about this, because if there is a God, it will have huge implications for you – and for everyone!

We believe in good and evil. By this we mean that we believe there is something terribly wrong in the world. This is not the world as God created it! All people, including you and us, are prone to hurtful, unhealthy attitudes and behaviors, and this explains why despite our best efforts we cannot make this world a better place. Until we are ready to admit this, we won’t find the help we so desperately need. And we will continue to wander through life… lost!

We believe in the bible. This book is amazing. Written over a period of 1500 years, yet all its chapters tell one story – from creation, to the fall into sin, to God’s rescue operation, and ultimately to the new (restored) creation. We believe that this book, though written in the language and culture of specific historical periods, remains the unfailing message of God for all people, revealing God’s will and God’s way to true life and joy! We believe that God’s Spirit leads us through the Bible, and that we must continuously reform our lives according to God’s leading.

We believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ – who lived on earth 2000 years ago – was God in human flesh, who came to save us from sin, death and hell, and to help us find our way back to God! We believe that he modeled perfectly the life that God originally designed us to live. We believe that his sacrificial death removed the death penalty hanging over our heads. We believe that he was resurrected to life, and now by the Spirit living in us, we too can be restored to new life – everlasting life! And we believe that the only way for you to receive this is by admitting your sin, trusting in Jesus, and committing yourself to living with, like and for him!

We believe in eternal life… and eternal death. Although we do not know the specifics, we do believe that all people are heading in one of two directions, either towards God (and eternal life) or away from God (and eternal death). This is not a cruel joke, nor is it God’s way of getting revenge. We are responsible for the direction of our lives. God is constantly calling us, inviting us to eternal life and warning us of the consequences of ignoring God. God doesn’t want us to perish – God sent Jesus to rescue us – but in the end, if we refuse to respond, we get what we asked for. Yes, “hell” is ultimately getting what we wanted – eternal life without God. To quote Diana Ross, Do you know where you’re going to?

We believe in following Jesus. The As Jesus followers, we are called to carry on where Jesus left off – serving people in their need, calling them to return to God, sacrificing themselves for the good of their neighbour, putting God first in the daily details of life, and being used by God to miraculously bless people! Granted, this is not what Christians have always been like – but we are committed to growing more and more like Jesus and living for him..

We believe in you! This is not some kind of positive thinking mumbo jumbo. We believe that you are a sinner, that you need God’s help, that you need Jesus Christ to be forgiven and restored to God’s family. But we also believe that you are God’s child, that with God in your life, you are a gifted and important member of the human race. God can do amazing things through you, if you surrender your life to Jesus! God wants you to make a difference in the world! Can you imagine what this world would be like if people actually started living like God wanted them to, like Jesus did? God is prepared to do this in you… are you?