What we believe
Statement of Faith
Our Statement of Faith summarises the core biblical truths we uphold as a church. Rooted in Scripture, it reflects our commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority of God’s Word in all of life. Alongside the historic creeds, confessions, and the five solas of the Reformation, this statement expresses the essential beliefs that shape our teaching, worship, and mission.
GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). God is sovereign, holy, and the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1). He is loving, just, and merciful, in His perfect balance of His perfect attributes. He is good, and only can do Good (Psalm 199:68). As the Father, He cares for His creation (Psalm 103:13) and governs all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11). The Son, Jesus Christ, is the image of the invisible God and firstborn (Inheriting King) over all creation (Colossians 1:15). The Holy Spirit works to bring glory to Christ by guiding believers to the Son (John 14:26; 16:7-15). God is the epicentre of our worship, and our lives are to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).
CREATION
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth in perfect goodness, by the power of His word (Genesis 1:1-2:3). The universe reflects God’s majesty, wisdom, and power (Psalm 19:1). Humanity, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), are entrusted with stewardship of His creation (Genesis 2:15). All creation was originally good, but it now groans under the curse of sin (Romans 8:20-22). Creation awaits renewal, where God will restore everything (Revelation 21:1). We affirm the responsibility to care for the earth as God’s stewards, acting with reverence and responsibility towards the environment (Psalm 24:1).
SIN
We believe that sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Genesis 3), leading to separation from God (Isaiah 59:2). All people inherit a sinful nature (Romans 5:12) and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Sin affects every aspect of human life, corrupting our relationships with God, others, and creation. It brings death and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). However, God, in His mercy, offers redemption through Jesus Christ (John 3:16), calling all to repentance and faith in Him for salvation (Acts 3:19).
GOD’S REVELATION
We believe that God reveals Himself in two primary ways: through creation and Scripture. General revelation, seen in nature (Psalm 19:1), shows God’s power and divinity, leaving humanity without excuse (Romans 1:20). Special revelation comes through God’s Word, the Bible, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture is authoritative and reveals God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ (John 5:39). God also revealed Himself through prophets, apostles, and supremely in His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), who is the full and final revelation of God’s character and will.
THE PERSON OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the eternal Son of God (John 1:1,14). Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35). He is the promised Davidic King (2 Samuel 7) who lived a sinless life, perfectly fulfilling the law (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and through Him, all things were created (Colossians 1:16). He is the Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5) and the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). Jesus willingly suffered, died, and rose again for the salvation of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
THE WORK OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection are central to God’s plan of salvation (Romans 4:25). Through His substitutionary atonement on the cross, Jesus bore the punishment for sin, satisfying God’s justice (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His resurrection from the dead confirms His victory over sin, death, and Satan (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). By grace, through faith in Christ, believers are justified, forgiven, and reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus ascended into heaven, where He reigns as King and intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). He will return to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1; Acts 17:31).
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), made up of all believers who are united in faith by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Church is called to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and grow in holiness (Matthew 28:19-20). As a community of faith, believers gather for worship, teaching, prayer, and fellowship (Acts 2:42). The Church serves as Christ’s ambassadors, reflecting His love and mercy to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). It is both universal, comprising all believers, and local, manifesting in individual congregations.
BAPTISM
We believe that baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ (Matthew 28:19), symbolizing the washing away of sins through faith in Jesus (Acts 22:16). It marks entry into the covenant community of the Church and signifies union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). In the Reformed tradition, both believers and their children are baptized, acknowledging God’s covenant promises (Acts 2:39). Baptism points to the inward reality of spiritual renewal and the believer’s identification with the body of Christ (Galatians 3:27). We will nevertheless gladly baptise adults, and welcome into our community those who hold to believer’s baptism. In belonging to the CRCA and requiring integrity in adherence to our confessions, there are some limitations for Credobaptists when it comes to church leadership, though service is welcomed and encouraged.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion, was instituted by Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) as a means of grace for believers. It is a memorial of Christ’s death and a proclamation of His return. The bread and cup symbolize His body and blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20). By faith, believers participate in the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice, receiving spiritual nourishment and being united to Him and one another (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). The Lord’s Supper strengthens our faith and reminds us of our hope in Christ.
THE RETURN OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ will return visibly and gloriously at the end of the age (Acts 1:11). His return will mark the final judgment, where the righteous will enter eternal life, and the wicked will face eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:31-46). Christ will establish a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no more death, mourning, or pain (Revelation 21:1-4). Until then, believers are called to live in obedience and readiness, proclaiming the gospel and looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s kingdom (2 Peter 3:10-13).
The Five ‘Solas’
The Five Solas of the Reformation—Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, and To the Glory of God Alone—are foundational to what we believe. They affirm that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ, as revealed in Scripture, all for His glory. These truths continue to shape our faith, life, and mission as a church.
Sola Scriptura
(Scripture Alone)
Sola Scriptura affirms that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice, inspired by God and sufficient for salvation (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This principle emphasizes the importance of Scripture over church tradition and human authority, empowering believers to interpret God’s Word directly. The Reformation underscored that all teachings must align with biblical truth, establishing Scripture as the ultimate guide for Christian living and doctrine.
Sola Fide
(Faith Alone)
Sola Fide teaches that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works (Romans 3:28). This principle asserts that salvation is a gift received through faith, which itself is granted by God (Ephesians 2:8-9). During the Reformation, it rejected the idea that human efforts or adherence to the law could achieve salvation, emphasizing reliance on Christ’s redemptive work as sufficient for forgiveness and acceptance by God..
Sola Gratia
(Grace Alone)
Sola Gratia emphasizes that salvation is entirely by God’s grace, a free gift (Ephesians 2:5). It asserts that humans cannot earn salvation through their actions or merit; rather, it is through God’s unmerited favour that they are saved. This principle highlights God’s initiative in the salvation process, reassuring believers that their security lies in God’s grace and mercy, fostering a spirit of gratitude and dependence.
Solus Christus
(Christ Alone)
Solus Christus declares that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity (Acts 4:12). This principle emphasizes that salvation comes solely through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, rejecting reliance on any other mediators, such as saints or church leaders. It underscores the sufficiency of Christ’s work for redemption, reinforcing that faith in Him is essential for a restored relationship with God.
Soli Deo Gloria
(To God Alone Be the Glory)
Soli Deo Gloria states that all glory belongs to God alone (Isaiah 42:8). This principle emphasises that every aspect of life, including creation and redemption, should reflect God’s glory. It counters the elevation of human achievements and calls believers to live in a manner that honours God’s sovereignty. This doctrine fosters humility and purpose, reminding Christians that their lives are meant to glorify God in all things.
Our Creeds
The word creed comes from the Latin credo, meaning “I believe.” A creed is a statement of faith—an expression of the essential truths of Christianity. We affirm the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as faithful summaries of biblical doctrine. These historic confessions unite us with the global church across centuries, declaring the core truths of the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, and the hope of salvation. They remind us that our faith is rooted in God’s unchanging Word and shared by believers throughout history.
The Apostles’ Creed, one of the oldest statements of Christian faith, dates back to the early church around the 2nd century AD. This creed is traditionally attributed to the apostles, though its exact origins are unclear. The creed emerged as a summary of essential Christian beliefs, affirming core doctrines about the Trinity, the person and work of Jesus, the resurrection, the Church, and the New Creation. Over time, the Apostles’ Creed became widely used in liturgical practices, and it is still recited across many different Christian denominations today. The creed reflects the early church’s efforts to establish orthodoxy and combat heretical views, serving as a unifying declaration of faith across different traditions, and as we can still see now, across the millennia.
The Apostles Creed
The Nicene Creed was established at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to address particular theological disputes concerning the nature of Christ and His relationship to God the Father (countering the heresy of Arianism). The Council sought to unify Christian belief, resulting in a creed that affirmed the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. The Nicene Creed was later modified at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD and has since become a fundamental statement of faith for many Christian denominations.
The Nicene Creed
The Athanasian Creed, attributed to Athanasius of Alexandria in the fourth century, emerged as a response to Christological controversies, particularly Arianism. It articulates the doctrine of the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus is fully God and fully human. The Creed became prominent in the Western Church, often used in liturgical contexts and during the Feast of the Holy Trinity. Unlike other creeds, it explicitly condemns those who reject its teachings, reinforcing orthodoxy. Its precise origins remain debated, but the creed’s significance in shaping Christian theology is widely recognised.
The Athanasian Creed
Our Confessions
We uphold the rich tradition of Reformed confessions—historic summaries of biblical truth that guide our faith and practice. While not equal to Scripture, these confessions faithfully reflect its teachings, helping Christians grow in their walk with Christ by deepening their understanding of God’s grace, salvation, and the church. We encourage our members to explore them, wrestle with their truths, and grow in faith together.
These are the confessions that our church holds to, shaping our beliefs and guiding our commitment to God’s Word:
The Heidelberg
Catechism
The Belgic
Confession
The Canons
of Dort
The Westminster
Confession of Faith
(insofar as it does not go beyond the other three.)