About Our Church

The Bible reveals there is one God. It also shows that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God. Other world religions offer many gods. We need to be clear that the Bible says there is one true God; all others are false and 'man-made' (idols). A simplistic way to understand this is water — it can exist as liquid, ice, and vapour; each state different in form yet still water. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each distinct, yet each God.

Every person, no matter how moral and good, will fall short of God's standard because of a sinful nature. Being 'good' is not 'good enough'. Acceptance comes through a right relationship with God — confessing our sins and seeking to live according to His ways. God the Holy Spirit works in our lives so that we can become 'new people' and serve him. If we reject God's offer of forgiveness, the alternative is an eternal hell without God.

Jesus became human like us. But if he had been born through the sexual union of a man and woman, he would have inherited the sin problem common to us all. Being born without sin was not enough — Jesus had to remain pure in mind, attitude and actions throughout his life. When he was crucified, all sin ever committed was accounted to him and he was punished for that sin. He rose from the dead triumphing over it, and one day he will return to reign as King of Kings.

We could never in our own efforts make ourselves right with God. Jesus died for us, taking our sin upon himself. When we believe this, God declares that we are forgiven — like a courtroom where someone pays the fine of the guilty person and the judge declares them free. God also calls us to be his people and live for him. Not a 'holier than thou' attitude, but someone whose life reflects Jesus in every aspect. The Holy Spirit helps us to do this.

When we read the Bible there are many instances where people had a definite experience of being filled by the Holy Spirit. This is how the church actually came into existence. This baptism gives the individual a strength and power to live as a Christian.

The Holy Spirit empowers people to serve and gives special gifts to help the Church. These gifts are extraordinary in their outworking. The early church needed such gifts and today, we also need them. Spiritual gifts are not only in use today in 'Spiritual Churches' but also becoming widely used in Orthodox Churches including Charismatic groups within the Catholic Church.

Jesus himself was baptised to identify himself with our humanity. By being baptised, it helps us understand something of the 'death' of our old life and the resurrection of our new one in serving Christ. With communion, this meal helps us to focus and consider what Jesus accomplished when he died for us. It should be a special time of reflection and worship.

If we do not accept the Bible as God's word, we are reading something which is man-inspired — flawed at best, disastrous at worst. The Bible was written over thousands of years by many different people, often in complete isolation of each other, yet it does not contradict itself. Prophecies made hundreds of years earlier were fulfilled. The Bible records people's failures as well as their successes, showing that God deals with real people and remains a Lord of mercy at all times.

The Church is unique because it comprises God's people with a spiritual dimension no other group possesses. A straight copy of management structures from secular society would not be suitable. Therefore, God has 'gifted' people in the church to lead it. These people are not 'superhuman' or promoted into positions — God's gift in them is recognised, nurtured and tested. When found suitable, they are set into their place of ministry.

Many people think they can do what they like when they have become Christians, because they are 'saved'. This is a misunderstanding of Scripture. God has given us a free will — He has not created us as robots. We have a responsibility to follow God's ways. If we fail and neglect God wilfully, there is a danger that we break our relationship with him. This is the greatest tragedy.