Our Beliefs
New Life Statement of Faith
We believe in one God, who has revealed Himself in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The Doctrine of the God: We believe in the Eternal Godhead, who has revealed Himself as one God existing in three Persons, even the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: distinguishable but indivisible; co-eternal, co-equal and co-existent in attributes, nature, power and glory. This Self-revelation of God in His tri-unity is revealed in the Scriptures alone. The one true God is Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Immutable (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 1 John 5:7-8; Ephesians 2:18; Isaiah 48:16; John 14:16-17; Genesis 1:1; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:6).
+ **We believe that the bible is the inspired Word of God **
The Doctrine of Scriptures: We believe in the complete inspiration of the accepted canon of Scripture as originally given. We believe that the Bible not only contains the Word of God but is the Word of God to man. Both Testaments were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, using various writers but overruling their imperfections, to give the only infallible and authoritative revelation. The Scriptures therefore are the final authority for all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 138:2; 1 Chronicles 28:11,19)
+ We believe in one God, who has revealed Himself in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The Doctrine of the God: We believe in the Eternal Godhead, who has revealed Himself as one God existing in three Persons, even the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: distinguishable but indivisible; co-eternal, co-equal and co-existent in attributes, nature, power and glory. This Self-revelation of God in His tri-unity is revealed in the Scriptures alone. The one true God is Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Immutable (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 1 John 5:7-8; Ephesians 2:18; Isaiah 48:16; John 14:16-17; Genesis 1:1; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:6).
+ We believe in the virgin birth, sinless life, miraculous ministry, substitutional death of Jesus Christ, His resurrection, His ascension into heaven and His second coming to earth to bring everyone to account for their lives
The Doctrine of the Christ: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son of God, who pre-existed with the Father, and by His incarnation and virgin birth He took on Himself the form of man and was revealed as the God-man. We believe that in Him the Divine and Human natures are so united that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man, thus constituting Him as the only mediator between God and Man, and the Saviour of all men (John 1:1-3, 14-18; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:30-33 Acts 2:34-37; Psalms 110; Micah 5:2; John 17:5; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Philippians 2:5-11; Acts 1:10-11). We believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We believe that He ascended bodily to Heaven, and that He will return the second time, actually, personally, bodily and gloriously “in the like manner” as He went into Heaven (Acts 1:9-10; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
+ We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Triune God head
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit as the third Person in the eternal Godhead, is Deity, and co-equal in nature, power, attributes and glory with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not merely an influence, but the very Personality of the Godhead and executor of the will and plan of God (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17; 15:26).
+ We believe that God has reached down in love to mankind and made promises of Salvation to mankind
The Doctrine of the Covenants: We believe that the God of the Bible is a Covenant-making, Covenant-keeping and Covenant-revealing God; that man can either accept or reject the Covenants but cannot change them. Some of the great Covenants of the Bible are the Edenic, Adamic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and New Covenants. The major dealings of God with man are summed up in the Old Covenant of LAW and the New Covenant of GRACE. (Genesis chapters 1; 3; 8; 12; 15: Exodus 19-24; Deuteronomy 29-32; 2 Samuel 7; Matthew 26:26-28; Hebrews 8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 13:20).
+ We believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of Heaven and Earth and everything therein, seen and unseen
A: The Doctrine of Creation:
We believe that God is the Creator, preserver and sustainer of Heaven and Earth and everything therein, and that all creation and creatures were created by Him and for His pleasure and all are dependent upon the Creator for their existence. (Genesis 1:1; 2:1-4; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 4:11; Acts 17:23-31).
B: The Doctrine of Angels:
We believe that God created angelic beings, spirit beings, who are ministering spirits doing the will of God, and are servants to the heirs of salvation. Their chief delight is to worship God, not be worshipped, and to do His good and perfect will (Hebrews 1:7; 14: Psalm 91:11; Matthew 25:22,41; 1Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 12:22-24; Psalm 104:4; Revelation 4-5).
+ We believe in Satan’s defeat and that deliverance from the devil’s authority, selfish habits and oppression is provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Doctrine of Satan and Demons: We believe in the reality and personality of Satan. Formerly, the Archangel and anointed Cherub covering the throne of God, he rebelled and fell becoming known as the devil or Satan. The Bible indicates that other angels also rebelled against God. (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezek. 28; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). Now Satan, the fallen angels, and demonic spirits, are reserved unto judgment of the great day and will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, which was prepared for them (Matthew 25; 14; 2 Peter 2:4: Jude 6; 1 Timothy 5:21; Revelation 2:7-9; 20:11-15; 14:9- 11).
+ We believe in marriage and family
The Doctrine of marriage and family: We believe that marriage was established by God and confirmed by Jesus Christ as a life- long relationship between one man and one woman. We believe that a Christian should ideally marry within the community of faith. Christian marriage is a reflection of the love, purity and permanence between Christ and the Church. We therefore discourage divorce as a solution to marital difficulties and encourage husband and wife to devote themselves to God and help in the body of Christ. Children are regarded as “a heritage of the Lord”. Raising them is therefore considered as a sacred trust and responsibility. (Eph 5.25-6.4)
+ We believe in the fall of man and his separation from God through sin
A: The Doctrine of Man:
We believe that man is the highest creation of God, made in the image and likeness of God. Man was created in a state of innocence and dependency upon God, being triune being, consisting of spirit, soul and body. We also believe that man was created with a free will and is therefore a moral, responsible and accountable creature (Genesis 1:26-29; 2:7; 16-17: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Psalm 8:5-8; Deuteronomy 30:15-19; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 14:12).
B: The Doctrine of Sin:
We believe that sin began in Lucifer (the devil). The devil brought about the Fall of Man and so “in Adam” all men became sinners and are under the death penalty which is the “wages of sin” (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 6:23). In this fallen state of sin (transgression, rebellion), man is totally incapable of recovering himself or of redeeming himself from the kingdom of darkness. (1 John 3:4). Man by nature is a rebel, lawless, self-willed and seeks to be independent of God (Romans 5:12-21; 3: 9-23).
+ We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Christ, who died for our sins and was raised for our peace with God and inclusion into the family of God
A: The Doctrine of Grace:
We believe in the grace of God which is manifested towards sinful men. Grace is defined as the undeserved, and unearned favour of God bestowed upon sinful men. The grace of God includes His love, mercy and power by which he builds His church. This grace which is offered so freely to all people, is only through Christ (John 1:14-18; Ephesians 2:7-9; Titus 3:4-7).
B: The Doctrine of Predestination:
We believe that predestination and election are based upon God’s foreknowledge. God has not predestined some men to salvation and others to damnation against the free will He gave them. Prophecy concerning persons (such as Judas) was not predestination but foreknowledge. God wants all people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9) and foreknows who will and who will not respond to the conviction and converting power of the Holy Spirit. On that basis He has fixed the destiny of all men, which is either Heaven or Hell. God does nothing inconsistent with His holy and loving character or moral attributes (1 Peter 1:2; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:5, 11; Romans 8:28-29).
C: The Doctrine of Salvation:
We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of Christ on the cross. The word “salvation” includes the meaning of “safety, deliverance, preservation, and health.” It is a comprehensive word including God’s complete work in us from regeneration to perfection and glorification.
D: The Doctrine of Atonement:
We believe that the Atonement is the all-comprehensive plan of God in and for the redemption of fallen man. The Atonement was made necessary because God’s holiness and wrath against man’s sinfulness, and can only be averted by a sacrifice upon which judgment is placed (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 1:18; 4:15; Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25). Atonement was foreshadowed in the Old Testament by the sacrifice of animals, whose blood temporarily “covered” sin but is fulfilled in the New Testament by Christ’s perfect, sinless, human and once-for-all sacrifice. His sinless, incorruptible blood not only “covers” but fully “cleanses” sin (1 John 1:5-7; John 3:16-17; 1:29, 36; Hebrews 9:1-24).
E: In all, the Atonement:
Was a sin offering (John 1:29, 36), a propitiation (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), a substitution (1 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:8), and a redemption (Colossians 1:14), and a reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Hebrews 2:17). All these words together, constitute the full truth of the Atonement. In the Atonement, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was sinless, took our sins and iniquities, and suffered the righteous wrath of a holy God, receiving the penalty of sin which was death. His death was not an accident but an accomplishment, making salvation available for all mankind, to “whosoever will” (John 3:16). The Benefits of the Atonement are:
i. Pardon – the forgiveness and remission of sin’s penalty (Acts 10:43; 13:38-39).
ii. Justification – the pronouncing just, a declaration of righteousness and right standing before God through Christ (Romans 5:1; 3:24-26).
iii. Regeneration – by which one is born again into the family of God and can call God “Our Father”. (John 3:1-5; Matthew 6:9; 1 Peter 1:23).
iv. Adoption – whereby one is placed as a son in the family of God (Romans 8:15,23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:4-13).
v. Assurance – whereby one has the witness of the Spirit that he is secure in obedience to the Word of God (Hebrews 5:8-9; 6:10-12; 10:38-39).
vi. Sanctification – whereby one is set apart unto the Lord and His holy service and use (John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Ephesians 5:26-27).
+ We believe it is Gods will for each person to become more like Jesus in all that we think, say and do
The Doctrine of Sanctification: We believe that the redeemed should be wholly sanctified in spirit, soul and body; that they should live a life that is Spirit-filled, a life of separation from sins of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We believe that the work of sanctification in the life of a believer results in a life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This kind of life rejects pride and rebellion and all behaviour stemming from this, such as homosexuality, sexual immorality, and sexual perversion, lust, incest, idolatry, envy, murder, strife, drunkenness, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, insolence, arrogance, boasting, promoting evil deeds, disobedience, greed, covetousness and all forms of moral depravity. Because God is holy, he can demand no less from His creatures and all who desire to live with Him in His holy heaven throughout eternity (1 Peter 1:16-18; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:23-27; Leviticus 11:44).
Some of the necessary steps in going on to maturity (Heb 2:3; 6:1-2) and perfection are:
A. Repentance from Dead Works (Matthew3:2:4:17; Acts30:20-21:2:37-39).
B. Faith towards God (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; Hebrew 12:2; Romans 1:16-17).
C. Water Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:36-38; 8:12-16; 19:1-7; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12; Galatians 3:27). This is by immersion into the Triune God, as in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Name of the eternal Godhead.
D. Holy Spirit Baptism (Acts2:1-4:1:5-8; 8:14-17;10:44-46;19:1-7;Galatians3:14-15). We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience at or subsequent to salvation, with the scriptural evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
+ We believe in Divine healing
The Doctrine of Divine healing: We believe in the healing of the body by Divine power, or Divine healing in its various aspects as practiced in the Early Church. God has ordained various means by which he heals; including the laying on of hands, anointing with oil; the prayer of faith by elders of the Church; the gifts of the Spirit; etc (Acts 4:30; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14; Mark 16:15-20; 1 Corinthians 12).
+ We believe in the Church and the Kingdom of God
A: The Doctrine of the kingdom of God:
We believe that Christ came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is therefore already present but is not yet fully realized. It is seen wherever God’s reign is extended and is a present reality in the hearts and lives of believers. The Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit as the agency by which the Kingdom is extended. The Kingdom will be seen in its fullness when Christ returns at the end of the age.
B: The Doctrine of the church:
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, and that every genuinely born-again believer is called to function as a member in the place set by God in that Body (1 Corinthians 12; 12-31). The Church exists to worship God, to edify the saints, to propagate the Gospel of the Kingdom and to subjugate Satan and his wicked hosts (Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15-20; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 4:10-11; 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 11-12-13-14; Ephesians 4:1-16).
We also believe that:
i. God has set the five-fold ascension ministry-gifts in the Church, of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher (Ephesians 4:9-16).
ii. God has ordained the Church be governed in His order, having Senior Leader, Elders and Deacons (Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 13:7; 17, 24; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3). These must be qualified persons before ordained and appointed to office.
iii. The nine-fold fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Divine nature and character and should be in every believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23). And the nine gifts are operations of the Spirit and reveal the attributes and power of God in the Church and are given to the members of the Body as He wills and are still for the Church today (1 Corinthians 12:1-13).
iv. Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ and is called to function and operate in the Body where the Lord has placed them (1 Corinthians 12). Every believer is to find their place in a Local Church.
v. God has ordained that the Church be supported by the tithes and offerings of its members, which are used in support for the God-ordained ministry and general expenses of the Local and/or Universal Church (Genesis 14:20; Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:1-4; Numbers 18).
vi. The Lord’s Table or the Communion is the ordinance in which members remember Christ’s sacrifice and discern the Body of Christ, naturally and spiritually. Discerning and honouring His Body brings strength, life and health (1 Corinthians 11:28-32; Matthew 26:26-28).
vii. The Lord’s purpose is to present to Himself a perfected, glorious Church. The Church will be a victorious Church and a suitable bride to be married to Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; 2 Corinthians 11:1-3; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 12; Revelation 19:7-9).
viii. All who are added to the Church should continue steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers (Acts 2:42).
ix. The Church should maintain the Divine standard of Christian life, taking care of the flock of God, by caring, feeding, teaching, preaching, exhorting and disciplining its members, in accordance with the Bible (1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; Titus Epistles; Acts 20:20-28).
+ We believe in both heaven and hell and that Christ will return to rule over all things
The Doctrine of Final Things: We believe that the end of the age will close with the literal, actual, visible, bodily and personal second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in like manner as He went (Acts 1:9-11). At this time those who have died believing in Christ will be resurrected. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, along with those believers who are alive at the time of His return. We believe in the millennial reign of Christ.
The resurrection from the Dead (1 Corinthians 15; John 5; Revelation 20:1-6), includes the resurrection of all men, either to a resurrection of life or resurrection of damnation. The purpose of resurrection is that all men might be judged as to their works done in the flesh, whether they be good or bad, and all will be rewarded accordingly (Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; Revelation 20:11-15). This settles the eternal destiny of all men. Believers will be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ and rewarded. The unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne and rewarded accordingly. Our generally held interpretation of some major Prophetic Scriptures which must find their fulfilment relative to the Second coming of Christ is:
i. That there will be a universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit as early and latter rain on all flesh (Joel 2; Hosea 6:1-2; James 5:7). This will bring about the spiritual fulfilment of the Feast of Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23; Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9-10)
ii. That the seven- sealed Book of Revelation will be opened, with its attendant judgments as displayed under the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets and Seven Vials (Revelation Chapters 4-10; 15-16).
iii. That, although there has always been persecution throughout Church history, there will be a period of “the Great Tribulation” at the close of this present age which will be for three and a half years, the fulfilment of the last half-week of Daniel’s Prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24; Revelation Chapters 11-12-13-14).
iv. That there will be a personal Antichrist, as well as many antichrists (Daniel 2&7; Revelations 13-14 & 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-1-12). The Battle of Armageddon takes place at the second coming of Christ. Antichrist and his armies make war against Christ and His armies but are defeated (Revelation 19:11-21).
v. That at the coming of Christ, the unredeemed are slain by the brightness of His coming, while believers are either translated or resurrected to be made immortal (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12).
vi. That there will be a period of 1000 years which is called the Millennial Kingdom. There will be no sin, sickness, disease, death, Satan or demons or sinners, because Satan will be bound in this period. The saints will possess the kingdom (Daniel 2; Daniel 7; Matthew 6:9-10; Revelation 20:1-7).
vii. That at the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be loosed out of the bottomless pit, and the second resurrection will take place. The wicked dead, and Satan will attempt a final overthrow of the Camp of God. There will be the Great White Throne judgment and all whose names are not in the lamb’s Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:7-15). Thus, there will be eternal punishment for unbelievers and eternal life for believers (John 5:24; 3:16; Mark 9:43-58).
viii. That there will be a New Heavens and a New Earth. The New Jerusalem will be the capital City of the universe and the redeemed of all ages will worship and serve God and the Lamb.