Father's Heart
Statement of Faith
WE BELIEVE:
The One True God
The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent ‘I AM’, the Creator of the Universe and the Redeemer of mankind. God has further revealed Himself as a triune being, manifested as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deut 6v4, Ex 3v14, Isa 43v10-11, Is 48v16, Matt 28v19, Luke 3v22
The Scripture Inspired
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God.
2 Tim 3v15–17, 1 Thes 2v13, 2 Pet 1v21
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and as such, shares in the Divinity and Deity of God.
Matt 1v23, John 1v1, John 5v22-23, Heb 1v1–13
The Deity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter sent by the Father by the prayer of Jesus and who shares in the Divinity and Deity of God.
Ps 139v7–10, Luke 1v35
Original Sin and the Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright for God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’. The first man, Adam, through disobedience, fell from the grace of God and thus sin entered into the world and death by sin. Adam’s transgression incurred not only physical death of man but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God.
Gen 1v26-27, Gen 2v17, Gen 3v6–24
The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption and salvation from the power of sin is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 4v12, Rom 5v8-13, Rom 10v9, Jas 1v21, Eph 2v8
Christ the One Shepherd
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Great Shepherd. There is one spiritual shepherd referred to in the New Testament and Jesus Christ is that one.
John 10v11, Heb 13v20, John 10v16
The Church and its Mission
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit with Divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer born of the Spirit is an integral part of the general assembly and the Church of the firstborn, which was written in heaven.
Eph 1v22-23, Eph 2v22, Heb 12v23
Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and build a Body of Believers in the image of his Son, the responsibility of the church is:
- To be an agency of God for evangelising the world (Acts 1v8, Matt 28v19, Mk 16v15-16)
- To be a corporate body in which man may worship God. (1 Cor 12v13)
- To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Eph 4v11–16, 1 Cor 12v28, 1 Cor 14v12)
Sexuality
The Bible teaches heterosexual relationships between a natural man and a natural woman within the confines of lawful matrimony. Adherence to this stated principle of sexual behaviour is an inherent requirement for membership in this local church.
Gen. 1:27, 28; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:27
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by total immersion in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be so baptised. This is a declaration to the world that they identify with Christ in his death and have been raised with Him in newness of life.
Matt 28v19, Mk 16v16, Acts 10v47-48, Rom 6v4
The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper consisting of the elements: the Bread and the Cup of the fruit of the vine, is a symbol expressing our sharing the Divine Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ; a memorial of His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His second coming and is enjoined on all believers till He comes.
2 Pet 1v4, 1Cor 11v26
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowing of the gifts or enabling of the Holy Spirit and their uses in the ministry of the body of Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
Acts 2v4, Luke 24v49, Acts 1v4-8, 1 Cor 12v1–31, Acts 8v12-17, Acts 10v44–48, Acts 19v1–6
Divine Healing
Divine Healing was provided for in the Old Testament and is an integral part of the Gospel.
Ps 103v1-3, Matt 8v16-17, Acts 5v16, Jas 5v14-16
The Second Advent of Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the catching away of the Church, followed by the actual, visible return of Christ with his saints (the Church) to reign with Him on the earth for one thousand years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
1 Thes 4v16-17, Zech 14v5, Matt 24v27-30, Rev 1v7, Rev 19v11-14, Rev 20v1-6, Zeph 3v19-20, Rom 11v26-27, Is 11v6-9, Mic 4v3-4
The Final Judgement
There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and be judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Matt 25v46, Mk 9v43–48, Rev 19v20, Rev 20v11–15, Rev 21v8
The New Heavens and the New Earth
We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Pet 3v13, Rev 21v1-2